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AAA Top Car Award Goes To 11 Vehicles

23 December 1998

AAA Top Car Award Goes To 11 Vehicles

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- After evaluating more than 180 models
for the 1999 AAA Autograph(R) Book, AAA has given its Top Car Award to
vehicles in 11 different classes.
    "AAA Top Car Award winners offer the best balance of performance, quality
and value," said David Van Sickle, AAA director of Automotive and Consumer
Information and editor of the AAA Autograph(R) Book.  "These vehicles stand
out from the rest."
    The 11 Top Car vehicle classes are based on vehicle cost and type.  Top
scoring 1999 models are:

    * Under $15,000 -- Toyota Corolla CE - 155 points
    * $15,000 - $20,000 -- Chevrolet Malibu - 159 points
    * $20,000 - $25,000 -- Oldsmobile Intrigue - 162 points
    * $25,000 - $30,000 -- Acura 3.2TL - 162 points
    * $30,000 - $35,000 -- BMW 328i - 166 points
    * $35,000 - $40,000 -- Saab 9-5 Wagon - 165 points
    * $40,000 - $50,000 -- Lexus GS 400 - 172 points
    * more than $50,000 -- Mercedes S500 - 174 points
    * Minivan -- Ford Windstar LX - 156 points
    * Sport Utility Vehicle under $25,000 -- Subaru Forester - 148 points
    * Sport Utility Vehicle over $25,000 -- Jeep Grand Cherokee - 160
points
    The ratings are based on comprehensive reviews conducted for AAA's 1999
Autograph(R) Book -- an annual evaluation of new vehicles.  The book features
ratings on vehicles ranging from sports cars to minivans.  After a review,
each vehicle is awarded up to 10 points in 20 different categories for a
maximum of 200 points.
    The highest scoring vehicle in this year's book is the Mercedes S500 with
174 points.  The Toyota Corolla, Subaru Forester and Lexus GS 400 are the only
repeat selections from last year's Top Car list.
    To evaluate vehicles for the Autograph(R) Book, AAA experts test vehicles
under every day driving conditions. The book features a written review, a
point rating, vehicle photos, specifications, options and pricing information.
There are also tips on buying a new car.
    "The Autograph(R) Book is designed to be a helpful resource in the search
for a new car,"  said Van Sickle.  "It provides valuable information and
allows consumers to narrow the list of vehicles they want to test drive.
    The Autograph(R) Book is available in book stores and at participating AAA
clubs.  The cover price is $13.95.
    AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 93 clubs with 1,100 offices
providing more than 41 million members in the United States and Canada with
services such as travel, insurance, financial and automotive.
    AAA news releases can be downloaded from http://www.aaa.com/news .