Consumer Reports gives top marks to Honda and Subaru in annual report card; Chrysler lags

Honda, Subaru top Consumer Reports ranking

YONKERS, N.Y. — Consumer Reports named Honda and Subaru best all-around vehicle makers in its annual auto issue, marking the fourth consecutive year Honda won top marks from the influential magazine.

The ratings are based on the magazine’s average road test scores and predicted reliability scores.

Chrysler fared the worst in the pack, though Consumer Reports recommended one of its vehicles, the Ram pickup. It did not recommend any Chrysler vehicles last year.

Honda and Subaru, both Japanese car makers, tied for first with an overall score of 77 out of 100 points in Consumer Reports’ ranking.

They were followed by Toyota and Hyundai. Nissan and Volkswagen tied for fourth with a score of 72.

Consumer Reports praised Subaru for its 2010 Legacy sedan and Outback wagon. Although Honda and its Acura luxury line continue to make the best vehicles on the market, Consumer Reports said some recent models “have not shown the same dedication to interior quality and fuel economy.”

In addition, while the magazine continues to hold Toyota vehicles in high esteem, it only recommended half as many Toyota vehicles as it did last year after suspending its recommendations on eight Toyota vehicles that have been recalled.

Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles in the U.S. due to concerns over unintended acceleration and other problems.