2009 CARS: BEST NEW MODELS
New designs and redesigns bring a breath of fresh air with each new year. Usually you pay a premium for these newly minted models. Not this year, however.
When we asked CarBargains, the buying service of the nonprofit Consumers' Checkbook organization, to help us shop for our 11 Best New Car Models, they found that nine were selling below invoice (dealer cost). Winners are chosen based on performance, value and safety, plus our own driving impressions.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS UNDER $20,000
New designs and redesigns bring a breath of fresh air with each new year. Usually you pay a premium for these newly minted models. Not this year, however.
When we asked CarBargains, the buying service of the nonprofit Consumers' Checkbook organization, to help us shop for our 11 Best New Car Models, they found that nine were selling below invoice (dealer cost). Winners are chosen based on performance, value and safety, plus our own driving impressions.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS UNDER $20,000
Honda Fit Sport VSA
Sticker Cost: $19,630
Dealer cost: $18,947
New Car Blue Book Value: $19,819
Five-year service cost: $2,317
One-year insurance cost: $1,412
Resale value after 3 years: 67% -- 5 years: 55%
City: 27 mpg -- Highway: 33 mpg
With sporty handling and an upscale interior, the Fit leaves other econoboxes in the dust. It's utilitarian, too, with multiple cargo configurations, easy-to-flatten rear seats and as much space in the back as a Ford Taurus. Only the Sport model with navigation, featured here, offers stability control.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS $20,000-$25,000
Sticker Cost: $19,630
Dealer cost: $18,947
New Car Blue Book Value: $19,819
Five-year service cost: $2,317
One-year insurance cost: $1,412
Resale value after 3 years: 67% -- 5 years: 55%
City: 27 mpg -- Highway: 33 mpg
With sporty handling and an upscale interior, the Fit leaves other econoboxes in the dust. It's utilitarian, too, with multiple cargo configurations, easy-to-flatten rear seats and as much space in the back as a Ford Taurus. Only the Sport model with navigation, featured here, offers stability control.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS $20,000-$25,000
Mazda6 i Sport
Sticker Cost: $21,820
Dealer cost: $20,227
New Car Blue Book Value: $21,602
Five-year service cost: $3,690
One-year insurance cost: $1,533
Resale value after 3 years: 48% -- 5 years: 37%
City: 21 mpg -- Highway: 30 mpg
The second-generation Mazda6 has more legroom and trunk space than its predecessor, plus such extras as hands-free phone connection and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Fuel economy is good, too, especially with the four-cylinder engine.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS $25,000-$30,000
Sticker Cost: $21,820
Dealer cost: $20,227
New Car Blue Book Value: $21,602
Five-year service cost: $3,690
One-year insurance cost: $1,533
Resale value after 3 years: 48% -- 5 years: 37%
City: 21 mpg -- Highway: 30 mpg
The second-generation Mazda6 has more legroom and trunk space than its predecessor, plus such extras as hands-free phone connection and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Fuel economy is good, too, especially with the four-cylinder engine.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS $25,000-$30,000
Dodge Challenger R/T
Sticker Cost: $30,545
Dealer cost: $28,343
New Car Blue Book Value: $29,995
Five-year service cost: $4,326
One-year insurance cost: $2,129
Resale value after 3 years: 51% -- 5 years: 34%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 25 mpg
Retro looks inspired by the 1970 pony car and a growling Hemi engine with 372 horses make this coupe a much-needed home run for Chrysler. It has ample trunk and interior room for the whole family. For economy-minded buyers, the V6-engine SE model costs $5,000 less.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS $30,000-$45,000
Sticker Cost: $30,545
Dealer cost: $28,343
New Car Blue Book Value: $29,995
Five-year service cost: $4,326
One-year insurance cost: $2,129
Resale value after 3 years: 51% -- 5 years: 34%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 25 mpg
Retro looks inspired by the 1970 pony car and a growling Hemi engine with 372 horses make this coupe a much-needed home run for Chrysler. It has ample trunk and interior room for the whole family. For economy-minded buyers, the V6-engine SE model costs $5,000 less.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS $30,000-$45,000
Hyundai Genesis 3.8
Sticker Cost: $33,000
Dealer cost: $30,993
New Car Blue Book Value: $32,670
Five-year service cost: $3,845
One-year insurance cost: $1,576
Resale value after 3 years: 50% -- 5 years: 33%
City: 18 mpg -- Highway: 27 mpg
Picking this car as a standout was easy. As the first true luxury car from Hyundai, the Genesis earns its name. The exterior may remind you of other luxemobiles, but its simple lines, sleek interior and Euro driving dynamics will impress all but the most hard-core snobs. Remaining skeptics need only check out its price--at around $33,000,
it offers extraordinary value.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS $45,000 & OVER
Sticker Cost: $33,000
Dealer cost: $30,993
New Car Blue Book Value: $32,670
Five-year service cost: $3,845
One-year insurance cost: $1,576
Resale value after 3 years: 50% -- 5 years: 33%
City: 18 mpg -- Highway: 27 mpg
Picking this car as a standout was easy. As the first true luxury car from Hyundai, the Genesis earns its name. The exterior may remind you of other luxemobiles, but its simple lines, sleek interior and Euro driving dynamics will impress all but the most hard-core snobs. Remaining skeptics need only check out its price--at around $33,000,
it offers extraordinary value.
