General Motors

Brands

Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hummer, GMC, Pontiac, Saturn

With several impressive new designs, GM has shown that it's capable of building very good vehicles. Its newer models are much improved over older designs and now rank among the best in their classes. But the reliability of many models still falls short. And its small cars and most of its SUVs aren't up to the competition.

What's right

Ride comfort, controls, acceleration, quietness, handling, powertrains, fit and finish

Several recently introduced models have performed well in our testing, including the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu, and a family of three-row SUVs: the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook. The Chevrolet Avalanche is our top-rated pickup truck.

Interior fit and finish, once a weak point, is much improved. The CTS, Enclave, and Malibu interiors are now among the best in their classes.

Several new models, including the CTS, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, and Pontiac G8, provide a nice balance of ride comfort and agile handling, and are fun to drive. And GM's OnStar system has given it a head start in advanced services.

What's wrong

Fuel economy, reliability, wide turning circles

About half of GM's models are below average in reliability.

Among small and midsized sedans, the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Aveo and Cobalt, and Pontiac G6 rank near the bottom of their classes in our road tests.

GM's best small SUV, the Saturn Vue, gets a mediocre 17 mpg overall, about the same as midsized SUVs from other makers.

The company has been slow to adopt full hybrid technology for cars. The so-called "mild hybrid" system in the Malibu and the Saturn Aura and Vue barely improves fuel economy.

Looking ahead

GM needs to maintain the overall performance and quality it has shown in its newer models while developing a stronger line of small vehicles and raising its reliability to a more consistently high level.

The company is developing more efficient gasoline engines, using direct injection and turbocharging to help achieve a better balance of power and fuel economy. Its more fuel-efficient two-mode hybrid technology is expected to be available on more models. And it's investing heavily in electric powertrains, such as that in the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt, and in fuel-cell technology.

GM's next generation of small cars, including the Chevrolet Cruze, looks promising. And the company is active in developing interactive traffic-safety systems, wireless service checks, and other advanced applications.