Lexus LS 460L tops Consumer Reports' 2011 best cars list

Consumer Reports buys the cars it tests, and the publication arguably provides 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.”

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 of the top 10 best overall 2011 cars (with points totals) as published in the magazine’s April print and online editions:

Lexus LS 460L, 99
BMW 135i (manual), 97
Porsche 911 Carrera S (manual), 96
Mazda5 Grand Touring, 95
Infiniti G37 Journey, 95
Infiniti M37, 93
Nissan Altima 3.5 SR (V6), 93
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (manual), 92
Hyundai Genesis 3.8, 92
Nissan Altima 2.5 S (4-cyl.), 91