Consumer Reports' Top Picks for 2010

Each year, Consumer Reports rates new cars, and publishes a list of their “Top Picks.” Each year, they pick the best overall winners in several categories, and there are usually a few winners with Honda or Toyota badges on them. This year is a bit different, with Nissan (including Infiniti) winning a couple of awards. With all the Toyota recall hubbub, it’s not too surprising to see the list change, but the biggest surprise for me was the Nissan Altima winning Best Family Sedan. Read on for the complete list.

The Nissan Altima has been a fairly popular seller since its complete redesign in 2002. Since then, it’s seen minor changes here and there, but no changes as complete as the ’02 model. Given its age, I was surprised to see it, but having recently taken a test drive in one, I think Consumer Reports may be overlooking the Hyundai Sonata, at least the 2010 model. Pound for pound, the Sonata comes across to me as a better value. With Hyundai’s ever-increasing quality ratings, you’d think it might have beaten the Altima, but that isn’t the case here. Either way, here is the list of winners:

Family Sedan: Nissan Altima