A consumer car review (CR) is an opinionated report on a specific vehicle. Ratings are based upon several factors. These factors include real car ownership experiences and editor feedback. To find out about car reliability and satisfaction, members conduct surveys. Ratings are created based on the results of these surveys. CR publishes more than just rating cars. It also publishes Brand rankings as well as individual model ratings. If you are interested in purchasing a particular model, detailed buying guides can be found.
CR's rating system
Consumer Reports' car review rating system is based on extensive research and extensive testing. They assess the vehicle's reliability, safety, and performance. The 50-point road test is conducted in Colchester, Connecticut. Based on the feedback, editors assign 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 also take into account whether the vehicle has various driver assistance features or other safety equipment. An advanced safety system is awarded extra points.
Brand rankings
The Honda Civic's reliability and practicality are well-recognized by consumer car reviews. Despite its low overall score, the Civic's Magic Seat arrangement provides plenty of flexibility when it comes to cargo capacity. The Civic ranks sixth for MPG and third in reliability. 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 include error bars with every model rating. If this were to be done, the ratings would more accurately reflect the actual experience of owners. Consumer guides should also consider including individual ratings of trim packages or models, as well as vehicle classes.
Detailed buying guides
For those looking to buy a car, detailed consumer buying guides are still a great resource. Consumer Guide has comprehensive guides for each vehicle class. These guides are a good place to start when narrowing down your options. They provide a high-level overview of pros and cons for each class, as well as a list of Consumer Guide-classified vehicles and a brief description of what makes them unique.