[splendidlure]

2009 Award Winners:

Toyota Camry Best Midsize Car for the Money

Honda Fit Best Subcompact Car for the Money

Mazda Mazda5 Best Compact Crossover for the Money

Hyundai Elantra Best Compact Car for the Money

Toyota Highlander Best Midsize Crossover for the Money

Lexus RX Best Luxury Crossover for the Money

Chevrolet Tahoe Best Full Size SUV for the Money

Mazda Miata Best Sports Car for the Money

Lexus GS Best Luxury Car for the Money

Toyota Tacoma Best Compact Truck for the Money

Chevy Silverado Best Full Size Truck for the Money

Toyota Sienna Best Minivan for the Money

Toyota Avalon Best Large Car for the Money

Lexus ES Best Upscale Car for the Money

The Winners

Across 14 new car classes, the clear winner is Toyota. Five Toyotas won Best Car for the Money in their classes, with Lexus, Toyota's luxury marquee, pulling in another three. Chevrolet and Mazda each claim two awards and Honda and Korean upstart

Hyundai each claim one. Five of the award winners are even available as hybrids - most of which are also great values.

Despite ranging in size from the tiny Honda Fit to the hulking Chevrolet Tahoe, the winners have a lot in common. They share a high level of build quality that makes for worry-free and low-cost ownership. One of the reasons Toyota models take so many of the awards is because of their bulletproof quality. That not only lowers the cost of maintaining Toyotas -- it means that they retain value better than most other cars.

The winners have something else in common: they are favorites in the automotive press. Not because they tear up drag strips or star in music videos, but because they are extremely livable. Each winner occupies an automotive sweet spot that makes it an attractive choice for the vast majority of car shoppers. Take the Lexus ES, the Best Upscale Car for the Money: it doesn't drive as sharp as the BMW 3-Series and doesn't look as sharp as the Mercedes Benz C-Class, but taken as a total package, it's very comfortable to drive and easy to live with on a daily basis -- not to mention easier on your wallet.

Some winners, like the Mazda5, the Best Compact Crossover for the Money, take the best of what class leaders like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have to offer, but pack in an appealing lower price. The case of the Hyundai Elantra, the Best Compact Car for the Money, proves what many have been saying for years: Honda and Toyota should watch their backs because Hyundai is making not just economical cars, but very good ones.

source: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-...-for-the-Money/

[jphase]

whatt... i thought Honda Odyssey would win the minivan catagory..

You get more features for your money, better mpg, and alot of car magazines preferred it over the Sienna in terms of performance, practicallity, and bang for buck..

weird.

[OMGHIyori2U]

best sports car for the money should go to the 370z not the miata.

[QWERTY.]

^
agreed
370z looks better than the miata too

[splendidlure]

I clicked on the actual ranking and the Honda Odyssey got the number one spot while the Toyota Sienna got the 2nd spot. I really don't know why the author gives the award to Toyota. I'm still trying to figure how the awards were determined. http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-...kings/Minivans/

I checked the sports car section. They go into detail why the Mazda Mx-5 Miata is better than the Nissan 370z.
After checking both full reviews, the problem of the nissan 370z is the safety. They haven't crash-tested the car yet. http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-...le-Sports-Cars/

[cpakkie]

The 370Z is hideous... They completely ruined the looks of the 350 with those hideous headlights and tail lights

best sports car for the money should go to the 370z not the miata.

[emptystreets130]

I can see why they picked the Miata MX-5. It's a very nice lightweight get away car, 2-seater, rwd, has what you really need, almost track ready and it's just flat out fun to drive. The 370Z on the other hand is still overweight, a bit overpriced to a point where you can get a base model g37.

[OMGHIyori2U]

The 370Z on the other hand is still overweight, a bit overpriced to a point where you can get a base model g37.

I wouldn't call it overpriced. And a base g37 sedan vs a base 370z is a difference of over $3300 (or $6000 if comparing to a base coupe). You're also comparing apples to oranges as the 370z is a sports car whereas the g37 is a sports coupe/sedan.

[emptystreets130]

You're also comparing apples to oranges as the 370z is a sports car whereas the g37 is a sports coupe/sedan.

Maybe, but the G37 is still based of the 370z platform, both have the same classification.

[jphase]

i think the miata was picked because of the price. the price difference between a Z and a Miata is a lot.

I do agree about the look of 370z being.. not so great what were they thinking >< but hey.. im sure others love it =P

[phantompc4]

The 370Z is hideous... They completely ruined the looks of the 350 with those hideous headlights and tail lights

agreed. i dont wanna be hittin the twisties on a catfish.
plus the mx5 is a good convertable sports car under 20k. cant find nothin else like it.

[terrorist]

the miata isn't that bad. it's really fun and light.

i don't like 370z myself. heavy..
don't like the style too much...
under the hood feels very cramped.

[mikez]

Maybe, but the G37 is still based of the 370z platform, both have the same classification.

Not really.

Merc CLS is based on the E platform.

Merc GLK is based on the C platform.

Different cars, different class.

Lexus IS is based on the GS platform.

Lexus RX was based off the ES platform.

Again, different cars.

G37 is a lux boat, performance is a 2nd priority where 370z is sports first.