SAN ANTONIO--May 3, 2012: USAA unveiled its second annual Best Value vehicles list that names the top 2012 automobiles in 16 categories for consumers looking to get the most bang for their buck. The 2012 Best Value list includes:
“The goal of the list is to help members identify vehicles that offer better safety ratings, lower insurance premium costs, higher fuel economy, better overall reliability and lower MSRP compared to other vehicles in the same category.”
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Large Sedan: Dodge Charger |
Large Luxury SUV: Audi Q7 |
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Midsize Sedan: Toyota Camry Hybrid |
Midsize Luxury SUV: Lexus RX 450h (hybrid) |
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Small Sedan: Hyundai Elantra |
Large Pickup: Toyota Tundra 2WD |
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Large Luxury Sedan: Hyundai Genesis |
Small Pickup: Nissan Frontier |
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Midsize Luxury Sedan: Volvo S60 |
Sports: Ford Mustang |
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Large SUV: Chevrolet Traverse |
Coupe: Honda CR-Z (hybrid) |
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Midsize SUV: Dodge Journey |
Wagon: Nissan Juke |
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Small SUV: Kia Sportage |
Minivan: Dodge Caravan |
Best Value automobiles offer the best financial value of all vehicles USAA evaluates as part of a broader rating system called USAA Preferred, which uses quantitative data to evaluate vehicles' cost, safety and reliability, among other key factors. There are nearly 80 cars, trucks and minivans that are currently designated as USAA Preferred vehicles, and the Best Value list represents the vehicles that rose to the top of each category.
"Thirty percent* of members who added a new model year vehicle to their USAA auto insurance policy in 2011 chose a USAA Preferred or Best Value vehicle," said Steve Thompson, an assistant vice president with USAA. "The goal of the list is to help members identify vehicles that offer better safety ratings, lower insurance premium costs, higher fuel economy, better overall reliability and lower MSRP compared to other vehicles in the same category."
"The average vehicle on the road today is 10 years old. As the economy improves, new car sales are expected to increase as consumers begin replacing their clunkers with new models," said Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®. "Summer is a great time to get an excellent deal on a 2012 model, especially as used car costs remain nearly on par with new vehicles."
Top 10 for Teens
According to a recent survey commissioned by USAA, the attributes parents say are or will be most important when choosing a vehicle for their teen include reliability (81 percent), a high safety rating (73 percent) and affordable auto insurance (62 percent). For parents seeking a new car for their teen, USAA identified the USAA Preferred vehicles that possess these attributes to create the first-ever Top 10 for Teens list:
| 1. Scion tC | 6. Toyota Yaris | ||||
| 2. Nissan Cube | 7. Honda Civic | ||||
| 3. Honda Fit | 8. Hyundai Elantra | ||||
| 4. Scion xD | 9. Honda CR-Z | ||||
| 5. Scion xB | 10. Kia Forte |
Fix notes that "as a parent, I know how challenging it can be to feel confident about the car your teen drives, especially if it's a much older model. USAA's Top 10 for Teens list gives parents a place to start their search for a new vehicle that gets top marks in the areas they care most about -- reliability, safety and reasonable insurance costs."
USAA Preferred and Best Value vehicles are designated as such on usaa.com and coming soon on the USAA Mobile App. For more information about the USAA Best Value list, and the specific automobiles featured, visit USAA Best Value.
*Includes data from January-October 2011
About USAA Preferred
USAA Preferred vehicles represent vehicles which are determined to be a good financial value using a USAA-developed proprietary statistical model. The model relates MSRP to vehicle features (engine type, drive train, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, number of airbags, transmission, body additions, curb weight, horsepower-to-curb weight, height and vehicle category), fuel economy, insurance cost, additional warranty cost, depreciation, and IIHS Top Safety Pick to determine the value. USAA Preferred vehicles are those vehicles ranked in the top 40 percent for each vehicle category AND obtain "Good/Acceptable" crash test ratings from IIHS. In providing this analysis, USAA does not consider factors other than those disclosed in determining USAA Preferred vehicles.
About the Best Value List
USAA Preferred Best Value vehicles are typically those vehicles ranked highest in each vehicle category and obtain "Good/Acceptable" crash test ratings from IIHS and represent vehicles which are determined to be the best financial value using a USAA-developed proprietary statistical model. The model relates MSRP to vehicle features (engine type, drive train, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, number of airbags, transmission, body additions, curb weight, horsepower-to-curb weight, height and vehicle category), fuel economy, insurance cost, additional warranty cost, depreciation, and IIHS Top Safety Pick to determine the value. In providing this analysis, USAA does not consider factors other than those disclosed.
About the USAA Teen Driving Survey
The survey was commissioned by USAA to provide information on the attributes parents say are or will be most important when choosing a vehicle for their teen. Global market research firm InfoGroup/Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) conducted the survey using a Random Digit Dial (RDD) telephone methodology. Interviews were conducted during the period of March 15-19, 2012, with 2,020 adults in a random sample of households (one interview per household). ORC weighted the survey results by four demographic characteristics -- age, sex, geographic region and race -- to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population 18 years of age or older. The raw data are weighted by a custom-designed program which automatically develops a weighting factor for each respondent. This report is based on a weighted total sample of 2,000 respondents. The sampling error associated with a sample size of 2,000 is no more than plus/minus 2.2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
About the Top 10 for Teens List
The vehicles evaluated for USAA's Top 10 for Teens list first had to be a USAA Preferred vehicle, have an MSRP below $25,000 and be an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Next, vehicles that were rated most reliable were selected and their overall value -- regardless of vehicle segment -- was considered. Finally, USAA considered which of these vehicles had the lowest cost of insurance, regardless of vehicle segment.
About USAA
USAA provides insurance, banking, investment and retirement products and services to 9 million members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving or have honorably served our nation in the U.S. military -- and their eligible family members. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit USAA online today.
