Consumers Digest Magazine Names 2010 Automotive Best Buys
Consumers Digest Magazine Names 2010 Automotive Best Buys
Mon Nov 2, 2009 8:00am EST
DEERFIELD, Ill., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Thirty-six vehicles and 12 companion
models received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest out of some-240 total
2010 models. The ratings, published in CD’s December issue (on sale November
1), span 10 categories: Small Cars, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars,
Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs and
Hybrids. The Best Buys–based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings,
ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and
amenities–reflect CD’s view of which 2010 vehicles offer the most value for
the money.
Five "Small Cars" received Best Buys: Honda Fit, Kia Soul, Mazda3, Nissan
Versa and Toyota Corolla.
Seven "Family Car" Best Buys are: Chevrolet Malibu
,
Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus,
Four "Luxury Cars" received Best Buys: Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS
Genesis sedan and Lincoln MKS.
,
Five "Sporty Cars" Best Buys are: Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette
Mustang, MINI Cooper/Cooper Clubman and Nissan 370Z.
Ford
Four "Pickups" and five "Minivans" earned Best Buys: Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and
Chrysler’s Town & Country, Dodge’s Grand Caravan, Honda’s Odyssey, Kia’s
Sedona and Volkswagen’s Routan are the best minivan values.
,GMC Sierra 1500 are the top pickups, and
Six "Compact SUV" Best Buys include: Chevrolet Equinox
Terrain
Best Buys include: Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse,
, Ford Escape, GMC, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner and Nissan Rogue. Five "Midsize SUV" Ford Flex, GMC Acadia
and Mazda CX-7.
"Full-size/Luxury SUV" Best Buys include: Cadillac SRX,
Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon
Three "Hybrid" Best Buys include: Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid and
Toyota Prius.
"We really feel for the people across the country who are suffering through
some tough times financially," says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher. "We also know
that some of them will have to purchase a new vehicle soon, and we hope that
they take advantage of the work we have done on their behalf so that they get
the most value possible out of their purchase."
Weber says Consumers Digest’s editors consider automotive "value" to be based
on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and
subjective factors like comfort and design.
Performance characteristics evaluated include starting and acceleration,
shifting, steering, handling, braking, ride quality and fuel economy.
and Volvo XC60.
Best Buys awarded to U.S. automakers increased by seven for the 2010 model
year compared with 2009 models–to 31 from 24 a year ago.
vehicles from Asian automakers decreased by eight, to 14 Best Buy models from
22.
the way:
the 2009 model year)
Best Buys forSeven brands–all U.S.–saw their totals increase. Chevrolet and Ford ledChevy has seven Best Buys for the 2010 model year (up from five for, and Ford has seven (up from four). Buick, Cadillac,
Lincoln and Mercury have an additional Best Buy versus the 2009 model year
awards. Mercury has three Best Buys, the others two each..
CD’s Auto Best Buys section includes photos, invoice pricing, standard
features and performance traits that support the models’ Best Buy selection in
the collective opinion of CD’s veteran automotive editors: Jim Gorzelany has
served Consumers Digest readers for 22 years, including reporting on
automotive categories, such as hybrids; Kevin Kelly is senior editor of
Automotive Design & Production magazine; Jim Mateja writes a weekly Chicago
Tribune auto column and has received numerous awards for his auto coverage;
Dan Jedlicka has written about autos for 41 years and is a member of the North
American Car and Truck of the Year jury.
"Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying a new
vehicle," Weber says. "Our analyses underscore our commitment to ensure that
consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as
they were on the day they drove off the lot."
Consumers Digest, launched in 1960, is designed to inform and educate readers
so they can buy with confidence, no matter the product or service. The
magazine is committed to providing practical advice, factual evaluations and
specific recommendations that lead consumers to exceptional values in today’s
complex marketplace.
SOURCE Consumers Digest Communications, LLC
, Hyundai
Honda Accord, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan and Toyota Camry.
