1. Bagel setting is useless. It extends time and does not shut off one side. 2. Heater grids, while evenly spaced, don't toast evenly. A number of wire sections look like they were manually lifted away from the surface. These get hotter. 3. Even if toasting the same bread everyday you have to watch to prevent burnt toast. 4. The extra lift spring tension is too much and is able to lift the toaster off the counter before the bread gets lifted to the top. 5. I would give it five stars just for looks and design.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting cuisinart.com