Which Cars Are the Best Values? We’ve Got The List

Lexus Nx300H Review
The Lexus NX300H Photo: Robin Hutson

Toyota and Cadillac Lead the 2017 IntelliChoice Ranking.

We’re not surprised – you pretty much can’t go wrong with Toyota, according to the IntelliChoice 2017 Best Overall Value Of The Year Awards. Toyota had 5 of the 23 award winners (and Lexus held two spots), while Cadillac rose to the top of best overall value for premium cars. We have to agree with the list of winners: great choices both in terms of what you get for the money, what it will cost to own it over the long term and the value it will hold for resale down the road.

IntelliChoice’s “overall” awards represent those vehicles that are standout values, regardless of their competing segments. Returning to the winners circle again this year are the Lexus ES 300h , Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Highlander. But there are a few newcomers to the list of winners this year.

2016 Toyota Tacoma
The perfect Hook ‘Em Horns truck The Toyota Tacoma in University of Texas Orange. Photo: Scotty Reiss

In addition, the Overall Brand Awards recognize those manufacturers that demonstrate a superior value through lowest cost of ownership or highest retained value within popular or premium target markets.

“This year the biggest surprise was Cadillac, winning best overall value among the premium brands, and Porsche which won for highest retained value among premium brands,” states Eric Anderson, Director of Data Products for IntelliChoice.

Cadillac Xt5
The front end of the Cadillac XT5 reminds me of the SRX–still sleek and muscular. Photo: Scotty Reiss

Crunching the Numbers So You Don’t Have To

In a nutshell, IntelliChoice does all the number crunching so that consumers can see what the best overall brands are in the market, providing cost and value analysis. Consumers are empowered to make better purchase decisions by having independent and essential automotive ownership information.

Intellichoice Awards
Porsche has the highest retained value of the premium brands, making it a costly but smart investment. Photo: A Girls Guide to Cars

Overall Best Value Winners

We tend to agree with many of the overall winners. Jeep has continually impressed us, and Honda has been trusted as a great value for years, and continues to do so. And Cadillac has become a growing favorite. If you own one or more of the brands on this list, you can have peace of mind that you made a great purchase.

  • Best Value Overall Popular Vehicle – Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
  • Best Overall Premium Vehicle- Lexus ES 300h
  • Best Overall Popular Brand – Honda
  • Overall Value Premium Brand-Cadillac
  • Highest Retained Value Popular Brand- Subaru
  • Highest Retained Value Premium Brand- Porsche
  • Lowest Ownership Costs Popular Brand- Mazda
  • Lowest Ownership Costs Premium Brand- Acura

Individual Winners We Love

The Acura ILX was named premium compact passenger car. Terri Marshall found comfort in this luxury vehicle. She says “it has a spacious feel for a cabin in a compact sedan, and a sense of sportiness.”

Compact Luxury Car
Checking out Horseshoe Curve in Pennsylvania with the 2017 Acura ILX. Photo by Terri Marshall

The Honda Accord winner as best overall passenger car proves that reliability doesn’t have to mean boring or frumpy. Offering Honda sensing safety technology, remote start, leather interior and many more safety and tech options, the Honda Accord is no longer “just” a college car.

Honda Accord
The Honda Accord’s elegant silhouette. Photo: Scotty Reiss

Go topless in the  MINI convertible, winner of best value convertible. LeAura Luciano checked out the MINI and was impressed with one of its standard features:The fully automatic soft top can be activated spontaneously at the press of a button. And the  MINI Always Open Timer keeps track of how long the top is down so you can figure out just how much fun you had while driving this baby around.

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Introducing the 2016 MINI Convertibles. Photo: LeAura Luciano for AGirlsGuidetoCars

The Toyota Highlander takes the prize for a value SUV. Erica Mueller (who is in the market for a new SUV) spent time driving the Toyota Highlander and was very impressed. She says, “This SUV is now our #1 pick for our next family car. We were so pleased with this vehicle and felt so at home in it. I know some of that has to do with us already being Toyota owners, but it can’t be all that. Toyota did a great job engineering the space and comfort of this vehicle without sacrificing its dashing good looks.”

 

2016 Toyota Highlander Limited Awd
2016 Toyota Highlander photo: Scotty Reiss A Girls Guide to Cars

We didn’t forget about you minivan lovers out there, the Toyota Sienna takes the cake in this category. Our multi-gen family writer, Nasreen Stump found it to be a perfect fit for her mixed bunch saying, “Overall the Toyota Sienna won my heart and broke down my anti-minivan wall. I have seen the light and for our soon to be family of 6, a minivan is looking like the right direction to go.”

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Even our equine neigh-bors thought the Toyota Sienna was a good looking ride. Photo Credit: Nasreen Stump

You Can’t Beat A Winning Vehicle

Time and again the best overall brands end up on this list, and for good reason. Sometimes it’s because the price can’t be beat-especially for the options included. Other times it’s because trips to the mechanic are few and far between. The IntelliChoice list covers all angles. So, if you own one of these top brands you can rest assured you made a good choice for best overall value.

 

Jenn Greene
Jenn Greene

Mom, Wife, Writer and Avid Traveler Jenn wears many hats. She grew up in the car industry and has a love for cars of every kind. She couldn't get her license without learning to drive stick shift, she is now teaching her teen driver the same lessons. A red 67 Mustang GT is her dream but she totes the family around in a SUV--one day she will get that muscle car. She is an shares her journey through life discovering new destinations at JourneyswithJenn.com

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