Consumer Reports Annual Auto issue 2012

[Bubba1]

Just got my April issue of CU, which is devoted to cars.
Nissan fared pretty well again. 65% of their models were recommended.
As far as test scoring, Nissan tied with Toyota for most models with the highest scores (4).

highest scoring nissan vehicles:
G37
M37
Altima 3.5 SR
Altima 2.5S

Recommended Nissan models:
Altima
Frontier
Juke
Maxima
Murano
rogue
Sentra
Titan
All infiniti models except JX (new model)

not recommended:
Armada
Cube
GT-R
Leaf
Pathfinder
Quest
Versa
Xterra (despite above average reliability). It was because of low test scores
370Z


5 Best automakers:
Subaru (every model recommended)
Mazda
Toyota
Honda
Nissan (they noted Nissan had some of the highest test scores but their truck based SUV's dragged them down)

The Americans dominated the bottom again are continuing to close the gap. CU noted Chrysler showed significant improvement, specifically the 300, Durango, and Grand Cherokee. Ford is also building some nice vehicles, but their electronic interfaces/infotainment system, especially "mytouch" hurt them.

[Jesda]

Yeah, Mytouch blows. Trying it out in the Explorer I couldn't believe how small the buttons were or how slow the interface was.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jILVJEzcqHY[/youtube]

[raremotive]

The Americans dominated the bottom again are continuing to close the gap. CU noted Chrysler showed significant improvement, specifically the 300, Durango, and Grand Cherokee. Ford is also building some nice vehicles, but their electronic interfaces/infotainment system, especially "mytouch" hurt them.

Yeah, I briefly read through the magazine. Most noticeable about Ford was transmission and reliability. The Nissan Leaf didn't make the list because it has a ridiculous 75 capacity with with a really slow charge time.

They seriously need to consider a changeable battery system. Like a hand held drill, use up the battery swap it with a charged one. This is also healthy on the battery, instead of randomly charging it to keep it charged.

This would help with Nissan's New York Taxi deal. Instead of offering two cars per taxi driver... why not one car and three batteries... Then the driver can just drive to a designated swap station, swap a battery by pushing the new battery in the car and out of the other side the old battery plops out. Taxi driver doesn't have to waste his time waiting for the thing to charge.

Then when it comes to retail, the car isn't hindered by an old battery. The electric car should be sold as in two separate markets the chassis and batteries. Sell them separate. The battery would have to be a standard cartage size that can fit all models old or new. This will allow an older chassis benefit from a newer battery tech.

Don't get me wrong. I am not wooing for the electric car. I am very petrol-head and will always prefer it. But it's just stupid how the manufacturers are coming out with these expensive electric cars they will only fail like it did in the 90's.