Best overall: Lexus 460L
Parent company Toyota has been taking its lumps lately, but the carmaker and its luxury division Lexus still makes some very good vehicles. Case in point: the Lexus LS full-size luxury sedan scores a near-flawless 99 on Consumer Reports 100-point scale.
Toyota's recall mess has caused some problems, though. Toyota would have had four cars in this Top 10 list instead of just two. Two vehicles -- the Rav4 and Highlander SUVs -- have had their recommendations suspended as a result of recalls that resulted in "stop sale" orders by the carmaker.
Family Sedan: Nissan Altima
Some slight improvements for the 2010 model year were enough to move the Altima to the top of the family sedan ranks."The Altima offers an appealing balance of comfort and performance, while getting some of the best fuel economy in its class," Consumer Reports says in its April issue.
Small sedan: Hyundai Elantra SE
Mileage: 34 Hwy, 26 City
TheElantra SE has standard Electronic Stability Control, a provenlife-saving technology not found on many other small cars, includingcheaper versions of the Elantra itself. Availability of ESC is a majorfactor for inclusion in Consumer Reports' Top Picks.
Beyond that, the Elantra is a "solid, all-around car" Consumer says.
Small sedan: Hyundai Elantra SE
Mileage: 31 Hwy, 21 City
The GTI is an tuned-up version of the VW Golf hatchback. It's got a turbocharged 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine in place of the 170-horsepower five-cylinder engine in the standard Golf, as well as more performance-oriented suspension.
Consumer Reports calls the GTI "exhilarating to drive and easy live with."
Small SUV: Subaru Forester
Mileage: 27 Hwy, 20 City
The Forester provides "one of the most carlike driving experiences of any SUV," Consumer Reports says. Fuel economy is also impressive and the turbocharged version delivers "effortless acceleration."
The Toyota Rav4 would have topped this category, but Consumer Reports had temporarily suspended its recommendation for that vehicle following a recall and "stop sale" order. That recommendation should be restored soon, the magazine says.
Family SUV: Chevrolet Traverse
Mileage: 24 Hwy, 17 City
The Traverse's copious interior space, pleasant ride and responsive handling contributed to the its win in this category. But it was the Toyota Highlander's temporarily suspended recommendation, due to a recall-related "stop sale" order, that really vaulted the Traverse over the top.
Green car: Toyota Prius
Mileage: 48 Hwy, 51 City
In its new redesigned version, the Prius tops Consumer Reports' Green Car category for the seventh year in a row. Besides its remarkable fuel economy, the Prius is roomy, pleasant to drive, safe and reliable, Consumer Reports says.
The Prius was the subject of a recall but, because the problem had already been fixed on the factory line, sales were never interrupted. That allowed Consumer Reports to maintain the Prius's recommendation.
Sports sedan: Infiniti G37
Mileage: 27 Hwy, 19 City
This is the fourth straight year that Nissan's Infiniti G sedan has topped this category. "It provides an appealing combination of agile handling, blistering acceleration, a refined powertrain, a fairly comfortable ride and a high-quality luxurious interior," Consumer Reports says.
Family hauler: Mazda5
Mileage: 28 Hwy, 22 City
The Mazda5 microvan fits three rows of seats into a small, fuel-efficient, maneuverable package. It's even fun to drive, Consumer Reports says, with a "nimble feel and a comfortable ride."
Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado
Mileage: 20 Hwy, 15 City
The Silverado is a "well rounded" truck with excellent interior quality, especially on higher-end versions. The Silverado missed making this list last year, although it earned a spot the year before, because its dependability temporarily slipped below average.
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