Over the years this publication has been the target of criticism by auto buff magazines, most notably for treating cars as appliances. What tends to be underplayed if not ignored altogether is that Consumer Reports is unusual — if not unique — among publications that purport to evaluate automobiles.
The magazine is run by a nonprofit organization that accepts no advertising, buys its test cars rather than uses prepped models provided by automakers, and does not allow its recommendations to be included in manufacturer advertisements. This results in a level of objectivity that is unheard of in the automotive media.
Do not confuse Consumer Reports with Consumer Guide Automotive, which is a very different animal yet hilariously trumpets itself as providing “the industry’s most balanced and bias-free evaluations” (2018).
My main complaint with Consumer Reports is that it has been slow to address green issues, such as the total carbon footprint of vehicles, their recyclability, and potential health issues of interior parts such as “sick car syndrome” (Weathers, 2014).
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RE:SOURCES
- Consumer Guide Automotive; 2018. “About Us.” Accessed June 11, 2018.
- Weathers, Cliff; 2014. “Is that New Car Smell Killing You?’ AlterNet. Posted Feb. 7; accessed March 1.
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