Want a new car? 5-year cost winners worth a long look
Presidents Day is a big day in the automotive world; dealers emerge like Punxsutawney Phil to see if the end of winter is near, and they can get fully into a new selling season.
Some prospective buyers know just what they want, but many others start with a blank slate, having to consider price, vehicle size, features and even whether to buy new or used. It can be daunting.
Auto icon Kelley Blue Book just offered help by releasing its 2019 “5-Year Cost to Own” award winners. The awards for the eighth annual list factor in a range of considerations beyond mere price, such as continuing costs of fuel, financing, insurance and depreciation. The choices, KBB says, recognize new vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs.
Here are the rankings, as well as some key factors in the 2019s available in dealerships:
COMPACT CAR: Kia Soul — The Soul starts at $16,490. That’s not a typo. We drove one for a month last year, and were prepared to poke fun … big mistake. Instead, the Soul is absolutely a blast to drive, roomier than one would expect, and full of the sort of modern doo-dads that may come as a surprise in this segment. It’s got soul, but it’s not a soldier.
MID-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER — 3-ROW: Mitsubishi Outlander — It’s not fancy, but the Outlander is as practical as the day is long. It’s got adequate room, and available V6 power. With a price starting at under $25,000, that’s a serious calling card for SUV buyers.
MID-SIZE CAR: Honda Accord — The gold standard in its class is back with a reasonable price, enough configurations to fully customize for any customer’s needs, Honda’s proven reliability and quality … it’s an Accord. Buy with confidence.
FULL-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER: Nissan Armada — This big people-mover has a lot going for it. For one thing, Nissan’s niche against Japanese competitors has been styling and performance, both in abundance in the Armada. The 2019 has a spiffy interior and V8 power, although that engine costs a bit in terms of fuel economy.
FULL-SIZE CAR: Chevrolet Impala — Chevy’s comeback continues with the practical, venerable Impala. The car’s been lauded for its smooth ride and ample space. The design is nice, too.
LUXURY SUBCOMPACT SUV/ CROSSOVER: Lexus UX — The all-new UX has an attractive design and great potential. Fuel economy is a plus: the fuel-sipping 4-cylinder engine gets 29 mpg city/37 highway. It doesn’t have a ton of room, and that engine is also a little smallish. And all-wheel drive isn’t available.
ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY CAR: Acura ILX — Honda’s luxury division offers the sporty little ILX. It’s got a bevy of features, especially for the price starting in the mid-$20s. Fuel efficiency of up to 34 mpg is a plus.
LUXURY COMPACT SUV/ CROSSOVER: Lexus NX — Lexus is all over this list. The sporty little NX has a nice price (starting mid-$30s) and performance; it’s basically a luxury RAV4.
LUXURY CAR: Lexus GS — Even though this luxury sedan is getting a bit long in the tooth, it’s still got Toyota’s renowned quality and does not skimp on luxury accoutrements. Like most in the Toyota family, it’s perhaps a bit cool with the sensory stimuli, but it’s no doubt a classy ride.
LUXURY MID-SIZE SUV/ CROSSOVER – 2-ROW: Lexus RX — I drove the first iteration of an RX in 1998 in Palm Springs, and it remains every bit as desirable today as it was then. Priced starting in the mid-$40s, the RX still has a clean, sporty look, first-rate construction, features and design, and a ride quality and comfort level that’s the envy of its class.
SPORTS CAR: FIAT 124 Spider — Good luck finding something cooler priced below $25,000. Fun to drive, sporty, and a convertible. Belissima!
LUXURY MID-SIZE SUV/ CROSSOVER – 3-ROW: INFINITI QX60 — Another looker, the QX60 also scores for a reasonable entry price ($44,000) in this class, as well as a pleasant, quiet interior and a smooth ride. The third row is tight, but it’s there. And the QX60 isn’t really suitable for off-roading, if that matters.
HYBRID/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CAR: Toyota Prius c — The joke “Cool Prius, said no one ever” is actually wrong. Prius is affordable, goes and goes and goes (46 mpg combined), is easy to park … it’s actually pretty nearly a perfect city car. Even with only 99 horsepower, you live in Boston — where are you gonna go fast?