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Economy Cars Reviews
Updated December 2006
When it comes to reviews of economy and compact cars, Car and Driver is the most thorough reviewer we found, offering extensive, well-thought-out reviews. Cars are tested on everything from drive quality to fuel economy to cargo space. Edmunds.com also does a great job and offers a fresh view on the vehicles that it tests. Consumer Reports excels in evaluating factors that other publications gloss over, particularly long-term predicted reliability. Known mainly as a technology reviewer, CNet.com has quietly amassed a good section of auto reviews, with a focus on technology. While not many compact cars could be considered 'high-tech,' CNet has covered the new Honda Fit and the redesigned-for-2007 Nissan Sentra. Consumer Guide isn't the best source for narrative reviews, but the website has great information on specifications, fuel economy, features, options and pricing. Consumer Guide also includes real-world gas mileage obtained during their tests. While not a scientific measurement, these figures give a better idea of what kind of mileage you can expect compared to the EPA estimate, which is based on mathematical formulas. The website of Kelley Blue Book is another emerging review source. This website now goes far beyond estimating used-car values, with an extensive review section. Financial magazines Kiplinger's and Money Magazine also have good reviews. These publications also test compact cars, with a focus on value, running costs and long-term reliability. Although hybrid cars -- which use a combination of gas and electric power -- are hyped as being especially good values when it comes to fuel economy, experts say that in a strict cost/benefit analysis, they don't always come out better than a non-hybrid car in the long run. Consumer Reports magazine recently ran five-year projections on total costs
for hybrid vs. similar non-hybrid cars. Estimates included insurance and maintenance
cost, purchase price, probable resale value and income-tax credits (which are
being phased out as hybrid cars become more popular, with expert opinions marking
the end in late 2007). When it comes to SUVs and mid-priced sedans, there's
little question that a hybrid car is actually more expensive to own and maintain
by a significant margin. When it comes to smaller cars, the differences are a little closer, coming
down to whether or not you'll be able to claim a federal hybrid-car tax credit.
If you can't claim a credit, owning a hybrid compact car over a five-year period
is at least $1,500 more expensive. If you can claim a credit, then the hybrid
car can be the better deal overall, but only by a couple hundred dollars. No one argues that hybrid cars represent forward-looking technology that's
better for the environment. However, on a strictly economic basis, they are
not yet a better deal than some standard economy cars, some of which, like
the non-hybrid Honda Fit, get 31 to 38 miles to the gallon. In Consumer Guide's
real-world mileage figures, the Honda Civic Hybrid achieved a mixed-driving
average of 38 miles per gallon. Meanwhile, the Honda Fit with a manual transmission
achieved 35.6 mpg. (The Fit is a smaller car with a smaller engine, however.)
See our separate report on hybrid cars
for more on hybrid technology
and choices.
Consumer Reports recently released a report on the most and least reliable cars and trucks, and the article was extensively quoted in the mainstream press, including an article at CNN/Money.com. Based on historical data and Consumer Reports' projections, Money reports that the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Corolla are the most reliable cars overall. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Cobalt was the loser, with 37 percent more problems than the average compact car. The Chevrolet Aveo and Volkswagen Jetta also rate lower than others. The Nissan Sentra also finishes near the bottom for long-term reliability. The Nissan Sentra has been redesigned for 2007, so it isn't clear whether the Sentra's historical problematic reliability will see an improvement. In tests at Car and Driver, the 2007 Nissan Sentra finishes last in a six-car comparison of "sensible" compact cars. Editors say it's not fun to drive, even though road noise is kept to a minimum and the seats are comfortable. ... Continued
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
Two Honda compacts, the Honda Civic sedan and the Honda Fit hatchback, get the best reviews for the 2007 model year. The Toyota Corolla fits somewhere between those two cars. The Corolla isn't as fun or forward-looking as the Civic and Fit, but its reliability record is one of the best in the business. Very inexpensive cars like the Chevrolet Aveo and Cobalt don't win any big awards, but if price is your main consideration, they are the least expensive cars out there. But according to reviewers, the Aveo and Cobalt have a poor track record for long-term reliability, so you may end up with higher-than-average repair costs down the road. Advertisement
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* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
