Overt criticism does not necessarily equate accurate and objective journalism.

Furthermore, if you want to see a U.S. magazine completely trash a car, look no further than the recent launch of the Buick LaCrosse. Until the launch of the new '05 Mustang, the Mustang, while still a supposed "American Icon", and always heavily advertized in the mags, was a constant "whipping-boy" of the automotive press. Mercedes and BMW have also been getting plenty of blatant thrashing for their questionable attempts at replacing fluid dymanics with electronic gadgetry (Mercedes brakes, BMW steering and "Idrive"). There's plenty of examples to counter your contention, you've just got to look.

And lastly, I can admire "Car" for having the cojones to run a cover like that. But there's a balance to achieve. No magazine would want to be perceived too much as a muck-stirring malcontent, lest the word "bias" be applied to them as well, and just as fairly.