For most of us, a car will be the second most expensive item we purchase in our lifetimes, next to a home. Unlike a dwelling, however, in which one might live for 30 or more years, we buy a different car on average every four years or so. With all that money at stake, it's advisable to shop wisely when looking for a 4-wheeled compadre. That's where MSN Autos comes in. Our reviewers are in the business of determining what is a good deal. Each of us drives 50 to 100 new cars every year. Consequently, the virtues of various models rise above the fray, and a little research into pricing reveals which automakers are offering great bargains and which are asking a bit too much for what you get. With this in mind, here are our choices for the top 10 automotive value picks on the market today.
Read: The Biggest Losers (and Winners)Subcompact Car:
Honda FitCompact Car:
Mazda Mazda3Midsize Car:
Hyundai SonataThe
Hyundai Sonata has earned a reputation for offering most of what the big guns (namely, the
Honda Accord and
Toyota Camry) do, but at a lesser price. But with its 2011 redesign, the Sonata is now a serious match for its more successful rivals while still coming in at prices $1,600-$2,300 less. MSN Autos Producer Mike Meredith notes that it has "the look and feel of an upscale luxury car," a trait it shares with the hot-selling Camry. Handling is improved for 2011, besting the Camry but not quite matching the Accord, and the 4-cylinder engine lineup is exceptionally fuel-efficient. Like the Accord, this midsize sedan is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a full-size car because of its cavernous interior.
Honorable Mentions: Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, Toyota CamryCompare: Hyundai Sonata vs. Chevrolet Malibu vs. Honda AccordCompact Crossover/SUV:
Hyundai Santa FeOur two crossover/SUV entries straddle classes. Though sized like a smaller midsize vehicle, the
Hyundai Santa Fe is priced to compete against the
Honda CR-V and
Toyota RAV4. We're not impressed with most compact crossovers due to cheap interiors and obvious signs of cost cutting, but the Santa Fe has a pleasant cockpit befitting a vehicle that can top $30,000. The Santa Fe embodies the rise of the
Hyundai brand, with what Griffey calls "a pleasing design, upscale interior and balanced driving dynamics." Hyundai offers two fuel-efficient engines and front- or all-wheel drive, and prices range from $21,695 for a 4-cylinder front-drive version to $30,295 for an AWD V6, so you can pick the price and features that matter to you.
Honorable Mentions: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4Compare: Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4Midsize Crossover/SUV:
Chevrolet Traverse
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