Updated March 27, 2012
The best cars for the money are the cars that provide both the best value and the most owner satisfaction over several years of ownership. A multi-year comparison of the "best car" rankings reveal the brands, makes and models of cars that consistently provide the lowest cost of ownership and the highest owner satisfaction. An analysis of the data reveals that very often the best car for American drivers are manufactured by global automakers.
This is a comparison chart of the cars that were chosen for the annual Best Cars for the Money ranking list published annually by the U.S. News and World Report in 2012, compared to the best car picks in the same category for 2011, 2010, and 2009. These rankings are determined each year by comparing five-year cost of ownership data from TrueCar.com and owner satisfaction data compiled by U.S. News and World Report.
Best Cars for the Money in 2012, 2011, 2011, and 2009:
Best Subcompact Car for the Money
2012 - Ford Fiesta
2011 - Ford Fiesta
2010 - Nissan Versa
2009 – Honda Fit
Best Compact Car for the Money
2012 - Chevrolet Cruze
2011 - Honda Civic
2010 - Hyundai Elantra
2009 – Hyundai Elantra
Best Hatchback for the Money
2012 - Ford Fiesta
2011 - Honda Fit
2010 - Honda Fit
Best Affordable Midsize Car for the Money
2012 - Ford Fusion
2011 - Ford Fusion
Best Upscale Midsize Car for the Money
2012 - Buick Regal
2011 - Buick Regal
Best Affordable Large Car for the Money
2012 - Ford Taurus
2011 - Ford Taurus
Best Affordable Sports Car for the Money
2012 - Mazda MX-5 Miata
2010 - Mazda MX-5 Miata
Best Affordable Compact SUV with 2 Rows
2012 - Chevolet Equinox
Best Affordable Compact SUV with 3 Rows
2012 - Toyota RAV4
Best Luxury Compact SUV
2012 - Audi Q5
2011 - Inifinit EX
Best Luxury Midsize SUV
2012 - Toyota RAV4
2011 - Lexus RX-350
Best Affordable Midsize SUV with 2 Rows
2012 - Ford Edge
2011 - Toyota Venza
Best Affordable Midsize SUV with 3 Rows
2012 - Mazda CX-9
2011 - Toyota Highlander
Best Affordable Large SUV
2012 - Chevrolet Suburban
2011 - Toyota Sequoia
Best Luxury Full Size SUV for the Money
2012 - Cadillac Escalade
2011 - Lexus LX
2010 - Toyota Land Cruiser
Best Full Size Truck for the Money
2012 - Ram 1500
2011 - Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2010 - Ford F-150
2009 – Chevy Silverado
Best Hybrid SUV for the Money
2012 - Lexus RX Hybrid
2011 - Toyota Highlander Hybrid
2010 - Lexus RX Hybrid
Best Off-Road SUV for the Money
2012 - Jeep Wrangler
2011 - Ford Explorer
2010 - Toyota FJ Cruiser
Best Compact Truck for the Money
2012 - Toyota Tacoma
2011 - Suzuki Equator
2010 - Toyota Tacoma
2009 – Toyota Tacoma
More Best Car for the Money Ranking Comparisons >>
