While many families are hitting the road for the Memorial Day weekend, car shoppers can take advantage of the attractive sales being offered on new cars. This long weekend we're spotlighting the best deals on Recommended, American-made models.

Discount prices and cut-rate financing are being heavily advertised in print and on air, competing for your attention and dollars. But not all deals are as good as they may appear. A smart shopper needs to go beyond the hype and hyperbole to look at the pricing, discounts, and the quality of the car itself.

The vehicles listed below are considered Best New Car Deals, meaning there are notable discounts on these models that meet Consumer Reports criteria to be Recommended. Other trims on the vehicles listed below may also present good deals and may be worth considering. For this list, we included only those models that promise at least a 10-percent discount off the sticker price.

In conducting this analysis, we found that about half the featured models offer further discounts to qualified buyers, such as military veterans and college students, and there are also periodic regional discounts available. For the chart below, we focused on national offers, although our detailed online pricing products spell out all the specifics, including typical purchase prices in your area.

Calling a vehicle "American" is becoming increasingly difficult, with the Chevrolet Impala built in Canada, the Ford Focus sourced from Mexico, or the Ram pickup truck assembled in Michigan with an engine from Mexico and transmission from Germany. Meanwhile, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and other brands are now manufacturing stateside. Making a patriotic car purchase may mean targeting models made in the United States, those offered by domestic brands, or potentially both. If buying "Made in the USA" is a goal, be sure to check the window sticker.

See all current Best New Car Deals, or use our New Car Selector to create your own list of vehicles by sorting and filtering by the factors that matter most to you.

The models listed are just a few of our Best New Car Deals, featuring notable discounts on models recommended by Consumer Reports. These vehicles scored well in our testing, have average or better predicted reliability, and performed well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, if evaluated.

To research these vehicles further, or to find the latest trim-level pricing on any model, visit the Consumer Reports car model pages (available to online subscribers).

To ease the buying process, consider using the Consumer Reports Build & Buy Program. For Build & Buy, participating dealers have agreed to pass along discounts provided by any applicable manufacturer incentives for the vehicle you're buying. This includes unadvertised manufacturer-to-dealer incentives, for which it's typically up to the dealer whether to keep the savings or pass them on to the customer. Available to Consumer Reports subscribers, last month the average estimated savings off MSRP was $2,741.

It may not look radically different on the outside, but the Chevrolet Silverado pickup has been completely redesigned and significantly upgraded for 2014. A new chassis, updated powertrain technology with several mileage-enhancing measures, and a plusher interior promise to keep this cash cow competitive. We recently had the opportunity to drive a new LTZ crew-cab, and we liked it.

On the road, the Silverado's cabin stays impressively quiet, with sound levels closer to what you'd expect from a luxury sedan rather than a big pickup. The ride was another pleasant surprise, compliant and controlled even riding on the optional 20-inch tires. GM didn't go in for rear coil springs, as Chrysler did with the Ram, but the Silverado's two-stage leaf springs don't seem to hurt it any. The steering is responsive, linear, and appropriately weighted. Even brake-pedal feel, something that's hard to get right in a body-on-frame truck, was quite good on the LTZ.

The base engine is a new 285-hp, 4.3-liter V6, but the volume leader will be a 355-hp, 5.3-liter V8, which is how the truck we drove was equipped. Top-spec versions get the more-powerful 6.2-liter V8. The engines each have direct injection, variable-valve timing, and cylinder deactivation, and all are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

As is the trend across the industry, power steering is electrically assisted. Advanced safety features, such as lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems, are optional. The 8-inch MyLink infotainment touch screen dominates the center dash. It facilitates connectivity of all types and doubles as a large, colorful display screen for the rearview camera.

Cabin materials are much more substantial and attractive than previously. Some toggle switches are stylish yet large enough to be operated wearing work gloves. The tailgate has an optional damping mechanism, like the Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra, so it lowers gently rather than dropping like a rock.

Overall, our brief experience with the 2014 Silverado tells us that GM has taken a good truck and made it better. This is good for truck buyers and vital for GM, as the Silverado and its GMC Sierra twin will be dueling with a newly freshened Ram and upcoming redesigned Ford F-150. The new Silverado goes on sale in June.

A new small SUV champion has been named: the 2014 Subaru Forester. This redesigned model earned an impressive road-test score of 88 points (out of 100 possible), besting last-year's model by eight points and trouncing the previous leader, the Honda CR-V, by 11 points. Yeah, it's that good.

What makes the accomplishment even more impressive is that this popular category has seen most sales leaders introduce new models, such as the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, or update existing ones, like the Mazda CX-5. Despite competition that won't rest, Subaru has stood out from the class. (Read our complete Subaru Forester road test.)

The Forester succeeds by focusing on the fundamentals with a space-efficient design, large windows, and big square doors. The result is the easiest access and the best view out of almost any vehicle we've recently tested. It also has one of the roomiest rear seats in the class, with copious amounts of head and leg room.

By adapting various fuel-efficient technologies, including replacing the antiquated four-speed automatic transmission with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Forester now delivers quicker acceleration, as well as a class-leading 26 mpg overall and 35 mpg on the highway in our tests.

We bought a Forester 2.5i Premium for testing, with a $26,814 sticker price. This proved to be a good value that included heated front seats, large sunroof, backup camera, and a power driver's seat. Because above-average reliability is anticipated based on our analysis, it is CR Recommended.

The final jewel in the Forester's crown is that it was the only small SUV out of 13 tested to earn a top score of Good in the new small overlap crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

If you're looking for a safe, practical, fuel-efficient small SUV, read our complete Subaru Forester road test and take one for a test drive.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently recommended that states reduce their blood alcohol content (BAC) limits from .08 to .05, or even lower, in an effort to eliminate alcohol-impaired driving. The move is a bold one, so we decided to reach out to our Facebook fans to find out what they think.

Each year nearly 10,000 people die in drunk-driving related crashes, with another 146,000 injured. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), fatal crash risk increases substantially after .05 BAC, but it accelerates rapidly after 0.08 percent. Compared to other countries, the United States has a higher BAC limit than many others. Almost all of the 27 European states have a threshold of .05 percent or lower.

