Cars.com Best Bets for New Passenger Cars
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Unfortunately, the list of as-yet untested passenger cars is longer than I'd like:
Below are the criteria considered in choosing passenger car Best Bets, in rough order of importance. Because we cite Best Bets in the Luxury Vehicle and Sports Car Buying Guides, the criteria here are more general and less concerned with luxury and sportiness, though quality and performance are hardly ignored. As much an accounting of cars.com's criteria, these are good considerations for any car shopper.
Crash-test scores
Safety is an important consideration in all Best Bets in that clear crash-test losers are immediately disqualified. Crash tests are the most highly weighted criterion of passenger car Best Bets because cars are increasingly at a safety disadvantage versus larger vehicles. To date, conventional ratings have underestimated or understated the danger of a side impact to car occupants.
Over time, modestly priced passenger cars are performing better and better in crash tests, so there's more variety than ever among strong performers. If you choose a car with lesser crashworthiness, you are no longer doing so out of necessity. As clearly stated in each citation, some Best Bets are conditional pending crash-test results.
I take active safety features into consideration — items like antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, etc. Passive safety features have a theoretical advantage, but one can't assume that, say, a car with a certain type of airbag will provide more protection than another model without. (For more on safety, see our list of Top Crash-Test Performers.)
Reliability
The more reliable some models become, the less acceptable it is for others to be less so. This criterion is partly responsible for the number of Japanese models that earn Best Bets. Led by Honda and Toyota, the Japanese makes exhibit better reliability overall. This is one reason why Hondas and Toyotas generally cost more and why their resale values remain high. A little extra money now can save cost-of-ownership expenses later.
Interior comfort and quality
One might expect these criteria to be considered after performance issues. The reason they aren't is because buyers will find more disparity here than in the experience of driving (which reflects both the state of each category in the market and the issues to which consumers are attuned). Manufacturers are getting better at "packaging" vehicles, making them more space efficient. With each successive redesign, many models appear to grow a bit as well. This makes it harder to accept older models or any car that isn't as roomy as others in its class. Interior design and quality also are on the upswing overall, though the difference is indeed broad.
Beauty, in terms of interior design, might be in the eye of the beholder, but I do make judgments on materials quality, craftsmanship, and fit and finish.
Performance basics
Ride, handling, acceleration, braking and all the other performance issues play a large part. Seldom would something like a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time determine one model's selection over another, but models are hampered by inadequate acceleration and noted, if not favored, for quickness. I am particularly tough on automatic transmissions, which is why some models are cited with trim levels and/or specific equipment.
Features and value
The connection between these two really makes them one criterion. Features are important both for what they provide the owner and for their role in determining value. It's easy to think of cars in terms of their size: compact, midsize and full-size. But it's wise as well to consider what they cost and what it gets you. Cost of ownership plays a part here as well.
High-end features are constantly filtering down from luxury to premium to modest cars. The simple availability of some of these features is a bonus, apart from issues of price. On the flip side, the list of standard features must be considered along with sticker price — especially during this period of "de-contenting," an automaker's removal of certain low-profile features to cut costs.
Cargo capacity
While cargo capacity is generally considered more important in SUVs and vans, the hauling space in a car or wagon might determine whether or not a buyer chooses one over a larger vehicle. Cargo volume in cars doesn't vary too dramatically, but there are practical issues at play. For example, large cars typically don't have folding backseats. Large trunks are good to have, but in terms of overall length, a midsize car with folding seats may accommodate longer items. The fact that Ford's Five Hundred has folding seats is definitely a plus in its column.
Styling
Overall, we leave the styling decisions to you. However, it's not unheard of for someone to buy a vehicle and then sour on it when it's derided by others. It's no secret when a vehicle's styling is accepted, rejected or ignored overall, so mentions of styling are based on more than my opinion. A model's impression also affects demand, with better designs typically selling "hotter" than ugly ones. However, if you like the ugly one or don't care what your car looks like, you might be in for a really good deal.
Fuel economy
Fuel economy is often a much higher consideration in our eyes than it is in this class. Follow the logic: Gas hogs definitely get knocked down and misers get a nod, but such things must be weighed against the car's capabilities, such as quickness, number of seats, towing capability, etc. Within these constraints, the spread of fuel economy isn't dramatic. It could easily be a tiebreaker between competing models, but typically if they tie, they both deserve Best Bet citations.
The final rationale comes from a market perspective. SUVs get scrutiny because they're notorious fuel hogs. Large cars are making a comeback, but compared to SUVs, they're still an improvement. One could argue that they will draw buyers out of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, but they'll also probably entice people out of more wasteful trucks — or prevent them from going there in the first place. For any shopper who's concerned with fuel economy, ratings are readily available in our Research section.
