Like ‘em or not, the musings of Consumer Reports can carry quite a bit of weight with John Q. Public when shopping for big-ticket items like a car or pickup truck. This month’s issue featured machines in numerous categories slapped with an ‘avoid’ label – including America’s best-selling vehicle.

Raising an eyebrow or two around here is CR’s assertion the 2023 Ford F-150 is a “popular full-sized pickup truck to avoid’” with an overall score of 58 apparently contributing to the unflattering label. The mag goes on to say “All the bluster doesn’t make the F-150 the best truck. Its ride, handling, and reliability come up short.” Specifically, the group says they expect the ’23 F-150 to be less reliable than the average new car based on data from the 2021 and 2022 model years. 

Nevertheless, the outlet’s own reporting also shows this pickup truck as scoring well on a CR road test (75 out of 100) and netting a 4 out of 5 result in predicted owner satisfaction. The sole truck in this class to earn a Better Choice rating was the 2023 Ram 1500, showing up for work with an 83/100 on its road test and – like the Ford – 4/5 for owner satisfaction for an overall score of 65. Note that so-called ‘better choice’ vehicles in other categories saw their total overall scores land in the mid-to-high 80s.

Elsewhere on the list, CR takes the easy route by plastering an ‘avoid’ label on the current Tacoma, knowing full well a brand-new and vastly improved model is on its way. Whilst touting the miserable Ridgeline as a ‘better choice’ in its category, the group inexplicably states “The Tacoma outsells the Ridgeline about 6 to 1, but it shouldn’t,” before touting the Honda’s engine, ride, and handling. 

CR also has nice things to say about the Kia Telluride, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, and Subaru Forester. Other vehicles getting panned in addition to the F-150 were the Hyundai Elantra, VW ID.4, and Chrysler Pacifica. In a hilarious bit of accidental theater (shown above) that underscores just how convoluted these sorts of rankings can become, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 is simultaneously listed as “Recommended” but also labeled as a “Popular Small SUV to Avoid”.

We encourage you to ruminate on that in the comments.

[Images: Ford, screenshot]

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