Japanese automakers once again dominated Consumer Reports' top 10 vehicles of 2007 list -- completely shutting out their American and European competitors.
The winners were picked based on testing, reliability and safety. The 2007 list features five new models -- Toyota RAV4, Infiniti G35, Toyota Sienna, Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Honda Fit.
Toyota took first place on the top 10 list with four vehicles.
The all-Japanese list is the second time in 10 years that automakers from that country shut out competitors. The list includes:
- Toyota RAV4 - Small SUV (new listing)
- Infiniti G35 - Upscale sedan (new listing)
- Toyota Sienna - Minivan (new listing)
- Mazda MX-5 Miata - Fun to drive (new listing)
- Honda Fit - Budget cars (new listing)
- Honda Civic - Small sedan
- Infiniti M35 - Luxury sedan
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid - Midsized SUV
- Toyota Prius - Green Car
- Honda Accord - Small sedan
In test performance, Volkswagen led the list ahead of Honda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda and Nissan.
Honda, Subaru and Toyota received the highest in reliability marks.
North American cars varied greatly in reliability and seldom outranked their foreign competition. Chrysler posted the lowest score with only 21 per cent of the tested vehicles receiving a recommendation. Ford received a recommendation for 54 per cent of their test vehicles and General Motors received a 36 per cent recommendation rate.
The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan both made the magazine's "most impressive" list.
David Champion, the magazine's senior director of automotive testing, told the Associated Press that domestic automakers are struggling in an industry hit by decreased market share and manufacturing cuts.
"They are making strides in the right direction, but time is not on their side and certainly the financial situation is not on their side," he said. "If they're going to succeed in this market, they have to build a world-class product ... that doesn't fall down in any one area."
In the magazine's annual car owner satisfaction survey, the Prius was ranked as the most satisfying vehicle for the fourth straight year as 92 per cent of owners said they would buy the same model again. In second place again was the Chevrolet Corvette.
Japanese models dominated the overall satisfaction list but seven domestic models did make the top cut, compared with only four last year. The Chevrolet Uplander minivan was the lowest-ranked model in the survey -- meaning fewer than 50 per cent of owners said they would definitely buy or lease the same vehicle again.
For the first time ever, a South Korean model -- the Hyundai Azera -- made the list.
The magazine did put a stain on Toyota's impeccable record as the Yaris was scolded for having sloppy emergency handling, excessive noise and an uncomfortable driving position.
