A consumer vehicle review (CR), or a report on a particular vehicle, is an opinionated report. Ratings are based upon several factors. These factors include actual car ownership experiences as well as editors' feedback. To find out about car reliability and satisfaction, members conduct surveys. These surveys provide information that is used to generate ratings. CR publishes individual model ratings and Brand rankings in addition to rating cars. Detailed buying guides are available to consumers who are interested in buying a particular model.
Rating system for CR
Consumer Reports rating system for car reviews is based largely on extensive testing and research. They evaluate the car's performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, overall safety, and overall health. The road test includes 50 tests in Colchester, Connecticut. After receiving feedback from the drivers, editors give the car an overall score. The editors ask test driver feedback about their car's ride quality as well as usability and noise. Safety scores are also calculated based on the availability of safety equipment and driver assistance features. They also give extra points to vehicles with advanced safety systems.
Brand rankings
Based on consumer car reviews, the Honda Civic scores high in reliability and practicality. The Civic's Magic Seat arrangement, which allows for ample cargo space, is a good choice despite its low overall score. The Civic is ranked third for reliability and sixth in MPG. It gets the lowest scores in the infotainment section, where it is rated poorly for sensitivity and the balance between touchscreen and physical controls.
Individual model ratings
Consumer car reviews often include ratings for individual models. These ratings are often based in part on the average scores of individual car owners. Edmunds does NOT provide individual ratings on every model. This makes the ratings look artificial and meaningless. Edmunds should indicate error bars for each model rating in order to correct this. If this were to be done, the ratings would more accurately reflect the actual experience of owners. Consumer guides might also recommend rating individual trim packages or model models as well as their vehicle classes.
Detailled buying guides
For those looking to buy a car, detailed consumer buying guides are still a great resource. Consumer Guide publishes comprehensive guides for every class of vehicle. These guides are an excellent place to start when trying to narrow down the options. They offer a high-level overview, pros and cons for each class, and a list Consumer Guide-classified vehicles with brief descriptions of what makes them special.