Topic: Consumer Reports rates Lexus, Toyota and Audi most reliable auto brands

[Autos_Editor]

FCA brands end up at the bottom of the pile
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[Sir Osis of Liver]

The single biggest issue with CR is the inclusion of ergonomic or usability issues in their reliability survey. If someone thinks an HMI isn't responsive, or a transmission doesn't shift smoothly, it's something they should find out during the test drive.

By all means mention these issues in their road tests.

I'm only interested if things break.That's it. I'm quite capable of determining if I can live with a rough shifting car or odd controls.

[Fobroader]

The single biggest issue with CR if the inclusion of ergonomic or usability issues in their reliability survey. If someone thinks an HMI isn't responsive, or a transmission doesn't shift smoothly, it's something they should find out during the test drive.

By all means mention these issues in their road tests.

I'm only interested if things break.That's it. I'm quite capable of determining if I can live with a rough shifting car or odd controls.

I'm with you 100%.....if I can't work the radio, Im the idiot who should have figured that out on the test drive!! I want to know if the headgaskets are as reliable as a 6L Ford diesel or the tranny as reliable as one from a mid 90s Chrysler, thats important, not something I can solve by getting an aftermarket double DIN stereo installed.

[mixmanmash]

The single biggest issue with CR if the inclusion of ergonomic or usability issues in their reliability survey. If someone thinks an HMI isn't responsive, or a transmission doesn't shift smoothly, it's something they should find out during the test drive.

By all means mention these issues in their road tests.

I'm only interested if things break.That's it. I'm quite capable of determining if I can live with a rough shifting car or odd controls.

I agree.  If they include them, it should be weighted very low.

[aquadorhj]

has Audi gotten better    or are people more lenient because audis are pretty?

[johngenx]

According to CR they do treat major mechanical issues ith more weighting. At least last time I read it in detail.

[EV Dan]

has Audi gotten better    or are people more lenient because audis are pretty?

maybe Audi owners don't freak out when something goes wrong and take it as part of ownership experience.    I'd be more likely to report something to CR if it broke down and the dealer would look for excuses not to fix it ("it's normal, they all do it"). If Audi cars remained the same in reliability but service has greatly improved then surely the brand will look better in surveys.

[tooscoops]

how new are the cars again in these surveys? i should hope their aren't a HUGE number of major mechanical issues...

the transmissions though are worrisome. while yeah, some of it is just shifting and people not liking it, some of it is actual failure. we've replaced a few transmissions now. as a percentage, very very small, but just the fact that there have been any is not helpful....

same cars (cherokee mostly) have been having some electrical gremlins too... now with everything being digital and electronic (transmission, e-brake, steering, dash, etc.) really can create a troubleshooting problem.

while i don't put much weight into these articles/surveys, they still do offer a brief glimpse into things people might find troublesome. just one small tool in the toolbox of deciding on a new car...

[Solstice2006]

Seems people get the HMI commander that the Germans, Lexus, and Mazda use.  Could be part of the reason why they are near the top of the reliability ratings (with the ease of use factor).  Hope Mazda plans to use the 6 speed autos for awhile.  As it is clear they are still more reliable.   Pretty surprised to see Honda move down so much.  As no Honda uses the 9 speed automatic.  Only the Acura TLX, and 2016 MDX. 

[mixmanmash]

Seems people get the HMI commander that the Germans, Lexus, and Mazda use.  Could be part of the reason why they are near the top of the reliability ratings (with the ease of use factor).  Hope Mazda plans to use the 6 speed autos for awhile.  As it is clear they are still more reliable.   Pretty surprised to see Honda move down so much.  As no Honda uses the 9 speed automatic.  Only the Acura TLX, and 2016 MDX.

With Honda, only the new 2016 Pilot Touring will use the 9speed.  I think Honda fell down because of more CVT usage (Accord, Civic) and some people don't like the feel of CVTs as alluded to in the article:

CR says Nissan’s mid-pack finish is owed to reported flaws with its continuously variable transmissions (CVT), and it’s a similar story for Honda, which this year slips four places, to eighth.

