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KIPLINGER’S HITS THE ROAD WITH 2010’s BEST VALUES IN NEW CARS AND SUVs

Leaner Price Tags, Cleaner and Greener Vehicles Dominate Diverse Roundup

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance top picks for 2010:

Under $20,000

• Best New Car: Volkswagen Golf ($19,890, 4dr hatch)—Thanks to the powerful pickup of a five-cylinder engine with the most torque in its class—plus sporty handling, high resale values and a full complement of standard safety features—the new Golf is anything but an econobox.  The four-door is atop safety pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• Best in Class: Volkswagen Golf 4dr hatch ($19,890)
• Most Fuel-Efficient: Toyota Yaris 4dr ($13,865)
• Best Resale Value: Scion xB 4dr hatch ($16,420)

$20,000-$25,000

• Best New Car: Toyota Prius ($23,150, trim level II 4dr hatch)—With a more powerful engine that still manages to be less thirsty than the previous generation, the 2010 Prius has a combined city/highway gas mileage of 50 mpg.  More cargo room and a split folding rear seat make it extra utilitarian.
• Best in Class: Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr ($24,510)
• Most Fuel-Efficient: Toyota Prius II 4dr hatch ($23,150)
• Best Resale Value: Mini Cooper S 2dr ($23,000)

$25,000-$30,000

• Best New Car: Subaru Legacy ($25,660, 3.6R AWD)—Standard all-wheel drive has always been the Subaru hook, but the new Legacy proves its cars can be sexy, too.  Taut lines hint at the power under the hood—256 horses from the six-cylinder engine—and high-quality materials grace the roomier cabin.  Resale values are strong, too.
• Best in Class: Honda Accord EX V6 4dr ($27,515)
• Most Fuel-Efficient: Toyota Prius IV 4dr hatch ($26,950)
• Best Resale Value:  Toyota Prius IV 4dr hatch ($26,950)

$30,000-$45,000

• Best New Car: Ford Taurus SHO AWD ($37,995)—Ford’s new EcoBoost engine gives this Taurus the power of a V8 with the fuel economy of a V6.  With a roomy interior and stylish design, this top safety pick emerged as a clear winner.
• Best in Class: BMW 335d 4dr ($44,725)
• Most Fuel-Efficient: Mercury Milan Hybrid 4dr ($31,655)
• Best Resale Value: Audi A5 2.0T Quattro AWD 2dr ($36,825)

$45,000 and over

• Best New Car: Mercedes-Benz E-Class ($51,175, E550 4dr)—Sleek lines are synonymous with the E-Class, but the all new sedan has an even smoother ride, sharper handling and better fuel economy (up to 26 mpg on the highway).  An Attention Assist feature reminds fatigued drivers with an audible warning when to take a break.
• Best in Class: Lexus LS 460 4dr ($65,555)
• Most Fuel-Efficient: Lexus GS 450h 4dr ($57,425)
• Best Resale Value: Lexus LS 460 4dr ($65,555)

Sports Cars

• Best New Car: Chevrolet Camaro SS ($31,595, 1SS)—The long-awaited rebirth of Chevy’s iconic sports car combines a muscular body and a gauge-heavy instrument panel that recalls the pony car’s past, updated with plenty of 21^st-century technology and safety features.
• Best in Class: Porsche Cayman S 2dr (62,370)
• Most Fuel-Efficient: Hyundai Genesis 2.0T 2dr ($22,750)
• Best Resale Value: Chevrolet Camaro SS 2dr ($31,595)

Small Crossovers

• Best New Crossover: Hyundai Tucson ($20,790, GLS)—Hyundai’s smallest crossover gets a Cinderella makeover this year with sharply creased sheet metal, a more aggressive stance, a bigger engine for oomph and more generous cargo space and passenger room.
• Best in Class: Honda CR-V EX AWD ($25,805)
• Most Fuel-Efficient (tie): Ford Escape Hybrid ($30,510) and Mercury Mariner Hybrid ($30,755)
• Best Resale Value: Honda CR-V EX AWD ($25,805)

Large and Midsize Crossovers

• Best New Crossover: Lexus RX 350 ($37,675)—Not just another grocery-getter, the third generation of the original crossover boasts three additional airbags, a new suspension for improved handling, expanded cargo space and available all-wheel drive—for a smaller price tag than last year’s model.
• Best in Class: Toyota Highlander V6 ($28,400)
• Most Fuel-Efficient: Lexus RX 450h (42,535)
• Best Resale Value (tie): BMW X5 35d AWD ($52,025) and BMW X6 35i AWD ($57,125)

Truck-Based SUVs

·         Best in Class: Chevrolet Suburban ($44,430, 1500 LS AWD)

·         Most Fuel-Efficient (tie): Cadillac Escalade Hybrid ($74,375), Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid ($51,670) and GMC Yukon Hybrid ($52,135)

·         Best Resale Value: Jeep Wrangler Sport AWD ($21,915)

·         Note: No new truck-based SUV models were introduced this model year.

Wagons

• Best New Wagon: Subaru Outback ($28,690, 2.5i Limited AWD)—A sophisticated interior and exterior makeover gives the new Outback a roomier cabin, more cargo space and better handling.  The utilitarian all-wheel drive standard in Subarus and the new look make the Outback a Best in Class winner and a top safety pick.
• Best in Class: Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited AWD ($28,690)
• Most Fuel-Efficient: Audi A3 2.0 TDI ($30,775)
• Best Resale Value: Toyota Matrix S ($20,400)

Minivans

• Best in Class: Toyota Sienna CE 7-Passenger ($25,340)
• Most Fuel-Efficient (tie): Chrysler Town & Country Limited ($35,880) and Volkswagen Routan SEL ($37,300)
• Best Resale Value: Honda Odyssey EX ($30,615)
• Note: No new minivan models were introduced this model year.

About Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

For nine decades, the Kiplinger organization has led the way in personal finance and business forecasting. Founded in 1920 by W.M. Kiplinger, the company developed one of the nation's first successful newsletters in modern times. The Kiplinger Letter, launched in 1923, remains the longest continually published newsletter in the United States. In 1947, Kiplinger created the nation's first personal finance magazine. Located in the heart of our nation's capital, the Kiplinger editors remain dedicated to delivering sound, unbiased advice for your family and your business in clear, concise language.