John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Many years ago I always regarded Consumer Reports as the last word in objectivity and had the reputation of conducting in-depth testing. Is this still true; I have heard they are not what they once were. Anyone have reasonable reliable comments. Especially their car reviews. And BTW are their other car review publications that are better.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I have never known them to be reliable.
Their criteria is totally skewed from the start.
25 years ago or so they reviewed suvs or something and threw in a Jeep Wrangler and rated it at the bottom because of ride being stiff, noisy and other stupid factors. A Wrangler is designed for off road use and was not for losers that get such vehicles for looks only. Mine had plenty of desert pin striping from real use off road like it was meant to be. I drove a highway car for highway driving.
Also they rated the Nikon and Canon F-1 very low as cameras because they were manual and not automatic exposure cameras as well as difficult to use. They were not considered very good cameras.
Since reading these reports I realized their reports are completely bogus and suspect and would never waste time with them.
It is better to read industry reports and commentary than Consumer Reports.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I used to rely on Consumer Reports. But whenever I would go to the store to purchase an item that they listed as their top pick; it would be unavailable, no longer handled, obsolete or just plain no longer stocked. SO when my subscription came up for renewal I canceled it.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Would have some googleable names for industry reports?

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

I think we were all a little naive back when Consumer Report was the be all end all simply because Readers Digest (was it?) said it was so !
These days we don't believe anything because we know "if there is a human in the loop" there is bound to be bias !
.....so we all argue everything in forums such as UHH !

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My opinion is that they go to a lot of trouble to test things properly, using people and equipment to collect accurate data. It's not simply a case of "I like A more than B." I always take a look at their tests before buying something. Unfortunately, the top rated items are often the most expensive. I don't need a $2,000 refrigerator. So, I read their reports and consider my own needs, opinions, and finances. I do not think CU is dishonest or incompetent. I think their testing has gotten more accurate over the years because of better technology. They writing is better, too. It's more human and less robotic. I have both print and online subscriptions.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"Popular Photography"?

grillmaster5062

I have never trusted Consumer Reports completely, just because they don't accept advertising doesn't mean they aren't biased in one way or another. They used to automatically give most of the import vehicles a thumbs up without even reviewing them. They are as full of crap as any magazine or critic.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

I, too, have both print and online subscriptions to Consumer Reports. There are only two areas in which I think they are deficient. If you're looking for high end equipment, you won't find it in CU. I'm referring to high end cameras, high end audio. The other deficiency is that they don't examine the components that something is constructed with to offer an engineering opinion of their likely longevity and reliability. You have to wait a few years when the item is no longer being sold to view the reliability ratings based on user input. For example, years ago they top rated a Heathkit receiver. That receiver required frequent repairs. One repairman told me that anyone could see that the receiver was built with cheap resistors and condensers which would be likely to fail.

I still remember when CU was more hard core. They used to prefer manual transmissions over automatic back in the 50's. Nevertheless, for cars and appliances I trust their reports. But I always supplement by reading Amazon reviews and any other first hand experiences I can locate. They have a section in CU for user reviews which is pretty eye opening in that things they have rated highly performed poorly for the person who bought it.

jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania

I think their reviews are fair and accurate.

I find that their reports are based on how a product suits the needs of the average user.

If your needs aren't those of the average user take their findings with a grain of salt.

Their automotive reviews, for example, are directed to the average owner who is primarily concerned with getting from point A to point B in comfort without having their vehicle break down. If you are an enthusiast who wants a car that takes the curves on winding roads at better than 10 MPH over the speed limit you should be looking at Road and Track or Motor Trend -- not Consumer Reports.

Past Pro Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

You know how they have those little circles, (at least they used to have them) usually five of them for their
rating? Well a few years ago while reading a Corvette review (cars like this usually have a strike or two at
the start because they are not deemed "economical.") I noticed their ranking system had the middle circle
filled in, the reason being that Corvettes rust!!! If you're at all even slightly familiar with Vettes you know
there is very little on or in a Vette that can rust!

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

DEBJENROB Loc: DELRAY BEACH FL

Re: CRs auto reviews .... I read them but they review cars from a different perspective than I buy ..... they seem to rate vehicles from the perspective of a family need .... for example ..... if a car gets low gas mileage .... that is a negative .... if a car has a tight suspension .... hard ride and hugs the road in tight curves ... bad review ..... I drive a car hard and fast .... the cars I like, generally get less than 18 MPG and require premium .... not a typical family car ... but the publications frequency of repair records are very helpful ..... even for appliances ..... ratings are important but must be put in perspective ... I have been a subscriber for at least 40 years, I no longer read it cover to cover as I once did .... I skim and look for items I might need in the near term ..... if you want auto performance reviews read Motor Trend or Road and Track .... for everything else .... start with Consumer Reports ...

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I never really trusted Consumer Reports, esp when I found the testers did strange testing , as in the tester for your car also did toasters, what did he do next week, I've got no idea but I always preferred to get test reports from dedicated testers, cars from someone like Car and Driver, cameras from Popular Photography or Modern, trailer Life for travel trailers, etc. Bob.