NEW YORK — Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion brand topped the list of most reliable cars in Consumer Reports' annual vehicle reliability rankings released Thursday, as Asian automakers continued to crowd the top of the magazine's rankings.
Meanwhile, Chrysler LLC vehicles saw their scores fall sharply from 2007, while Ford Motor Co.'s nameplates gained ground over their Detroit rivals.
The study compiled responses from Consumer Reports readers for more than 1.4 million vehicles this spring, using the results to predict reliability of 2009 models. The results are closely watched by automakers because of their influence on car buyers.
In this year's study, Honda Motor Co.'s Acura and Honda lines ranked right behind Scion, followed by the Toyota nameplate and Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. Asian names occupied all of the magazine's top 10 slots, with a domestic automaker not appearing on the list until No. 11 with Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln brand.
People are also reading…
Auto Trustworthiness
Latest ratings from Consumer Reports:
• Small car Best: Scion xD, Mini Cooper Clubman Worst: Nissan Versa (sedan)
• Family car: Best: Toyota Prius, Kia Optima Worst: Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring (V-6)
• Sporty car, coupes & convertibles Best: Lexus SC, Volvo C30 Worst: Chrysler Sebring (convertible), Saturn Sky
• Upscale/luxury car Best: Infinity M35 (rear-wheel drive), Lexus IS250 Worst: Cadillac STS (V-8), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (V-8)
• Wagons & minivan Best: Toyota Matrix, Scion xB Worst: Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan
• Small SUV Best: Honda Element, Toyota FJ Cruiser Worst: Land Rover LR2, Saturn Vue (V-6, all-wheel drive)
• Midsized SUV Best: Honda Pilot (2008), Lexus RX400h (hybrid) Worst: Land Rover Range Rover, Volkswagen Touareg
• Large SUV Best: Toyota Sequoia, (no second pick) Worst: Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (V-8), Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (turbodiesel)
• Pickup trucks Best: Toyota Tundra (V-6), Honda Ridgeline Worst: Ford F-250 (turbodiesel), Dodge Dakota (four-wheel drive)