The question we posed: The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that states lower the blood alcohol content levels for drunk driving from .08 to .05. What do you think: Too far or not far enough?

We received nearly 200 comments and 223 likes over just a couple days. The responses were mixed between going too far and not far enough. A number of people said to focus on distracted driving as that is more dangerous. Others weren't sure if it would make much difference, but wanted more stats on how many deaths and injuries the move would prevent. The issues of enforcement feasibility and how to catch those repeat offenders came up repeatedly.

Here are some other responses:

"Why is it people are still allowed to drive after numerous DUI convictions? Revoke the license after the problem is identified. The NTSB recommendation is absurd."

"Cash grab! They are trying to help States raise more money by doing it. Won't save any lives."

A hot topic, for sure. Check out the Consumer Reports Facebook page to read the rest of the submissions. Or feel free to leave your own ideas in the comments, below.

Memorial Day is fast approaching and that means millions of Americans will be hitting the road for a family trip. The roads will be crowded and you should expect lines at gas stations. A car bred for long-haul driving, with bladder-bursting range, can give a distinct advantage, especially on cross-country journeys. To aid travelers, we have compiled a list of the best road-trip friendly cars that can go the distance.

If you are in the market for a new car or looking to rent one for travel, these best-fuel economy vehicles with their lengthy cruising ranges will help you reduce stops for fill ups.

For the summer travel season, regular gasoline retail prices are projected to average $3.63 per gallon with it peaking in May at $3.69 per gallon and ending at $3.57 in September. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects prices to average $3.56 per gallon in 2013 compared with $3.63 in 2012, so there is some relief, but gas will continue to be a big part of the travel budget. Choosing a fuel-efficient model can provide dividends for years to come, no matter how gas prices fluctuate.

The list below highlights the top three vehicles in a variety of categories that have the longest cruising range. Be aware, however, that not all cars that can go the distance have the best mileage. For example, in the large car category, the V6-powered Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger only get 22 miles per gallon overall and 32 highway in our tests, even though their range is over 420 miles. The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has a range of 385, but it only gets 21 mpg overall and 29 mpg highway.

The vehicles that can travel far and return the best fuel economy are hybrids and diesels. The Volkswagen Passat TDI and Golf TDI have a 690- and 545-mile cruising range, respectively, with highway mileage around 50 mpg. The Toyota Camry Hybrid has a range of 650 and returns 43 mpg on the highway.

There's no question that hybrids and diesels are the fuel economy champs. However, they often cost more to buy. To save money, consider going for a simple four-cylinder model. For example, the Mazda6 returns 32 mpg on the highway, as well as having an impressive 525-mile cruising range. The four-cylinder Nissan Altima got 44 mpg on the highway in our tests and can go 560 miles between fill ups. Another worthy candidate is the four-cylinder Honda Accord- 40 mpg highway and a 510-mile cruising range.

All those cars free you from a fill up for quite a while!

Plenty of other vehicles have great gas mileage in our list of best cars for fuel economy, but small cars are limited by small tanks, even though many get over 40 mpg.

Buying a vehicle with good fuel economy is one way to save money, but also make sure the vehicle performs well in our tests and is reliable. You don't want the savings in fuel to go to repairs. For more on saving fuel and alternative fuel vehicles, see our special sections. Also, check out our summer road travel guide to help you prepare for your next driving vacation.

With a brand forever linked with the "ultimate driving machine" tagline, you might not associate BMW with scooters. But BMW has built scooters for years in Europe, and it has been making inroads stateside with its own take on efficient, urban transportation. We recently rode its C 600 maxi-scooter, a relatively large scooter designed for two-up highway riding, and came away impressed.

Packaging is often an advantage scooters hold over motorcycles. With its own trick, the C 600 Sport has a clever expandable storage compartment below the two-person seat that will hold two full-face helmets, as long as the bike is parked. (You have to fold in the back half of the storage well before riding, or the rear tire will rub against it.) With the extra storage flap tucked away, the under-seat compartment will hold one full-face helmet—handy for running to the train station, for example, to pick up a passenger. (Check out the new Honda Forza scooter.)

This scooter line comes in two models, the C 600 Sport that we rode and the C 650 GT, which has saddle bags, a lower seat height, higher handlebars, a power height-adjustable windshield. The GT lacks the under-seat storage expansion. Both use the same high-compression 60-hp engine, despite their divergent designations. BMW rates them at 53 mpg at a steady 56 mph. No figures are offered for urban riding. The downside here is that they require premium fuel.

The BMW C 600 Sport is powered by a 60-hp, 647cc, inline twin-cylinder engine. A continuously variable transmission and a centrifugal clutch make the C 600 Sport easy for new riders to learn. There are twin 10.6-inch disc brakes up front and a single disc to the rear. A proven, life-saving safety system, antilock brakes are standard. Top speed is rated at 109 mph; we thought better of testing that claim.

With just a slight twist of the throttle, the big bike feels torquey and eager to surge ahead. It's very docile at parking lot speeds and on the highway. However, at medium speeds, we found the engine a little lumpy and coarse.

The controls couldn't be easier. With everything right at your fingertips, you don't have to reach for anything, although we didn't play with the intimidating LCD trip computer. Handling is light and nimble for such a big scooter, making it quite an enjoyable ride. And when we say, "big," we mean it. This scoot weighs 549 pounds—over a hundred pounds more than a BMW G 650 GS motorcycle.

It's undoubtedly the most capable scooter I've ridden, and it is certainly the most comfortable on the highway. But I still found it less responsive than a traditional motorcycle.

If all this sounds like overkill for an urban runabout, I agree.

The C 600 Sport starts at $9,590. The GT adds another $400.

Learn about riding in our motorcycle hub, buying guide, and in our reliability and owner satisfaction report.

As the popularity of motorcycling continues to grow, more women are learning to get their motors running and head out on the highway. Industry experts say that about 12 percent of all riders are now women, drawn by the same combination of emotional and practical factors that appeal to men, from the feeling of freedom to combating the reality of high fuel prices.

Dealers like Angela Annamalai of Shelby's Powersports in Bronx, New York, see a lot of new riders. When discussing first-time buyers, Annamalai offered some buying advice geared to women, who she says can often be intimidated by the male-dominated world of a motorcycle shop.

