Toyota Prius repeats as Consumer Reports best car value
The 2014 Toyota Prius once again gives the most overall value as ranked by Consumer Reports. The worst value is the Nissan Armada big SUV. Toyota and its luxury division Lexus topped in rankings in three categories and Subaru and Mazda won in two segments each.
“The Prius’ 44 MPG overall is the best fuel economy for any non-plug-in car that Consumer Reports has tested,” says Rik Paul, the magazine’s automotive editor. “Though it is not particularly cheap to buy, the Prius’ depreciation is so low that it costs less to own over the first five years than its initial MSRP. We call that a bargain.” The Prius last year replaced the Honda Fit, which had held the overall title for the four previous years.
Consumer Reports calculates the best and worst values by taking their estimated cost to own a car for five years, their engineers’ road test scores and the car's estimated reliability. The cost of ownership factors in depreciation, fuel, insurance premiums, interest on financing maintenance and repairs. Depreciation is by far the largest cost
To see the contrast, the Prius is estimated to cost 47 cents per mile. The Nissan Armada, rated at only 13 MPG overall, is estimated to cost $1.20 per mile.
Here are the Consumer Reports picks for best and worst in each of 10 categories:
- Compact /Subcompact Cars: Best, Toyota Prius Four; Worst, Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L
- Midsized Cars: Best, Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium; Worst, Nissan Altima 3.5 SL
- Large Cars: Best, Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited; Worst,
Ford Taurus Limited
- Luxury Cars: Best, Lexus ES 300h; Worst, BMW 750Li
- Sports Cars/Convertibles: Best: Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring; Worst, Chevrolet Camaro convertible 2SS (V8)
- Wagons/Minivans: Best, Mazda5 Grand Touring; Worst, Chrysler Town & Country Touring-L
- Small SUVs: Best, Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium; Worst,
Ford Escape SE (1.6T)
- Midsized SUVs: Best, Nissan Murano SL; Worst, Jeep
Wrangler Unlimited Sahara
- Luxury/Large SUVs: Best, BMW X1 xDrive28i; Worst, Nissan
Armada Platinum
- Pickups: Best, Honda Ridgeline RTS; Worst, Ford F-250 Lariat (6.7L V8)
