Predicted Car Reliability 2011 - Consumer Reports' Top Ten Autos

Recently Consumer Reports released charts of its predicted short-term reliability of sedans, coupes, convertibles, wagons, minivans, sport-utility vehicles, and pickup trucks. Its predicted reliability is based on the infrequency of serious problems within the three preceding model years - 2008, 2009 and 2010 - or fewer when an insufficient data history limits model year inclusion.

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In this article I list the Top Ten by CR's predicted reliability for model year 2011. Not included in this list of CR's most reliable are those automobiles with only a one-year data history, as a reliability predicted on the basis of one year may be quite inaccurate.

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The Top 10, 12 by tie or near tie, are:
The Toyota Yaris, a small sedan or 2-door or 4-door hatchback
The Honda CR-V, a small sport-utility vehicle
Toyota Motor Corporation's Lexus LX, a large luxury SUV
The Honda Fit, a small 4-door hatchback
Toyota's Scion xD, a small 4-door hatchback
The Honda Civic coupe
Honda Motor Company's Acura RL, a luxury sedan
The V6 Toyota RAV4, a small SUV
Honda's front-wheel-drive Acura TL, an upscale sedan
The Toyota FJ Cruiser, a midsize SUV
The Mitsubishi Outlander, a small SUV
The 4-cylinder Toyota RAV4, a small SUV.

Toyota Motor Corporation accounts for 6 of the 12 most reliable, Honda Motor Company for 5, and Mitsubishi Motor Corporation for 1.

The Toyota Yaris and its predecessor, the Echo, have an excellent long-term reliability history. Their combined 2010 Auto Reliability GPA, for model years 2000 to 2009, is a perfect 4.00 over a 9-year data history. Other 2010 Auto Reliability GPAs of the best of model year 2011 are:

Honda CR-V: 3.63 over 10 years of data
Lexus LX: 3.79 over 9 years
Honda Fit: 4.00 over 3 years
Scion xD: 4.00 over 2 years
Honda Civic coupe: N/A, but the Honda Civic sedan has a GPA of 3.75 over 10 years
Acura RL: 3.27 over 7 years
V6 Toyota RAV4: 2.95 over 4 years
Acura TL: 3.25 over 10 years
Toyota FJ Cruiser: 4.00 over 2 years
Mitsubishi Outlander: 2.88 over 5 years
4-cylinder Toyota RAV4: 3.88 over 10 years.

Predicted Car Reliability 2011 - Consumer Reports' Top Ten Autos

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Predicted Car Reliability 2011 - Consumer Reports' Top 10 Small Cars

Yearly Consumer Reports predicts the short-term reliability of motor vehicle models for the new model year. This predicted reliability is based on the infrequency of serious problems in the three preceding model years, as reported in a survey of its subscribers.

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When data are lacking or insufficient for one or more model years, the predicted short-term reliability is based on fewer than the last three model years. In some instances, it is based on only one year - primarily when a model is new or newly redesigned.

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By the reliability predictions for model year 2011, CR's Top Ten small cars are listed below. The list omits all models whose reliability prediction is based on only one year.

Consumer Reports' Top 10 Small Cars

The Toyota Yaris, a sedan or 2-door or 4-door hatchback The Honda Fit, a 4-door hatchback Toyota Motor Corporation's Scion xD, a 4-door hatchback The Honda Civic coupe The Honda Civic sedan Toyota's Scion xB, a boxy wagon The non-turbo Subaru Impreza, a sedan or wagon The Mazda3 sedan The Toyota Corolla, a sedan The Hyundai Elantra wagon

CR's next 5 are also of noteworthy reliability. They are:

The Toyota Matrix, a wagon The Mazda3 hatchback The Nissan Sentra The Suzuki SX4, a sedan, a 4-door hatchback or wagon The Ford Focus sedan.

Of the Top 10, Toyota Motor Corporation accounts for 4, Honda Motor Company for 3, and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (Subaru), Mazda Motor Corporation, and Hyundai Motor Company each account for one.

Below are the 2010 Auto Reliability GPAs, based on last year's survey, of the above best. In most instances, the GPAs are based on more than the three most-recent model years, and may be a preferable guide for those consumers planning an intermediate- or long-term ownership.

Toyota Yaris/Echo: a perfect 4.00 over a 9-year data history Honda Fit: 4.00 over 3 years Scion xD: 4.00 over 2 years Honda Civic coupe: N/A Honda Civic sedan: 3.75 over 10 years Scion xB: 3.78 over 5 years Non-turbo Subaru wagon: 3.02 over 9 years Mazda3 sedan: 3.33 over 6 years Toyota Corolla: 3.81 over 10 years Hyundai Elantra sedan and wagon: 2.38 over 10 years Toyota Matrix: 3.40 over 7 years Mazda3 hatchback: N/A Nissan Sentra: 2.00 over 9 years Suzuki SX4: 3.00 over 2 years Ford Focus sedan: 2.38 over 10 years.

Consumer Reports' 2010 survey provides data on 1.3 million vehicles. As it queries for serious problems, it is highly regarded by many consumers who plan to purchase a used, as well as new, vehicle. Reliability ratings for used cars based on its 2010 survey will out in very late 2010 and early and mid 2011, if past publication history holds in the present.

CR's current predictions of short-term reliability for model year 2011 are based on model years 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Predicted Car Reliability 2011 - Consumer Reports' Top 10 Small Cars

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