[mmret]

The single biggest issue with CR is the inclusion of ergonomic or usability issues in their reliability survey. If someone thinks an HMI isn't responsive, or a transmission doesn't shift smoothly, it's something they should find out during the test drive.

By all means mention these issues in their road tests.

I'm only interested if things break.That's it. I'm quite capable of determining if I can live with a rough shifting car or odd controls.

This is a bit surprising coming from you. I thought you believed much more in the "the system needs to protect people from their own bad decisions / lack of intelligence / lack of ability" angle.

[Solstice2006]

Seems people get the HMI commander that the Germans, Lexus, and Mazda use.  Could be part of the reason why they are near the top of the reliability ratings (with the ease of use factor).  Hope Mazda plans to use the 6 speed autos for awhile.  As it is clear they are still more reliable.   Pretty surprised to see Honda move down so much.  As no Honda uses the 9 speed automatic.  Only the Acura TLX, and 2016 MDX.

With Honda, only the new 2016 Pilot Touring will use the 9speed.  I think Honda fell down because of more CVT usage (Accord, Civic) and some people don't like the feel of CVTs as alluded to in the article:

CR says Nissan’s mid-pack finish is owed to reported flaws with its continuously variable transmissions (CVT), and it’s a similar story for Honda, which this year slips four places, to eighth.

I didn't include the Pilot, because I don't think the data given was for the 2016 Pilot yet.  Also the article says "flaws with CVT", but I don't know of much reliability issues with Hondas CVT.  I know Nissan's CVT have had issues, and aren't as smooth.  Haven't tried a Honda CVT. 

[johngenx]

Nissans CVT s aren't just coarse, they seem to have failure issues.

[mixmanmash]

Nissans CVT s aren't just coarse, they seem to have failure issues.

The 4 cylinders tend to be coarse because the engines are not all that smooth.  The V6s are pretty smooth.

Most of the failures that I know of tend to be with the 4 cylinder models and the unit they are using in the newer Pathfinder.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The single biggest issue with CR is the inclusion of ergonomic or usability issues in their reliability survey. If someone thinks an HMI isn't responsive, or a transmission doesn't shift smoothly, it's something they should find out during the test drive.

By all means mention these issues in their road tests.

I'm only interested if things break.That's it. I'm quite capable of determining if I can live with a rough shifting car or odd controls.

This is a bit surprising coming from you. I thought you believed much more in the "the system needs to protect people from their own bad decisions / lack of intelligence / lack of ability" angle.

People should be free to make bad decisions, to a point. Having someone have to put up with harsh shifting or poor ergonomics isn't going to have devastating consequences.

[Kris78]

So far, my wife's 200 has been a very nice car indeed, but that transmission takes a lot of getting used to.

It doesn't shift like any automatic I've ever driven. I've found that it is quite smooth, but the number of shifts it goes through ends up feeling odd. Also, it REALLY hates it if you floor it. At that point, it WILL take its time shifting down. A youtube reviewer - Alex on Autos - has a great video explaining the peculiarities of this transmission.

As mentioned above, there have been some new transmissions going into cars, but I suspect that majority of complaints are from those getting their brains wrapped around the way the car works.

So far though, it has delivered some really good fuel economy numbers for us and we're really happy with it.

[tooscoops]

Seems people get the HMI commander that the Germans, Lexus, and Mazda use.  Could be part of the reason why they are near the top of the reliability ratings (with the ease of use factor).  Hope Mazda plans to use the 6 speed autos for awhile.  As it is clear they are still more reliable.   Pretty surprised to see Honda move down so much.  As no Honda uses the 9 speed automatic.  Only the Acura TLX, and 2016 MDX.

i think those people are just scared to admit they can't figure it out.... "oh, you can't figure it out?... you must be new to the brand"...

those high end systems i find some of the worst... nothing seems to be where it should, but it sure looks and feels nice!

[rrocket]

I'm only interested if things break.

If you were truly interested in things breaking, you wouldn't have bought a VW.      

[pi314]

I'm only interested if things break.

If you were truly interested in things breaking, you wouldn't have bought a VW.      

No, he's interested in observing first hand what it is like when things break

[Sir Osis of Liver]

You're both right!