Consumer Reports Rates 2011 Vehicles

I'm always interested in what Consumer Reports thinks of the new crop of autos each year. That's because they don't get any free cars or payments from any of the auto companies. They go to a dealership and buy a car just like the rest of us. Then they drive the heck out of it, subjecting it to 50 different tests. Then they rate the car and tell us what they think of each one. While I only trade cars every 5 or 6 years, I buy a copy of their new car buying guide every year -- just to stay on top of how the car companies are doing and what they are offering. It's kind of my version of window shopping.

Well, Consumer Reports has released their annual ratings of new cars and how each car company is faring. Once again, they give the Asian car companies top billing -- although they do say Ford has made dramatic improvements and moved into the top five car companies. Here are the best car companies according to Consumer Reports:

1. Honda
2. Subaru
3. Toyota
4. Volvo
5. Ford
6. Hyundai

Here are their picks for the best car buy in each vehicle category:

BUDGET CAR.....Honda Fit ($16,020 - $16,730)

SMALL CAR.....Hyundai Elantra ($18,445)

FAMILY SEDAN.....Nissan Altima ($23,970 - $30,335)

SMALL SUV.....Toyota RAV4 ($25,405 - $31,435)

GREEN CAR.....Toyota Prius ($26,750)

FAMILY SUV.....Kia Sorento ($26,590 - $32,390)

SPORTY CAR.....Ford Mustang ($28,880 - $43,880)

SPORTS SEDAN.....Infiniti G37 ($37,225)

FAMILY HAULER.....Toyota Sienna ($35,810 - $38,201)

PICKUP TRUCK.....Chevrolet Avalanche ($47,435)

NOTE -- The car pictured above is a Honda Fit.