YONKERS, New York — As consumers abandon their big SUVs in favor of fuel-conserving smaller models, they now have a bit more ammunition to use in dealerships, courtesy of Consumer Reports. The consumer watchdog late Monday said it gives high marks to the Volkswagen Tiguan and the redesigned Nissan Murano, but it does not recommend the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Volkswagen Touareg 2.
Consumer Reports said the Grand Cherokee and the Touareg 2 have "poor reliability."
Of the latest group of six small SUVs tested, Consumer Reports said it is only recommending the Infiniti EX35, which was praised for its "spirited acceleration and agility." "Recommended" vehicles have performed well in Consumer Reports tests, have at least average predicated reliability based on CR's Annual Auto Reliability Survey of readers and performed at least adequately if crash tested or included in a government rollout test.
Consumer Reports spelled out that it does not yet have reliability data on the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Land Rover LR2 or the Nissan Murano.
"The Tiguan outpointed the EX and the LR2 and now ranks in 3rd place among the compact sporty SUVs that have been tested by Consumer Reports, behind the top-rated Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4," it said in a statement. The Forester and RAV4 were tested earlier this year.
The Murano won high marks for being "greatly improved in comfort, interior quality and refinement." But is also got knocked for losing "some of its sportiness." Consumer Reports described it as "a reasonable alternative to a Lexus RX 350 for about $7,000 less."
As you might expect, fuel economy was the bugaboo with most of the vehicles tested.
The Grand Cherokee was criticized for disappointing fuel economy, which Consumer Reports said "is still not so great — just 15 mpg overall." The Touareg's fuel economy was described as "terrible — just 15 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' tests." The LR2 returned "just 18 mpg in its tests on premium fuel," Consumer Reports said, while praising the Land Rover for its "quirkiness and character that appeal to fans of the brand." The Infiniti EX35 was described as "thirsty," with just 18 mpg achieved on premium fuel; the Tiguan got 20 mpg overall on premium fuel in Consumer Reports' own fuel economy tests. The Murano got 19 mpg overall in the consumer watchdog's testing.
What this means to you: Some very detailed and independent reporting on some of the small SUVs that consumers are flocking to as they give up their big trucks and SUVs. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Consumer Reports said the Grand Cherokee and the Touareg 2 have "poor reliability."
Of the latest group of six small SUVs tested, Consumer Reports said it is only recommending the Infiniti EX35, which was praised for its "spirited acceleration and agility." "Recommended" vehicles have performed well in Consumer Reports tests, have at least average predicated reliability based on CR's Annual Auto Reliability Survey of readers and performed at least adequately if crash tested or included in a government rollout test.
Consumer Reports spelled out that it does not yet have reliability data on the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Land Rover LR2 or the Nissan Murano.
"The Tiguan outpointed the EX and the LR2 and now ranks in 3rd place among the compact sporty SUVs that have been tested by Consumer Reports, behind the top-rated Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4," it said in a statement. The Forester and RAV4 were tested earlier this year.
The Murano won high marks for being "greatly improved in comfort, interior quality and refinement." But is also got knocked for losing "some of its sportiness." Consumer Reports described it as "a reasonable alternative to a Lexus RX 350 for about $7,000 less."
As you might expect, fuel economy was the bugaboo with most of the vehicles tested.
The Grand Cherokee was criticized for disappointing fuel economy, which Consumer Reports said "is still not so great — just 15 mpg overall." The Touareg's fuel economy was described as "terrible — just 15 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' tests." The LR2 returned "just 18 mpg in its tests on premium fuel," Consumer Reports said, while praising the Land Rover for its "quirkiness and character that appeal to fans of the brand." The Infiniti EX35 was described as "thirsty," with just 18 mpg achieved on premium fuel; the Tiguan got 20 mpg overall on premium fuel in Consumer Reports' own fuel economy tests. The Murano got 19 mpg overall in the consumer watchdog's testing.
What this means to you: Some very detailed and independent reporting on some of the small SUVs that consumers are flocking to as they give up their big trucks and SUVs. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »