Buying a new car or truck is a big investment … an investment of the worst kind since typically you lose thousands of dollars once you drive it off the lot. So it’s important that if you’re going to drop big cash like that, getting your money’s worth is vital.
If that’s a factory in your buying process, then, according to a recent survey by U.S. News & World Report, you need to start with a Honda. The magazine released its 2016 U.S. News Best Cars for the Money awards covering 23 automotive categories. Each award highlights a single vehicle in each class that provides consumers with the best combination of quality and value.
The Honda brand captured six awards – the most awards won by a single brand in the last five years – include Best Compact Car, Subcompact Car and Minivan for the Money.
“Honda continues to impress reviewers with the quality and design of nearly all of their products,” said Jamie Page Deaton, managing editor of U.S. News Best Cars. “No matter what kind of car someone is looking for, a Honda is almost always a good choice.”
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Honda led the way with Chevrolet and Toyota each winning three awards while Acura earned two. The Lincoln MKX won Best Luxury Two-Row SUV for the Money, breaking the Lexus RX’s seven-year winning streak.
“Honda is committed to building vehicles that bring joy to our customers and ultimately deliver long-term value,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division in a statement. “Quality and value for money are key attributes customers expect when buying a Honda, and these awards recognize the brand’s ongoing fulfillment of that promise.”
The rest of the winners included:
- Compact cars: Honda Civic
- Upscale small cars: Audi A3
- Midsize cars: Toyota Camry
- Upscale midsize cars: Acura TLX
- Subcompact SUVs: Honda HR-V
- Luxury subcompact SUVs: BMW X1
- Compact SUVs: Hyundai Tucson
- Luxury compact SUVs: Lexus NX
- Two-row SUVs: Nissan Murano
- Luxury two-row SUVs: Lincoln MKX
- Three-row SUVs: Honda Pilot
- Luxury three-row SUVs: Acura MDX
- Large SUVs: Chevrolet Traverse
- Hybrid SUVs: Toyota RAV4 hybrid
- Minivans: Honda Odyssey
- Full-size pickup trucks: Ram 1500
- Compact trucks: Chevrolet Colorado
- Large cars: Chevrolet Impala
- Hybrid cars: Ford Fusion hybrid
- Sports cars: Mazda Miata
- Wagons: Toyota Prius V
- Hatchbacks: Honda Fit
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The 2016 awards are the first to include the rapidly expanding affordable and luxury subcompact SUV classes, with the Honda HR-V winning Best Subcompact SUV for the Money and the BMW X1 winning Best Luxury Subcompact SUV for the Money.
“Since its launch in 2015, the NX has helped broaden the appeal of the Lexus brand,” said Jeff Bracken, group vice president and general manager, Lexus.
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“It was important the NX go beyond utility with striking design and exciting performance. Beyond awards, the customer reaction to this vehicle is helping cement its reputation while enhancing the brand’s desirability for the next generation of luxury consumers.”
So far as I can see, any dopey media outfit can set up their Cars of the Year Awards. The point is, who really cares? The Outfit does, hoping to attract more advertising from the Winnahs! The end customer, perhaps if they are really really nitwittish, might put store in these awards if they are naive beyond reason.
It’s so transparent, it’s embarassing.
Picking Hondas is a pretty safe choice, unless you drive an Acura TLX and wonder why an Audi A3 smokes it when you try it 30 minutes later as I did. Answer, the worlds dumbest 9 speed transmission, also featured on Chrysler 200 and Cherokee.
The above list contains not a single Subaru. If anyone is up on the latest sales, it seems to me that their year-over-year sales increases should merit attention, but no. Not that I’m personally a fan, but obviously a lot of people uninfluenced by silly Car of the Year awards are.
Deary me, I just don’t get it.
Rod,
As an early member of the North American Car of the Year jury — now Car and Truck/Utility — I can say that a key reason why we came together was to try to give credibility to the -of-the-Year concept. With over 50 members representing an extremely diverse group — men and women, gearheads, greenies and mommy-bloggers among us — we have worked to ensure no single outlet, no specific influence, impacts our choice. You can’t advertise with us, sponsor the group, or in any way buy influence. Automakers who have held special briefings for jurors have learned that this does not ensure victory. Do I agree with every choice made by NACTOY? No, but that’s probably a good thing. There are only a handful of other organizations around the world that follow this format and, I think, deserve the credibility that is suspect for so many other COTY awards.
Paul A. Eisenstein
Publisher, TheDetroit Bureau.com and
Juror, NACTOY