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 Best Buy and Recommended Chart