For those that like to argue

[dcatkin]

A buick leads in sales in the USA

Regal leads 'Consumer Reports' reliability list
By Earle Eldridge, USA TODAY
The Buick Regal is the most reliable family sedan, bumping perennial leaders Toyota Camry and Nissan Maxima in Consumer Reports ' latest new vehicle guide, on sale Tuesday.

Buick Regal.
Wieck

And benighted Ford Focus has put enough distance between itself and a raft of early recalls to make the influential magazine's list of recommended vehicles. (Related list: Consumer Reports' reliability survey)

Detroit automakers say it's time they got recognition for quality improvements.

"In general, (domestic brands) are clearly narrowing any gap that existed," says Louise Goeser, vice president of quality for Ford. She says Ford's general warranty spending the past year is down 19%. Focus warranty expense is down 30%, Ford says.

Detroit models are heavily discounted, while top names from Japanese brands — which continue to dominate the reliability charts, despite Detroit improvements — are not. Consumer Reports data suggest that shoppers now have more and cheaper choices without sacrificing reliability.

Perhaps most galling of the magazine's data is that very often, the more you pay, the worse you get.

Less reliable than average were every model by Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Jaguar and Land Rover. Those are luxury brands whose prices can run past $80,000. BMW did better. Only its $70,000 7 Series flagship sedan and $41,000 X5 were worse than average.

The results are based on spring survey results from 675,000 readers and subscribers to the magazine's Web site. Reliable vehicles aren't always recommended. They also must perform well in magazine driving tests and score well in crash tests. For instance Regal, a headline car for the preview guide, isn't recommended because Consumer Reports hasn't tested it recently.

Other Detroit models upgraded in reliability and now recommended: Ford's Explorer and Escape SUVs and Lincoln LS luxury sedan; and GM's Buick Park Avenue, Buick Rendezvous and Saturn L300.

[jon@af]

That's great; doesnt mean I would buy one of them.