AutoOnInfo.

nets Car Quality Series Volume 4: Car Guide and Shopping Companion:

The 50 Best Cars in America in 2013

By James B. Bleeker
Published on scribd.com in October 2013 This pdf file is an Acrobat conversion from MS Word 2007.

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Dedication
To my Norwegian American mother, who often advised, Buy the best.

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Table of Contents
About AutoOnInfo.net....1 Preface...2 Introduction.3 The 50 Best Cars - and Trucks - in America..6 Best Pickup Trucks in America...11 Best Large SUVs in America.12 Best Midsize SUVs in America...13 Best Small SUVs in America....15 Best Minivans in America.....16 Best Family Cars in America....17 Best Sedans in America...19 Best Wagons in America....21 Best Small Cars in America...22 Best Hatchbacks in America....24 Best Sport/Sporty Cars in America.....26 Best Coupes in America...27 Best Convertibles in America...28 Best Upscale Cars....29 Best Luxury Cars....30 Brand Shares of Americas Best....31 Brand Shares of Americas Best by Body Styles..36 Auto Manufacturer Shares of Americas Best....49 Auto Manufacturer Shares of Americas Best by Body Style....54 iv

Brand Overall Reliability GPAs and Grades....67 Manufacturer Overall Reliability GPAs and Grades..71 Summary.....75 Additional Resources.....76

About AutoOnInfo.net
AutoOnInfo.net has been helping to inform consumers which cars, car brands, and car manufacturers are better than good and worse than bad since 2001. In doing so, the site has received several awards, including the Spider Food Top Rank award on October 15, 2001, and Open Directorys Cool Site Award on January 1, 2002. The email from Open Directory included the comment, [T]he information is unique and useful, please keep up the good effort. The effort was maintained; the Wayback Machine had recorded 12,934 pages and picture files of AutoOnInfo.net through 2009. For more historical information on AutoOnInfo.net, visit the sites Home page and its History of AutoOnInfo.net page and the Ezine article entitled Auto On Info A Brief Chronology of a Data-Rich Automobile Quality Website.

Preface
The values inputted and computations involved in providing this books car quality measures are many. Microsofts Excel spreadsheet and Access data manager have been of great help. Effort has been made to provide car buyers with very accurate car and brand ratings, including several computational checks. However, the enterprise of writing this book was a considerable undertaking, so some errors may persist. If any errors are found, please inform the author by email at jbleeker002@hotmail.com. A plus for this books accuracy is that most reliability ratings are averages taken over several model years, so errors, if any, should be small. For brand averages and company averages, most errors, if any, should be very small. It is my hope that car buyers will find this book a very useful and convenient automobile buying guide and shopping companion. If you have thoughts on how to improve it, your comments and suggestions are welcomed. In this and other books in the car quality series, the terms line, brand, make, and marque are used interchangeably.

Introduction
The purpose of this book is to help consumers choose a quality car that will likely require few repairs and will likely run well for multiple years without expensive repairs. To this end, it gives a list of the best cars in America in 2013. The list of best cars in America include pickup trucks, midsize and small sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), family cars, wagons, small cars, hatchbacks, coupes, convertibles, upscale cars, and luxury cars. Although there is no large SUV or minivan that is among the 50 best vehicles, one large SUV and one minivan came close. They are noted in the body of the book. To select the best cars, the 2013 Overall Reliability Grade Point Average (GPA) is used. The Overall Reliability GPA is a measure of infrequency of reported serious problems over the 10-year period 2003 to 2012. For more than 3 years, the Overall Reliability GPA has been AutoOnInfo.nets primary measure for rating and ranking automobiles of all types, as well as brands and manufacturers. There are several steps in computing a cars Overall Reliability GPA. First, numerical values are accorded CRs overall ratings for each model year offering the necessary data. The values follow naturally from educational standards a 4.00 for CRs Much Better Than Average rating, a 3.00 for a Better Than Average rating, a 2.00 for an Average rating, a 1.00 for a Worse Than Average rating, and 0 for a Much Worse Than Average Rating. The sources of CRs ratings are its New Car Buying Guide: 2013, its Used Car