- Chevrolet Cobalt
- Redesigned Toyota Avalon
- Redesigned Volkswagen Golf
- Redesigned Volkswagen Jetta
Best Bet Selection Methodology
Below are the criteria considered in choosing passenger car Best Bets, in rough order of importance. Because we cite Best Bets in the Luxury Vehicle and Sports Car Buying Guides, the criteria here are more general and less concerned with luxury and sportiness, though quality and performance are hardly ignored. As much an accounting of cars.com's criteria, these are good considerations for any car shopper. |
| When equipped with side airbags, the Honda Accord received a Good rating in IIHS side-impact crash testing. |
Safety is an important consideration in all Best Bets in that clear crash-test losers are immediately disqualified. Crash tests are the most highly weighted criterion of passenger car Best Bets because cars are increasingly at a safety disadvantage versus larger vehicles. To date, conventional ratings have underestimated or understated the danger of a side impact to car occupants.
Over time, modestly priced passenger cars are performing better and better in crash tests, so there's more variety than ever among strong performers. If you choose a car with lesser crashworthiness, you are no longer doing so out of necessity. As clearly stated in each citation, some Best Bets are conditional pending crash-test results.
I take active safety features into consideration — items like antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, etc. Passive safety features have a theoretical advantage, but one can't assume that, say, a car with a certain type of airbag will provide more protection than another model without. (For more on safety, see our list of Top Crash-Test Performers.)
Reliability
The more reliable some models become, the less acceptable it is for others to be less so. This criterion is partly responsible for the number of Japanese models that earn Best Bets. Led by Honda and Toyota, the Japanese makes exhibit better reliability overall. This is one reason why Hondas and Toyotas generally cost more and why their resale values remain high. A little extra money now can save cost-of-ownership expenses later.
 |
| When properly equipped, the three rows of seats in Ford's Freestyle can provide seating for up to seven occupants. |
One might expect these criteria to be considered after performance issues. The reason they aren't is because buyers will find more disparity here than in the experience of driving (which reflects both the state of each category in the market and the issues to which consumers are attuned). Manufacturers are getting better at "packaging" vehicles, making them more space efficient. With each successive redesign, many models appear to grow a bit as well. This makes it harder to accept older models or any car that isn't as roomy as others in its class. Interior design and quality also are on the upswing overall, though the difference is indeed broad.
Beauty, in terms of interior design, might be in the eye of the beholder, but I do make judgments on materials quality, craftsmanship, and fit and finish.
Performance basics
Ride, handling, acceleration, braking and all the other performance issues play a large part. Seldom would something like a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time determine one model's selection over another, but models are hampered by inadequate acceleration and noted, if not favored, for quickness. I am particularly tough on automatic transmissions, which is why some models are cited with trim levels and/or specific equipment.
Features and value
The connection between these two really makes them one criterion. Features are important both for what they provide the owner and for their role in determining value. It's easy to think of cars in terms of their size: compact, midsize and full-size. But it's wise as well to consider what they cost and what it gets you. Cost of ownership plays a part here as well.
 |
| With a base list price of less than $16,000, the Scion tC comes standard with 17-inch wheels, air conditioning and a CD stereo. |
Cargo capacity
While cargo capacity is generally considered more important in SUVs and vans, the hauling space in a car or wagon might determine whether or not a buyer chooses one over a larger vehicle. Cargo volume in cars doesn't vary too dramatically, but there are practical issues at play. For example, large cars typically don't have folding backseats. Large trunks are good to have, but in terms of overall length, a midsize car with folding seats may accommodate longer items. The fact that Ford's Five Hundred has folding seats is definitely a plus in its column.
Styling
Overall, we leave the styling decisions to you. However, it's not unheard of for someone to buy a vehicle and then sour on it when it's derided by others. It's no secret when a vehicle's styling is accepted, rejected or ignored overall, so mentions of styling are based on more than my opinion. A model's impression also affects demand, with better designs typically selling "hotter" than ugly ones. However, if you like the ugly one or don't care what your car looks like, you might be in for a really good deal.
Fuel economy
Fuel economy is often a much higher consideration in our eyes than it is in this class. Follow the logic: Gas hogs definitely get knocked down and misers get a nod, but such things must be weighed against the car's capabilities, such as quickness, number of seats, towing capability, etc. Within these constraints, the spread of fuel economy isn't dramatic. It could easily be a tiebreaker between competing models, but typically if they tie, they both deserve Best Bet citations.
The final rationale comes from a market perspective. SUVs get scrutiny because they're notorious fuel hogs. Large cars are making a comeback, but compared to SUVs, they're still an improvement. One could argue that they will draw buyers out of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, but they'll also probably entice people out of more wasteful trucks — or prevent them from going there in the first place. For any shopper who's concerned with fuel economy, ratings are readily available in our Research section.