"Sit on a lot of different bikes first," said Annamalai, who stressed the importance of getting over that showroom discomfort that may discourage women from trying enough models on for size. "Riding position is critical," she says. "Arm length and being able to maneuver with your feet touching the floor is critical for safety."

Annamalai says that women new to riding might want to consider a first bike with an engine in the 250cc to 300cc range, because these relatively lightweight models are easy to handle and not too powerful, yet they are able to keep up with traffic. And their good fuel economy makes them prime choices for commuting. (Discover the most reliable motorcycles.)

Honda representative Jon Seidel said that 40 percent of their 250cc Rebel street bikes are sold to women, who he says are also responsible for a big chunk of scooter sales. (See our test of entry-level motorcycles and scooters.)

But be careful of not buying a bike you'll outgrow too fast. Seidel says that some women are stepping up to larger models like the Shadow Spirit 750, about a quarter of which are sold to female riders. Honda has high hopes for its new CTX series, a family of 700cc models with a low seat height and center of gravity that offer user-friendly features like ABS brakes and an automatic transmission.

Other women riders are looking for neither an automatic nor a small bike—apparently in sufficient numbers that big-bike maker Harley-Davidson claims to sell more cycles to women than any other brand in the United States. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based, manufacturer is looking to capitalize on that success with instructional programs and a section of its website devoted to female riders.

Regardless of your gender, or whether you're looking for an around-town scooter or a big rumbling Harley, remember to start your adventure by investing in the proper protective gear, including a full face helmet and eye protection, and protective jacket, boots, pants, and gloves. And don't even think about swinging a leg over any motorcycle or scooter without first taking an accredited instructional safety course, like those offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). The MSF offers courses all over the United States; ask your dealer or go to www.msf-usa.org.

Having just tested and lived with a quartet of German roadsters, our staff has convertibles on the brain. No doubt, you've seen the road tests and know the official scores and rankings. We thought it would be fun to go behind the ratings to see what some of our team members would personally recommended.

Tom Mutchler: Other than the BMW Z4, which looks a lot better than it drives, I enjoyed all of our tested roadsters. I took a long and enjoyable road trip in our Mercedes SLK. And our Audi TT was surprisingly enjoyable to drive, with a lot of neat stylish details despite its modest-in-this-group price.

But I deeply miss our Porsche Boxster. I wasn't a big fan of the previous generation, a car that proved polarizing in the hallowed halls of the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, but this time Porsche nailed it. It sounds fabulous and is a joy to drive. Maybe the steering feel has eroded a touch, but it's still fantastic. Plus, the car's decent ride and two trunks make it surprisingly practical. Watching the yellow roadster drive off (quickly) with its smiling new owner brought a tinge of sadness.

Like I said in episode 4 of our podcast, "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports," I personally could get 95 percent of the Boxster's "happiness" from a used $13,000 Mazda Miata. But that doesn't take away from the Boxster's brilliance.

Mike Quincy: I have a tendency to root for losing teams. It's not on purpose, but sometimes I just sense a bit of extra character in people (or things) that seem to try harder even though they're facing almost unmatchable foes. Take the BMW Z4, for example. I love its looks, folding hardtop, and gritty stance. But I knew it was going to get trounced in our Ratings compared to the Boxster and SLK. Still, there was something about it that I liked. And while the turbocharged four-cylinder in our test car returned decent fuel economy and was plenty quick, I'd spend a little more money and get the 35i model with the 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder engine. I haven't met a BMW straight-six that I haven't loved.

This wouldn't transform the Z4 into a winner, but it would at least make it sound better. And a good-exhaust tune is essential when you're top-down motoring.

There's no denying the Boxster's greatness. I like driving it more than a 911. And the SLK is the one in this group that didn't seem to take itself so seriously: Fun, good looking and comfortable for a small roadster. I'd be overjoyed with any of these slick sports cars.

But a Z4—with the zany M Sport/Hyper Orange Package—is the one I'd take and keep for a long time. And the wacky color would fit right in with tailgating at a Cleveland Browns football game (another perennial lovable loser).

Cliff Weathers: The most inexpensive new convertibles still cost at least $20,000, or about the price I'd pay for a base midsized sedan. So here I am, a family man hanging by the tips of my fingers to a middle-class lifestyle, and I'm asked to pick out a new convertible?

There is a practical solution to this dilemma; it's called a used car. My rationale is this: I would probably only want to use a convertible on warm, dry, lazy days between May and October, or maybe 30 times a year at best. This avoids living with the inherent convertible compromises on a daily basis. So, why do I need another car payment for a toy?

For my pick, I'm going with a low-mileage 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, which I can readily find for under $10,000, maybe even as low $8,000 if I find one in a private sale.

The New Beetle has a great deal of charisma, a well-constructed interior, a responsive engine, and that model year has demonstrated average reliability, so I don't foresee too many problems cropping up during its limited time on the road (knock wood). But what really sells me on the this old New Beetle is the top, which is plush, well-insulated, easy to open, and keeps wind noise out on those rare occasions when it stays up.

The redesigned Subaru Forester is the only small SUV out of 13 tested to earn a top score of Good in the new small overlap crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both the Forester and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which received an Acceptable score, earn the Institute's Top Safety Pick+ award.

Six vehicles earned a marginal score in the overlap test, including the BMW X1, Honda CR-V, Jeep Wrangler (2-door), Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, and Volkswagen Tiguan. The Buick Encore, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Patriot, and Kia Sportage all earned Poor scores.

For this test, vehicles careen into a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph, replicating the impact with a tree or pole. The simulated crash involves just 25 percent of the width of the vehicle, concentrating the force on the driver-side front corner. (To learn more about crash tests, read our primer "Crash test 101.")

To reward good performers, the IIHS added a "+" to their coveted Top Safety Pick award for those models that earn a Good or Acceptable in this rigorous test. To qualify for a Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn Good ratings in at least four out of five of their tests, which include the moderate front overlap crash, side impact, rollover, and evaluations of how well seat and head restraints protect occupants from neck injuries in rear impacts. Plus, the car has to earn no less than an Acceptable in the small front overlap crash test. (Watch previous crash tests.)

