Audi tops Consumer Reports auto rankings despite cheating

DETROIT (AP) - Audi is the top brand in Consumer Reports' annual rankings despite the fact that its diesels cheated on U.S. emissions tests.

Subaru, Lexus, Porsche and BMW rounded out the top five in the survey. Fiat, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Land Rover and Chrysler were the lowest-ranking brands.

The magazine says Audi's vehicles had the highest road test and predicted reliability scores, which are based on buyer feedback. Consumer Reports excluded 2016 Audi and Volkswagen diesel models from the rankings because they aren't currently being sold in the U.S.

Consumer Reports' auto testing chief Jake Fisher says the rankings show who's making the best cars right now and don't evaluate companies' honesty, labor conditions or other practices.

Fisher said Consumer Reports strongly believes Audi and Volkswagen should be held accountable for cheating.