Buying Guide: 2013, and the April 2013 car issue of Consumer Reports. Next, an average is taken over each of the four model year periods 2003 to 2006, 2005 to 2008, 2007 to 2010, and 2009 to 2012. These 4-year GPAs may be found on www.AutoOnInf.net. Finally, an average of the four 4-year averages is calculated using Microsofts Excel to obtain the cars 2013 Overall Reliability GPA. A cars Overall GPA may be based on as few as 1 rated model year or as many as 10 rated model years. The number of rated model years depends on the availability of needed data. Generally, to be among the Best Cars of 2013, the GPA must be based on no less than 3 rated model years; however, if a vehicle offers only 2 rated model years and both ratings are CRs highest Much Better Than Average, the vehicle is included. There are two vehicles with only 2 rated model years on the list of best cars of 2013, both of more recent vintage. If a cars Overall Reliability GPA is based on a smaller number of model years, the Overall GPA may less accurately reflect a cars long term reliability. This is especially true when a model is new and offers only recent years of data. Consequently, the number of model years upon which the GPA is based is included alongside the GPA. In addition to the GPA, a cars Reliability Grade is given. The grades follow naturally from the GPA: A Reliability Grade of A for a car with an Overall Reliability GPA of 3.50 to 4.00, a grade of B for a GPA of 2.50 to 3.49, a grade of C for a GPA of 1.50 to 2.49, a grade of D for a GPA of 0.50 to 1.49, and a grade of F for a GPA of 0 to

0.49. All 50 of the best cars in 2013 have a grade of B or better and a GPA of 3.15 or better. The first chapter of this book lists the 50 Best Cars in America in 2013. The next several chapters list the best cars in America by body style pickup trucks, midsize SUVs, small SUVs, family cars, wagons, small cars, hatchbacks, coupes, convertibles, upscale cars, and luxury cars. Following these is a chapter giving the brand shares of the best cars in America, a chapter giving the brand shares of the best cars by body style, a chapter giving the manufacturer shares of the best, and a chapter giving manufacturer shares of the best by body style. The fourth-to-last chapter gives the Overall Reliability GPAs of nearly all brands sold in the U.S., and the thirdto-last chapter gives the GPAs of auto manufacturers with significant sales in the U.S. A brands Overall GPA is the average of its car GPAs, and similarly, a manufacturers Overall GPA is the average of its car GPAs. These brand and auto manufacturer GPAs permit the consumer to make comparisons and contrasts between the best in America and the averages for the lines and manufacturers. They may serve as well to help in assessing what may be expected over the longer term of a model with a more limited data history. The second-to-last chapter gives a summary. The final chapter lists additional resources.

The 50 Best Cars - and Trucks - in America

Below I list the Best Cars in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA, and each subdivision is divided into groups of 5.

Cars with a Reliability Grade of A Cars with a Perfect 4.00 GPA

Toyota Prius (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) Lexus ES (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 10) Lexus RX Hybrid (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 6) Honda Fit (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 6) Toyota Yaris Hatchback (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 4) Toyota FJ Cruiser (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 3) Lexus CT 200h (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 2) Lexus HS 250h (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 2)

Cars with a GPA from 3.75 to 3.99

V6 Toyota 4Runner (GPA: 3.94, No. of Model Years of data: 10) V6 Toyota Highlander (GPA: 3.88, No. of Model Years: 10) Honda CR-V (GPA: 3.88, No. of Model Years: 10)

Toyota Camry Hybrid (GPA: 3.83, No. of Model Years: 6) Honda Ridgeline (GPA: 3.81, No. of Model Years: 7) Toyota Camry Solara (GPA: 3.75, No. of Model Years: 6) Toyota Highlander Hybrid (GPA: 3.75, No. of Model Years: 7)

Cars with a GPA from 3.50 to 3.74

Honda Element (GPA: 3.73, No. of Model Years of data: 9) Toyota Corolla (GPA: 3.69, No. of Model Years: 10) Honda Crosstour (GPA: 3.67, No. of Model Years: 3) Rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS Sedan (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10) 4-cylinder Toyota Camry (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10) Honda Pilot (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10) Toyota-engineered Pontiac Vibe* (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 8) Acura RL (GPA: 3.61, No. of Model Years: 5) Lexus RX (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years: 10) Toyota Avalon (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years: 10) 4-cylinder Toyota RAV4 (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years: 10) Honda S2000 (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years: 5) Scion xB (GPA: 3.52, No. of Model Years: 8) V6, 2-wheel-drive Toyota Tacoma (GPA: 3.50, No. of Model Years: 6) Acura RSX (GPA: 3.50, No. of Model Years: 4)

Best Cars with a Reliability Grade of B

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Cars with a GPA from 3.25 to 3.49

