If you think there only a couple of highly rated cars in GM's portfolio, then you don't know much about GM's offerings: Malibu/Aura, Astra, CTS, Corvette, G8, Acadia/Enclave/Traverse, and GM's truck line are at the top of their class. I'm sure a few were missed, but these cars are all at the top of their class.
As others have noted, I take long-term ownership much more seriously than the 90 day ratings.
I also agree with other comments about what almost seems like an anti-American bias by many of the car magazines. As if it isn't foreign, it isn't cool.
- I remember a few car magazines complaining about GM using the arms on the trunk door versus the strut type. This comment would appear numerous times as if this was a technological wonder. Well, the CTS and most of GM's newer designs have went in this direction. The Lexus 350, Audi A4, and many other competitors now use the old style arms. Well, guess what...now I see car magazines commenting how the strut type reduces the door opening size.
- I remember Hyundai would almost always get a comment towards the end of their review that went something like this, "Not quite the best, but with that awesome warranty, a great deal!". Well...since GM has improved their warranty I haven't seen any references to the warranty.
- I have read a few reviews of Toyota that have went something like this,"boring car, but who cares....they are so reliable" then a few lines later you'll see references to a few rattles or mechanical issues, with another comment such as, "probably a fluke, but we had lost the third wheel when driving around the first hard corner but with Toyota's reputation I'm sure it will be resolved".
I just shake my head...
http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/08/autos/jdpa_dependability/index.htm?postversion=2007080909