CR's safest vehicles

Consumer Reports names six vehicles that are high on safety

Which vehicles are safer? The CR Safety Assessment, helps you see the big picture by combining scores for crash protection and accident-avoidance capabilities to produce an overall safety rating.

The following vehicles scored at the top of their respective classes in the CR Safety Assessment. Each has been recently tested by Consumer Reports and has been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Subscribers to ConsumerReports.org have access to the entire CR Safety Assessment Ratings, which include about 80 vehicles.

Family sedan--Mazda6
The Mazda6 is among the top-rated family sedans. The V6-powered Mazda6 s is the top-ranked family sedan in the CRSA, and the four-cylinder Mazda6 i is rated third. Both have very good IIHS and NHTSA crash-test results, strong brakes, and forgiving handling. The V6 model was slightly faster than the four-cylinder model when put through our avoidance maneuver.

Currently available as just a sedan, the wagon version of the Mazda6 arrives shortly. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with the V6, while the four-cylinder offers a four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual. The split fold-down rear seatback has a handy spring-loaded release mechanism: Pull a level and the seats fold down to increase cargo space. Handling is fairly nimble. The ride is firm yet compliant, and the brakes are very good. The four-cylinder engine doesn’t feel as punchy or refined as those in the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. The Ford-supplied V6 is relatively thirsty. The turning circle is wide, making parking maneuvers tedious.

Small cars--Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has excellent front-crash and very good side-crash results in NHTSA tests, and received a score of Good in the IIHS offset-crash test. It achieved a very good accident-avoidance rating in Consumer Reports testing. It has strong brakes and nimble handling.

Good performance, fuel economy, and interior space help make the Civic one of the best small sedans. The standard 1.7-liter, 115-hp four-cylinder and the EX’s 127-hp version are sprightly. The HX has a fuel-efficient lean-burn engine. The automatic transmission works very well. Handling is fairly nimble though not quite as agile as that of the Ford Focus. The ride is a bit too firm, and road noise is pronounced. The controls are clear, with excellent fit and finish. Good crash-test results are another plus. The Si drives similarly even with its 160-hp engine. The gasoline/electric Hybrid also performs like a regular Civic, though slower, and averaged 36 mpg in CR tests.


Upscale & large sedans--Lexus IS300
The IS300 was not only rated at the top of its class, but has the best overall score in the entire CR Safety Assessment. This luxury sports sedan offers excellent crash protection, braking, and handling, along with very quick acceleration.

The rear-wheel-drive IS300 competes with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The trade-off for its nimble handling is a firm, somewhat jittery ride. It also lacks the compliance found in the top German competitors and it provides less steering feedback than the 3 Series. Power comes from a silky-smooth 215-hp six-cylinder engine mated to either a five-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual. The brakes are excellent. The optional 17-inch high-performance tires provide tenacious grip on dry pavement but aren’t intended for snow. The interior is snug, and the rear seat is distinctly tight. The SportCross is a wagon/hatchback version.

Small SUVs--Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is not only the top-ranked small SUV in the CR Safety Assessment, it’s also the highest-scoring small SUV in CR’s testing. Its handling is sound and the brakes are very good. This car-based SUV also achieved impressive crash-test results.

The Forester was freshened for 2003 and features a compliant ride and good steering feel. The engine provides adequate acceleration, and the optional automatic transmission shifts responsively. Standard AWD helps in all weather conditions and in moderate off-road terrain. Inside, you’ll find lots of useful compartments. The front seats are firm and well shaped, and the rear seats have been improved slightly. The 2.5 X version is an excellent value at $21,000. A new turbo model with 210 hp arrived this past summer.

Midsized SUVs--Lexus RX330

The Lexus RX330 is the top-ranked midsized SUV in the CR Safety Assessment, combining a very good accident-avoidance rating with excellent crash-test scores. The RX330’s stability-control system is standard, and does a good job of keeping the vehicle from sliding out of control. Emergency handling is forgiving and secure.

The refined and responsive 230-hp, 3.3-liter V6 and smooth-shifting five-speed automatic work well together. Handling is better than most traditional SUVs and considerably improved over its predecessor. The ride is very comfortable. The well-detailed interior is as plush and quiet as in many luxury cars. The rear seat is roomy enough for three, but cargo capacity is modest. The rear roof pillars create a large blind spot, but an optional rear-view camera helps when backing up. A hybrid version called RX400h arrives this fall.

Minivans--Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is an impressive performer in the CR Safety Assessment. It offers excellent crash protection and achieved a very good accident-avoidance score in Consumer Reports testing.
The Odyssey is still a great minivan, even though the Toyota Sienna now outranks it in CR’s overall Ratings. The powerful 3.5-liter V6 is quiet and refined, and the five-speed automatic is responsive and smooth. The ride is supple, well isolated, and controlled on the highway. Road noise is still a bit pronounced. Handling is quite agile, with precise steering. The front seats are comfortable for drivers of all sizes, and second and third rows are comfortable and roomy. The third-row bench folds flat into the floor. The power-operated sliding doors on the EX model are convenient. At around $25,000, the Odyssey LX is an excellent value.

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所有跟帖： 

• 参加评比的只有日车吧? 别的没资格参评. -日车就是好!- ♀ (0 bytes) () 06/01/2004 postreply 15:51:32

• kinda surprising not seeing -DaBoys- ♀ (57 bytes) () 06/01/2004 postreply 18:15:10

• That is why we can not trust -stp- ♀ (12 bytes) () 06/01/2004 postreply 18:55:18

• yep, use it as a guide -DaBoys- ♀ (28 bytes) () 06/01/2004 postreply 19:25:10

• good point! -leonlz99- ♀ (0 bytes) () 06/01/2004 postreply 19:33:09