Toyota Matrix (GPA: 3.44, No. of Model Years of data: 8) 4-cylinder, turbo Acura RDX (GPA: 3.42, No. of Model Years: 6) V6, front-wheel-drive Mercury Milan (GPA: 3.39, No. of Model Years: 5) Lexus LS (GPA: 3.38, No. of Model Years: 10) V6 Toyota Venza (GPA: 3.38, No. of Model Years: 4) Mitsubishi Outlander (GPA: 3.36, No. of Model Years: 5) Lexus GX (GPA: 3.33, No. of Model Years: 9) Ford Fusion Hybrid (GPA: 3.33, No. of Model Years: 3) V8, 4-wheel-drive Toyota Tundra (GPA: 3.31, No. of Model Years: 10) Porsche Boxster (GPA: 3.31, No. of Model Years: 5) Lexus GS (GPA: 3.27, No. of Model Years: 9) 4-cylinder Honda Accord (GPA: 3.25, No. of Model Years: 10)

Cars with a GPA from 3.15 to 3.24

Mazda MX-5 Miata (GPA: 3.23, No. of Model Years of data: 8) V8, 2-wheel-drive Toyota Tundra (GPA: 3.22, No. of Model Years: 5) Acura TL (GPA: 3.19, No. of Model Years: 10) Turbo Subaru Forester (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 3) V6, front-wheel-drive Ford Fusion (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 7)

Infiniti M (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 7) V6 Toyota Camry (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 6) Acura TSX (GPA: 3.15, No. of Model Years: 9) *The Pontiac Vibe was engineered by Toyota Motor Corporation and marketed under the Pontiac brand under a joint venture that has expired.

2013 Chart of Brand Reliability GPAs

For comparison and contrast, I include a chart on the following page that depicts the 2013 Overall Reliability GPAs of nearly all of the brands sold in North America. The bar graph displays how much above average or below average a brands GPA falls. A brands Overall Reliability GPA is the average over all of its model Overall Reliability GPAs.

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Best Pickup Trucks in America

Below I list the Best Pickup Trucks in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Pickup with a Reliability Grade of A

Honda Ridgeline (GPA: 3.81, No. of Model Years of data: 7) V6, 2-wheel-drive Toyota Tacoma (GPA: 3.50, No. of Model Years: 6)

Best Pickups with a Reliability Grade of B

V8, 4-wheel-drive Toyota Tundra (GPA: 3.31, No. of Model Years of data: 10) V8, 2-wheel-drive Toyota Tundra (GPA: 3.22, No. of Model Years: 5) The one pickup truck that came close to making the grade is the V6, 4-wheel-drive Toyota Tacoma, with an Overall Reliability Grade of B and GPA of 3.06 based on a 10-year data history. Note: Consumer Reports 2013 publications offered no data on 4-cylinder Toyota pickups, which historically have rated among the very best.

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Best Large SUVs in America

There is no large sport-utility vehicle that made the grade. Only one large SUV came close to making the cutoff - the Toyota Sequoia, with an Overall Reliability GPA of 3.02 based on a 9-year data history. It should be noted that in 2013 CR offered no reliability ratings on the Toyota Land Cruiser, which has historically outranked the Sequoia by a good margin and holds an international reputation for trustworthy reliability. This book divides sport-utility vehicles into three sizes. A large SUV has a length of 194 inches or more, a midsize SUV has a length between 184 inches and 193 inches, inclusive, and a small SUV has a length of 183 inches or less.

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Best Midsize SUVs in America

Below I list the Best Midsize Sport-Utility Vehicles in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Midsize SUVs with a Reliability Grade of A

Lexus RX Hybrid (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years of data: 6) Toyota FJ Cruiser (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 3) V6 Toyota 4Runner (GPA: 3.94, No. of Model Years: 10) V6 Toyota Highlander (GPA: 3.88, No. of Model Years: 10) Toyota Highlander Hybrid (GPA: 3.75, No. of Model Years: 7) Honda Pilot (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10) Lexus RX (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years: 10)

Best Midsize SUVs with a Reliability Grade of B

4-cylinder, turbo Acura RDX (GPA: 3.42, No. of Model Years of data: 6) V6 Toyota Venza (GPA: 3.38, No. of Model Years: 4) Mitsubishi Outlander (GPA: 3.36, No. of Model Years: 5) Lexus GX (GPA: 3.33, No. of Model Years: 9)

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This book divides sport-utility vehicles into three sizes. A large SUV has a length of 194 inches or more, a midsize SUV has a length between 184 inches and 193 inches, inclusive, and a small SUV has a length of 183 inches or less.

