IntelliChoice.com's August Best Deals Shows Volkswagen, Toyota Cars Remain Strong in Value
Campbell, CA--CAMPBELL, CA (August 20, 2009)--IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its 'Best Deals of the Month' for new cars for August 2009. The list continues to reflect the volatility of the marketplace for new cars, as evidenced by shifting rebate strategies and ambitious moves by manufacturers such as Volvo and Hyundai. Toyota and Volkswagen, meanwhile, continue to offer cars that perform well with few if any rebates.
What's New and Notable
"'Best Deals' as defined by IntelliChoice.com is about more than tracking the latest rebates. We take into account all aspects of car ownership to derive what constitutes a 'best deal' on a new car," said James Bell, editor of IntelliChoice.com. "In certain segments we are seeing large rebates drive good cars right to the top of the list. However, some cars offer such tremendous value in fuel economy and trade-in value that they don't need incentives. Best Deals mainstays like the Toyota Prius, and newcomers like the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, hold the top spot in their segments month in and month out without a cent of cash on the hood. In this market, that's saying a lot about the economic performance of Toyota and Volkswagen alternative fuel technology."
Rebates of the Month
"Volvo's $6,500 national rebate on the C70, a $7,500 rebate on the S60 and a $6,250 rebate on the S80 are significant enough to make these attractive cars some of the best deals we've seen in a while," said Bell.
Trending Up
Volkswagen and Hyundai, which has held first place in the large cars segment for several months running, after displacing longtime winner Toyota Avalon.
The Domestics
GM and Chrysler account for the majority of vehicle rebates on the list. GM's winners, which in the recent past have included the Corvette, are largely confined to trucks and SUVs.
The Winners
IntelliChoice.com's 'Best Deals of the Month' rank which new cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs deliver the best cost of ownership in 31 vehicle classes. The Best Deals for August 2009 are:
| Class | Brand | Model |
| Subcompact Car | Toyota | Yaris |
| Compact Car over $17,000 | Volkswagen | Jetta TDI Sedan |
| Compact Car under $17,000 | Toyota | Corolla |
| Midsize Car over $21,000 | Toyota | Prius |
| Midsize Car under $21,000 | Toyota | Prius |
| Convertible | MINI | Cooper Convertible |
| Luxury Convertible | Volvo | C70 |
| Near Luxury Car | Volvo | S60 |
| Luxury Car | Volvo | S80 |
| Large Car | Hyundai | Sonata 4cyl |
| Base Sport Car | Volkswagen | GTI |
| Sport Car (tie) | Ford | Mustang GT Coupe |
| Pontiac | Solstice GXP | |
| Small/Midsize Wagon | Volkswagen | Jetta TDI Wagon |
| Sport Sedan/Wagon over $38,000 | Lexus | GS |
| Sport Sedan/Wagon under $38,000 | Mitsubishi | Lancer Ralliart |
| Compact Utility/Crossover | Saturn | VUE Hybrid |
| Midsize Crossover | Toyota | Highlander Hybrid |
| Luxury Crossover | Lexus | RX |
| Intermediate Utility | Hummer | H3 |
| Utility | Toyota | Land Cruiser |
| Luxury SUV | GMC | Envoy Denali |
| Compact Pickup Truck 2WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD |
| Compact Pickup Truck 4WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 1/2 Ton (tie) | GMC | Sierra Crew Cab Hybrid 2WD |
| Chevrolet | Silverado Crew Cab Hybrid 2WD | |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 3/4 Ton | Dodge | Ram 2500 Quad Cab 2WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD One Ton | Dodge | Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 1/2 Ton (tie) | GMC | Sierra Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD |
| Chevrolet | Silverado Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD | |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 3/4 Ton | Dodge | Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD One Ton | Dodge | Ram 3500 4WD |
| Minivan | Chrysler | Town & Country |
| Full-Size Van (tie) | Chevrolet | Express 1500 |
| GMC | Savana 1500 |
The Methodology
IntelliChoice.com's 'Best Deals of the Month' analyzes monthly values for new cars and trucks based on the seven primary factors that determine a 's long-term ownership costs: fuel economy, maintenance, repair, retained or resale value, licensing, state fees and taxes. Using these seven factors, IntelliChoice.com determines what it costs to own and operate new cars over a five-year basis. The firm examines each and every new car model-year trim line, as ownership costs can vary significantly among different trim lines of the same model.
IntelliChoice.com updates new cars data several times a month from numerous automotive resources, such as fuel costs from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and captures the latest auto rebates and ongoing incentive programs offered by manufacturers. Visit www.intellichoice.com for a complete breakdown of all the new cars on the market.
