Why can't I find a Consumer Opinions review for the car I want?
We try to keep up-to-date on all vehicles available in the market, and we refresh our database monthly. However, manufacturers introduce new models all the time. If your car doesn't appear in our list, please try back again.

If you can't find an opinion for a particular car on our list, it's because no one has share an opinion on it yet. If you do purchase that car, please help out fellow consumers by letting them know what you think of it.

Who writes these opinions?
Consumer Opinions are written by people a lot like you. The authors have driven the car and want to tell people about it. We hope those sharing their opinions actually own the cars (please don't write about cars you haven't owned), but we can't verify that. There's a chance a manufacturer or dealership has submitted an opinion in order to promote a particular car, and that opinion may not be as honest as you would like.

So while Consumer Opinions can be useful as part of a larger research effort, they shouldn't be the only source you use to make a buying decision -- particularly when Consumer Reports is buying and rigorously testing automobiles to provide you with solid all-around data. If you spot an opinion you find suspicious, please use the buttons labeled "Off-topic" or "Incorrect" to let us know.

Why is there no average/overall score for a car?
Many product-review Web sites include an average or overall score based on what reviewers write. However, this practice is misleading, since the sampling is not scientific. At Consumer Reports, we offer high-quality, unbiased information about most available cars based on data collected on our test track and in our surveys. We can and do stand behind that data. Consumer Opinions should serve a different purpose: Getting a better feel for a car; deciding if a particular vehicle fits your lifestyle and driving habits; and narrowing down that "X" Factor.

Why do you ask for information about me?
We want to help you get the most out of this information, so we'd like to connect you with opinions that will mean the most to you. Knowing how tall you are, whether you have kids, how much you drive, etc. will help narrow down opinions to those that are most meaningful.

Personal information such as your name, address, and e-mail are never made available to others. Keep in mind, however, that information about yourself that you post in an opinion or in your profile can be read by others. Also, the name that appears with your opinion will be your user name (selected at time of subscription). Please exercise sound judgement.

Do you use my personal information to sell things to me?
Consumer Reports will never share or sell your personal information to market our own products, unless you specifically approve. Further, we will never share or sell your personal information with third parties.

What does it mean if an opinion contradicts an expert Consumer Reports rating/review?
We don't employ anyone to write these opinions and each author is entitled to his or her opinion. However, we stress that these views are anecdotal only, and not based on scientific data. Consumer Reports Reports and recommendationd are based on rigorous testing, and we stand by our results completely.

Does Consumer Opinions influence the coverage you of autos on ConsumerReports.org or in Consumer Reports magazine?
All of our procedures for testing and reporting on cars will remain as stringent and independent as ever. In one way, however, we anticipate that Consumer Opinions can have a long-term benefit: If we see a pattern of reviews or complaints about a particular model or feature, we can shine our testing spotlight on it and give all our readers the scientific, unbiased data they've come to expect about what's really happening with the product. In short, Consumer Opinions will never influence the outcome of our testing and editorial process, but it has the potential to improve the initial stages of that process.

What should I do if I suspect someone is writing false posts?
If you think that someone is writing inaccurate or misleading reviews of a car, you can bring it to our attention using the buttons under the opinion. In addition to flagging a review as helpful or not helpful, please let us know that you feel it's off-topic, or inaccurate. Please doing so you will help maintain the quality of Consumer Opinions' content.