IntelliChoice.com Says Hybrids Continue to Be ''Best Deals''; Toyota Prius Marks More Than a Year as a Leader in Total Ownership Costs
CAMPBELL, Calif.--Sept. 8, 2006--PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" for September 2006. The list shows that hybrid vehicles are proving their value for the long haul."The Prius gets all the hype, but its tenure on our Best Deals list speaks volumes about hybrid technology," said James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com. "It also is important to point that a number of other hybrid vehicles have consistently made our list for most of the past year. These include hybrid versions of the Toyota Highlander and Ford Escape. Throw them in with Mercedes' diesel-powered E320 CDI and you see that alternative fuel vehicles are making inroads in two segments that might surprise people: SUVs and luxury vehicles."
Bell added, "Our monthly analyses have consistently shown that, even with higher up-front costs such as purchase price and slightly higher insurance, the Total Cost of Ownership over five years is lower than that of each hybrid's competitors in the same category."
IntelliChoice.com's "Best Deals of the Month" identify new cars, trucks and SUVs with the best ownership cost value in 29 respective classes. Selections are based on current vehicle pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer rebate. In addition, IntelliChoice.com uses the latest information from numerous automotive resources to evaluate what it costs to buy, own, and operate each new model-year trim line over a five year basis.
The following "Best Deals" for September 2006 are ranked by vehicle type and size:
Class Brand Model
----- ----- -----
Subcompact Honda Insight (Manual)
Base Sport Honda Civic Si (Manual)
Compact over $16,000 Honda Civic Hybrid (Auto)
Compact under $16,000 Honda Civic DX (Auto)
Midsize over $21,000 Honda Accord EX w/Leather
(Manual)
Midsize under $21,000 Toyota Prius
Large Toyota Avalon Touring
Near Luxury BMW 325i
Sport Chevrolet Corvette
Luxury Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI
Small Wagon Scion xB (Auto)
Midsize/Large Wagon Subaru Outback 2.5i
Mini-Van over $24,000 Honda Odyssey EX w/Leather
Mini-Van under $24,000 Honda Odyssey LX
Full-Size Van Chevrolet Express 1500
Passenger Van
Compact Utility
over $21,000 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD
Compact Utility under
$21,000 Toyota RAV4 2WD
Intermediate Utility
over $29,000 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD
Intermediate Utility
under $29,000 Honda Pilot LX 2WD
Utility over $36,000 GMC Yukon XL 1500 SL 4WD
Utility under $36,000 GMC Yukon SL 4WD
Compact Pickup 2WD Nissan Frontier King Cab XE
2WD (Manual)
Compact Pickup 4WD Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab
4WD (Manual)
Full-Size Pickup 2WD 1/2 Ton Toyota Tundra Regular Cab
2WD (Auto)
Full-Size Pickup 2WD 3/4 Ton Ford F250 Super Duty Crew
Cab XL 2WD Short Bed
Full-Size Pickup 2WD One Ton Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab ST
2WD
Full-Size Pickup 4WD 1/2 Ton Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Extended Cab LS 4WD
Short Bed
Full-Size Pickup 4WD 3/4 Ton Ford F250 Super Duty Crew
Cab XL 4WD Short Bed
Full-Size Pickup 4WD One Ton Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab
ST 4WD
The Importance of Research
IntelliChoice.com updates vehicle data several times a month in order to capture the many expiring rebates and ongoing programs offered by manufacturers--giving consumers the most up-to-date analysis.
IntelliChoice.com's "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.com continuously updates fuel costs based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Vehicles designated an "IntelliChoice.com 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.com Best Deal of the Month."
Please visit www.IntelliChoice.com for more information or to check the rebate section of any vehicle report for the most up-to-date incentives.
About IntelliChoice.com
Part of PRIMEDIA's Enthusiast Media, IntelliChoice is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and value analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice web site (www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price vehicles. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and online buying services.
