3 On Your Side: Top 2013 Car Picks From Consumer Reports
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Looking for a new set of wheels? Whether it's something sleek or a family sedan, these days there are so many makes and models of cars, it can be tough to choose. So getting advice from the experts can help.
Consumer Reports has just released their top picks for 2013 in ten different categories. Among them are three models from Honda, including the Accord.
"The Honda Accord really impressed us. It's a mid-sized sedan, it gets 30 miles per gallon, it's quick, it's comfortable, it's quiet, it does almost everything well," says Consumer Reports auto test driver Jake Fisher.
Consumer Reports based their top picks on their own road tests, government and insurance industry crash and rollover tests and driver feedback.
Jon Linkov is Consumer Reports' managing editor for autos. "The vehicle has to have average or above reliability, as well as the crash test performance, as well as the excellent performance on road tests, in order to be a top pick," he says.
Honda's Accord was named best mid-sized sedan, the Honda Odyssey got the nod for top minivan and the Honda CRV was rated best small SUV. Also on the list were the Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ as top sports cars. The BMW 328i was named best sports sedan, the Audi A6 best luxury car and, in the budget car category, the Hyundai Elantra came out on top.
With the recent climb in fuel prices, bigger isn't always better behind the wheel.
Consumer Reports evaluated vehicles of all sizes for their fuel economy. Suburu's Impreza got picked for best compact and Toyota's Prius was named best "green" car.
By the way, if you're looking for a mid-size SUV, Consumer Reports gave a thumbs up to the Toyota Highlander.
For more information on these top picks, including their prices, visit: www.consumerreports.org.
