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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

10 Best Value New Cars for Your Dollar

Last month I wrote about the 10 most unreliable cars of 2009. The Volkswagen Touareg, Mercedes-Benz GL450 and Lincoln MKS topped the list. This week I though I’d take a look at the other side of the coin, the following 2009 cars provide the best value per dollar spent.

1. Toyota Prius Touring –  The best value the Toyota Prius Touring is one of 4 hybrids on the list, but mileage isn’t the only reason for such the top ranking. The Prius Touring is affordably priced and reliable.

2. Mini Cooper – The Mini has become the epitome of recession fashion, both cool and a great value. Not that that would sway the minds of Mini Cooper buyers.

3. Volkswagen Rabbit – Good things come in small packages. Keep an eye out for the renamed 2010 Golf, it’s expected to come with a VW Jetta engine, likely to bump this model up to #1 next year.

4. Honda Civic EX

5. Honda Fit (base)

6. Hyundai Elantra SE

7. Mazda MX-5 Miata

8. Toyota Corolla LE

9. Honda Civic Hybrid

10. Toyota Camry Hybrid

To determine the best value vehicles Consumer Reports divided each vehicle’s 5-year owner cost by its overall road-test score.