Honda makes the best cars

The best cars you can buy in the United States are made by Honda, according to Consumer Reports. The is the second year in a row the Japanese automaker has been given the distinction.


Honda (HMA) cars and trucks scored an overage of 78 out of a possible 100 points in Consumer Reports’ various tests. Toyota ™ came in second with 75 points followed by BMW, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen. (After rounding, Nissan and Volkswagen tied with 71 points.)

“Honda earned the top score because it builds cars that are well-rounded, have excellent reliability and perform very well,” the magazine, published by the not-for-profit Consumers Union, said in an announcement.

The overall score for each carmaker is based on the average score of all its vehicles tested by the magazine, and average predicted reliability scores based on the magazine’s annual surveys.

The score includes all car brands made by that company. Honda’s score would include Acura and Toyota’s score would include Lexus, for example. While Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda, that brand was ranked separately since it’s not a fully-owned part of Ford Motor Co.

Detroit car companies had among the lowest overall scores, but there were significant gains, the magazine said. The percentage of Ford (F, Fortune 500) vehicles to earn the magazine’s recommendation jumped to 64% this year from 54% last year. 93% of Ford’s vehicles have shown average or better reliability in Consumer Reports’ owner surveys, a large increase from 63% last year.

General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) didn’t fare as well. While the average test score of GM products rose four points to 61, the percentage of vehicles recommended dropped 6%. While many newer models, such as the company’s new three-row SUVs, the Cadillac CTS and the Chevrolet Silverado have done well in testing, GM is still burdened by older models that are sub-par, the magazine said.

Chrysler has seen the percentage of its vehicles Consumer Reports recommends drop to just 14 compared to 21% last year. The magazine blamed noisy, weak engines, poor interiors, cramped seating and bad visibility in recently introduced Chrysler products.

Honda S2000

Long-running roadster with fabulous 237bhp four-cylinder engine, revised for the 2008 model year with new dampers, spring settings and revised anti-roll bar to give more predictable handling plus more communicative steering; it’s now easier than ever to exploit the sparkling performance of this often-overlooked gem.

There are also new five-spoke alloys. The Roadster starts at £28,050, with the GT £550 more.

ART Debuts New Tuning Package For Mercedes CLS

As I'm sure many CLS 55 AMG owners can attest to, one of the most common problems when admiring the four-door coupes impeccable lines is whether or not to add to the vehicle's already mesmerizing appearance.

Although I tend to be more of the standard AMG type myself, many opt for a far less traditional approach, and it is to this crowd that ART offers their latest tuning package.

Titled the GTR, ART's latest tuning program spans the gamut of your beloved CLS, with modifications ranging from the engine and suspension all the way down to your door sills.

For starters, customers have the option of two enhanced engine packages. The first, titled the GTR560, ups the CLS' standard AMG V8 to 560hp/790Nm, enough to propel the GTR from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. If you're looking for something a little quicker, ART has obliged, also offering customers the GTR620 package. The result is an increase in power to 620ps/890Nm, enough to propel your CLS from 0-60 in just 4 seconds.

In addition to the power enhancements, a number of performance enhancements have been added as well. A new electronically adjustable ART suspension package widens the GTR's track by 70mm in the front and 80mm in the rear; 20" light alloy rims help keep the GTR's power planted firmly on the ground; and a new ART sport exhaust makes sure the GTR's growl is indicative of what's under the hood.

And finally, ART has addressed the vehicle's appearance. To help accommodate the GTR's wider track, ART has included new front and rear wings with wider sills, door applications on the rear doors, a new front and rear bumper, a new trunk lid, and a rear wing. Inside, ART has added a number of aesthetic touches, a few of which include carbon fiber accents, leather and alcantara upholstery, and last but certainly not least, neon blue door sills.*

Whew. That was a mouthful.

Believe it or not, there's a number of options I've failed to mention, but this should give you a pretty good idea of what ART can do for you and your CLS. For more info, check out some pictures below (click to enlarge), and head over to ART Tuning's website to learn more about anything I've mentioned.