Consumer Reports recently released its "Best And Worst" list for 2009 model year cars, and, if you’re a North American carmaker, the news ain’t good. In virtually every category, the top picks were either from Japanese or Korean manufacturers. The only exception was the pickup truck segment, which was won by General Motors.

But first, a few words on how the winners - and losers - are chosen.

Consumer Reports actually buys the vehicles it evaluates, drives them around for a few thousand kilometres, puts them through 50 separate tests, and distributes them to various staff members and their families to live with for a few months at a time. Things like fuel economy, interior comfort, performance, resale, safety, reliability, and value for money are factored into the evaluation process. The organization has its own testing grounds, and claims to have spent $2.7 million (US) on new car purchases for this go-round of tests. It accepts no advertising from car manufacturers, and also includes feedback from actual owners through its subscription list.

Anyway, here are some highlights.

- Japanese carmakers are still on top, when it comes to reliability. In the 10 vehicle breakdown, top spot is taken by Toyota products in five categories, with Honda, Mazda, and Nissan taking one apiece, and Korean manufacturer, Hyundai, and General Motors taking one apiece each.

- As far as C.R. is concerned, the car that gives the "most bang for the buck" is the Toyota Prius. Not because it has a reasonable price tag, but because it delivers such good fuel economy and has proven to be fairly reliable, with an excellent resale value. Other noteworthies in this category include the Mini Cooper, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Honda CR-V.

- Honda gets the nod for best overall reliability, with Subaru, Toyota and Mazda right behind. Says C.R.: "Most Hondas and Acuras are very reliable, well-rounded performers." Interestingly, high-end manufactures, like Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo aren’t at the head of the pack here. Specific models rated high in terms of dependability are the Scion xB (not available in Canada just yet, but due to go on sale later this Spring), Toyota Matrix, Mini Cooper Clubman, Toyota Prius, and Lexus SC. Least reliable: Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Range Rover, Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice, and Ford F-250 Turbodiesel.

- According to some 425,000 owners asked of they were satisfied with their cars in terms of performance, reliability, comfort, and enjoyment, the majority of positive responses came from Toyota Prius owners.

- Best fuel consumption was taken by the Toyota Prius, both in terms of city and highway driving. The Smart car was right behind, with the Honda Civic Hybrid and VW Jetta TDI also placing well. Worst fuel economy: Ford F-250 pickup.

-Best used car reliability was taken by the Toyota Prius, with the Toyota Echo, Lexus SC and Toyota Highlander all placing in the top five. Least reliable were the Chevrolet Uplander/Pontiac Venture/Saturn relay mini-vans, Land Rover Discovery and VW Touareg.

- In terms of safety, the top spot was taken by the Acura RL, with Audi’s A6, the Acura TL and Infiniti G series right behind. According to C.R., the most unsafe models out there are the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Kia Spectra, and Chevrolet Aveo....all economy models. No real surprise there; expensive cars tend to be safer than inexpensive ones.

- In the "Best Cars Under $20,000" category, the Honda Fit took home top honours, with the Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3 Sport, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix right behind. Consumer Reports is an American organization, but, aside from minor differences, the cars sold in the States are identical to the ones sold up here, and these cars all fit into the same category. Interestingly, Toyota’s Scion products were all in the top ten in this category as well.

- Consumer Reports also has a "Most Overlooked Cars" category. These are models that, while not best-sellers, do represents good value and scored well in all tests. The top five here are the Mazda5, Kia Rondo, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Azera, and Suzuki SX4.

- Just to show that they aren’t totally obsessed with safety and environmental correctness, Consumer Reports editors also offered up a "Most Fun To Drive" section, and gave the nod to the BMW I35, Porsche Carrera S, Chev CorvetteZO6, for top three spots.

As far as the best overall vehicle goes, the Lexus LS460L took the gold, with the Infiniti M35X second, tied with the BMW I35. Two other Infiniti models were right behind: the M35 and G37. That said, these are all top-end cars and by their nature, are bound to be at the top of the heap.

Consumer Reports isn’t the only organization that compiles information on new cars. J.D. Power, LemonAid, and the US-based National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, among others, all collect data as well. C.R. has also been accused of putting political correctness over everything else, and tends to favour sensible cars over those with a high fun quotient. But, nonetheless, when it comes to spending cash on a new set of wheels, information is power. For more info, visit: www.ConsumerReports.org.