IntelliChoice today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" selections for October, identifying the vehicles with the best ownership cost value in 25 respective classes. "Best Deals of the Month" identify the best car and truck values offered by carmakers based on current vehicle pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer rebate.
By using the latest information from numerous automotive resources, IntelliChoice evaluates what it costs to buy, own, and operate each new model-year trim line taking into consideration the vehicle's current purchase price, including any manufacturer consumer rebates. The following are highlights of Best Deals for October listed alphabetically by class:
Base Sport: Toyota MR2 Spyder Convertible
Compact over $17,000: Volkswagen Golf TDI GL Hatchback
Compact under $17,000: Honda Civic DX Sedan
Compact Pickup 2WD: Chevrolet SSR LS, Regular Cab
Compact Pickup 4WD: Dodge Dakota Extended Club Cab 4WD
Compact Utility over $21,000: Honda Element EX Sport 4WD Automatic
Compact Utility under $21,000: Chrysler PT Cruiser Sport
Full-Size Pickup 2WD: Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Extended Cab
Full-Size Pickup 4WD: Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Extended Cab
Full-Size Van: Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD Passenger Van
Intermediate Utility over $31,000: Lexus RX 330 Sport Utility
Intermediate Utility under $31,000: Honda Pilot LX Sport Utility
Large: Mercury Grand Marquis GS Sedan
Luxury: Lexus SC 430 Convertible
Mid-Size over $21,000: Honda Accord EX Sedan
Mid-Size under $21,000: Honda Accord DX Sedan
Mid-Size/Large Wagon: Subaru Legacy L Wagon
Mini-Van over $27,000: Honda Odyssey EX-L Passenger Ext Van
Mini-Van under $27,000: Honda Odyssey LX Passenger Ext Van
Near Luxury: Lincoln LS Sport Sedan
Small Wagon: Scion xB Wagon
Sport: Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Sub-Compact: Honda Civic HX Coupe
Utility over $38,000: GMC Yukon XL K1500 Sport Utility
Utility under $38,000: Chevrolet Suburban C1500 Sport Utility
The Best Deals designation enables consumers to identify how 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 continuously updates fuel costs based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Vehicles designated an "Best Deal 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 "Best Deal of the Month."