Nine of the 13 SUVs tested earn the Top Safety Pick award (without the +) by receiving good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, rollover and rear tests, regardless of their ratings in the small overlap front test. They include the BMW X1, Buick Encore, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, and the 2014 Patriot.

One notable small SUV missing from the list is the 2013 Toyota RAV4. It earns the Top Safety Pick award, but the Institute didn't run it through the small overlap test yet because Toyota asked for a delay so they could make changes to the RAV4 to improve performance.

The Forester and Outlander Sport join these previous models that have earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation: Acura TL, Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord coupe and sedan, Honda Civic coupe and sedan, Kia Optima, Lincoln MKZ, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Suzuki Kizashi, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S60, and Volvo XC60.

A full Subaru Forester road test will be published next Tuesday, May 21.

Related:
2013 Honda Civic aces tough IIHS crash test
New IIHS crash tests finds some family cars outperform luxury models
Crash test videos
Guide to car safety

Twenty-five years after the worst DUI crash and second deadliest school bus crash in American history occurred, there have been many lessons learned and changes made, but still safety issues remain.

On May 14, 1988, in Carrollton, Kentucky, a school bus carrying 67 children and adults was traveling home after a church outing to an amusement park. At about 11 p.m., the bus was struck head-on by Larry Mahoney driving his pickup truck the wrong way at high speed. His blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .24 percent. He had been arrested for driving under the influence before.

The passengers survived the initial crash, but 27 people were killed when the bus caught on fire from a ruptured fuel tank, which blocked the front door. The 10-year-old bus had small windows, very flammable seats, and the only way out was the back emergency exit, which unfortunately was obstructed by a large cooler.

After the disaster many changes occurred. It helped to strengthen the national focus on drunk driving and its consequences. One mother, Karolyn Nunnallee, became president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) after her 10-year-old daughter Patty died in that crash. She continues to be an advocate traveling around the country and pushing for stronger legislation.

In addition to increasing the awareness of the dangers of DUI, the crash also helped change the way school buses were made. Modern buses now have flame retardant seats, emergency push out windows, roof hatches, and a left side emergency exit. Diesel fuel is now used instead of gasoline and tanks are secured to prevent a puncture like the one that happened in the Kentucky crash.

Even with these improvements, there are still challenges. Drunk driving continues to affect 30 percent of all traffic fatalities each year and that percentage hasn't changed, even though overall highway deaths have declined. Just 19 states require ignition interlocks for all alcohol-impaired driving offenders, including first offenders. Seven states and Washington, D.C., have no mandatory interlock requirements.

A new movie called "Impact" commemorates the anniversary and documents the tragedy with interviews of families and survivors affected by that horrific crash. Watch the trailer for Impact below.

To learn more about how to keep children safe in and around buses, see our safety tips.

Impact: After The Crash Trailer 2013 from jason epperson on Vimeo.

When shopping for a car, you've no doubt compared crash-test ratings. Whether from the government or insurance industry, crash-test scores provide valuable insight into the occupant protection a car provides. But these ratings don't tell the whole story.

For instance, the front-crash scores simulate striking a same-sized vehicle. What happens if you hit a larger, heavier, or taller vehicle? Results from a new study being presented today by researchers at the University of Buffalo reveals the impact of your car-buying decision.

While the laws of physics dictate that in a crash between mismatched vehicles, the lighter one takes the brunt of the impact, this study shows just how unequal the contest is.
In car vs. SUV head-on crashes, the study found that the odds of death were 7.6 times higher for the car driver than the SUV driver. In crashes where the car had a better front crash-test rating than the SUV did, the car's driver fared a bit better but was still four and a half times more likely to die than the SUV driver. (Watch crash-test videos.)

The study looked at information from severe head-on crashes in the government-managed FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) database. In particular, the authors were looking to see what role car-type played in the outcome and how reliably crash scores predicted survival. The data sample included 83,251 crashes. (To learn more about crash tests, read our primer "Crash test 101.")

The researchers concluded that at least for head-on crashes, the vehicle type is more important than the crash-test rating in predicting survival. It's correct that you can't assume that a good crash-test score is some sort of guarantee. But there is more to choosing a safe vehicle than simply picking a big one.

Front crashes account for about half of all passenger vehicle deaths on American roads, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Based on its analysis, the Institute says overall "...a driver of a vehicle rated Good in the moderate [front] overlap test is 46 percent less likely to die in a frontal crash, compared with a driver of a vehicle rated Poor. A driver of a vehicle rated Acceptable or Marginal is 33 percent less likely to die than a driver of a poorly rated one." In other words, ratings do matter.

Choosing an SUV for safety isn't an automatic win, as their higher center of gravity makes them more prone to rollover, an often fatal event. Electronic stability control (ESC) substantially reduces rollover risk, and we highly recommend it when shopping for a used vehicle. ESC has been mandatory since the 2012 model year and was widespread for several years before then. It is telling that most of the 6,800 occupants killed in rollovers in 2010 were not wearing seat belts, suggesting that many of those deaths were easily preventable. (Learn more in "Rollover 101.")

How to choose a safe car
Just because a big, heavy vehicle has the advantage in a head-on with a smaller, lighter one, it doesn't mean that lighter vehicles are unsafe. In truth, they're safer than ever and overall traffic fatalities are near their all-time low. But do choose a vehicle with up-to-date safety equipment, such as antilock brakes, curtain air bags, and stability control. And choose one that has performed well in the various government and insurance industry crash tests. It should also have done well in the Consumer Reports' dynamic tests, such as accident avoidance and wet/dry braking. Even better than surviving a crash is avoiding one in the first place.

Safety considerations play an important role in Consumer Reports' criteria for recommending any car. A recommended vehicle also has to perform well overall in our more than 50 tests and have average or better predicted reliability, based on our annual survey of 1.2 million cars. (Check out our new and used car Ratings.)

After that, it is up to the driver to buckle up, stay sober and alert, and maintain a safe speed. That's the best way to maximize your odds of survival, no matter what size car you drive.

In a perfect world, a tire sealant kit may sound like a quick, convenient way to fix a flat tire. No need to remove the tire—just add sealant, inflate, and go. But, it turns out, there is more to it. To better understand the available products, we have begun evaluating several.

