Transcript of: New Honda Civic off the recommended list
BRIAN WILLIAMS, anchor (Washington, DC):
The
Honda Civic
has been a staple of the American road for as long as a lot of car buyers have been alive, always known for affordability, reliability, quality. But tonight one important arbiter of
all of the above
,
Consumer Reports
says
Honda
has stumbled badly with its new model.
Phil LeBeau
covers the car business for
CNBC
. He's with us tonight from
Chicago
.
Phil
, I couldn't believe these rankings when they came out.
PHIL LeBEAU reporting:
It's surprising,
Brian
, because the
Honda Civic
has long been a top seller in this country with a sterling reputation, the kind of car that you might recommend that your neighbor's kids buy. Well, tonight, it is no longer on the recommended list from
Consumer Reports
. Here's what happened.
Consumer Reports
evaluated the
Civic
along with the
2012
small sedans and hatchbacks; and of the
Civic
,
Consumer Reports
wrote that the stopping distances are long, the ride is choppy, road noise is pronounced and the interior feels cheap.
LeBEAU:
Well,
Honda
doesn't like those words. In fact, it responded, saying, "In a broad sense, we disagree with
Consumer Reports
' finding." The good news, according to
Honda
, is that
Consumer Reports
found the new
Civic
excels in areas that matter to
small car
customers, including fuel efficiency, safety and reliability. And let's be clear here,
Brian
, this report is not about safety evaluations or safety recommendations, it's just a broad fit and finish recommendation.
Brian:
In a
big business
, it'll be a
big story
.
Phil LeBeau
from
Chicago tonight
, thanks.
WILLIAMS:
“ ”