Consumer Reports named the Toyota Prius Touring, right, as best overall value among 300 cars in its 2009 Annual Auto Issue, which will be available in stores this week. The Prius Touring provides the best overall value because of its low owner-cost estimate of $26,250 over five years — and a high road-test score of 80 points out of 100. The Prius doesn't have the least expensive sticker price in its class, but its excellent fuel economy of 42 mpg overall and solid resale value help give it a low owner-cost. "A low price doesn't necessarily make a car a good value," said Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports. "At a time when people need to make every dollar count, our best value list will help consumers understand the difference."
Highlights from best-value categories
Overall
Toyota Prius Touring
Mini Cooper
Volkswagen Rabbit
Honda Civic EX
Honda Fit
Family cars
Toyota Prius Touring
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Prius (base)
Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl.)
Honda Accord (4-cyl.)
Hatchbacks/wagons
Volkswagen Rabbit
Mazda3 hatchback
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza Outback Sport
Toyota Matrix
Small cars
Honda Civic EX
Honda Fit (base)
Hyundai Elantra SE
Toyota Corolla LE
Honda Civic Hybrid
Small SUVs
Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.)
Toyota RAV4 (V-6)
Honda CR-V
Mitsubishi Outlander (4-cyl.)
Nissan Rogue
Midsized SUVs
Hyundai Santa Fe
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Nissan Murano
Honda Pilot
Top manufacturer
Also in the Annual Auto Issue, Consumer Reports gave Honda the class leader status for building the best all-around vehicles for American drivers, according to the Automaker Report Cards . Chrysler is at the bottom of the ranking.
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