The 2009 Annual Auto Issue by Consumers Reports, which will be available at newsstands beginning March 3, features the most and least reliable used cars of the past ten years from 1999 to 2008.  The data was compiled from the magazine’s Annual Auto Survey, which generated responses concerning more than 1.4 million new and used vehicles.

In the “Best of the Best” for most reliable, the list features nine categories – small cars, family cars, upscale cars, luxury cars, sports and sporty cars, minivans, small SUVs, midsized and large SUVs, and pickup trucks. Toyota and Honda dominated the majority of the categories, demonstrating consistent reliability and performance.

Below are just some of Consumer Reports’ picks in these categories:

Small Cars
• Honda Civic, Toyota Echo, Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, Mazda 3, Mazda Protege, Subaru Impreza

Family Cars
• Honda Accord, Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Toyota Camry (except 2008 V6), Subaru Outback (6-cyl.), Nissan Altima

Minivans
• Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey

Small SUVs
• Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander

Midsized and large SUVs
• Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota 4Runner, Infiniti FX35, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX4, Lexus GX, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Tribeca, Nissan Xterra and Toyota Sequoia

The report also features a list of “Used Cars to Avoid” and the “Worst of the Worst,” which names vehicles with multiple years of much-worse-than average reliability, including models from Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Porsche, Saturn, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

The Toyota Prius topped the magazine’s Best New-Car Value list.  The Prius was chosen among 300 cars and was selected due to best overall value, low owner-cost estimate, and high road-test score of 80 points out of 100. Also cited was its fuel economy (42 mpg overall) and resale value.

Rounding out the top five models with the best overall value were the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Rabbit, Honda Civic EX and Honda Fit. The Honda Fit also had the best owner-cost estimate on Consumer Report’s best value list. Five hybrids also made the list, including the top three in the family car category.

Consumer Reports selected the best new-car value vehicles in nine vehicle categories - small cars, family cars, upscale cars, hatchbacks/wagons, sporty cars, minivans, small SUVs, midsized SUVs, and pickup trucks.

Here are a few highlights:

Best Value Small Cars
• Honda Civic EX, Honda Fit (base), Hyundai Elantra SE, Toyota Corolla LE, and the Honda Civic Hybrid

Best Value Family Cars
• Toyota Prius Touring, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Prius (base), Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl.), and the Honda Accord (4-cyl.)

Best Value Hatchbacks/Wagons
• Volkswagen Rabbit, Mazda3 hatchback, Scion xB, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, and the Toyota Matrix
Best Value Small SUVs

• Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.), Toyota RAV4 (V6), Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander (4-cyl.), and the Nissan Rogue

Best Value Midsized SUVs
• Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Nissan Murano, and the Honda Pilot

The full report on best car values as well as value lists, reliability data, and owner-cost estimates is in the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Issue on newsstands March 3 or readers can check it out online at ConsumerReports.org.

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