This is true - in part. Subscribers are randomly solicited for their opinions periodically. How heavily these opinions weigh into the final ratings is beyond me. Consumer Reports also has their own testing center (maybe you've seen it on 60 Minutes, or a report on your local newscast - during a "slow" news day) where they test a myriad of products. I've never been solicited to give an opinion on the creamiest ice cream, or the effectiveness of a stain remover, etc. I believe they exclusively use their testing and lab results for most items.
I recall rating major appliances, automobile dependability, power tools reliability and the like. But I don't have a skidpad or a measured mile for lateral-G and acceleration/braking tests. I wasn't asked about "fit and finish" of our cars, nor was I solicited for an opinion about "seating position", "field of vision", or "ergonomics". Someone at CR has to be making those determinations.