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Best Small SUVs in America

Below I list the Best Small Sport-Utility Vehicles in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Small SUVs with a Reliability Grade of A

Honda CR-V (GPA: 3.88, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) Honda Element (GPA: 3.73, No. of Model Years: 9) 4-cylinder Toyota RAV4 (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years: 10)

Best Small SUV with a Reliability Grade of B

Turbo Subaru Forester (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years of Data: 3) The one small SUV that came close to making the grade is the V6 Toyota RAV4, with an Overall Reliability GPA of 3.08 based on a 6-year data history. This book divides sport-utility vehicles into three sizes. A large SUV has a length of 194 inches or more, a midsize SUV has a length between 184 inches and 193 inches, inclusive, and a small SUV has a length of 183 inches or less.

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Best Minivans in America

There is no minivan that made the grade. Only one minivan came close to making the cutoff - the frontwheel-drive Toyota Sienna, with an Overall Reliability Grade of GPA of 3.00 based on a 10-year data history.

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Best Family Cars in America

Below I list the Best Family Cars in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Family Cars with a Reliability Grade of A

Toyota Prius (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) Toyota Camry Hybrid (GPA: 3.83, No. of Model Years: 6) Honda Crosstour (GPA: 3.67, No. of Model Years: 3) 4-cylinder Toyota Camry (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10)

Best Family Cars with a Reliability Grade of B

V6, front-wheel-drive Mercury Milan (GPA: 3.39, No. of Model Years of Data: 5) Ford Fusion Hybrid (GPA: 3.33, No. of Model Years: 3) 4-cylinder Honda Accord (GPA: 3.25, No. of Model Years: 10) V6, front-wheel-drive Ford Fusion (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 7) V6 Toyota Camry (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 6) The Toyota Prius, Toyota Motor Corporations first hybrid, has been the best family/small car in America for a number of years and has had a perfect Overall Reliability 17

GPA of 4.00 in calendar years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013. It is one of the great achievements of the 21st century. The Toyota Prius is a 4-door hatchback (sometimes termed 5-door), the Honda Crosstour is a wagon, and the remaining family cars are sedans

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Best Sedans in America

Below I list the Best Sedans in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Sedans with a Reliability Grade of A

Lexus ES (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) Lexus HS 250h (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 2) Toyota Camry Hybrid (GPA: 3.83, No. of Model Years: 6) Toyota Corolla (GPA: 3.69, No. of Model Years: 10) 4-cylinder Toyota Camry (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10) Rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS Sedan (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10) Acura RL (GPA: 3.61, No. of Model Years: 5) Toyota Avalon (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years: 10)

Best Sedans with a Reliability Grade of B

V6, front-wheel-drive Mercury Milan (GPA: 3.39, No. of Model Years of Data: 5) Lexus LS (GPA: 3.38, No. of Model Years: 10) Ford Fusion Hybrid (GPA: 3.33, No. of Model Years: 3) Lexus GS (GPA: 3.27, No. of Model Years: 9) 4-cylinder Honda Accord (GPA: 3.25, No. of Model Years: 10)

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Acura TL (GPA: 3.19, No. of Model Years: 10) V6, front-wheel-drive Ford Fusion (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 7) Infiniti M (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 7) V6 Toyota Camry (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 6) Acura TSX (GPA: 3.15, No. of Model Years: 9) Two sedans that came close to making the cutoff are the Honda Civic Sedan with an Overall Reliability GPA of 3.06 based on 10 years of data and the Infiniti G Sedan with a GPA of 3.00 based on 10 years of data.

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Best Wagons in America

Below I list the Best Wagons in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Wagons with a Reliability Grade of A

Honda Crosstour (GPA: 3.67, No. of Model Years of Data: 3) Toyota-engineered Pontiac Vibe (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 8) Scion xB (GPA: 3.52, No. of Model Years: 8)

Best Wagons with a Reliability Grade of B

Toyota Matrix (GPA: 3.44, No. of Model Years of Data: 8) Acura TSX (GPA: 3.15, No. of Model Years: 9) One wagon that came close to making the cutoff is the Subaru Impreza Wagon with an Overall Reliability GPA of 3.08 based on 9 years of data.

