DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 31 IL-Consumers-Digest
DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-six vehicles and 14companion models received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest out of some240 total 2009 models. The ratings, published in CD's December issue (on saleNovember 1), span 10 categories: Small Cars, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, SportyCars, Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs andHybrids. The Best Buys -- based on behind-the-wheel testing, safety ratings,ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling andamenities -- reflect CD's assessment of which 2009 vehicles offer the mostvalue for the money.
Five "Small Cars" received Best Buys: Honda Civic, Honda Fit,
Mazda3,Nissan Versa and
Toyota Corolla.
Four "Luxury Cars" received Best Buys: Acura RL, Cadillac CTS, HyundaiGenesis and Lincoln MKS.
Six "Sporty Car" Best Buys are: BMW 3-Series,
Chevrolet Corvette, InfinitiG37 coupe, MINI Cooper/Cooper Clubman, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.
"'Value,' as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costsrelative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design," says Randy Weber, CD's publisher. "In these tough economic times, webelieve consumers in need of a new vehicle will be served even more by theresults of our extensive research and behind-the-wheel expertise."
Performance characteristics evaluated include starting and acceleration,shifting, steering, handling, braking, ride quality and fuel economy.
A notable fact relating to the 2009 Best Buys compared with ConsumersDigest's 2008 recommendations is a decline of three total Best Buys for U.S.automakers -- to 24 from 27 a year ago. Asian automakers increased by three,to 22 Best Buy models from 19. Four brands saw their totals increase by two:Chevrolet has five 2009 Best Buys, Mazda has four, Nissan has three andVolkswagen has two. Two brands saw their Best Buy totals slip by two: twovehicles from Saturn received Best Buys;.
The Auto Best Buys section includes photos, invoice pricing, standardfeatures and performance traits that support the models' Best Buy selection inthe collective opinion of CD's veteran automotive editors: Jim Gorzelany hasserved Consumers Digest readers for 21 years, including reporting onautomotive categories such as crossover SUVs and hybrids; Kevin Kelly issenior editor of Automotive Design & Production magazine; Jim Mateja writes aweekly Chicago Tribune auto column and has received numerous awards for hisauto coverage; Matt Nauman served as San Jose Mercury News' auto editor and isone of the jurors that picks the North American Car of the Year at the annualDetroit auto show.
"Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying anew vehicle," Weber says. "Our analyses underscore our commitment to ensurethat consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making itas they were on the day they drove off the lot."
Consumers Digest, launched in 1960, is designed to inform and educatereaders so they can buy with confidence, no matter the product or service.The magazine is committed to providing practical advice, factual evaluationsand specific recommendations that lead consumers to exceptional values intoday's complex marketplace.
SOURCE Consumers Digest
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