Despite the influx of new vehicles into the small- and budget-car marketplace, the Honda Fit remains on top in Consumer Reports' list of best value small cars. The Fit also reemerged as the best overall value among some 200 different vehicles that were analyzed.
Scores were calculated based on the five-year owner cost for each vehicle along with Consumer Reports' road-test score and predicted-reliability. Five-year owner cost estimates factor in depreciation, fuel costs, insurance premiums, interest on financing, maintenance and repairs, and sales tax.
Overwhelmingly, the best values come from Japanese automakers, including most of the top models in each category. Of the 48 best values, 34 are Japanese brands. Six models are European (mostly Volkswagen), five are American (mostly Ford), and three are made by South Korean auto manufacturers.
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Overall the report finds that small cars and family sedans provide the best value. In addition to the Honda Fit, the Toyota Prius hybrid, diesel-powered Golf TDI (with manual transmission), Scion xD, and Toyota Corolla also made Consumer Reports' list of best values in the small car category.
The family-sedans category is led by the 4-cylinder Nissan Altima, which scored 75 percent higher than average. That's followed by the 4-cylinder Kia Optima, Subaru Legacy, Ford Fusion Hybrid, and the 4-cylinder Honda Accord. Larger and luxury vehicles are among the worst values, usually scoring at only about 70 percent of the average.
The analysis also revealed that wagons and small SUVs tend to provide better value than larger SUVs or minivans. Among wagons, the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI with manual transmission is the top scorer, offering almost 70 percent more value than the average car. Other good choices are the Mazda5 microvan and Subaru Outback, with almost one and a half times that of the average value.
The top small SUVs are even better values than wagons. Leading that class are the 4-cylinder Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester, with scores that are 84 and 70 percent better than average. Midsize SUVs represent less of a bargain because of higher purchase prices and fuel costs. Even the best midsize SUVs in the chart scored only a little better than average. Among luxury SUVs, only the BMW X3, Acura RDX and MDX, Infiniti EX, and gas and hybrid versions of the Lexus RX had above-average value scores.
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Minivans generally get better fuel economy than midsize or larger SUVs, have more space than all but the largest SUVs, and usually cost less. But as a class, subpar reliability drags them down. Even the most reliable minivans, the front-wheel drive versions of the Toyota Sienna, have only average reliability.
Consumer Reports' analysis also showed that hybrids can be relatively good values because of a combination of good fuel economy, low depreciation, and above-average reliability. As a class, hybrids have an overall value that's at least one and a half times that of the average model, and on average they cost about 65 cents per mile to drive over the first five years.
Breakdown of the results
Best Value Small Car: Honda Fit
Worst Value Small Car: Chevrolet Cruze 1LT
Best Value Upscale & Luxury Sedan: Lexus ES 350
Worst Value Upscale & Luxury Sedan: Jaguar XJL
Best Value Midsize SUV: Toyota Highlander Limited (V6)
Worst Value Midsize SUV: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara
Best Value Small SUV: Toyota RAV4 (base, 4-cylinder)
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Worst Value Small SUV: Jeep Liberty Sport
Consumer Reports writes columns, reviews, and ratings on cars, appliances, electronics, and other consumer goods. Previous stories can be found at consumerreports.org.