Given the promise for an easy roadside repair, the popularity for aftermarket sealant products is understandable. Further, the industry is seeing growth as tire repair kits are increasingly becoming standard equipment on new cars, often replacing the spare with an air compressor and container of sealant to temporarily seal a punctured tire. (Read "How to prepare for driving without a spare tire.")

Automakers say flat tires rarely happen and the spare tire and jack hardware add weight, dragging down fuel economy. Data from Continental, a maker of a popular tire sealant kit, claims consumers experience a flat tire about every 10 years when driving over well-maintained roads. (I just had one, so I must be good for a while!)

Truthfully, we don't like tire sealant products since they are—at best—a temporary or emergency fix and most are useful only for repairing small punctures. These products won't resurrect your flat tire if it has a large puncture, cut, sidewall damage, or ran while flat. Plus, they may impact your tire pressure monitoring system and complicate repairing or replacing a tire.

That said, we're looking at what you can typically get in the aftermarket and bought some samples to try.

These products vary from the simple can of pressurized sealant, typically costing about $7-$10 to fill a regular size tire, to kits with a compressor and sealant costing up to $80. I tend to favor the kits, as the compressor can be used to top-off your tires whenever they need air. The compressors work off the car's 12-volt outlet and have a convenient built-in air gauge. Some even include a lamp for working on a tire at night. All the products purchased have detailed instructions and clearly spell out they are a temporary fix.

We'll be evaluating the ContiComfortKit ($79); Fix-A-Flat Ultimate ($30); Slime Smart Spair ($19); Slime Safety Spair ($40); and AirMan ResQ Pro ($50, not shown in the photo) tire sealant kits. We'll also test the Slime Quick Spair ($10) and Fix-A-Flat ($7) pressurized can products. Prices reflect what we paid, excluding taxes and shipping. Sealant kits are available online and in stores. The pressurized can products are only sold in stores.

Stay tuned to find out if these products can seal the deal or if they're full of hot air.

Highway repair money is running lean in many states, due to decreased revenue from gas tax--a result of cars becoming more fuel efficient and Americans driving less. To plug the crater in highway funding, several states have proposed new taxes on electric cars and even hybrids. This raises a question of fairness, one we put to our fans on Facebook.

We asked: Should electric cars be taxed to ensure their drivers pay their fair share to maintain roads? Or would taxing electric cars defeat the purpose of efforts to develop electric cars to save gas, clean the air, and reduce dependence on imported oil?

We got more than 300 comments (and more than 1,200 Likes); the overwhelming majority said no, new taxes on electric cars and hybrids are not the answer. Many were colorful; some even salty.

Lots of commenters noted that no drivers should be penalized for burning less gas. Many acknowledged the issue of fairness, that electric car drivers should pay for highway upkeep the same as any other car. But most respondents said the few electric cars on the roads shouldn't bear the burden of filling the gap left by all other cars getting better fuel economy. A few readers thought electric car drivers should eventually face more highway taxes, but not until more hit the road. And some mention that electricity is already taxed, although we didn't see any who acknowledged that electricity taxes pay for electrical infrastructure, not for roads. (Visit our hybrids and EVs buying guide.)

A few readers offered other suggestions. Here are a few of the more creative and interesting ones:

"Of course not. They should be rewarded for saving the environment from the emissions and not using up the oil supplies unnecessarily. Don't punish them for doing the right thing."

"Get rid of fuel 'transportation' fuel taxes. Tax road damage / use instead. Perhaps proportional to vehicle weight and miles driven."

Check out our Facebook page to read the rest of the submissions. Or feel free to leave your own ideas in the comments, below.

Honda just announced two new models aimed at beginning and experienced riders looking for fuel-efficient, easy-to-handle transportation, including a scooter with optional antilock brakes.

The Forza scooter offers seating for two, and it is powered by a fuel-injected and liquid-cooled 300 cc engine matched with a CVT automatic transmission. Honda claims the Forza will deliver sufficient power for highway cruising, and it averages 68 mpg on regular fuel.

The Forza features an under-seat storage area large enough to swallow two full-face helmets and a smaller compartment in the dash equipped with a 12-volt outlet for charging phones and other devices. The base model is priced at $5,599; the Forza ABS starts at $6,099—a modest price premium for this potentially life-saving safety system. Both variations are scheduled to be in showrooms in July.

For buyers looking for an entry-level motorcycle or maybe an alternative to their skateboard, Honda is also rolling out the funky and compact-sized Grom. With a low 29.7-inch seat height, small scooter-scale 12-inch wheels, and a curb weight of just 225 pounds with a full tank, Honda says the distinctively styled Grom is aimed at young urban buyers. We'd add that they best be targeting riders of modest stature.

Despite essentially being a ¾-scale motorcycle, the Grom can accommodate two riders. It is powered by a 125 cc engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission, although for its mission as a scooter alternative, we're wondering if an automatic might be better-suited to urban life. Big bike features include electric start and disc brakes front and rear. Honda has not published a fuel economy claim for the Grom, saying only that it will get you around for pocket change. Priced at $2,999, the Grom arrives in August.

Learn more about riding in our motorcycle hub, buying guide, and in our reliability and owner satisfaction report.

Beyond the fact that it's an all-electric luxury car, one of the surprising things about the Tesla Model S, is that it can seat seven.

To clarify: That's not exactly seven adult-scale seats like a full-sized SUV. More akin to the large station wagons of the 1960s through the 1980s, the Model S can provide extra space for smaller passengers in a pinch. The optional third-row seat costs an additional $1,500 and faces backwards under the car's giant hatchback.

Times have changed, as have safety regulations. Most states now require kids aged seven years and under to ride in some type of child safety seat. With its five-point harness, Tesla's seat is constructed to built-in child seat standards, says Tesla spokeswoman Shanna Hendricks. The seat is only suitable for children greater than 37 inches tall, weighing between 35 and 77 pounds—that is a narrow size range. It's too big for smaller kids, and larger ones won't fit under the sloping glass window.

In addition, the seat is installed behind the rear axle of the car. And as with any third-row seat, this poses a safety risk in rear-end collisions that parents need to be aware of. Severe rear impacts, however, are relatively rare.

