Consumer Reports' 2010 Top Picks...And How TCC Rates Them

Six of the ten models—the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Traverse, Mazda5, Nissan Altima, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen GTI—are new to the list, while the Hyundai Elantra SE, Infiniti G37, Lexus LS 460L, and Toyota Prius maintain their top positions.

The Top Picks are based on all of Consumer Reports’ categories of evaluation, including road tests, safety, and reliability.

Consumer Reports evaluated about 280 vehicles for this year at its Auto Test Center, which includes a test track and on-staff safety experts. Its Annual Auto Survey and reliability results, for which it’s arguably best known, are based on subscriber surveys now covering more than 1.4 million vehicles.

For 2010, all vehicles must have electronic stability control, which has been shown to reduce fatalities and injuries; the organization also notes that all of its recommended vehicles have side-curtain airbags.

2010 Toyota Prius

Page through the following to see CR’s Top Picks for 2010, along with how those same models rate here at TheCarConnection.com.

[Consumer Reports]

2010 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra SE (small sedan)

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TCC Overall Rating: 7.2
TCC’s Bottom Line: “The 2010 Hyundai Elantra remains a perfectly competent and spacious—if slightly boring—sedan, while the Touring wagon gets a more exciting personality.”
What CR Says: “It is a solid, all-around car that’s relatively comfortable, quiet, and roomy, and provides good fuel economy and plenty of features for the money.”

2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Nissan Altima (family sedan)

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TCC Overall Rating: 8.2
TCC’s Bottom Line: “The 2010 Nissan Altima remains one of the sportier choices among mid-size sedans, though if interior space matters, it might not feel as roomy as rivals.”
What CR Says: “It offers an appealing balance of comfort and performance, while getting some of the best fuel economy in its class: 26 mpg overall in four-cylinder models and 24 mpg with a V6.”

2010 Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen GTI (sporty car)

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TCC Overall Rating: 7.8
TCC’s Bottom Line: “The 2010 Volkswagen GTI sits more upright, as usual—but its punchy turbo engine, crisp handling, and paddle-shifted gearbox are anything but stodgy.”
What CR Says: “It delivers the agile handling, spirited acceleration, and responsive steering of a true sports car, along with a decent ride, a well-finished interior, and the cargo-carrying practicality of a hatchback.”

2010 Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester (small SUV)

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TCC Overall Rating: 8.0
TCC’s Bottom Line: “The 2010 Subaru Forester may not be as powerful or well-equipped as its rivals, but it really shines in its more carlike dynamics and superior handling.”
What CR Says: “provides one of the most carlike driving experiences of any SUV. It combines agile handling with the most comfortable ride in its class.”

2010 Lexus LS 460 L

Lexus LS 460L (best car overall)

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TCC Overall Rating: 8.4
TCC’s Bottom Line: “The 2010 Lexus LS range spans Sport and Hybrid models, but consistently delivers stellar ride and assembly quality—with driving pleasure placed on hold.”
What CR Says: “scored an outstanding 99 out of 100 in Consumer Reports road tests, making it the highest-rated vehicle. It provides a comfortable ride and luxurious driving environment, including a roomy, well-crafted and exceptionally quiet interior.”

2010 Chevrolet Traverse

Chevrolet Traverse (family SUV)

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TCC Overall Rating: 7.8
TCC’s Bottom Line: “Strong, sturdy, and spacious, yet carlike in some ways, the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse offers a very appealing compromise.”
What CR Says: “stands out as an impressive overall package with a quiet, spacious cabin that can comfortably seat up to eight adults and leave room for cargo.”

2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan

Infiniti G37 (sport sedan)

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TCC Overall Rating: 8.4
TCC’s Bottom Line: “For sport-sedan shoppers who are true driving enthusiasts and willing to sacrifice a little bit of comfort for quick reflexes, the 2010 Infiniti G37 is a great pick.”
What CR Says: “It is one of the highest-rated sedans tested, with a score of 95 out of 100. It provides agile handling, blistering acceleration, a refined powertrain, a fairly comfortable ride, and a high-quality, luxurious interior.”

2010 Mazda Mazda5

Mazda Mazda5 (family hauler)

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TCC Overall Rating: 8.6
TCC’s Bottom Line: "For families looking for fuel-efficient, maneuverable, and roomy transportation—with a fun-to-drive feel—the 2010 Mazda5 is your best and only choice."
What CR Says: “With three rows of seats and sliding rear side doors, it combines the convenience of a minivan with the maneuverability and stingy fuel economy—24 mpg overall—of a wagon.”

2010 Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius (green car)

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TCC Overall Rating: 8.2
TCC’s Bottom Line: “The 2010 Toyota Prius ups the ante in the hybrid world with 51-mpg city fuel economy and a finer style.”
What CR Says: “It’s still the most fuel-efficient car in Consumer Reports’ ratings, with 44 mpg overall. The Prius is a pleasant car to drive, with a roomy interior, a steady ride, hatchback versatility, and excellent reliability and crash-test results.”

2010 Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet Silverado (pickup)

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TCC’s Overall Rating: 7.6
TCC’s Bottom Line: “The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Silverado Hybrid honor their work-truck roots, but know how to play up to rich folk.”
What CR Says: “The crew-cab 4WD model is a well-rounded pickup with a roomy cabin, generous payload capacity, decent ride quality, available full-time 4WD, and, on higher-end models, very good interior fit and finish.”