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Best Small Cars in America

Below I list the Best Small Cars in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Small Cars with a Reliability Grade of A

Toyota Prius (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) Honda Fit (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 6) Toyota Yaris Hatchback (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 4) Toyota Corolla (GPA: 3.69, No. of Model Years: 10) Rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS Sedan (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10) Toyota-engineered Pontiac Vibe (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 8) Scion xB (GPA: 3.52, No. of Model Years: 8)

Best Small Car with a Reliability Grade of B

Toyota Matrix (GPA: 3.44, No. of Model Years of Data: 8) The Toyota Prius, Toyota Motor Corporations first hybrid, has been the best family/small car in America for a number of years and has had a perfect Overall Reliability GPA of 4.00 in calendar years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013. It is one of the great achievements of the 21st century.

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Also noteworthy is the Honda Fit. It was AutoOnInfo.nets top car pick in its first model year, 2007, and tied with the Toyota Prius for top pick in 2008. In those two early years, the Fits versatility, cargo handling capability, and peppiness and Hondas history of fine reliability made it AutoOnInfo.nets top-car-pick choice. The Toyota Prius appears on both the family car and small car best-in-America lists as its size permits dual classification. Four small cars that came close to making the cutoff are the Subaru Impreza Wagon and Hatchback with a joint Overall Reliability GPA of 3.08 based on 9 years of data, the Honda Civic Sedan with a GPA of 3.06 based on 10 years of data, and the Scion xD with a GPA of 3.00 based on 3 years of data.

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Best Hatchbacks in America

Below I list the Best Hatchbacks in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Hatchbacks with a Reliability Grade of A

Toyota Prius (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) Honda Fit (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 6) Toyota Yaris Hatchback (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 4) Lexus CT 200h (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 2) Acura RSX (GPA: 3.50, No. of Model Years: 4)

Best Hatchbacks with a Reliability Grade of B

None The Toyota Prius, Toyota Motor Corporations first hybrid, has been the best family/small car in America for a number of years and has had a perfect Overall Reliability GPA of 4.00 in calendar years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013. It is one of the great achievements of the 21st century. Also noteworthy is the Honda Fit. It was AutoOnInfo.nets top car pick in its first model year, 2007, and tied with the Toyota Prius for top pick in 2008. In those two early years, the Fits versatility, cargo handling capability, peppiness, 24

and Hondas history of fine reliability made it AutoOnInfo.nets top-car-pick choice. Two hatchbacks that came close to making the cutoff are the Subaru Impreza Hatchback with an Overall Reliability GPA of 3.08 based on 9 years of data and the Scion xD with a GPA of 3.00 based on 3 years of data.

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Best Sport/Sporty Cars in America

Below I list the Best Sport/Sporty Cars in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Sport/Sporty Cars with a Reliability Grade of A

Toyota Camry Solara (GPA: 3.75, No. of Model Years of Data: 6) Honda S2000 (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years: 5) Acura RSX (GPA: 3.50, No. of Model Years: 4)

Best Sport/Sporty Cars with a Reliability Grade of B

Porsche Boxster (GPA: 3.31, No. of Model Years of Data: 5) Lexus GS (GPA: 3.27, No. of Model Years: 9) Mazda MX-5 Miata (GPA: 3.23, No. of Model Years: 8) Two sport/sporty cars that came close to making the cutoff are the Lexus SC with an Overall Reliability GPA of 3.13 based on 4 years of data and the V8 Ford Mustang with a GPA of 3.06 based on 8 years of data.

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Best Coupes in America

Below I list the Best Coupes in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Coupe with a Reliability Grade of A

Toyota Camry Solara (GPA: 3.75, No. of Model Years of Data: 6)

Best Coupe with a Reliability Grade of B

4-cylinder Honda Accord (GPA: 3.25, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) One coupe that came close to making the cutoff is the V8 Ford Mustang with a GPA of 3.06 based on 8 years of data.

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Best Convertibles in America

Below I list the Best Convertibles in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Convertible with a Reliability Grade of A

Honda S2000 (GPA: 3.56, No. of Model Years of Data: 5)

Best Convertibles with a Reliability Grade of B

Porsche Boxster (GPA: 3.31, No. of Model Years of Data: 5) Mazda MX-5 Miata (GPA: 3.23, No. of Model Years: 8) Two convertibles that came close to making the cutoff are the Lexus SC with an Overall Reliability GPA of 3.13 based on 4 years of data and the V8 Ford Mustang with a GPA of 3.06 based on 8 years of data.

