Consumer Reports New Cars May 2020

WHEN YOU’RE BUYING a new car, it can feel like everyone you encounter just wants to sell you something and there’s nobody out there you can trust. CR is here to help! You can rely on our recommendations because we have detailed data that nobody else does. We conduct exclusive annual reliability surveys of our members to find out which problems cost vehicle owners time and money, and which ones are trouble-free. We also ask owners whether they’re satisfied with their vehicle, because the only thing better than a reliable car is a reliable car that owners love, too. In our 2019 Auto Surveys, we gathered data on about 420,000 cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans, and wagons. But that’s not all. Only CR buys its own test vehicles, so when we conduct more than…

Q. My SUV’s warranty has run out, so do I still have to go to the dealership for service? You can take your vehicle anywhere you want to for out of warranty maintenance and repairs, but it’s usually less expensive to use an independent mechanic for the work rather than to go to the dealer. In a survey of more than 40,000 CR members, we found that consumers who go to independent mechanics also have a more satisfying experience and are more successful at negotiating a discount than those who go to car repair chains or dealerships. Just make sure you keep your receipts to prove that the work was done. The only case where you must take your vehicle to a dealer is for a recall repair, although it doesn’t…

EVEN CARS THAT make a good first impression at the dealership can become a disappointment over time. That’s why Consumer Reports surveys its members, asking them to share their experiences with the vehicles they own, and analyzes that data to help shoppers make informed decisions when buying a new vehicle. After all, the cars, SUVs, and trucks that satisfy their owners are likely to make you happy, as well. These data make up our reliability and owner satisfaction ratings, which are rolled into the Overall Score that also factors the road test performance and safety. These all play a part in whether CR recommends a vehicle. Of course reliability and safety are key factors to consider when buying a new car, SUV, or truck. An unreliable vehicle can be very frustrating to…

In general, we’ve found that owners will buy a vehicle again if it lives up to its expectations. For example, the Jeep Wrangler, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Mazda6 all perform well in the overall “would buy again” category. But, that love isn’t unconditional: Each comes with compromise in some way. CR members who own the Jeep love it: 79 percent would buy it again. But they are less satisfied with its comfort and value. Similarly, the S-Class delivers on its promise of comfort and driving enjoyment. But owners score it low for value. Sometimes there is a similarity between CR’s test results and owners’ experience. For example, the Mazda6 performed well overall in our testing and was fun to drive. But its infotainment system is among the most cumbersome and distracting versions on…

INSIDE CR’S LABS Jen Stockburger, CR’s director of car seat testing, installs an infant seat at the proper recline angle. MORE THAN 5 MILLION infant inclined sleepers, including the Fisher-Price Rock ’n Play Sleeper, were recalled last spring after a Consumer Reports investigation linked them to dozens of deaths. Consumer Reports has been working to get all inclined sleepers—now associated with 73 deaths—banned. That prompted some CR readers to ask whether car seats pose a similar risk, because many also have an incline. Sleeping on an incline does pose risks, as it can cause an infant’s head to tilt forward, chin to chest, and compress the airway, increasing the risk of suffocation, says Emily A. Thomas, Ph.D., an automotive safety engineer at CR and an expert in pediatric biomechanics. That can happen because…

HYUNDAI SONATA This affordable sedan impresses with a roomy cabin and standard advanced safety features. THE REDESIGNED 2020 Sonata midsized sedan leaves behind the upright profile of its predecessor for the stylish silhouette of the Sonata of two generations ago. It’s cloaked in sleek sheet metal that gives it a sporty look. In our first drive of the new Sonata, we’ve found that it handles well, has plenty of power, and is quite roomy. We bought an SEL trim, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. This version is expected to be the most commonly sold. In addition, we rented a Sonata Limited 1.6T from Hyundai so that we could get impressions of its 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine and all the features that are available. What We Like … So Far We’re impressed…