CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2005--PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" selections for March, identifying the vehicles with the best ownership cost value in 25 respective classes. IntelliChoice's "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 IntelliChoice's Best Deals for March listed alphabetically by class:
Class | Brand | Model | Body |
---|---|---|---|
Base Sport | Mazda | MX-5 Miata | Convertible |
Compact Pickup 2WD | Chevrolet | SSR LS | Regular Cab |
Compact Pickup 4WD | Nissan | Frontier XE-V6 King Cab 4WD | Extended Cab |
Compact over $17,000 | Volkswagen | Golf GL TDI | Hatchback |
Compact under $17,000 | Honda | Civic DX | Sedan |
Compact Utility over $21,000 | Honda | Element EX 4WD Auto | Sport Utility |
Compact Utility under $21,000 | Honda | Element DX Auto | Sport Utility |
Full-Size Pickup 2WD | Nissan | Titan LE King Cab | Extended Cab |
Full-Size Pickup 4WD | Nissan | Titan LE King Cab 4WD | Extended Cab |
Full-Size Van | Ford | E150 Chateau Wagon | Passenger Van |
Intermediate Utility over $31,000 | Lexus | RX 330 | Sport Utility |
Intermediate Utility under $31,000 | Honda | Pilot LX | Sport Utility |
Large | Toyota | Avalon XLS Bench | Sedan |
Luxury | Lexus | LS 430 | Sedan |
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 Extended Van |
Mini-Van under $27,000 | Toyota | Sienna LE | Passenger Van |
Near Luxury | Lexus | ES 330 | Sedan |
Small Wagon | Scion | xB | Wagon |
Sport | Acura | NSX-T 6-Speed | 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 "IntelliChoice 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 "IntelliChoice Best Deal of the Month."