Asian Car Reliability

Anyone looking to buy a new car will need to consider several things that will fit their long-term needs. The resources that can provide this specific information are as varied and diversified as the Internet pages. Multiple sites offer quotes and reviews, but one of the most trusted is Consumer Report, a widely recognized magazine that reviews and compares products and services. Car trouble is a dominant decision factor when looking for a reliable car, being asked by an estimated 30 to 40 percent of North American car buyers.

Over the years, customers have grown accustomed to rave reviews about Asian cars. The aspect considered here is that of reliability, which refers to the car’s performance over time, over several years, its ability to incorporate safety, consistent performance, fuel economy and luxury at a good price. Especially Japanese car manufacturers get, year after year, the highest evaluation results with cars like Toyota, Honda and Hyundai. Of the 33 models, 23 were from Japanese manufacturers on the list compiled by Consumer Reports, published in early March 2008. But there’s also good news for American models like Ford that have shown notable improvements in recent years, in a wish of diminishing the considerable Asian dominance in the market.

In 2004, the best-selling car in America was the Honda Accord, rated the best family sedan. Asian cars have almost become one with reliability, with 12 problems encountered per 100 vehicles, while American automakers had 18 followed by Europeans with 20. Toyota and Honda nearly rounded out the top 10 chosen category, while in the most satisfactory list 21 of 33 were Japanese manufacturers.

Over the past two years, Ford has managed to improve predicted reliability, although it still lags far behind Asian automakers. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans have scored slightly higher than the Honda Accord V6 and Toyota Camry V6, but Japanese automakers have countered with the 2006 Hyundai Azera. For a clearer view of Asian success on the reliability scale, it should be noted that 39 out of 47 are Japanese vehicles. At the opposite end of the ranking are German Mercedes-Benz cars: CLS, E-Class Sedan, SL, CLK, SLK (V6), M-Class, R-Class, and 2006 S-Class.

In 2008, Subaru also made the list of the most reliable cars in the United States.

Hyundai once again topped Consumer Report’s list with the Elantra SE as the best small sedan and the Santa Fe as the midsize sport utility. Toyota was also a winner with the Sienna, Prius and RAV4 for most reliable small SUVs, but reports show the automaker is scoring below average with the V6Camry and Tundra V8 pickups. That’s why Consumer Report will no longer recommend them just because of Toyota’s impressive history of reliability. Most of the complaints are related to brakes, automatic transmission and unpleasant noises. Still, the magazine suggests the Camry Hybrid is a good option. The Honda Accord has been given the top spot for best electronics, engine, or switches, followed by Lexus.