Each year, consumers purchase over 17 million new cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans, most costing in excess of $20,000. Some people buy on impulse, spurred by incentives or high style. Others are more methodical in approach, carefully weighing the pros and cons of each vehicle long before visiting a dealership.

Regardless of shopping method, consumers spending thousands of dollars need to make wise choices when selecting their next vehicle. With more than 240 new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs on the market, many consumers don't know where to begin when shopping for a new car. That's where we come in. Consumer Guide's editors offer Best Buy and Recommended picks in 18 distinct vehicle classes to simplify the selection process for today's buyers. Our Best Buy and Recommended picks focus on overall vehicle value and take into account performance, economy, reliability, ease of use, comfort, and price.

Consumer Guide Picks Only the Best of the Best

At Consumer Guide Automotive, our editors evaluate every vehicle so consumers can be confident in their purchase. In an effort to stay current with the latest automotive trends and help consumers select the right vehicle, the editors at Consumer Guide Automotive test drive more than 200 new vehicles each year. We select the top overall vehicles in each class as Best Buys. This is our highest ranking.

Models labeled Recommended also merit serious consideration, but may fall short of the class leaders in value or may appeal to a slightly narrower audience. Neither the Best Buy nor the Recommended badge is based solely on objective ratings. Rather, they reflect overall value for the money compared to their direct competition.

How We Evaluate Vehicles at Consumer Guide

Consumer Guide has a staff of 10 full-time automotive editors. Combined, these editors have nearly 150 years experience in testing automobiles. This team evaluates each new vehicle as the typical owner would--shopping, commuting, on long trips, and in stop-and-go driving.

Though we do measure 0-60 mph times, braking distances, and interior noise levels on many vehicles, we downplay a vehicle's racetrack performance in favor of evaluating its ability to meet everyday needs--merging onto expressways or riding comfortably over potholes, for example. Similarly, we rate how easy vehicles are to get into and out of, how difficult it is to adjust the controls while driving, or how many grocery bags or suitcases it holds.

Each car is tested by at least four test drivers. Each driver fills out an evaluation form, commenting on specific areas of performance or comfort, noting the type of driving they did and the fuel mileage they got. The editor writing the final evaluation uses these reports, as well as his own experience, to create a comprehensive review.

2008 Vehicle Classes
Subcompact Car: A growing class made up of the smallest hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons on the market. These are generally considered economy cars.

Compact Car: Slightly larger than subcompacts, though they are still popularly priced. This class adds some coupes and performance-tuned cars.

Premium Compact Car: Similar in size but more expensive than compact cars, premium compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image.

Midsize Car: These vehicles represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively-designed, family-oriented sedans and wagons.

Premium Midsize Car: With interior dimensions similar to midsize cars, premium midsize cars offer more luxury, performance, and prestige.

Large Car: Big, inside and out. These vehicles offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.

Premium Large Car: Top-of-the-line cars in size and luxury, many are typically manufacturer flagship showcases for technology. Some have six-figure price tags.

Sporty/Performance Car: Two-seat roadsters, 4-cylinder hatchbacks, V8 muscle cars with an emphasis on affordable performance.

Premium Sporty/Performance Car: Offering more power and style than typical sporty/performance vehicles, these cars usually cost much more and have more equipment. Two-passenger convertibles and 4-seat coupes rule the roost.

Compact SUV: The least-costly and most fuel-efficient SUVs. Most use car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty off-road use.

Premium Compact SUV: With dimensions similar to compact SUVs, premium compact SUVs offer more luxury, performance, and prestige. This segment is one of the industry's fastest-growing categories.

Midsize SUV: Larger than compact SUVs, these vehicles offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Premium Midsize SUV: Most are gilded versions of midsize SUVs. A few are exclusive upscale designs.

Large SUV: Workhorse 7-plus passenger wagons with brawny chassis, ample towing ability, lots of cargo space, and generally abysmal fuel economy.

Premium Large SUV: Supersized luxury liners, most based on mainstream large SUVs. All are powerful and pricey.

Compact Pickup Truck: True-truck design in a relatively modest package. Best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use.

Large Pickup Truck: Large in size and array of cab styles, bed lengths. These vehicles have powerful engines and are the choice for heavy-duty hauling and towing.

Minivan: The smartest use of space for passengers and cargo. All offer a fantastic blend of comfort, convenience, and safety features for the modern family.