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Best Upscale Cars

Below I list the Best Upscale Cars in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Upscale Cars with a Reliability Grade of A

Lexus ES (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) Lexus HS 250h (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 2) Lexus CT 200h (GPA: 4.00, No. of Model Years: 2) Rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS Sedan (GPA: 3.63, No. of Model Years: 10)

Best Upscale Car with a Reliability Grade of B

Acura TL (GPA: 3.19, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) One upscale car that came close to making the cutoff is the Infiniti G Sedan with a GPA of 3.00 based on 10 years of data.

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Best Luxury Cars

Below I list the Best Luxury Cars in America in 2013, with GPAs and the number of model years upon which the GPAs are based. The list goes from the very best to better. The list is subdivided by grade and GPA.

Luxury Car with a Reliability Grade of A

Acura RL (GPA: 3.61, No. of Model Years of Data: 5)

Best Luxury Cars with a Reliability Grade of B

Lexus LS (GPA: 3.38, No. of Model Years of Data: 10) Lexus GS (GPA: 3.27, No. of Model Years: 9) Infiniti M (GPA: 3.17, No. of Model Years: 7)

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Brand Shares of Americas Best

This chapter gives the brand percent shares of the 10 best cars in America, the 20 best, the 30 best, the 40 best and the 50 best. Charts are used to depict these shares.

Brand Shares of Americas 10 Best Cars (11 by Tie)

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the 11 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas 20 Best Cars (22 by Tie)

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the 22 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas 30 Best Cars

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the 30 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas 40 Best Cars

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the 40 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas 50 Best Cars

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the 50 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

The Toyota line dominates the best in America, especially the very best, accounting for 45.5% of the Top 11 cars and trucks in 2013. The Lexus line usually places second in each of the above lists; Honda third.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best by Body Styles

This chapter gives the brand percent shares of the best pickup trucks, midsize SUVs, small SUVs, family cars, sedans, wagons, small cars, hatchbacks, sport/sporty cars, coupes, convertibles, upscale cars, and luxury cars in America. Charts are used to depict these shares.

Brand Shares of Americas Best Pickup Trucks

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best pickup trucks in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Midsize SUVs

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best midsize sport-utility vehicles in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Small SUVs

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best small sport-utility vehicles in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Family Cars

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best family cars in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Sedans

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best sedans in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Wagons

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best wagons in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Small Cars

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best small cars in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Hatchbacks

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best hatchbacks in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Sport/Sporty Cars

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best sport/sporty cars in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Coupes

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best coupes in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Convertibles

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best convertibles in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Upscale Cars

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best upscale cars in America appears below.

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Brand Shares of Americas Best Luxury Cars

The bar graph depicting each lines share of the best luxury cars in America appears below.

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Auto Manufacturer Shares of Americas Best

This chapter gives the brand percent shares of the best pickup trucks, midsize SUVs, small SUVs, family cars, sedans, wagons, small cars, hatchbacks, sport/sporty cars, coupes, convertibles, upscale cars, and luxury cars in America. Charts are used to depict these shares.

Auto Maker Shares of Americas 10 Best Cars (11 by Tie)

The bar graph depicting each manufacturers share of the 11 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas 20 Best Cars (22 by Tie)

The bar graph depicting each manufacturers share of the 22 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas 30 Best Cars

The bar graph depicting each manufacturers share of the 30 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas 40 Best Cars

The bar graph depicting each manufacturers share of the 40 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas 50 Best Cars

The bar graph depicting each manufacturers share of the 50 best cars and trucks in America appears below.

Toyota Motor Corporation dominates the best in America, especially the very best, accounting for 81.8% of the Top 11 cars and trucks in 2013 and a more modest 58% of the Top 50 cars and trucks. Honda Motor Company is a more distant second, accounting for only 18.2% of the Top 11 and 26% of the Top 50.

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Auto Manufacturer Shares of Americas Best by Body Style

This chapter gives the manufacturer percent shares of the best pickup trucks, midsize SUVs, small SUVs, family cars, sedans, wagons, small cars, hatchbacks, sport/sporty cars, coupes, convertibles, upscale cars, and luxury cars in America. Charts are used to depict these shares.

Auto Maker Shares of Americas Best Pickup Trucks

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best pickup trucks in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Best Midsize SUVs

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best midsize sport-utility vehicles in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Best Small SUVs

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best small sport-utility vehicles in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Best Family Cars

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best family cars in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Best Sedans

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best sedans in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Best Wagons

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best wagons in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Small Cars

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best small cars in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Hatchbacks

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best hatchbacks in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Sport/Sporty Cars

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best sport/sporty cars in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Coupes

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best coupes in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Convertibles

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best convertibles in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Upscale Cars

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best upscale cars in America appears below.

