Consumers Digest awards 35 ‘best buy’ for 2011 models

Thirty-five 2011 vehicles and seven companion models have been selected from more than 250 models and received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest magazine.

The ratings, published in the December issue (on sale now), span 12 categories: Subcompacts, Compacts, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Full-size Pickups, Small Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs and Hybrids.

The Best Buys — based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities — reflect the publication’s view the vehicles offering exceptional value.

“Value, as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design,” says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher.

Performance characteristics evaluated include starting and acceleration, shifting, steering, handling, braking, ride quality and fuel economy.

2011 Consumer Digest Best Buy Selections

Subcompacts — Ford Fiesta, MINI Cooper/Cooper Clubman, Scion tC

Compacts — Honda Fit, Kia Soul, Mazda3

Family Cars — Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Sonata, Suzuki Kizashi

Luxury Cars — Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS sedan, Hyundai Genesis sedan, Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Sporty Cars — Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, Porsche Cayman

Full-size Pickups — Ford F-150, Ram 1500

Small Pickup — Toyota Tacoma

Minivans — Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan/Volkswagen Routan, Toyota Sienna

Compact SUVs — Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, Kia Sorento

Midsize SUVs — Buick Enclave/Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Flex, Honda Pilot

Full-size/Luxury SUVs — Infiniti QX56, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lincoln MKT

Hybrids — Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid

Source: Consumers Digest