Best new-car values

In this report: Overview; Best new-car values; Values & Ratings

This article was featured in the April 2009 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine.

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Best new-car values

Last reviewed: April 2009

Within categories, models are listed by their bucks per bang, which is determined by dividing each vehicle's five-year owner cost by its overall road-test score. All listed models have above average reliability Ratings.

Vehicle names are linked to the model overview pages (available to subscribers) for complete Ratings, pricing, road test, multimedia, and more.

Small cars

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Honda Civic EX	$340
Honda Fit (base)	350
Hyundai Elantra SE	355
Toyota Corolla LE	360
Honda Civic Hybrid	365
Mazda3	390
Hyundai Elantra GLS	415
Subaru Impreza 2.5i	420
Scion xD	425
Ford Focus	450
Suzuki SX4 Sedan	470
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Family cars

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Toyota Prius Touring	$325
Toyota Camry Hybrid	365
Toyota Prius (base)	370
Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl.)	390
Honda Accord (4-cyl.)	395
Honda Accord (V6)	415
Chevrolet Malibu (4-cyl.)	430
Mercury Milan (4-cyl.)	435
Hyundai Sonata (V6)	435
Nissan Altima Hybrid	435
Kia Optima (4-cyl.)	450
Ford Fusion (V6)	460
Kia Optima (V6)	475
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Upscale cars

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Toyota Avalon	$440
Infiniti G37	465
Acura TL	505
Lexus IS 250	505
Lexus ES 350	510
Lincoln MKZ	525
BMW 328i Sedan	580
Buick Lucerne (V8)	635
Saab 9-5	670
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Luxury cars

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Infiniti M35 (RWD)	$575
Infiniti M35 X (AWD)	595
Acura RL	725
Volvo S80	750
Lexus LS 460L	775
Lexus GS Hybrid	900
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Hatchbacks/wagons

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Volkswagen Rabbit	$330
Mazda3 Hatchback	385
Scion xB	400
Subaru Impreza Outback Sport	405
Toyota Matrix S	405
Kia Rondo	415
Mini Cooper Clubman	465
Subaru Outback 2.5i	485
Suzuki SX4 Hatchback	520
Subaru Outback (6-cyl.)	610
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Sporty cars (tested with manual transmissions)

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Mini Cooper	$330
Mazda MX-5 Miata	355
Scion tC	415
Volvo C30	460
Honda S2000	505
BMW Z4	585
Porsche Boxster	610
Nissan 350Z	620
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Coupes/convertibles

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Toyota Camry Solara Convertible	$525
BMW 328i Convertible	720
BMW 650i Coupe	960
Lexus SC 430	975
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Minivans

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Honda Odyssey	$440
Toyota Sienna (FWD)	465
Toyota Sienna (AWD)	505
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Small SUVs

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.)	$380
Toyota RAV4 (V6)	425
Honda CR-V	430
Mitsubishi Outlander (4-cyl.)	455
Nissan Rogue	485
Hyundai Tucson (V6)	490
Ford Escape (4-cyl.)	535
Kia Sportage (V6)	560
Mitsubishi Outlander (V6)	580
Mercury Mariner Hybrid	585
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).

Midsized SUVs

Make & model	Bucks per bang*
Hyundai Santa Fe	$500
Toyota Highlander (V6)	525
Toyota Highlander Hybrid	525
Nissan Murano	550
Honda Pilot	570
Subaru Tribeca	600
Toyota 4Runner	615
Nissan Xterra	635
See complete data and ratings (available to subscribers).