2009 Passenger Car Best Bets

To qualify as a Cars.com Passenger Car Best Bet, models must meet three quantified criteria: a Good rating in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests, average or higher reliability ratings, and average or higher gas mileage within their class. The average mpg cutoffs for each subclass are 23.8/31.4 mpg (compact), 19.2/27.3 mpg (midsize), 17.1/25.2 mpg (full-size) 16.4/24.2 mpg (luxury) or a combined fuel-economy rating of at least 31.5 mpg (hybrid).

2009 Best Bets: Passenger Cars
Passenger Cars are listed in alphabetical order by their class: compact, midsize, full-size, luxury and hybrid.
Compact Passenger Cars
	Honda Civic	$15,305 - $25,190
	A long-standing Cars.com Best Bet, the Civic is one of the best-selling compact cars in American history, thanks to an excellent balance of attributes: crash tests, above-average reliability, roominess, resale value and impressive longevity. The Civic Si sport version doesn't pass the mileage requirement, but the coupe and sedan do.
	Honda Fit	$14,750 - $16,260
	Despite a higher price among subcompact cars, the Honda Fit has been a huge hit thanks to its overall quality and surprising interior space. It tops the class for crash-test ratings, and it has a record of above-average reliability.
	Pontiac Vibe	$16,100 - $20,875
	For all the reasons its twin, the Toyota Matrix, is a Best Bet, so is the Pontiac Vibe. In addition to its good crash tests and exceptional reliability, the Vibe has the advantage of being a Pontiac, meaning it has an additional 40,000 miles on the powertrain warranty, plus five years and/or 100,000 miles of roadside assistance, which Toyota doesn't offer. You'll probably save money over the Matrix, too.
	Toyota Corolla	$15,350 - $18,860
	A rival of the Honda Civic, the Corolla seems to be falling behind the class leaders in terms of interior quality and driving characteristics, but you still can't overlook this sedan and its well-rounded appeal. It has stood for a consistent level of quality and long lifespan that make it a popular hand-me-down.
	Toyota Matrix	$16,290 - $20,760
	The Matrix is a versatile four-door hatchback built in California alongside its fraternal twin, the Pontiac Vibe. IIHS never crash-tested the first generation, but it did this one, and it makes the grade. We're pleased to be able to recommend it for its exceptional reliability and value as one of the largest compacts.
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Midsize Passenger Cars
	Chevrolet Malibu	$21,605 - $26,880
	When General Motors wants to show off what it can do, it always rolls out the Chevy Malibu, which has the styling, refinement and interior quality that's been missing from American midsize cars for too long. What's more, its mileage beats the Japanese competitors, getting up to 33 mpg on the highway. Its reliability history is average.
	Ford Fusion	$19,035 - $25,605
	The Fusion has quietly established its competence over the past several years. Already on sale in early 2009, the 2010 Fusion is even more impressive, with its improved interior, tighter turning circle and class-topping mileage of 23/34 mpg. Reliability has been above average for the all-wheel-drive V-6, and other versions, including the four-cylinder, have been exemplary — better than the Japanese competition.
	Honda Accord	$20,905 - $28,955
	Something of a benchmark in the midsize car class, the Accord remains strong in all areas. Available as a sedan and a coupe, the Accord recently received a more compelling redesign. It's near the top of the class for crash-test ratings, and its reliability is above average at a time when American competitors are challenging and Japanese rivals are waning in this regard.
	Mercury Milan	$20,320 - $26,720
	A sister to the Ford Fusion, the Milan shares that car's strengths, both in the 2009 and the updated 2010. There's little difference between the two models apart from exterior and interior styling and a higher standard equipment level and starting price for the Milan. The four-cylinder and front-wheel-drive V-6 have had excellent reliability. The V-6 with all-wheel drive is less reliable, but it's still above average.
	Nissan Altima	$19,900 - $29,380
	The Altima is a journeyman model that's grown to the status of third-best-selling midsize sedan in the U.S. It's now offered in a stylish coupe to challenge the Honda Accord coupe. Its manual four-cylinder tops the Accord and Camry for mileage with 23/32 mpg. Its reliability is merely average, but the same is true of the Camry and some other midsize Best Bets.
	Saturn Aura	$22,655 - $27,150
	Thanks to average reliability and passing crash tests, the Saturn Aura joins its sister sedan, the Chevy Malibu, as a Best Bet. The Aura has a higher starting price but is otherwise comparable in terms of equipment. It has the larger of the Malibu's two V-6 engines, but the four-cylinder and its 22/33 mpg is standard.
	Toyota Camry	$19,145 - $28,695
	The competition has improved and the legendary Camry has slid a bit. Its crash tests qualify it for Best Bet status, but they're lower on the list. A few models boast better mileage, and its reliability is merely average. All the same, the Camry is as well-rounded as ever, with good refinement, comfort and longevity. An updated version is coming as a 2010 model.
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Full-Size Cars
	Ford Taurus	$25,170 - $32,520
	While the 2010 redesign is attracting more attention than ever, the Taurus' selection here is based on the strengths of the 2009's generation, originally named the Five Hundred. The 2009 suffers some interior quality shortcomings, but it has astonishing interior space, both for people and cargo. It's the top-rated Large Family Car in IIHS crash tests, and it has exhibited decent reliability with both front- and all-wheel drive.
