Well if you really follow CR, you'll notice that they ALWAYS pick whatever they review by price first. They are good at what they do, but they really drop the ball on what is or who makes the best product. They don't base their recommends on who uses the best parts. You can see they give Hyundai some very good scores, but they don't take into consideration the fact that cheap parts are used in their vehicles.
Just always, ALWAYS remember, you get what you pay for.
Last but not least....give the guy in charge of CR his choice of a Hyundai or Lexus for free...........see which one he picks!
CR's quality assessments are based on subscriber surveys done each year and included in the auto issue each April (in the reliability data for each model). A new model, like the CT, will take a couple of years to accrue that data and until they see a trend of average or better responses, they won't recommend the car. I'm sure that the Prius drive train will be "pre-weighted" somewhat, but the CT isn't a Prius (as anyone who's driven both cars can attest to!) I DO find CR to be the most reliable, untainted source of information out there, even if I sometimes don't agree with their "take" on some things. I believe that, as far as brand reputation goes, they ignore it, as they should. I've seen far too much crap in my life that has had a well respected name "slapped" on it to make a quick buck when that well known company gets lazy or in trouble.
Having said this, I have read the CR review and am a bit perplexed at their take on the CT! They do seem, like many other reviews, to "just not get" what the CT is. They, like others, want it all! They like the fuel economy and handling, but then knock it for inadequate power and stiff ride! It's very hard (and expensive!) to get BOTH handling and isolated ride, as well as fuel economy and power! They say that it isn't a Lexus; that it seems more like a Toyota inside. I've owned many Toyota's in my life, Scion xA to Supra Turbo, and the CT is the nicest "Toyota" I've ever been in! The CT200h is the BEST BUILT car that I've bought in a long time when it comes to fit and finish! Not even my Porsche Boxster can come close. Both my Supra and Boxster have slightly "skewed" frames that are the root of several other body panel fit and alignment issues! And the Paint! The CT's paint rates right up there with my Boxster's "high end" metallic paint upgrade! Probably not as many coats, but the quality of the finish is exceptional!
But back to the CR review! There are some things that strike me as strange. Under "major options", they say "none". They had a Premium, non-NAV for testing. They complained about the radio controls being too low and far away and that the one line display made iPod navigation difficult. They also complained about rear visibility and wish that there was a back up camera! I know that some of you think that the NAV system is a waste of money, but it solves ALL of these issues! What bothers me, however, is that CR didn't even know about the available options!
It's obvious that CR doesn't consider the CT to be "sporty" (and I can't say that I really disagree, but it does handle very well when pushed), but many of the complaints they have about the car are "features" that Lexus touted in promotional material that I read before buying one. The design of the suspension/handling, the supportive front seats, the low driving position and the close "cockpit" feel are all selling points! But since "sporty" is off the table, CR considers them liabilities! I also don't get their comments about the seats. I'm 6'2"/225 lbs., I find the drivers seat very comfortable/supportive and the head room is just fine, even with a sunroof! It took a bit of adjustment to get the driving position just right, but not too much! Just how many people out there are bigger than me? If they're overweight, then that's a different story.
One final comment, on page 4 there is a "This issue by the numbers" box in the top left corner of the page. Under the heading of "What you'll save" it says "$5,262 - Buy a Toyota Prius IV instead of the Lexus CT200h and get a roomier and more efficient
hybrid sedan." I guess that shows what they really think about the CT200h. Well, look at it this way, fellow CT owners, we can revel in the rarity of our cars just that much longer! Remember, the CT wasn't designed for the US market, so it's never going to be mainstream! Lucky Us!!
Big Lew, one of your observations rings true; price is heavily weighted in CR's recommendations. They don't, however, recommend things that they KNOW are crap, but they also don't make assumptions! As to the "quality of parts" used to build Hyundai cars, as an example, only time will tell. If their cars fall apart and the owners let CR know about, CR will adjust their findings. I've looked over the reliability history on the Elantra and the last 3 model years reported ('08-'10) look pretty good, as reported to CR by subscribers who own the car; especially the 2010's! There do seem to be a few weak spots, but mostly the cars rate "better than average" and "much better than average" in almost every category. The low spots are rated "average"! That being said, however, I would NEVER buy a Hyundai! Are you kidding me?!
