Mar 02, 2009 08:30 ET
Edmunds.com Warns Car-Shoppers about “Best Value” Claims; Notes Honda Civic is Best Automotive Value
SANTA MONICA, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Mar 02, 2009
A recently released list of best new-car values could lead
cost-conscious shoppers astray, according to Edmunds.com,
the premier online resource for automotive information.
Last week, Consumer Reports announced its “first ever best new-car value
list” and named the 2009
Toyota Prius Touring “the best overall value among 300 cars…because
of its comparatively low owner-cost estimate of $26,250 over five
years—and a relatively high road-test score of 80 points out of 100.”
The magazine noted “its excellent fuel economy of 42 mpg overall and
solid resale value help give it a low owner cost.”
“Anyone truly concerned about their household expenses should ask some
questions about any methodology that finds a premium hybrid vehicle to
be an excellent value, especially when gas prices are so low,” warns
Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl. “It makes sense that value is top of mind
for many car buyers; for consumers seeking the absolute best new car
value, the 2009
Honda Civic is the best choice, not the Prius.”
Edmunds.com, whose extensive data department has been projecting
comprehensive five-year vehicle ownership costs since 2002, has
determined that the Prius Touring actually ranks 41st in
terms of ownership costs. The industry-leading Honda Civic will cost
$8,042 less than the Prius over five years of ownership.
“Edmunds.com’s True
Cost to Own® calculator incorporates projected average
depreciation, financing, taxes, fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs,
maintenance and repairs for each model,” explains Edmunds.com’s Vice
President of Data and Content Operations Jane Liu, Ph.D. “Our extensive
analysis also includes regional variances in such costs so site visitors
can obtain customized ownership costs.”
Edmunds.com provides itemized vehicle
ownership cost information for model years 2003 through 2009 free
for all to access at http://www.edmunds.com/apps/cto/CTOintroController.
Here are the industry leaders by segment for the 2009 model year:
Compact Sedans with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:
Midsize Sedans with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:
Minivans with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:
Compact SUVs with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:
Midsize SUVs with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:
Wagons with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:
Trucks with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:
About Edmunds Inc. (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/index.html)
Edmunds Inc. publishes four Web sites that empower, engage and educate
automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com,
the premier online resource for automotive consumer information,
launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its most
popular feature, the Edmunds.com True
Market Value®, is relied upon by millions of people seeking current
transaction prices for new and used vehicles. Edmunds.com was named
"Best Car Research Site" by Forbes ASAP, has been selected by consumers
as the "Most Useful Web Site" according to every J.D. Power and
Associates New Autoshopper.com Study(SM), was ranked first in the Survey
of Car-Shopping Web Sites by The Wall Street Journal and was
rated "#1" in Keynote's study of third-party automotive Web sites. Inside
Line launched in 2005 and is the most-read automotive enthusiast
Web site. CarSpace
launched in 2006 and is an automotive social networking Web site and
home to the oldest and most established automotive community. AutoObserver.com
launched in 2008 and provides insightful automotive industry commentary
and analysis. Edmunds Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, California,
and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit.
Edmunds.com Corporate Communications
Jeannine Fallon/Chintan Talati
Media
Hotline: 310-309-4900
pr@edmunds.com
www.edmunds.com