NADA's Top high-mpg models: one in each genre

NADAguides' Annual Best Car Buys is the industry's most comprehensive report based on a unique scoring system developed by company analysts and utilizing the criteria that matters most – price, first year depreciation, fuel economy, warranty coverage and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety ratings.

"NADAguides understands better than anyone that car shoppers are inundated with an overwhelming amount of vehicle data and information,” said Troy Snyder, Director of Product Development at NADAguides. “Our goal at NADAguides is to provide a means for consumers to streamline the research process by doing some of the legwork for them – the NADAguides Best Car Buys does just that. Our analysts have developed this helpful guideline of criteria, cross-referencing information across 2011 models, which automatically calculate vehicles that qualify as best buys out there. It won't get any easier for consumers today!”

Honda stood out in the 2011 NADAguides Best Car Buys Report with five models, while Kia, Toyota and Chevrolet each had three models across multiple categories. Additionally, Kia and Toyota are the only manufacturers to have top vehicles in more than one category. Mitsubishi is a newcomer to the report this year with the 2011 Outlander Sport taking the sports segment.

"Having five Honda models selected as NADAguides Best Car Buys is a testament to Honda's commitment to build high quality vehicles with great fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive character," said Chris Martin, Public Relations for American Honda Motor Company.

Here are NADAguides’ Best Car Buys for 2011

Best Coupe – 2011 Honda CR-Z Three Door Manual: Getting up to 34 mpg combined, the 2011 Honda CR-Z is a sporty coupe combining fuel efficiency with value, safety and a low depreciation rate (28 percent in first year). However, it only gets three stars in NHTSA testing.

Best Sedan – The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Four Door Sedan ECO with 1XF get the honors with a combined 34 mpg and a highly competitive base price of just over $18,000. It does lose 35 percent of its value in the first year but gets five stars for safety.

Best Wagon goes to the 2011 Ford Fiesta Four Door Hatchback SE that gets up to 40 mpg combined. With a starting price of just over $15,000 and a Five Star safety rating, the Fiesta is a NADAguides Best Buy. The Fiesta only loses 28 percent of its value during year one.

Best Van honors belong to the 2011 Kia Sedona Four Door LWB LX. The 2011 Kia Sedona features improved horsepower, added standard equipment, a class leading warranty with five years and 60,000 miles and a great starting price of under $25,000. It also depreciates 35 percent in the first year.

Best Hybrid is a slamdunk for the 2011 Toyota Prius Five Door HB I. Its best in class fuel economy of up to 50 MPG combined plus a Five Star NHTSA safety rating, great starting price and low depreciation make the 2011 Toyota Prius a NADAguides Best Buy. Even the popular and highly in demand Prius loses 31 percent value the first year, but those trading in used models right now are getting great return value.

Best Sport – The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Two Wheel Drive Four Door CVT SE beat out the competition by offering the lowest price point, $21,695, yet the best fuel efficiency, 28 mpg combined.

Best Luxury goes easily to the 2011 BMW 5 Series Four Door Sedan 528i with its Five Star safety rating, impressive 27 mpg combined, not to mention a four year, 50,000 mile warranty, low depreciation (32 percent) and all for a starting price of just over $45,000.

Best SUV goes to the 2011 Kia Sorento Two Wheel Drive Four Door I4 EX thanks to an industry leading five year, 60,000 mile warranty, a five star safety rating, 25 mpg combined, a great starting price at $24,995 and low depreciation (25 percent) make it a NADAguides Best Buy.

Best Truck belongs to the 2011 Toyota Tacoma Two Wheel Drive Reg I4 MT offering not only the lowest price point, $16,365, but also the lowest depreciation rate (26 percent) and the highest fuel efficiency, 23 mpg combined, making it a NADAguides Best Buy.

Notably the 2011 Subaru Outback 4 door H4 and the 2011 GMC Terrain FWD had the lowest depreciation at 19 and 17 percent respectively.

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