Consumer Reports top picks are all Japanese models.

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Japanese Cars Rule

Herb Weisbaum - March 2, 2006 - SEATTLE


SEATTLE - Consumer Reports is out with its annual Auto Issue and for the first time in nine years all the top picks are Japanese models. Here are some of the top picks:

• Best Small Sedan: The Honda Civic The Civic, re-designed for 2006, "does everything well," says David Champion, director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center. "It has a lot of interior room, very comfortable ride, good handling, and good fuel economy." The Civic comes with side curtain air bags standard. Champion calls the crash test results for the 2006 Civic "very impressive for a small car."
• Best Family Sedan: The Honda Accord Consumer Reports says the Accord provides "an excellent balance of comfort, roominess, and handling." The Hybrid version has quicker acceleration than the other Accord models and delivers slightly better gas mileage.
• Best Upscale Sedan: Acura TL The TL is one of the highest scoring sedans Consumer Reports has ever tested. The editors say the TL "provides a near-ideal blend of comfort, convenience, and sportiness - all at a reasonable $33,700."
• Best Luxury Sedan: Infiniti M35 Consumer Reports calls the M35,which sells for around $50,000 "an outstanding vehicle." It bumped off the Lexus LS430 for the top spot in this category. "It is an absolutely beautiful balance of performance comfort and handling," Champion says. "It's comfortable and quiet enough to drive as a luxury sedan, but if you want to push it along a bit it has wonderful handling and is really rewarding to drive." The M35 is available with a rear-drive or all-wheel drive.

Read Consumer Reports Top Picks for 2006 - www.consumerreports.org