IntelliChoice.com's Monthly 'Best Deals' List for March 2007 Makes Room for Crossovers
- Volkswagen, Ford and Lexus hold down new spots -
CAMPBELL, CA (March 16, 2007) - PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" for March 2007. For the first time, IntelliChoice.com's monthly list makes room for the increasingly popular category of crossover vehicles, with the 2007 Volkswagen Touareg TDI tops among midsize crossovers. The Ford Escape Hybrid holds down the compact SUV/crossover segment, while the Lexus RX 350 placed first among luxury crossovers.
The list also includes a new convertible category, won by MINI Cooper, and luxury convertible category, taken by the 2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet.
"With the summer driving months approaching, IntelliChoice.com is giving consumers a more complete picture of the new car offerings for the year," said James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com. "In particular, we wanted to offer greater insight into crossovers, which have quickly established themselves as a critical segment with automakers and consumers alike."
Bell noted that, unlike their truck-based SUV predecessors, crossovers are engineered on their own car-like platform, with independent rear suspension and better handling. Crossovers have garnered increased consumer interest for their combination of practicality, maneuverability and better fuel efficiency.
IntelliChoice.com's "Best Deals of the Month" identifies new cars, trucks and SUVs with the best ownership cost value in 34 respective classes. Selections are based on current car pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer new car rebate. In addition, IntelliChoice.com uses the latest information from numerous automotive resources to evaluate what it costs to buy, own, and operate each new model-year trim line over a five-year basis.
The following "Best Deals" for March 2007 are ranked by vehicle type and size:
| Class | Brand | Model |
| Subcompact car | MINI | Cooper Hatchback |
| Base Sport car | Honda | Civic Si |
| Compact car over 16000 | Honda | Civic Hybrid |
| Compact car under 16000 | Honda | Civic DX |
| Midsize car over 21000 | Toyota | Prius Touring |
| Midsize car under 21000 | Toyota | Prius |
| Convertible car | MINI | Cooper Convertible |
| Luxury Convertible car | Audi | A4 2.0T Cabriolet |
| Near Luxury car | Audi | A4 2.0T |
| Sport car | Chevrolet | Corvette Coupe |
| Sport Sedan/Wagon over 38000 | Lexus | GS 350 |
| Sport Sedan/Wagon under 38000 | Infiniti | G35 Sport |
| Large car | Toyota | Avalon Touring |
| Luxury car | Lexus | ES 350 |
| Small Wagon | Toyota | Matrix |
| Midsize/Large Wagon | Subaru | Outback 2.5i Basic |
| Compact SUV/Crossover | Ford | Escape Hybrid 2WD |
| Midsize Crossover | Volkswagen | Touareg TDI |
| Luxury Crossover | Lexus | RX 350 FWD |
| Minivan | Honda | Odyssey LX |
| Full-Size Van | Chevrolet | Express 1500 Passenger |
| Cargo Van | Ford | Freestar |
| SUV | Chevrolet | Tahoe LS |
| Intermediate SUV | Toyota | 4Runner SR5 V6 2WD |
| Luxury SUV | Lexus | GX 470 |
| Compact Pickup truck 2WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab PreRunner 2WD |
| Compact Pickup truck 4WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup truck 2WD 1/2 Ton | Ford | F150 Regular Cab XL 2WD Short Bed |
| Full-Size Pickup truck 2WD 3/4 Ton | Ford | F250 Super Duty Crew Cab XL 2WD Short Bed |
| Full-Size Pickup truck 2WD One Ton | Ford | F350 Super Duty Super Cab XL 2WD DRW |
| Full-Size Pickup truck 4WD 1/2 Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 Extended Cab LT 4WD Short Bed |
| Full-Size Pickup truck 4WD 3/4 Ton | Ford | 2007 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab XL 4WD Long Bed |
| Full-Size Pickup truck 4WD One Ton | Ford | 2007 Ford F350 Super Duty Super Cab XL 4WD DRW |
IntelliChoice.com Helps Consumers Do Their Homework
IntelliChoice.com updates vehicle data several times a month in order to capture the many expiring car rebates and ongoing incentive programs offered by manufacturers-giving consumers the most up-to-date analysis.
<>IntelliChoice.com's "Best Deals" designation enables consumers to identify how car rebates affect a vehicle's value throughout ownership and not just at the time of purchase. Ownership costs can vary significantly among different trim lines of the same model. Additionally, IntelliChoice.com continuously updates fuel costs based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.Vehicles designated an "IntelliChoice.com Best Deal of the Month" are typically cars and trucks that have good to great ownership cost values before any manufacturer rebate. However, a rebate can often turn a good ownership cost value into a great value, and a great value into an "IntelliChoice.com Best Deal of the Month."
Please visit for more information or to check the auto rebate section of any vehicle report for the most up-to-date incentives.
About IntelliChoice.com
Part of PRIMEDIA's Enthusiast Media, IntelliChoice is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and value analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice web site (www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price vehicles. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide.