	Mercury Sable	$25,120 - $31,230
	For people who question why the Mercury brand exists, the Sable is the best example. From price to equipment, there's virtually no difference between this model and the Ford Taurus, but that also means the Sable, originally called the Montego, has exceptional crash-test ratings and good reliability, as well as styling you may prefer over the Taurus.
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Luxury Cars
	Acura TL	$34,955 - $38,505
	Acura's top-selling car was redesigned for 2009, and it now has even better interior quality. It now offers two V-6 engines and all-wheel drive — a first. Though it's not the most efficient midsize luxury car, it meets our criteria and boasts above-average reliability, which is in short supply among luxury models.
	BMW 328	$33,600 - $44,550
	The BMW 3 Series is the legendary leading compact luxury sport model, known more for its performance than anything else. Though it's not the most powerful option, the 328i sedan and 328Ci coupe are more affordable than the compelling 335i — which has had some reliability problems when equipped with all-wheel drive. Rare among German imports, the 328i has average reliability, and the coupe and convertible are above average.
	Infiniti G37, G37x	$33,250 - $38,700
	Infiniti continues to keep the heat on BMW's 3 Series by increasing the G sedan's standard engine power. The newly renamed G37's resulting mileage is lower than that of the BMW 328i, but it's better than the 335i and, in rear-wheel-drive form, it brings exceptional reliability to the Best Bets. The all-wheel-drive G37x should be above average, too.
	Lexus ES 350	$34,320
	The ES 350 is a rare animal: an entry-level luxury car that's not trying to be a sport sedan. (Lexus has the IS for that.) Technically a midsize car, the front-wheel-drive ES sedan emphasizes room over zoom, comfort over high-speed comportment, silence over sound. It has a history of above-average reliability.
	Lexus GS 350	$44,850 - $46,800
	Though the GS midsize sedan follows the same rear-wheel-drive formula, it's not quite as capable as the Infiniti M sedan, yet it has good mileage for this car type. The GS 350 with rear-wheel drive has above-average reliability. Atypical of Lexus, the GS 350 with optional all-wheel drive has exhibited only average reliability. The V-8-powered GS 450 doesn't make the Best Bet mileage cutoff.
	Lexus IS 250 and IS 350	$31,155 - $36,605
	The compact IS sedan comes with either of two V-6 engines: a 2.5-liter in the IS 250 or a 3.5-liter in the IS 350. The IS keeps up with the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G37, but it falls behind if you're someone who wants your IS 350 with a manual transmission or all-wheel drive — only the 250 offers them. It also offers exceptional reliability. The 350 has been less reliable, but it's still above average.
	Mercedes-Benz C-Class	$32,900 - $56,300
	Mercedes-Benz is something of a stranger to the Best Bets, mainly due to a history of subpar reliability and/or a lack of supporting data. For 2009, though, the compact C-Class entry-level sedan steps up with decent reliability and good crash-test scores. This recently redesigned generation is stylish outside and well-appointed inside. It comes as the C300 with luxury or sport emphasis, and as the more powerful C350 Sport sedan. All-wheel drive is optional.
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Hybrid Cars
	Honda Civic Hybrid	$23,650
	The Civic Hybrid's mileage — 40/45/42 mpg city/highway/combined — is well above that of non-hybrid compact cars, including the miserly regular Civic, but the Honda is completely overshadowed by the blockbuster Toyota Prius, which has higher mileage and a lower price. With its above-average reliability, the Civic Hybrid is a Best Bet for the same reasons the regular Civic is, and then some.
	Nissan Altima Hybrid	$26,650
	The hybrid version of Nissan's midsize sedan is only available in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont, and it's not as refined as the Camry or Ford Fusion hybrids, but how can you argue with stellar reliability and an EPA rating of 35/33/34 mpg city/highway/combined? It beats the Camry by 2 mpg in city driving, but trails it by 1 mpg on the highway.
	Toyota Camry Hybrid	$26,150
	The Camry Hybrid is simply a more efficient version of one of the most popular cars in the land. Toyota leaves the jaw-dropping mileage to its Prius and gives this model a more well-rounded approach: responsive, refined, comfortable and quiet. It's not up to the level of the Civic Hybrid, but its 33/34/34 mpg estimated mileage city/highway/combined schools gas-only cars in city driving and edges out the Altima Hybrid on the highway. Its excellent reliability rating exceeds that of the regular Camry's, which is on the wane.
	Toyota Prius	$22,000 - $24,270
	You can't overstate the Prius' triumph. Even now, years into its second generation, the Prius remains the most affordable hybrid and the most efficient car on the market at 48/45/46 mpg city/highway/combined. It offers midsize accommodations and exemplary reliability that makes early hybrid apprehension seem silly.
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To Be Determined

Because they have not yet been crash-tested, the following models are not Best Bets. Because this is the only criterion holding them back, they still have a chance to earn the distinction.

BMW 1 Series
BMW 528 and 535
Hyundai Genesis
Kia Rio
Mazda3
Mazda6
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Sentra
Pontiac G8
Volvo C30
Volkswagen CC