Consumer Reports has just announced its list of Best and Worst Value vehicles on the market, with foreign automakers taking all the top spots in the Best Value categories, while the Worst Value categories are dominated by domestic automakers. More accurately, the Worst Value categories are mostly made up of one domestic automaker: Chrysler. Listed as Worst Values in the Family Car, Wagon/Minivan, Small SUV and Upscale Sedan segments are, respectively, the Dodge Avenger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Charger R/T. Other losers include the Chrysler Sebring Convertible as a worst value for a sporty car while the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara was a worst value pick for Midsize SUVs.

The only imported model to wind up on the Worst Value list was the Mercedes S550 in the Luxury Sedan category.

Top picks for Best Value include, surprisingly, both the Toyota Prius and Honda Fit, despite both vehicles having been recalled this past year. It’s not clear if the recalls were incuded in CR’s analysis, as the consumer group lists its judging criteria as, “a combination of performance, utility, and reliability for the money, considering total owner costs over the first five-years. The better a car performs in Consumer Reports’ road tests and reliability Ratings and the less it costs to own, the greater its value.”

Take a look at the full release below as well as the complete list of Best and Worst picks in each category.

Official release after the jump:

It’s official: all that talk by Ford about how improved the company’s quality is, is more than just marketing spin. In the most recent Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey (2009), Ford made huge gains, with the Fusion mid-sized sedan out-ranking both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

“It’s rare for Consumer Reports to see family sedans from domestic car makers continue to beat the reliability scores of such highly regarded Japanese models as the Camry and Accord,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Automotive Test Center, with the last domestic sedan to do so being the Buick Regal back in 2004.

As a whole, 90 percent (or 46 of 51) Ford/Lincoln models scored average or better reliability. Dragging that number down were the all-wheel drive versions of the Lincoln MKS, MKX, and MKZ, which all scored below average.

As for domestic competitors General Motors and Chrysler, the General has 20 or 48 vehicles that scored average reliability, while Chrysler continues to falter with one third of its vehicles below average and only one recommended product – the Ram 1500 4WD.

Despite losing out to Ford in the mid-sized segment, the Japanese (and now Korean) automakers continue to dominate as the most reliable vehicles, with 36 of the top 48 models being Asian. All Honda and Acura products rated average or above average, while out of Toyota, Lexus and Scion, just one model (the Lexus GS AWD) rated below average.

Like the American automakers (Chrysler excluded) European car manufacturers are improving. Mercedes has made the biggest improvement with most models now rated average or better. BMWs brought mixed results with the 535i sedan and X3 SUV declining, while the 135i rating below average. Only the 328i lists as “Recommended” by Consumer Reports.

As for Volkswagen, the Golf and CC earned top scores, while the diesel Jetta is now listed as the only diesel with a “Recommended” rating. Unfortunately for VW, the least reliable car from the CR survey is the Toureg.

As for the impeccably reliable product from Porsche, that reputation has been sullied somewhat for 2009 with the Boxster slipping in reliability, causing it to be removed from the “Recommended” list.

Consumer Reports’ 2009 Annual Car Reliability Survey is based on responses from more than 1.4 million new vehicle owners or leases that subscribe to Consumer Reports.

Read more on the Consumer Reports 2009 Annual Car Reliability Survey after the jump:

According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, the overwhelming majority of car shoppers are considering a domestic vehicle as their next purchase. Results of the “Auto Pulse” survey indicate that 81 percent of respondents looking at a new car are considering buying American. That number is significantly higher than the numbers for Asian imports (47 percent) and European imports (46 percent).

The increase in consumer confidence in domestic automakers is not shared equally between the brands, however, with Chrysler suffering significantly. Ford gained 17 percentage points compared to a year ago, while General Motors was u six points. Chrysler dropped significantly, by 25 points.

The survey also explores what consumers see as the most important factors in buying a car and these results contained some surprises. While price topped the list, amongst active new car buyers it listed fourth, below fuel-economy, quality and safety.

[Source: Reuters]

In the latest issue Consumer Reports tests 22 small cars and hatchbacks and Honda’s new Insight only rates a “Good.” That might not sound all that bad, but CR usually gives all Hondas an “Excellent” or “Recommended” or “Top Pick” rating.

Out of 22 cars, the Insight is just 21st. The only car to rate lower is the Dodge Caliber… ouch!

“The Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time,” said David Champion, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. “The Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is nothing like the Fit on which it is based. Also, Electronic Stability Control is only available on the highline EX version.”

Still CR did highlight the Insight’s fuel-economy at a tested 38 mpg. Honda officially claims 40/43 mpg (city/highway). The car’s braking was also cited as a high-point.

The car did not, however, live up to Honda’s handling standards, which we suspect has a lot to do with the only semi-independent rear end.

As a result of this the Insight will not receive the Consumer Reports “Recommended” stamp of approval, which is based on test data, predicted reliability and crash testing.

Read AutoGuide ’s review of the 2010 Honda Insight at the link below:

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/honda/2010-honda-insight-1126.html

Official release after the jump:

The Lexus LS460, Rated the Best Overall Car by Consumer Reports for 2008

Consumer Reports has just released its list of the best cars in each class and the Japanese are dominating with 8 vehicles (out of 10) in the top spots. CR says it bases its results on three variables: Road Tests, Reliability and Safety.

For a car to be a top pick it must have ranked at the top of its class in an overall test score, which includes 50 individual tests. A Car must also have an average of better predicted reliability rating and must perform “adequately” in safety tests by the NHTSA or IIHS. Consumer Reports also stipulates that for any car to be a top pick it must have stability control (ESC).

And The Winners are:

Best Overall: Lexus LS460

-powerful, good fuel-economy,uncompromising luxury

Best Family Sedan: Honda Accord

-Roomy, well-rounded and fun to drive, plus ESC (Altima bested Accord in most tests but not all Altimas come with ESC)

Best Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Avalanche

-functional and comfortable

Best Small SUV: Toyota Rav4

-roomy and quiet, good on gas with 4 or 6-cyl, third row seat available

Best Midsized SUV: Toyota Highlander

-quiet, three rows of seats, decent fuel economy, versatile, AWD optional, Hybrid available

Best Minivan: Toyota Sienna

-versatile, seating for 8, rivals luxury cars for interior, AWD optional

Best Small Car: Hyundai Elantra

-comfortable and roomy wih good fuel economy, ESC on SE model

Best Green Car: Toyota Prius

-Prius wins six years running

Best UpScale Sedan: Infiniti G37

-Agile, great interior, AWD optional, luxury and sport all in one.

Best Fun to Drive Car: Mazda MX-5 Miata

-Tied Boxster in testing but costs half as much

[Source: Consumer Reports]