YONKERS, N.Y. — Consumer Reports recently compiled four lists regarding what it finds to be the best vehicles for teen drivers, senior citizens, tall drivers and small drivers, respectively.

Interestingly enough, the only vehicle that made all four lists was the Honda Accord.

"Honda has built its brand around the core pillars of clean, safe, fun transportation with a special emphasis on quality and value," Honda spokesperson Chris Martin told Auto Remarketing.

"It is rewarding to see several Honda models recognized by Consumer Reports for the very attributes that our customers enjoy every day," Martin added.

As far as vehicles for teens — and this included used units — Consumer Reports emphasized the importance of safety. It is vital for teens to have such protective amenities as electronic stability control, curtain air bags and solid crash-test ratings, officials said.

"Often parents think that putting their child in the biggest car is the safest thing they can do, but that's not so. Teens are the most inexperienced drivers on the road, so you want to make sure they're driving something that handles well, is agile and has as many safety features as possible — especially electronic stability control," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Automotive Test Center in East Haddam, Conn.

The following are examples of what the publication found to be the best cars for teens. In parenthesis are the models years for which ESC is available

—Small sedans: Hyundai Elantra SE (2008-2010), Mazda3 (2007-present), Scion xB (2008-present) 

—Midsized sedans: Acura TSX (2004-present), Honda Accord (2008-present), Kia Optima (2007-present) 

—Small SUVs: Honda CR-V (2005-present), Nissan Rogue (2008-present)

Continuing on, Consumer Reports listed the following vehicles as being good bets for senior citizens:

—Minivans: Honda Odyssey

—Small SUV: Subaru Forester XT Limited

—Upscale sedan: Hyundai Azera

—Family sedan: Honda Accord

—Microvan: Kia Rondo

"When it comes to finding the right cars for seniors, we recommend vehicles that offer easy access, good visibility, a roomy driving position and comfortable seats," Champion added.

Next up, Consumer Reports listed on its website the following vehicles being most ideal for tall drivers:

—Ford Fusion

—Honda Accord EX-L

—Infiniti M35

—Lexus LS 460L

—Mercedes-Benz ML350

—Mercedes-Benz S550

—Nissan Murano

—Subaru Forester 2.5 XT

—Volvo S80

—Volvo XC70

And for short drivers, the publication listed the following on it site as being ideal:

—Acura MDX

—Acura RL

—Honda Accord EX-L

—Honda Odyssey

—Hyundai Azera

—Kia Rondo

—Lexus LS 460L

—Lexus RX

—Mercedes-Benz S550

—Subaru Forester 2.5 XT

Meanwhile, the worst vehicles for these types of drivers were as follows, according to the publication:

Tall Drivers 

—Chevrolet Colorado

—Dodge Viper

—Jeep Liberty

—Jeep Wrangler

—ML350 Lotus Elise

—Mazda MX-5 Miata

—Mini Cooper convertible

—Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible

—Nissan Z

—Porsche Boxster

For short drivers

—Dodge Caliber

—Dodge Viper

—Hummer H2

—Lotus Elise

—MX-5 Miata

—Mitsubishi Eclipse

—Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

—Nissan Titan

—Nissan Z

—Toyota FJ Cruiser 

More information on these lists can be found in the September issue of Consumer Reports and at http://www.consumerreports.org/.

Consumer Reports Rates "Family Movers"

Moving on, Consumer Reports also is including testing of three varieties of "family movers" in its September issue. The three vehicles tested were the Mazda5 "microvan," the Ford Flex EcoBoost three-row SUV and the Toyota Sienna minivan.

Taking the top score was the Mazda5, which was given an "Excellent" rating. It nudged out the Flex, which also received and "Excellent" score, and the Sienna, whose rating was "Very Good."

"The Mazda5 hits a sweet spot for families on a budget," Champion shared. "It provides most of the versatility and convenience of a minivan along with stingier fuel economy, more agile handling and a lower price."

Back when Consumer Reports published its Annual Auto Issue, the Mazda5 was a Top Pick among Family Haulers.

Officials praised the vehicle for its versatility and roominess. They pointed out such amenities as sliding rear doors, a small third-row seat and the fact that it has room for five passengers.

Since the vehicle was enhanced with ESC this year, the publication chose to retest the new version of it.

Continuing on to the Sienna, even though its score was solid and Consumer Reports called it a "very good vehicle," the publication found that it fell short of its predecessor. For three years that hat particular model rated No. 1 among minivans.

"It is still roomy and efficient with a smooth ride, but a drop in interior fit and finish and quietness, among other things, contributed to an overall drop in score. It now ranks below the top-rated Honda Odyssey and roughly on par with the Kia Sedona," officials shared.

As far as the Flex, this particular model marked the second version of the Flex involved in a Consumer Reports test.

"This version is equipped with Ford's EcoBoost engine which is turbocharged with direct-fuel-injection technology to optimize performance and fuel economy," officials shared. "The improvement boosted this version of the Flex to the top of the midsized three-row SUV category, below only the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which was rated an 'Excellent' road test score."

Consumer Reports also evaluated the Honda Accord Crosstour. The new model was given a "Very Good" score.

"Like the Acura ZDX and BMW X6, the more affordable Accord Crosstour has a tall stance and all-wheel drive, but the coupe-ish design hurts visibility, rear access and cargo space," the publication stated.

The Mazda5 was the only one of this group to be recommended by the publications, which said the Sienna and Flex EcoBoost haven't been out long enough for there to be reliability data available.