Consumer_Reports_-_April_2020

Dodge Grand Caravan

The Dodge Grand Caravan

continues on for another

year without any significant

updates. The Dodge offers

a lower price than other

minivans, but there is no escaping

the reality that this is an older

design that falls short as a family

road-trip machine. For instance, the

second-row seats are thin, low, and

uncomfortable. Although the 283-hp V6 is powerful, its fuel economy is lousy

at just 17 mpg overall—the worst among all minivans in our tests. And the van

scored a Poor in the IIHS small-overlap frontal crash test. Don't be swayed by

the massive incentives that will probably be available on this minivan, already

the cheapest one on the market.



OVERALL

SCORE

65

$27,290-$35,535

RELIABILITY

4

SATISFACTION

2

ROAD-TEST SCORE 72 MPG 17

Dodge Journey

On paper, the midsized

Journey SUV may sound

compelling, but in our

tests we found that it

has a confining interior,

lacks agility, and delivers miserable

fuel economy. Added to that, it

suffers from poor performance

in the IIHS small-overlap frontal crash

test. But the Journey rides well, the

cabin is relatively quiet, and it offers a third-row seat, albeit one that is snug

and best for children. The Journey is late in its model run, with discounts

commonplace. But don't be tempted. This low-rated model is a poor value

anywhere—even at the airport rental lot. For 2020, the V6 engine and all-

wheel drive have been dropped.



OVERALL

SCORE

NA

$23,495-$28,595

RELIABILITY

2

SATISFACTION

2

ROAD-TEST SCORE NA MPG NA

Fiat 124 Spider

The Fiat 124 Spider is

essentially a rebadged

Mazda Miata, but it's pow-

ered by a 160-hp, 1.4-liter

turbo four-cylinder from the

Fiat stable and gets its own exterior

styling. Like the Miata, it can be paired

with a six-speed manual or six-speed

automatic transmission. Though that's

a smaller engine than the Mazda's

nonturbo 2.0-liter, the Fiat produces more readily available power. The Fiat

also has more comfortable seats than the Miata has. Different suspension

tuning lets the 124 corner with slightly less body lean. But the ride is jumpy

over some uneven surfaces, and the cabin is very noisy, even with the top up. It

takes some time to get used to the Mazda controls. The sportier Abarth version

features more responsive handling. Like with the Miata, opening and closing

the manual top is a breeze. The two-seater cabin is very tight on space.



OVERALL

SCORE

64

$25,390-$29,390

RELIABILITY

2

SATISFACTION

3

ROAD-TEST SCORE 76 MPG 31

Fiat 500L

This Italian confection

feels undercooked and

has several significant

flaws. It earned a dismal

road-test score, thanks in

part to a stiff ride, flat seats, and an

awkward driving position that dictates

bent knees and stretched arms. The

500L also scored a Poor in the IIHS

small-overlap frontal crash test.

To its credit, this quasi-wagon responds eagerly in corners and handles

securely at its limit, and provides impressive interior space for its size, along

with good visibility, super-easy cabin access, and a commendable 27 mpg

overall from the 1.4-liter turbo engine. Fiat dropped the dual-clutch

transmission we tested and now equips the 500L with a conventional

six-speed automatic. Important safety features such as forward collision

warning and automatic emergency braking are not offered.



OVERALL

SCORE

29

$22,500-$24,645

RELIABILITY

1

SATISFACTION

1

ROAD-TEST SCORE 50 MPG 27

Fiat 500X

Its adorable styling may

make shoppers almost

want to hug the 500X, but

the more time they spend

with it, the more its appeal

wanes, thanks to its stiff ride, noisy

cabin, restricted visibility, annoying

vibration when idling, and unsupport-

ive seats. Styled like a burlier version

of the discontinued Fiat 500, the X is

a sibling vehicle to the Jeep Renegade, and it shares some of the same virtues

and weaknesses. Both have a nine-speed automatic that is neither smooth nor

responsive. When we tested it with the old 2.4-liter engine, its fuel economy

was unimpressive. A new 1.3-liter turbo engine is likely to improve that by

1 or 2 mpg. The interior has some flair, and there are a number of available

advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic

emergency braking, and blind spot warning.



OVERALL

SCORE

35

$24,590-$29,495

RELIABILITY

1

SATISFACTION

1

ROAD-TEST SCORE 50 MPG 23

Ford EcoSport

The EcoSport subcom-

pact crossover SUV has a

tall stance that helps the

driver get a good view out.

It offers either a 1.0-liter,

turbo charged three-cylinder engine

that feels responsive in urban environ-

ments or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The

2.0-liter comes with standard all-wheel

drive. Its fuel economy of 24 mpg

overall isn't stellar. Handling is very nimble, which makes the EcoSport fun in

the corners. But the ride is stiff, and the cabin is loud. The controls are easy to

master, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility is standard. The

side-hinged rear hatch door can be annoying to use when parallel-parked.

Blind spot warning with cross traffic warning is offered on higher trims, but

neither forward collision warning nor automatic emergency braking is available.



OVERALL

SCORE

68

$20,485-$27,715

RELIABILITY

5

SATISFACTION

2

ROAD-TEST SCORE 61 MPG 24

Ford Edge!

The freshened Edge SUV

got updated powertrains

and additional advanced

safety features. A 2.0-liter

turbocharged four-cylinder

paired with an eight-speed automatic

transmission is standard and provides

smooth, quiet acceleration. The new

high-performance ST trim gets a V6

turbo and AWD. The roomy interior

provides comfortable quarters, front and rear, and cargo space is generous.

The driving position is uneven because the left footrest sits too close to the

driver. The Edge can rival a luxury car with its quiet cabin, steady ride, and

agile handling, and the Sync 3 infotainment system is easy to use. Standard

safety equipment includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency

braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic

warning, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance.



OVERALL

SCORE

79

$31,100-$43,265

RELIABILITY

3

SATISFACTION

3

ROAD-TEST SCORE 84 MPG 22

Ford Escape

The redesigned 2020

Escape has curvier styling,

new drivetrains, and

standard advanced safety

features. The standard

1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder engine

returned 26 mpg overall in our tests.

Although it provides sufficient oomph,

the engine transmits an annoying

vibration at low engine speeds.

The optional 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is significantly more powerful and

smoother, and the hybrid Escape is very fuel-efficient. The ride has an

underlying firmness. Handling is quite nimble and secure. But the brake pedal

is oversensitive. Controls, including the rotary gear selector, are easy to use.

The front seats are a bit flat, but the rear seat is quite roomy when set to the

rearmost position. All Escapes come standard with forward collision warning,

automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind spot warning.



OVERALL

SCORE

62

$24,885-$38,835

RELIABILITY

2

SATISFACTION

4

ROAD-TEST SCORE 73 MPG 26

58 CR.ORG APRIL 2020

NEW CAR PROFILES DODGE — GENESIS