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Auto Maker Shares of Americas Luxury Cars

The bar graph depicting each companys share of the best luxury cars in America appears below.

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Brand Overall Reliability GPAs and Grades

The following list gives the 2013 line Reliability GPAs and Grades, in descending order (best to worst). These values are given to permit an easy comparison and contrast with the best cars in America. They may, as well, serve to help in assessing what may be expected over the longer term of a model with a more limited data history.

Best to Average
Lexus GPA: 3.6 3 and Grade: A Toyota GPA: 3.41 and Grade: B Honda GPA: 3.31 and Grade: B Scion GPA: 3.19 and Grade: B Acura GPA: 3.11 and Grade: B Infiniti GPA: 2.68 and Grade: B Mitsubishi GPA: 2.61 and Grade: B Suzuki GPA: 2.50 and Grade: B Subaru GPA: 2.47 and Grade: C Hyundai GPA: 2.15 and Grade: C Mercury GPA: 2.14 and Grade: C Mazda GPA: 2.09 and Grade: C Porsche GPA: 2.08 and Grade: C Ford GPA: 2.07 and Grade: C Volvo GPA: 2.01 and Grade: C

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Nissan GPA: 2.00 and Grade: C Smart for Two GPA: 2.00 and Grade: C Fiat GPA: 2.00 and Grade: C Saab GPA: 2.00 and Grade: C

Below Average to Worst

Kia: 1.99 and Grade: C Audi GPA: 1.98 and Grade: C Pontiac (with Toyota-engineered Vibe) GPA: 1.94 and Grade: C Lincoln GPA: 1.84 and Grade: C Mercedes-Benz GPA: 1.78 and Grade: C Volkswagen GPA: 1.69 and Grade: C Cadillac GPA: 1.58 and Grade: C Pontiac (without Toyota-engineered Vibe) GPA: 1.52 and Grade: C Mini Cooper GPA: 1.52 and Grade: C Chrysler GPA: 1.52 and Grade: C Saturn GPA: 1.51 and Grade: C Chevrolet GPA: 1.46 and Grade: D GMC GPA: 1.37 and Grade: D Dodge GPA: 1.31 and Grade: D Buick GPA: 1.25 and Grade: D Jeep GPA: 1.24 and Grade: D BMW GPA: 1.18 and Grade: D Land Rover GPA: 1.00 and Grade: D Jaguar GPA: 0.83 and Grade: D

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Note that of the Detroit 3 brands, only the Mercury and Ford brands were slightly better than average and that these were the only two Detroit 3 brands that had cars that placed among the 50 best, save for the brand that marketed the Toyota-engineered Vibe. The bar graph on the following page depicts how much above or below average each brands Reliability GPA falls.

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Manufacturer Overall Reliability GPAs and Grades

The following list gives the 2013 auto manufacturer Reliability GPAs and Grades, in descending order (best to worst). These values are given to permit an easy comparison and contrast with the best cars in America. They may, as well, serve to help in assessing what may be expected over the longer term of a model with a more limited data history.

Best to Average
Toyota Motor Corporation GPA: 3.44 and Grade: B Honda Motor Company GPA: 3.24 and Grade: B Mitsubishi Motors Corporation GPA: 2.61 and Grade: B Suzuki Motor Corporation GPA: 2.50 and Grade: B Subaru Division of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd GPA: 2.47 and Grade: C Hyundai Motor Company GPA: 2.15 and Grade: C Nissan Motor Company GPA: 2.15 and Grade: C Mazda Motor Corporation GPA: 2.09 and Grade: C Porsche AG GPA: 2.08 and Grade: C Ford Motor Company GPA: 2.04 and Grade: C Volvo Division of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group GPA: 2.01 and Grade: C Fiat SpA GPA: 2.00 and Grade: C

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Below Average to Worst

Kia Motors Corporation GPA: 1.99 and Grade: C Volkswagen AG GPA: 1.80 and Grade: C Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz and Smart) GPA: 1.80 and Grade: C General Motors Corporation, with Toyota-engineered Vibe, GPA: 1.50 and Grade: C General Motors Corporation, without Toyota-engineered Vibe, GPA: 1.46 and Grade: D Chrysler Group GPA: 1.34 and Grade: D BMW AG GPA: 1.26 and Grade: D Land Rover Division of Tata Motors Limited GPA: 1.00 and Grade: D Jaguar Division of Tata Motors Limited GPA: 0.83 and Grade: D The bar graph on the following page depicts how much above or below average each manufacturers Reliability GPA falls.

