CG's next long-term car is a 2010 Mazda 3. Stay tuned for updates.
Each year, Consumer Guide's editors select the best overall values in 18 classes, ranging from inexpensive compact cars to premium luxury SUVs. These awards factor in a vehicle's price, features, and accommodations, as well as its performance during test drives. Consumer Guide's awards are not based solely on objective ratings. Rather, they reflect overall value for the money and are intended to help consumers make confident purchases.
In order to determine which vehicles merit these awards, we put them to the test. Over the course of a year, our staff drives approximately 200 new cars and trucks, keeping current with the latest products, trends, and features. Most vehicles are evaluated over a two-week period; some are evaluated for six to 12 months. We call these vehicles extended-use or long-term testers.
When selecting long-term vehicles, we try to pick new models that play a significant role in the marketplace and choose the most-popular engine and option combinations.
By driving the same vehicle over several months, our editors have the opportunity to utilize them in their daily routine, over familiar roads, and on long trips. This type of extensive testing gives us an in-depth understanding of a particular vehicle's strengths and weaknesses and its status in the marketplace.
Consumer Guide's Extended-Use Reports 
Archived Extended-Use Reports: 2003-2006
 Extended-Use Report |  Extended-Use Report |
 Dodge Charger Deep Drive |  Extended-Use Report Pontiac G6 Convertible Deep Drive |
 Extended-Use Report |  Midsize Sedan Showdown |
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