Edmunds.com Warns Car-Shoppers about “Best Value” Claims; Notes Honda Civic is Best Automotive Value

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A recently released list of best new-car values could lead cost-conscious shoppers astray, according to Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information.

“the best overall value among 300 cars…because of its comparatively low owner-cost estimate of $26,250 over five years—and a relatively high road-test score of 80 points out of 100.”

Last week, Consumer Reports announced its “first ever best new-car value list” and named the 2009 Toyota Prius Touring “the best overall value among 300 cars…because of its comparatively low owner-cost estimate of $26,250 over five years—and a relatively high road-test score of 80 points out of 100.” The magazine noted “its excellent fuel economy of 42 mpg overall and solid resale value help give it a low owner cost.”

“Anyone truly concerned about their household expenses should ask some questions about any methodology that finds a premium hybrid vehicle to be an excellent value, especially when gas prices are so low,” warns Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl. “It makes sense that value is top of mind for many car buyers; for consumers seeking the absolute best new car value, the 2009 Honda Civic is the best choice, not the Prius.”

Edmunds.com, whose extensive data department has been projecting comprehensive five-year vehicle ownership costs since 2002, has determined that the Prius Touring actually ranks 41^st in terms of ownership costs. The industry-leading Honda Civic will cost $8,042 less than the Prius over five years of ownership.

“Edmunds.com’s True Cost to Own^® calculator incorporates projected average depreciation, financing, taxes, fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance and repairs for each model,” explains Edmunds.com’s Vice President of Data and Content Operations Jane Liu, Ph.D. “Our extensive analysis also includes regional variances in such costs so site visitors can obtain customized ownership costs.”

Edmunds.com provides itemized vehicle ownership cost information for model years 2003 through 2009 free for all to access at http://www.edmunds.com/apps/cto/CTOintroController.

Here are the industry leaders by segment for the 2009 model year:

Compact Sedans with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:

Midsize Sedans with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:

Minivans with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:

2009 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport ($35,863)
2009 Honda Odyssey LX ($40,906)
2009 Toyota Sienna CE 8-Passenger ($43,003)

Compact SUVs with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:

Midsize SUVs with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:

Wagons with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:

Trucks with Lowest Five-Year Ownership Costs:

About Edmunds Inc. (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/index.html)

Edmunds Inc. publishes four Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive consumer information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its most popular feature, the Edmunds.com True Market Value®, is relied upon by millions of people seeking current transaction prices for new and used vehicles. Edmunds.com was named "Best Car Research Site" by Forbes ASAP, has been selected by consumers as the "Most Useful Web Site" according to every J.D. Power and Associates New Autoshopper.com Study(SM), was ranked first in the Survey of Car-Shopping Web Sites by The Wall Street Journal and was rated "#1" in Keynote's study of third-party automotive Web sites. Inside Line launched in 2005 and is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. CarSpace launched in 2006 and is an automotive social networking Web site and home to the oldest and most established automotive community. AutoObserver.com launched in 2008 and provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit.