Consumer Reports buys the vehicles it tests, and through the years, the publication’s editors and testers have refined their assessment approach. It’s arguably the most detailed and respected evaluation of new cars and trucks in the automotive industry.
As the publication’s editors like to say: “Not all cars are created equal, and we have the data to prove it.”
Lexus has been at or near the top of the list of best cars for years, and like Jeep has been been in the dubious position among the lowest scoring vehicles.
Vehicle are rated in categories — family cars to sports cars — and there’s an overall list based on 100 points and via more than 50 testing areas.
Here’s the Consumer Reports list (an point totals) of the lowest overall scoring 2011 cars as published in the magazine’s April print and online editions:
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, 17
Ford Ranger XLT (V6), 25
Jeep Liberty Sport, 27
Smart ForTwo Passion, 28
Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT, 31
Dodge Nitro SLT, 33
Chevrolet Aveo LT, 36
Toyota FJ Cruiser, 36
Article Last Updated: March 16, 2015.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
