Automotive publications and media outlets make all kinds of awards that can help buyers make automotive purchase decisions. Are you looking for the cheapest overall cost to own , fix maintain and live with a vehicle? Or are a driver who has passion for driving and what something that is exciting? There is a vehicle for every personalty type. Many publications only look at five years of owners if you plan on owning your car for more years you should look a long term evaluations such as those found at the end of this article
The leaders in cost to own are Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Jeep, Infiniti and Subaru. The leaders in drivers’ favorites are Honda, Mazda, Dodge, Volkswagen, Ford, Kia, Lexus, Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz. Chevy and Land Rover. The brand we see the most is Honda especially for Minivans.
Lowest/Best 5-Year Cost to Own
It’s not just the sticker price that makes up the cost to own a car, when the costs of gas, financing, insurance and depreciation are considered, saving a few bucks up front can cost more.
Kelley Blue Book’s named the 2018 model-year brand and category winners of the seventh annual 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, recognizing new vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs including depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees.
Because of its 100,000 warranty the winner for the 5-Year Cost to Own Brand is Hyundai. While the luxury brand of Honda won the Luxury Brand award. Acura provides consumers with luxury models at an affordable price and without the expensive maintenance down the road.
Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Winners:
- Subcompact Car: Chevrolet Spark
- Compact Car: Toyota Corolla im
- Sporty Compact Car: Honda Civic Si
- Mid-Size Car: Hyundai Sonata
- Full-Size Car: Chevrolet Impala
- Entry-Level Luxury Car: Acura ILX
- Luxury Car: Lexus GS
- High-End Luxury Car: Porsche Panamera
- Sports Car: Chevrolet Camaro
- High Performance Car: Dodge Challenger Srt
- Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car: Toyota Prius C
- Electric Vehicle: Nissan Leaf
- Subcompact Suv/Crossover: Honda HR-V
- Compact Suv/Crossover: Subaru Crosstrek
- Mid-Size Suv/Crossover: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
- Full-Size Suv/Crossover: Chevrolet Tahoe
- Luxury Compact Suv/Crossover: Buick Encore
- Luxury Mid-Size Suv/Crossover: Infiniti Qx60
- Luxury Full-Size Suv/Crossover: Infiniti Qx80
- Mid-Size Pickup Truck: Toyota Tacoma
- Full-Size Pickup Truck: Ford F-150
- Minivan: Honda Odyssey
Motor Week’s Driver’s Choice Awards
At the Chicago Auto Show, Motor Week announced its driver’s choice awards. Motor Work polled drivers:
Best of the Year – Kia Stinger Motor Week noted, “Regardless of the sticker, the Stinger has detonated a whole new adrenaline-packed era for Kia.”
Best Small Car – Honda Civic – even though MotorWeek doesn’t bestow the same car the same award two years in row, however Honda “unleashed not one, but two high-performance variants that really sealed the deal.”
Best Family Sedan – Honda Accord, the Accord fully embraces the trend of midsize sedans encroaching on luxury car territory.
Best Convertible – Mazda MX-5 Miata RF.
Best Luxury Sedan– BMW 5 Series.
Best Sport Sedan – Kia Stinger.
Best Sport Coupe – Lexus LC 500.
Best Performance Car – Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.
Best Dream Machines Aston Martin DB11, Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Mercedes-Benz G550 4X4 squared
Best Small Utility – Mazda CX-5
Best Large Utility – Volkswagen Atlas
Best Luxury Utility – Land Rover Range Rover Velar.
Best Minivan – Honda Odyssey
Best Pickup Truck – Ford F-150
Best Eco-Friendly – Chevy Bolt EV
Best Cars for the Money
U.S. News & World Report, announced the 2018 Best Cars for the Money with the best combination of quality and value. Honda earned four of the awards this year, the most of any automaker.
The Best Cars for the Money
- Compact Car : 2018 Kia Soul
- Best Large Car: Toyota Avalon
- Best Luxury Midszie Car Lexus ES
- Compact SUV: 2018 Honda CR-V
- Best 3-Row SUV Kia Sorenta
- Best 2-Row SUV Ford Edge
- Midsize Car: Toyota Camry
- Luxury Small Car: 2018 Audi A3
- Luxury 3-Row SUVs:2018 Acura MDX
- Best Minivan Honda Odyssey
- Best Subcompact SUV Honda HR-V
- Best Subcompact Car: Honda Fit
Here are some other resources to help in car buying decisions:
We previously culled other awards into articles with new awards such as Most Awarded & Retained Value, Top Best Cars of the Years in Review, Top Cars for Child Seats, Best Car Tech to Consider, Safest Cars, Most Loved Cars, Most Loyal, Most Dependable/Reliable, Most Reliable/Cheapest to Repair, Best Insurance Rates and Best Connected Winners. A great way to use awards is to look at all the winners with the types of cars you are considering. If a vehicle wins multiple awards, it is a good indicator that the car is worthwhile.