We originally ordered the third-row seat in our Model S, but it wasn't yet in production when we took delivery. Once it became available a few months later, our car was picked up by Tesla and transported to its New York service center for the installation.

Now that we have it, we've found the seat is cumbersome and awkward to stow in three sections under the cargo floor. And you have to lift out the cargo cover and leave it home, if you plan to put the seat up. We consider it more like a jump seat: It's useful for occasional extra passengers when your kids bring friends along. But they're not really designed for regular use. Despite the hassles and restrictions, though, we've also found our kids love riding around in it! It is novel.

Check out our video below to see the third-row seat in action.

Read our complete road test for more details, and check the Ratings to see how it compares to other luxury cars.

Related:
Video: Sci-fi wizardry of the Tesla Model S doors
Driving the Tesla Model S is like using an iPad, thanks to leading-edge interior
Talking Cars: Our experts discuss life with the Tesla Model S
Video: The Tesla Model S is our top-scoring car
Video: With Tesla Model S testing complete, its time to drift

It's clear the Tesla Model S dazzles us. But what you might not know is that even the door handles are cool.

As you approach the car, with the key fob in your pocket, they begin to motor out from the sides of the car so you can grasp them. You don't need to pull on them; a light squeeze releases the doors' electronic latches. It's the first thing that impresses everyone who checks out the car.

We're not saying the door handles on the Model S are the best ever. There's probably no need for any car to have motorized door handles. (Tesla says once underway, the retracted handles improve aerodynamics.)

Cool as they may be, they aren't perfect. Before entering, you need to wait a second or two for the sleek, brushed-aluminum door handles to finish their extension before you can grab them. Several of our staff members expressed concern whether motorized door handles would even be strong enough to power out through a sheet of ice, if you left the car outside in a winter ice storm. And motorized door handles seem needlessly complex, increasing the odds of possibly having problems down the road.

Still, there's no question they add to the Tesla Model S mystique. Once you squeeze them and get in, the rest of the car only builds on the car-from-the-future impression.

Check out the video below to see the handles in action.

Read our complete Tesla Model S road test for more details, and check the Ratings to see how it compares to other luxury cars.

Related:
Tesla Model S third-row seats are suitable only for kids
Driving the Tesla Model S is like using an iPad, thanks to leading-edge interior
Talking Cars: Our experts discuss life with the Tesla Model S
Video: The Tesla Model S is our top-scoring car
Video: With Tesla Model S testing complete, its time to drift

Does Tesla envy have you pining for an affordable electric car? Well, we just happen to have two test cars that we need to sell to make room, and funds, for new cars.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is one of the cheapest and most efficient electric cars on the market. The $29,975 starting price still seems rather dear for what little you get. Our top-of-the-line SE cost $33,630 after we added the Premium package, which includes a navigation system and rear backup camera. Sure, range is limited to 59 miles, and the car is a bit basic, but our used example will provide a buyer with an affordable means to own an electric car.

This Ford Focus EV is one of the nicest electric cars we've driven. It has all the underlying Focus qualities: taut handling, good ride, and nicely finished interior. And it also provides the benefits of its electric powertrain: silent running, cheap operation, and effortless-feeling acceleration. We got 3.18 miles per kilowatt hour, or about 107 mpg equivalent. That's a little less than the tiny and underwhelming Mitsubishi i-MiEV, but one better than the Nissan Leaf, the Focus Electric's closest competitor. We consistently found we could go about 80 miles on a charge.

Click on the name to see the complete road test (available to online subscribers.)
2012 Mitsubishi i SE
Asking price: $17,000
MSRP: $33,630
Approximate miles: 3,000

2012 Ford Focus Electric
Asking price: $26,000
MSRP: $40,990
Approximate miles: 3,200

The cars have been well cared for, with low miles. The money from the sale of these, and all cars purchased for testing, goes back in our budget for acquiring future test cars. And in case you're wondering, being a non-profit organization, we did not benefit from a tax credit.

If you are interested in these electric cars, you can save significantly over the price as-new and take delivery at the Consumer Reports test track in East Haddam, Connecticut. We'll even give you a tour of the facilities and a few laps on the handling track in your new car. (Learn how Consumer Reports tests cars.)

Serious buyers may contact us for more information and window stickers at crtestcars (at) gmail.com.

With the release of our Tesla Model S road test, there have been many questions regarding what other models stand out. Here, we present the current class valedictorians, those cars that have faced our more than 50 tests and managed to earn an A.

Sure, the Tesla Model S may be our newly named prom queen, but there are a dozen other current cars that have scored 90 points or above on a 100-point scale. The most significant takeaway here is the diversity, where we're seeing family sedans, sports coupes, and luxury sedans stand out with impressive overall scores. It is clear, that it isn't necessary to spend $90,000, like we did on our Tesla, to get a great car. It just takes a few minutes of research and your own test drives.

Click through the model names for complete Ratings, road test, reliability, owner satisfaction, owner costs, and more.

And you can create your own lists based on the factors you find most interesting by using our interactive New Car Selector tool (available to online subscribers), or visit our "Best and worst new cars" page for other lists.

Imagine driving while using your iPad to play music, and look at Google maps. Now imagine your iPad is built into the car and also runs your climate control, phone, and even basic car controls, such as braking, steering, suspension, and sunroof settings. Oh, and it's much bigger than a standard iPad. That's what it's like driving a Tesla.

We found the system overall is quick and easy to use, but the potential for distraction is very real. The only physical controls in the cockpit—meaning those not in the touch-screen—are the shifter, turn signals, wiper, and hazard lights. Without physical buttons to feel for, you need to look away from the road to target the screen when wanting to make adjustments. And some functions require going two or three menu pages deep into the system.

What helps the ease of use and "wow" factor is that the touch-screen display is huge, measuring 17 inches diagonally. For contrast, this dwarfs a 10-inch iPad and 8-inch MyFord Touch screen. The generous screen real estate makes the large, virtual buttons easy to find and press while you're driving—a far cry from the tiny little targets common on other in-car displays. Fonts are big, and the screen layout is very logical, aided by large, clear graphics. Nice touches abound, such as when you turn on the headlights, the on-screen car's lights turn on, as well.