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Three Important Points Regarding Company GPAs

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1. The GPAs and ranks of those companies with smaller data histories tend to move around, sometimes quite a bit. Consequently, the GPAs and positions of Porsche, Fiat, Land Rover, and Jaguar may well shift notably from year to year. 2. Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar were, until rather recently, owned by Ford Motor Company. In future years their positions may shift under new ownership. 3. The Chrysler Group was, until rather recently, owned by Daimler AG (then DaimlerChrysler AG). Now it is more than 50% owned by Fiat SpA, so its position in future years may shift as well.

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Summary
There are several important points regarding the 50 Best Cars in America that deserve mentioning. 1. The top 50 cars in America in 2013 include very diverse body styles - pickup trucks, midsize and small sportutility vehicles (SUVs), family cars, wagons, small cars, hatchbacks, coupes, convertibles, upscale cars, and luxury cars. 2. While there is no large SUV and no minivan among the 50 Best, one large SUV and one minivan are close to making the cutoff. 3. Automobiles by Toyota Motor Corporation are very dominant among the best in America. It accounts for 9 of the top 11 autos, 3 of the top 4 pickups, 8 of the top 11 midsize SUVs, 1 of the top 4 small SUVs, 4 of the top 9 family cars, 7 of the top 8 sedans all with a Reliability Grade of A and 10 of the top 18 sedans, 3 of the top 5 wagons, 7 of the top 8 small cars, 3 of the top 5 hatchbacks, 2 of the top 6 sport/sporty cars, 1 of the top 2 coupes, 4 of the top 5 upscale cars, and 2 of the top 4 luxury cars. 4. Honda Motor Company also placed prominently among Americas best accounting for the remaining 2 of the top 11 autos, 1 of the top 4 pickups, 2 of the top 11 midsize SUVs, 2 of the top 4 small SUVs, 2 of the top 9 family cars, 4 of the top 18 sedans, 2 of the top 5 wagons, 1 of the top 8 small cars, 2 of the top 5 hatchbacks, 2 of the top 6 sport/sporty cars, 1 of the top 2 coupes, 1 of the top 3 convertibles, 1 of the top 5 upscale cars, and 1 of the top 4 luxury cars.

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Additional Resources
Below is a list of additional resources for car quality information authored by James B. Bleeker. To view the 2013 GPAs of all cars, brands, and manufacturers offering the requisite data for the fouryear age ranges 0-4 years, 2-6 years, 4-8 years, and 6-10 years, as well as Overall GPAs and Minimum GPAs, visit www.AutoOnInfo.net. This website also offers several measures of car, brand, and manufacturer quality measures and a list of Ezine and ArticlesBase articles written by author. For a very expansive list of the best and worst cars, brands, and manufacturers by model year, visit www.CarQualityInfo.net. For some quality measures not found in the first two sites, as well as the 2013 Overall GPAs and Grades, visit www.CarsOnInfo.net. To view articles by author first published as Knol articles, visit CarQualityInfo.WordPress.com.

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Kindle ebooks by author include: AutoOnInfo.nets Car Guide and Shopping Companion: The 2009 Reliability GPAs and Grades of the 6-to-10Year-Old Cars and Trucks from Model Years 1999 to 2002, AutoOnInfo.net's Car Quality Series, Volume 2: Brand Quality for Model Years 1985 to 2006 and Effect on Brand Market Shares from 1985 to 2009, AutoOnInfo.nets Car Quality Series, Volume 3: The 2012 Reliability GPAs and Grades of the 6-to-10-Year-Old Cars and Trucks from Model Years 2002 to 2005, AutoOnInfo.nets Car Quality Series, Volume 4: The 50 Best Cars in America, and AutoOnInfo.nets Car Quality Series, Volume 5: The 100 Worst Cars in America Volume 3 provides charts depicting the U.S. new car and light vehicle market shares, as well as charts depicting percent changes in shares, for all major brands sold in North America from 1985 to 2009 and the brands numbers of CRs vehicles to avoid at age 6 years for model year periods 1985-1989, 1990-1994, 1995-1999, and 2000-2004, and a projection of the numbers of 6-year-old worst for the model year period 2005-2009. Examples appear on following pages. Each graph includes the same information for Toyota and Chevrolet for reference.

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