2009 Car and Truck Best Buys from Consumers Magazine

• SEE ALSO: 2009 New Car Buyers Guide

DEERFIELD, IL October 31, 2008: Thirty-six vehicles and 14 companion models received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest out of some 240 total 2009 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 testing, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities -- reflect CD's assessment of which 2009 Vehicles offer the most value for the money.

2009 Best Buys "Small Cars"
Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Mazda3
Nissan Versa
Toyota Corolla

2009 Best Buys "Family Car"
Chevrolet Malibu
Ford Taurus
Honda Accord
Mercury Sable
Nissan Altima
Toyota Camry/Camry Solara.

2009 Best Buys "Luxury Cars"
Acura RL
Cadillac CTS
Hyundai Genesis
Lincoln MKS

2009 Best Buys "Sporty Car"
BMW 3-Series
Chevrolet Corvette
Infiniti G37 coupe
MINI Cooper/Cooper Clubman
Pontiac Solstice
Saturn Sky

2009 Best Buys "Pickups"
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Dodge Ram 1500
GMC Sierra 1500
Toyota Tundra

2009 Best Buys "Minivans"
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona
Volkswagen Routan

2009 Best Buys "Compact SUV"
Ford Escape
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Nissan Rogue
Volkswagen Tiguan

2009 Best Buys "Midsize SUV"
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
Ford Flex
GMC Acadia
Mazda CX-9
Saturn Outlook

2009 Best Buys "Full-size/Luxury SUV"
Acura MDX
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Yukon
Infiniti EX

2009 Best Buys "Hybrid" Best Buys
Ford Escape Hybrid
Mazda Tribute Hybrid
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Toyota Prius

"'Value,' as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design," says Randy Weber, CD's publisher. "In these tough economic times, we believe consumers in need of a new vehicle will be served even more by the results 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 Consumers Digest'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 and Volkswagen has two. Two brands saw their Best Buy totals slip by two: two vehicles from Saturn received Best Buys; Jeep has no Best Buys in 2009.

The 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 21 years, including reporting on automotive categories such as crossover SUVs and 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; Matt Nauman served as San Jose Mercury News' auto editor and is one of the jurors that picks the North American Car of the Year at the annual Detroit auto show.

"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.

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