Like the iPad, several functions use swiping and dragging to scroll, including going through entertainment options and to opening the sunroof to any position. You can even pinch to zoom the Google maps, making it feel much like operating a large tablet computer.

We found that the system is fast-unlike MyFord Touch-and responsive. Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, Tesla has hired coders from Apple to design the software. And it shows. According to company representatives, the system is faster and more responsive than other in-car control screens, because the software developers wrote in code native to the processor, rather than using a compiler as other software developers have done. That's apparent. Swipe motions that are cumbersome in Cadillac's CUE work easily here.

The system isn't perfect. For example, it works well for navigation and playing Internet radio, but terrestrial radio reception is very poor. And the USB ports in our car didn't work for connecting an iPod. (Android phones can stream to the system over Bluetooth, which works well.)

Otherwise, the control screen works well. The buttons are big and responsive enough that you can look once, touch the button you want, and have confidence it's doing what you asked. That's a big improvement over other systems that are slow, unresponsive, or sometimes respond repeatedly, making you look back to ensure the system did what you wanted—then making you glance down again to start over if it didn't, compounding the distraction. It's almost good enough not to make us wish the Model S has more physical knobs and buttons that wouldn't require a glance away from the road at all. Almost.

Check out our video to see the touch screen in action.

Read our complete Tesla Model S road test for more details, and check the Ratings to see how it compares to other luxury cars.

Related:
Talking Cars: Our experts discuss life with the Tesla Model S
Video: The Tesla Model S is our top-scoring car
Video: With Tesla Model S testing complete, its time to drift

Quality, safety, and value are the top factors for new-car buyers and are certainly not lost on moms looking to buy the right family car. Hitting all these attributes in a vehicle that is also kid friendly can be a challenge, but our experts have found 25 of the best, least-expensive mom-friendly cars that are appealing to moms with children of varying ages.

For this list, we started with those models that meet Consumer Reports' stringent criteria to be recommended, based on reliability, safety, and overall test scores. Then we filtered further with a close look at crash-test scores and predicted owner costs. In addition we looked at how the vehicles fare for families with small children, school-age kids, and for teen drivers making our list some of the best mom-mobiles.

Check out the list below and click through to our model pages for more details including Ratings, reliability scores, and pricing. (For advice on the car buying process, see our new car buying guide.)

To determine which models made the cut, we looked at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Picks and Top Safety Pick + awards for 2013. To qualify for the Top Safety Pick award, vehicles must earn Good ratings in the moderate-overlap frontal crash test, side impact, rollover, and rear tests, regardless of their rating in the new small-overlap frontal test. The + award goes to vehicles that earn Good ratings for occupant protection in at least four out of five Institute evaluations and no less than acceptable in the fifth test. In addition, our own tests measure dynamic safety, with wet/dry braking and accidence avoidance, and factor into our overall test score.

For the value perspective, we used our ownership cost data to find the least expensive models to own in their class. These estimates include depreciation, fuel, interest on financing, insurance, sales tax, and average maintenance and repair costs. The chart above lists the cost per year over five years. (Other time period breakdowns, including cost per mile, are available on the model pages.)

For the family-friendly angle, we looked at how well the vehicles fit car seats, how much visibility for school-aged kids and space for their gear, and which cars are best for new drivers.

All combined, the list highlights those best all-around vehicles that are among the safest, cheapest to own, most reliable and family friendly cars on the market--just what mom deserves.

Small cars, family sedans, and SUVs populate this list. We didn't include any minivans as we think these may be a somewhat obvious choice. For example, the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are both Top Safety Picks and are estimated to cost $9,600 and $9,200, respectively, per year. They are not as inexpensive to own as the minivan-like Mazda5, but these two cost less to own than the other minivans on the market. Minivans are also the best for young and school-aged kids with ease in installing car seats, great visibility, and tons of space. Minivans may not be the best choice for new driver's however as their seating capacity allows for many passengers. The more passengers a teen driver carries the more risk for a crash.

A number of models on the list were recently redesigned or updated for the 2013 or 2014 model year, including the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Mazda6, Nissan Altima, and Toyota RAV4. In addition, plenty of vehicles also have great fuel economy, contributing to their low operating costs.

There are many ways to slice the market, but from this perspective, these are great, practical choices for mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

Auto Test Director Jake Fisher, my fellow Senior Auto Test engineer Gabe Shenhar, and I recorded this Tesla-only episode of our podcast, Talking Cars with Consumer Reports, to share more insights on this top-scoring car. You asked for it, and we delivered.

As you'll quickly glean from listening to the podcast, we enjoyed recording this episode—and we enjoyed our Tesla Model S. A lot (as this drift video shows.) There are so many fascinating points of conversation about the car, but we're most struck by how Tesla rewrote a lot of familiar rules.

Would our engineers buy a Model S, if they had the coin? Does Gabe enjoy rest stop pizza while using the Tesla Supercharger recharging station? And how does driving the Tesla help satisfy Tom's childhood dream of being a space shuttle astronaut? Find out in the podcast.

As always, we welcome your comments below.

There, we said it. The Tesla Model S outscores every other car in our test Ratings. It does so even though it's an electric car. In fact, it does so because it is electric.

Built from the ground up as an EV, this car's overall balance benefits from mounting the battery under the floor and in the lowest part of the body. That gives the car a rock-bottom center of gravity that enables excellent handling, a comfortable ride, and lots of room inside. Plus, it has a front trunk where other cars' gasoline engines would be, in addition to its large rear cargo space. This big luxury hatchback even seats seven, with its optional third-row jump seat.

Inside, the car looks like something Marty McFly might have brought "back from the future" in place of his iconic fusion-powered DeLorean. A giant 17-inch touch screen glows in the center of the dashboard, controlling everything from high-res Google Earth maps to opening the sunroof, setting the responsiveness of the regenerative brakes, and adjusting the suspension ride height. In all, the Model S worked better than we expected—especially being the first home-grown model from a brand-new car company.

The electric motor delivers impressive power, right now, and it is impressively efficient. The Model S uses about half the energy of a Toyota Prius every mile, and it has more than twice the range—about 200 miles—of any other electric car we've driven. Still, you'll have to plan ahead for longer trips; you won't be taking it on a spontaneous jaunt from, say, New York to Cleveland any time soon. You won't make it. Even with Tesla's optional High Power Wall Connector, it takes about five hours to charge. On a standard 240-volt electric-car charger, it would take about 12 hours.

