About Consumer Guide Automotive
Consumer Guide's® singular focus is to make car shopping easier for consumers. In print and on the Web, Consumer Guide's editors provide professional, unbiased evaluations of nearly 1000 new and used vehicles. In addition, we offer expert shopping advice, timely feature articles, and insightful automotive editorials.Since 1967, Consumer Guide has published authoritative, objective reviews of new and used cars and trucks. Its staff of 20 includes 10 full-time automotive editors with more than 150 years of combined automotive experience.
Consumer Guide produces "Consumer Guide Car & Truck Test Monthly," the most complete new vehicle buying guide. Consumer Guide also publishes the award-winning "Collectible Automobile®" magazine and a variety of automotive hardcover titles. Since 1995, Consumer Guide has been a presence on the Web with new- and used-vehicle reviews. ConsumerGuide.com was recently awarded Forbes.com's "Best of the Web" within the "Car Buying" category.
Consumer Guide L.L.C. is a division of Publications International, Ltd. Based in Lincolnwood, IL, PIL publishes more than 500 book and magazine titles a year in categories including children's, cooking, sports, how-to and crafts, entertainment, medical and health, auto and consumer information.
Consumer Guide's® Rating System
Vehicle ratings are based on test drives by the auto editors. Noted at the top of each numerical rating column are the specific models tested and any equipment that has a bearing on their performance or accommodations. The manufacturers furnish vehicles tested. We use them the way their owners would; commuting, shopping, family vacations, highway travel, and stop-and-go city travel.Ratings values are in 10 categories on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the highest. It's important to note that with the exception of Value Within Class, these ratings numbers reflect how the model we tested compares with all vehicles, not solely with other models in its class. Ratings numbers and comments are based on the subjective evaluations of our test drivers. However, we have established qualitative guidelines for three categories in the new-vehicle reviews: acceleration, fuel economy, and cargo space. These are guidelines only, not the exclusive basis for our ratings in these categories.
| Rating | Acceleration 0-60 MPB |
Fuel Economy Miles Per Gallon |
Cargo Space Cubic Feet |
| 1 | Over 12.0 | Under 10.1 | Under 8.9 |
| 2 | 11.1-12.0 | 10.1-13.9 | 9.0-12.4 |
| 3 | 10.1-11.0 | 14.0-15.4 | 12.5-14.3 |
| 4 | 9.1-10.0 | 15.5-17.9 | 14.4-15.4 |
| 5 | 8.1-9.0 | 18.0-21.9 | 15.5-17.5 |
| 6 | 7.1-8.0 | 22.0-24.9 | 17.6-22.0 |
| 7 | 6.1-7.0 | 25.0-29.9 | 22.1-49.9 |
| 8 | 5.1-6.0 | 30.0-34.9 | 50.0-74.9 |
| 9 | 4.6-5.0 | 35.0-49.0 | 75.0-129.8 |
| 10 | Under 4.6 sec | Over 49.9 | Over 129.9 |
Note that cargo-room ratings for pickup trucks refer to in-cab storage and are not an assessment of cargo-bed capacity. For all other vehicles, the cargo rating is based on the vehicle's maximum cargo volume, meaning with all rear seats folded or removed, when possible.
The average total for all vehicles in that class provides an idea of how the tested models scored relative to others in their vehicle class.
Value Within Class
Value Within Class judges the tested models on a value-for-money basis solely against competitors within their market category. This may be the single most important factor when sorting like vehicles, as it allows consumers to quickly determine the top vehicles in a particular class.
Consumer Guide's® Editors' Picks
Consumer Guide has been publishing automotive books since 1967. During that time, Consumer Guide has become the source for authoritative, objective new- and used-car reviews. Because of its history, unbiased character, and expert editorial staff, Consumer Guide is considered to be one of the most respected and dependable automotive information sources for consumers nationwide.Our 10 full-time editors put more than 100 years of automotive expertise into each and every new- and used-vehicle review. The reviews are crafted using input from four or more editors, each imparting unique life experiences and technical knowledge to create unbiased and professional evaluations. Over the course of a year, each editor drives approximately 200 new cars and trucks, keeping current with the latest products, trends, and features.
Each year, Consumer Guide's team of experts selects the best overall values in 17 classes, ranging from inexpensive compact cars to premium luxury SUVs. These awards factor in a vehicle's price, features, and accommodations, as well its performance during test drives. Consumer Guide's awards are not based solely on objective ratings. Rather, they reflect overall value for the money, and are intended to help consumers make confident purchases.
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This is Consumer Guide's highest accolade. A vehicle with a Best Buy award represents the very best balance of attributes within its class.
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Consumer Guide® Automotive Recommended
Vehicles that merit serious consideration as great values, but fall short of the class leaders in value or appeal to a slightly narrower audience, are given the Recommended award.
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Consumer Guide® Automotive One To Watch
Each year, automakers introduce scores of new or significantly redesigned vehicles. Some have new names, most don't. One to Watch recognition helps new-car shoppers identify these brand-new vehicles.
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Consumer Guide® Automotive Smart Buy
A Smart Buy is a good vehicle with a generous factory incentive. Consumer Guide would normally suggest shoppers first consider a Best Buy or Recommended pick, but some Smart Buys may be hard for savvy consumers to ignore.
Consumer Guide's focus is to make car shopping easier for consumers. Vehicles are rated in 10 categories. The categories include acceleration, fuel economy, ride quality, steering and handling, quietness, controls and interior materials, passenger room and comfort, cargo room, and value versus other vehicles in the model class. These ratings help determine which vehicles merit Best Buy, Recommended, or Smart Buy status.
Consumer Guide's ratings are unique in that they allows consumers to cross-shop between classes and evaluate vehicles based on merits rather than faults. Consumer Guide editors assess vehicles as if they were driving the car or truck as part of their everyday life, creating a review that can be used by consumers to make a worry-free purchase.