BEST NEW MODEL: SEDANS $45,000 & OVER
Jaguar XF
Sticker Cost: (Luxury) $49,975
Dealer cost: $45,547
New Car Blue Book Value: 47,824
Five-year service cost: $6,079
One-year insurance cost: $2,129
Resale value after 3 years: 50% -- 5 years: 31%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 25 mpg
Jaguar pulled out all the stops on its S-Type replacement. The XF offers luxury accouterments, high-tech features and an elegant interior with calming “mood lighting.” Its design isn’t derivative either, from the athletic silhouette to the prominent, very Jaguar nose.
BEST NEW MODEL: SPORTS CARS
Sticker Cost: (Luxury) $49,975
Dealer cost: $45,547
New Car Blue Book Value: 47,824
Five-year service cost: $6,079
One-year insurance cost: $2,129
Resale value after 3 years: 50% -- 5 years: 31%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 25 mpg
Jaguar pulled out all the stops on its S-Type replacement. The XF offers luxury accouterments, high-tech features and an elegant interior with calming “mood lighting.” Its design isn’t derivative either, from the athletic silhouette to the prominent, very Jaguar nose.
BEST NEW MODEL: SPORTS CARS
Nissan GT-R Premium
Sticker Cost: $80,090
Dealer cost: $75,434
New Car Blue Book Value: $85,696
Five-year service cost: $4,400
One-year insurance cost: $1,972
Resale value after 3 years: 61% -- 5 years: 48%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 21 mpg
Enthusiasts have eagerly awaited the global debut of this front-engine, diesel-fueled, all-wheel-drive coupe. With a twin-turbo, 480-hp V6, it goes from zero to 60 in less than four seconds and can reach 195 miles per hour. Buyers, get in line -- and be prepared to pay more than sticker.
BEST NEW MODEL: SMALL CROSSOVERS
Sticker Cost: $80,090
Dealer cost: $75,434
New Car Blue Book Value: $85,696
Five-year service cost: $4,400
One-year insurance cost: $1,972
Resale value after 3 years: 61% -- 5 years: 48%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 21 mpg
Enthusiasts have eagerly awaited the global debut of this front-engine, diesel-fueled, all-wheel-drive coupe. With a twin-turbo, 480-hp V6, it goes from zero to 60 in less than four seconds and can reach 195 miles per hour. Buyers, get in line -- and be prepared to pay more than sticker.
BEST NEW MODEL: SMALL CROSSOVERS
Subaru Forester X AWD
Sticker Cost: (Manual tr.) $20,660
Dealer cost: $19,578
New Car Blue Book Value: $20,453
Five-year service cost: $3,644
One-year insurance cost: $1,376
Resale value after 3 years: 50% -- 5 years: 37%
City: 20 mpg -- Highway: 26 mpg
A redesign of this affordable, all-wheel-drive sport ute is more SUV-like than its wagony forebear. Larger and with more ground clearance, it performs even better on snowy roads and muddy driveways and is a top safety pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
BEST NEW MODEL: LARGE & MIDSIZE CROSSOVERS
Sticker Cost: (Manual tr.) $20,660
Dealer cost: $19,578
New Car Blue Book Value: $20,453
Five-year service cost: $3,644
One-year insurance cost: $1,376
Resale value after 3 years: 50% -- 5 years: 37%
City: 20 mpg -- Highway: 26 mpg
A redesign of this affordable, all-wheel-drive sport ute is more SUV-like than its wagony forebear. Larger and with more ground clearance, it performs even better on snowy roads and muddy driveways and is a top safety pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
BEST NEW MODEL: LARGE & MIDSIZE CROSSOVERS
Ford Flex SE
Sticker Cost: $28,995
Dealer cost: $27,307
New Car Blue Book Value: $28,995
Five-year service cost: $3,566
One-year insurance cost: $1,576
Resale value after 3 years: 52% -- 5 years: 35%
City: 17 mpg -- Highway: 24 mpg
This boxy people mover brings fresh styling to its category. Besides a pleasing interior, intuitive technology, smooth ride and top safety marks, the Flex is cavernous inside, with third-row seating suitable for full-size adults. All-wheel drive is optional.