Tesla does provide some ability to make long trips in the Model S- as long as they're the right trips. Up and down California, from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and between Boston and Washington, D.C., the company has set up a network of Supercharging stations—with free electricity—that can refill the battery halfway in a half hour. (To charge more than that at such speed takes longer and would damage the battery.)

All this comes at a price. We paid $89,650 for our Model S, with the biggest available battery, the most seats available, and the fastest available optional chargers. Then we still had to pay another $1,200 for Tesla's High Power Wall Connector. But operating costs are a little more than half that of a frugal Prius.

So is the Tesla Model S the best car ever? We wrestled with that question long and hard. It comes close. And if your needs are confined to the Tesla's driving range, it just may be. But for many people, the very thing that makes cars great is the ability to jump in and drive wherever you want on the map at a moment's notice. And on that measure the Tesla has its limitations. So the Model S may not satisfy every conceivable need, but as we've learned through our testing and living with it, the Model S is truly a remarkable car.

We couldn't resist having some fun in the luxury electric sedan. In the process, we answered the seminal question: Will it drift? Drifting can be a measure of a car's great-handling chops, as well as its available power. And boy, can the Tesla drift as you can see in our video. .

Read our complete road test for more details, and check the Ratings to see how it compares to other luxury cars and electric cars.

Related links:
Most fuel-efficient cars
Highest scoring cars in our tests

As the buzz builds around our countdown to the release of our Tesla Model S road test, we couldn't resist having some fun in the luxury electric sedan. In the process, we answered the seminal question: Will it drift?

Driving a Tesla Model S is like having your own private amusement park. Not that we advocate tire-smoking, tail-sliding turns on any public road—ever! But such drifting can be a measure of a car's great-handling chops, as well as its available power. And boy, can the Tesla drift!

Our Auto Test Director Jake Fisher put this to the test on our closed track and found you don't need a bellowing V8 engine—or a flyweight sports car—to have some fun. The Tesla's neutral handling, abundant power, low center of gravity, and controlled-but-absorbent suspension are the perfect complement for entertaining cornering maneuvers.

To be clear, the standard electronic stability control can't be shut off completely. But you can turn the traction control off, and to our test engineers' delight, this allows the tail to slide some. With abundant electric torque, the slide can be sustained in a drift. The stability control eventually brings the car back inline, but not before giving up a fair amount of entertaining counter-steer, tire-smoke, and drifting.

Watch the video to see the Tesla in action, and check out our full road test, Ratings, and more video.

With beautiful spring weather, the allure of the open road on a motorcycle is tempting. To help you choose the best bike for your needs and save money on maintenance, consider these tips, including insights from our recent reliability and owner satisfaction survey of motorcycles purchased new in the past four years.

Overall, about one-fifth of the 4,680 bikes for which we received data experienced a major problem in that time period, with the odds varying significantly among brands. The chances for a problem ranged from about 1 in 10 for Yamaha motorcycles to almost 1 in 3 for BMWs and about 1 in 4 for Harley-Davidsons. And we found that reliability can vary a lot by type of bike, with touring models having the most problems. (See which motorcycle problems are most common.)

But, before choosing a brand or even bike type based on the reliability data, consider satisfaction. Here, we found a much different story. Despite the higher number of problems, Harley and BMW owners were among the most satisfied with their bikes. (Read our full report on motorcycle reliability and owner satisfaction.)

The mixed message from the data suggests that motorcycle ownership is much more than merely choosing the best machine, there is an emotional component here, as well. Among other things, it involves brand identity, lifestyle, and dealership experience.

If you're a new rider, it is vital to start your two-wheel journey with a quality safety class. Beyond the sheer common sense, studies have shown that significant fatalities occur among untrained and unlicensed riders. Classes, such as those offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), can teach the laws and riding techniques, as well as provide an opportunity to sample different, entry-level bikes. (See our tips for new and returning riders.)

When it comes time to buy, the key is to select a model that fits your riding style and one you'll be satisfied with. Resist the temptation to overbuy. Choosing a sporty, powerful motorcycle is unfit for a beginner. Likewise, a large, heavy bike will make it more difficult to learn, increase your chances for an accident, and even raise your insurance cost. This is an important point even for returning riders who may not be familiar with the high level of performance today's motorcycles offer, nor have adjusted to the slower reaction times that come with age.

Because motorcycles carry inherent safety risks, we believe it's essential you get antilock brakes, full protective gear, and a helmet. Riders without a helmet are 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury in a crash and are three times more likely to suffer brain injuries, than those with helmets, according to government studies.

There is much to learn, or re-learn, regarding motorcycle buying and safety. Visit our motorcycle special section to explore our latest advice and survey findings.

Watch the video below for more tips on buying and maintaining a motorcycle.

In episode four of "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports," our automotive experts discuss their picks among recently tested German roadsters, truck reliability, and the latest cars purchased for testing.

Once again, this podcast was recorded at our Connecticut Auto Test Center, within our large photo building. Senior Auto Engineers Gabe Shenhar and Tom Mutchler are joined by Managing Editor Jon Linkov for a candid, good-humored chat.

Clearly, opinions are divided on the drop-tops featured in our recent report, "Cars for the open road." But among the Audi TT, BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK, and Porsche Boxster, there seems to be consensus on the Porsche as the most desirable model.

The guys also discuss Ford EcoBoost reliability, small SUV diesels, and new arrivals at the track that count the Jaguar XF, Honda Accord Crosstour, and Hyundai Santa Fe three-row SUV.

Gabe takes reader heat for his blog about the disappointing Acura RLX, giving him a chance to talk about what true luxury is. Hint: Using the word "luxury" 14 times in an advertisement doesn't count.

Then Tom and Jon nearly come to blows over whether they'd buy a BMW 3 Series with a diesel or not.

Watch our automotive experts chat about new road test results and answer reader questions in the fourth episode of "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports" in the video below.

As with the other shows, this episode will also be available through the iTunes store. Subscribe to the video or audio.

Look for another episode of "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports" later this month.