IntelliChoice.com's ''Best Deals of the Month'' Winners for May Spotlight Hybrids and Fuel Sippers
CAMPBELL, Calif.--PRIMEDIA’s IntelliChoice.com (www.intellichoice.com), the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced “Best Deals of the Month” rankings for May 2007 that once again highlight the long-term value of small cars and hybrid vehicles.
“A look at the list and it’s not hard to see that fuel economy is a major factor for May’s winners,” said James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com. “The Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid are perennial winners, and the Lexus RX 400h displaces the RX 350 on this month’s list on the basis of fuel cost. The Lexus IS has better fuel economy than one of its closest competitors, the BMW 3 Series Sedan. Furthermore, it’s notable that the MINI Cooper and Prius each win in two categories—the Prius for mid-size cars over $21,000 and under $21,000. With gas prices significantly on the rise, we think that many of IntelliChoice.com’s May Best Deals winners will be getting a closer look from consumers in the coming months.”
Bell added that the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are competing against the new Toyota Tundra. In IntelliChoice.com’s six full-size truck segments for May, the Tundra won in the half-ton, two-wheel-drive category, the Chevrolet Silverado won the four-wheel-drive half-ton and one-ton categories, and the GMC Sierra won the three-quarter--ton categories for two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive. The Dodge Ram took the two-wheel-drive, one-ton category.
IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals of the Month” identifies new cars, trucks and SUVs with the best ownership cost value in 33 respective classes. Selections are based on current car pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer new car rebate. In addition, IntelliChoice.com uses the latest information from numerous automotive resources to evaluate what it costs to buy, own, and operate each new car model over a five-year basis.
The following “Best Deals” for May 2007 are ranked by vehicle type and size:
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Class |
Brand | Model | ||
| Subcompact Car | MINI |
Cooper |
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| Compact Car over 16000 | Honda | Civic Hybrid | ||
| Compact Car under 16000 | Honda | Civic Sedan | ||
| Midsize Car over 21000 | Toyota | Prius | ||
| Midsize Car under 21000 | Toyota | Prius | ||
| Convertible | MINI | Cooper | ||
| Luxury Convertible | Audi | A4 Convertible | ||
| Near Luxury Car | Lexus | IS | ||
| Luxury Car | Lexus | ES | ||
| Large Car | Toyota | Avalon | ||
| Base Sport Car | Honda | Civic Si Coupe | ||
| Sport Car | Chevrolet | Corvette | ||
| Sport Sedan/Wagon over 38000 | Lexus | GS | ||
| Sport Sedan/Wagon under 38000 | Infiniti | G35 Sport Sedan | ||
| Compact Utility/Crossover | Ford | Escape Hybrid | ||
| Midsize Crossover | Toyota | Highlander Hybrid | ||
| Luxury Crossover | Lexus | RX 400h | ||
| Small Wagon | Toyota | Matrix | ||
| Midsize/Large Wagon | Subaru | Outback Wagon | ||
| Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) | Chevrolet | Tahoe LS 2WD | ||
| Intermediate Utility | Hummer | H3 | ||
| Luxury SUV | Lexus | GX | ||
| Compact Pickup Truck 2WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD | ||
| Compact Pickup Truck 4WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD | ||
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 1/2 Ton | Toyota | Tundra Regular Cab 2WD | ||
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 3/4 Ton | GMC | Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD | ||
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD One Ton | Dodge | Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2WD | ||
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 1/2 Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 4WD | ||
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 3/4 Ton | GMC | Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD | ||
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD One Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 4WD | ||
| Minivan | Honda | Odyssey Passenger Van | ||
| Full-Size Van | Chevrolet | Express 1500 Passenger Van | ||
| Cargo Van | Dodge | Grand Caravan Cargo Van |
IntelliChoice.com Helps Consumers Do Their Homework
IntelliChoice.com updates vehicle data several times a month to capture the many expiring car rebates and ongoing incentive programs offered by manufacturers—giving consumers the most up-to-date analysis.
IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals” designation enables consumers to identify how car rebates affect a vehicle’s value throughout ownership and not just at the time of purchase. Ownership costs can vary significantly among different trim lines of the same model. Additionally, IntelliChoice.com continuously updates fuel costs based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Vehicles designated an “IntelliChoice.com Best Deals of the Month” are typically cars and trucks that have good to great ownership cost values before any manufacturer rebate. However, a rebate can often turn a good ownership cost value into a great value, and a great value into an “IntelliChoice.com Best Deals of the Month.”
Please visit www.intellichoice.com for more information or to check the auto rebate section of any vehicle report for the most up-to-date incentives.
About IntelliChoice.com
Part of PRIMEDIA's Enthusiast Media, IntelliChoice.com is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and value analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site (www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price vehicles. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide.
