What’s the best Honda, Acura, Ford or Chevy model you can buy? If you read Part I of
The Best Cars for Each Brand, you already know the answer. In Part II of this series, we’ll take a look at some of the other cars that rank as the best for their specific brand.
While some cars rank as number one for their brand, this is all relative because some of them are obviously lemons. The reason being that the best in a category brand, may just mean that it is the least worst for these models.
.Best Jeep: Grand Cherokee Limited (V6)This midsized SUV has a lot going for it. The interior is first class, the seats are nice and cushy, the ride is comfortable, and for a midsized SUV, it handles pretty well. Add to this 3.6-liter power plant for raw power, and an infotainment display that is easy as pie to use. But the major downside to this SUV, and basically every Jeep SUV, is its horrible repair record. If you buy one of these, be ready to go to the repair shop, and often.
Best Kia: CadenzaLet’s face it, the name of this car is a bit strange as it sounds like Jerry Seinfeld’s sidekick, George Costanza. But other than that, if you want a value priced large sedan, the Cadenza will be just right for you. The interior is upscale and roomy, and the 3.3-liter V6 engine has enough power to get you from A to B in style. Reliability for this car is very good.
Best Lexus: LS 460LThis top-of-the-line Lexus is an exceptional luxury sedan that gives its passengers a lush and quiet ride. The quality of craftsmanship is excellent and the car has an abundance of features and extras. Its V8 engine propels the car effortlessly with optional self-parking and all-wheel drive. The only downside is the very unfriendly user interface for its Entune media info system.
Best Mazda: MX-5 Miata Grand TouringIf having a quick and agile car is your dream, the MX-5 Miata is the car for you. It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides just the right amount of power for an enjoyable drive through twists and turns. Handling is excellent and steering is spot on. If driving is something you love to do, the MX-5 should enhance that experience.
Best Nissan: 370Z Touring CoupeYou might think that Nissan’s Altima should be here on this list, but Consumer Reports says the 370Z is the winner for this brand. It handles, as you would expect, excellently, has great traction with the road, and driving it is fun. However there are a lot of problems connected to a stiff suspension, very loud road and tire noise, and a claustrophobic interior.
Best Toyota: Camry Hybrid XLEThe Camry has usually been associated with rock-solid reliability, a comfortable car to ride in, and a sedan that was somewhat boring in its character. Bur three years ago Toyota set out to modernize the “old man’s car” image with improved styling, better interior features, and a selection of engines. The hybrid model gets an excellent 38-mpg.
Source:
Consumer Reports