BEST NEW MODEL: TRUCK-BASED SUVs
Sticker Cost: $28,995
Dealer cost: $27,307
New Car Blue Book Value: $28,995
Five-year service cost: $3,566
One-year insurance cost: $1,576
Resale value after 3 years: 52% -- 5 years: 35%
City: 17 mpg -- Highway: 24 mpg
This boxy people mover brings fresh styling to its category. Besides a pleasing interior, intuitive technology, smooth ride and top safety marks, the Flex is cavernous inside, with third-row seating suitable for full-size adults. All-wheel drive is optional.
BEST NEW MODEL: TRUCK-BASED SUVs
Kia Borrego LX
Suggested Retail Price: $26,995
Dealer cost: $25,390
New Car Blue Book Value: $26,995
Five-year service cost: $3,817
One-year insurance cost: $1,576
Resale value after 3 years: 44% -- 5 years: 33%
City: 17 mpg -- Highway: 21 mpg
Though it doesn’t live up to its luxury billing, the Kia Borrego will transport a crew of seven in comfort and tow up to 7,500 pounds. And it’s smaller than the supersize SUVs, so fuel economy is better. It’s available with a six- or eight-cylinder engine and two- or four-wheel drive.
BEST NEW MODEL: MINIVANS
Suggested Retail Price: $26,995
Dealer cost: $25,390
New Car Blue Book Value: $26,995
Five-year service cost: $3,817
One-year insurance cost: $1,576
Resale value after 3 years: 44% -- 5 years: 33%
City: 17 mpg -- Highway: 21 mpg
Though it doesn’t live up to its luxury billing, the Kia Borrego will transport a crew of seven in comfort and tow up to 7,500 pounds. And it’s smaller than the supersize SUVs, so fuel economy is better. It’s available with a six- or eight-cylinder engine and two- or four-wheel drive.
BEST NEW MODEL: MINIVANS
Volkswagen Routan S
Sticker Price: $25,390
Dealer cost: $24,021
New Car Blue Book Value: $25,390
Five-year service cost: NA
One-year insurance cost: NA
Resale value after 3 years: 43% -- 5 years: 29%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 23 mpg
It’s no accident that it looks like a Chrysler Town & Country—this is a T&C with a Volkswagen front end and interior. The VW badging boosts its resale value, but it lacks Chrysler’s clever Stow-n-Go seating, so you have to remove the third-row seats for maximum cargo room.
BEST NEW MODEL: WAGONS
Sticker Price: $25,390
Dealer cost: $24,021
New Car Blue Book Value: $25,390
Five-year service cost: NA
One-year insurance cost: NA
Resale value after 3 years: 43% -- 5 years: 29%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 23 mpg
It’s no accident that it looks like a Chrysler Town & Country—this is a T&C with a Volkswagen front end and interior. The VW badging boosts its resale value, but it lacks Chrysler’s clever Stow-n-Go seating, so you have to remove the third-row seats for maximum cargo room.
BEST NEW MODEL: WAGONS
Toyota Matrix
Sticker Price: $17,820
Dealer cost: $16,538
New Car Blue Book Value: $17,200
Five-year service cost: $2,634
One-year insurance cost: $1,489
Resale value after 3 years: 66% -- 5 years: 50%
City: 25 mpg -- Highway: 31 mpg
The ultimate grocery-getter for our fuel-conscious times, the redesigned Matrix boasts an impressive mix of performance, utility and safety. Traction control and stability control were made standard on the top-of-the-line XRS model for 2009, and are optional on all trim levels.
Sticker Price: $17,820
Dealer cost: $16,538
New Car Blue Book Value: $17,200
Five-year service cost: $2,634
One-year insurance cost: $1,489
Resale value after 3 years: 66% -- 5 years: 50%
City: 25 mpg -- Highway: 31 mpg
The ultimate grocery-getter for our fuel-conscious times, the redesigned Matrix boasts an impressive mix of performance, utility and safety. Traction control and stability control were made standard on the top-of-the-line XRS model for 2009, and are optional on all trim levels.
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