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FEATURE
STORIES
AAA’s Top Picks 2009
By Jim Prueter
Once again we wander into the controversial arena
of picking what we think are the best vehicles
offered in each of seventeen categories for 2009.
We certainly aren’t immune to the strong opinions
of our AAA members, friends, neighbors and co-workers,
who occasionally agree with us, but often just
shake their heads in disbelief.
This year’s top picks include six new or newly
redesigned models. They are the most well rounded
models in their categories, considering qualifications
like safety, fuel economy, road testing, build
quality, comfort and convenience. We also consider
subjective factors like appearance and how hard
or easy it was to give it back after a weeklong
test.
We’re interested in what you think, so drop us
a line at highroads@arizona.aaa.com and
let us know how we did.
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| SEDAN/COUPE |
Under $15,000
Honda Fit
Honda Fit first hit the U.S. market in 2007 and
was redesigned for 2009. It’s still every bit as
geeky-looking as the previous model. But, it’s
a bit larger, quieter and more comfortable and
has less of an economy-car feel. Fun to drive,
Fit is a terrific daily driver with plenty of zip,
loaded with standard features. Given the economy,
we think it fits the needs and budgets of many
people.
Fuel Economy (city/highway): 28/35
Safety Ratings: National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) – 5 stars;* Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety (IIHS) – Good* |
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$15,000 to $25,000
Mazda6
The first major redo since Mazda6 debuted in 2003,
we think it’s a much better choice than better-known
and better-selling Toyota Camry, Honda Accord,
Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion. The new four-cylinder
engine is the best in its class and the V-6, the
most powerful. Smooth ride, precise handling, exceptionally
roomy and fresh trendsetting style moves the Mazda6
to the top of this most competitive class.
Fuel Economy: 21/30
Safety Ratings: NHTSA – 5 stars; IIHS – Good |
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$25,000 to $35,000
Infiniti G37
A perfect blend of sports car and luxury, G37 is
a car that’s always entertaining to drive and comes
very close to automotive perfection. Bolder and
more powerful than its predecessor, the G37 is
proof that a BMW may not be the best choice in
this class.
Fuel Economy: 18/26
Safety Ratings: NHTSA – 5 stars; IIHS – Good |
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$35,000 to $50,000
Audi A5/S5
Hard to improve on near perfection, the A5/S5 repeats
as our top pick in this class. Superior performance,
exquisite handling, stunning good looks and the
most comfortable and best-looking interior in the
business make it an easy choice as our favorite
car for 2009.
Fuel Economy: 17/26
Safety Ratings: Not rated |
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Over $50,000
Audi A8/S8
Another repeat winner, Audi’s flagship A8/S8 remains
the benchmark for luxury sedans. Relatively unchanged
from 2008, the A8/S8 expands its loaded list of
standard features to include rearview camera, power
trunk opener and power door closers. It’s a boardroom
on wheels.
Fuel Economy: 16/23
Safety Ratings: Not rated |
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| CONVERTIBLE |
Under $35,000
Volkswagen Eos
A top pick for 2007, the hardtop-convertible Eos
is back for 2009. Relatively unchanged since its
introduction three years ago, Eos’ looks are still
young and attractive. Named after the goddess of
dawn, Eos is cute, classy with room for four and
is fun to drive. The retractable hardtop makes
it work in all seasons.
Fuel Economy: 21/31
Safety Rating: NHTSA – Not rated; IIHS – Good
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Over $35,000
Chevrolet Corvette
We sound like a broken record, but Corvette is
still the best bang-for-the-buck two-seat sports
car on the market — period. There’s just something
wickedly fun about driving an original American
icon, especially when it goes from zero to 60 miles
per hour in less than four seconds and gets 26
miles per gallon on the highway.
Fuel Economy: 16/26
Safety Ratings: Not rated |
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| SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE |
Under $25,000
Subaru Forester
Redesigned for 2009, the Subaru Forester jumped
to the head of the small-sport-utility-vehicle
pack. Ride, handling, room, visibility and performance
are all excellent. Build quality is impressive,
the interior well finished. All-wheel-drive is
standard and Subaru even cut the price for ’09.
How good is that?
Fuel Economy: 20/26
Safety Ratings: NHTSA – 5 stars; IIHS – Good
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$25,000 to $35,000
Ford Flex
Seven-passenger SUV? Wagon? Minivan? Some of each
to be sure, but eclectic styling, impressive car-like
ride and drive, quietness, ample room and one of
the nicest interiors in the business makes Flex
one of the coolest cars on the road. Oh, and you
can get all-wheel drive. We love it.
Fuel Economy: 17/24
Safety Ratings: NHTSA – 5 stars; IIHS – Good |
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$35,000 to $50,000
Land Rover LR3
LR3 is a terrific sport-utility vehicle with honest-to-goodness
go-anywhere capability. Sure it’s boxy, but that
allows for an amazing amount of room for people
and stuff. Add to that incredibly comfortable seats,
superb visibility and three rows of seats and LR3
is a sweetheart to drive.
Fuel Economy: 12/17
Safety Ratings: Not rated |
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Over $50,000
Lexus LX 570
Another repeat winner, the LX 570 offers impressive
performance, superb features, and the quietest
and most comfortable cabins of any SUV in the world.
With superb capabilities both on and off-road,
luxury doesn’t get any better than this — if, of
course, you have the money.
Fuel Economy: 12/18
Safety Ratings: Not rated |
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| TRUCK |
Compact/Mid-Sized
Nissan Frontier
Frontier wins again by the narrowest of margins
over the Toyota Tacoma. It’s nearly impossible
not to love driving the Frontier, with its well-built
solid feel behind the wheel. Frontier is superb
off-road, yet has a comfortable highway ride. Frontier
is a work truck that can also haul the family or
more than satisfy as a daily commuter. And, we
love the brawny looks.
Fuel Economy: 19/23
Safety Ratings: NHTSA – 4 stars driver side, 5
stars passenger side; IIHS – Good |
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Full-Size
Dodge Ram
Newly redesigned for 2009, Dodge fixes all the
things we’ve complained with the previous Ram.
With an interior befitting a luxury sedan, excellent
ride and loads of well-thought-out new features
like the clever RamBox, under-floor storage and
a center console that will hold a laptop. More
here to love, than to like.
Fuel Economy: 14/20
Safety Ratings: NHTSA – 5 stars; IIHS – Not rated |
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| HYBRID |
Toyota Prius
The world’s first and most popular hybrid with
46 miles per gallon is still the best we’ve tested.
Roomy, versatile and comfortable, its relatively
low price makes it affordable for almost everyone.
Look for a redesign in 2010.
Fuel Economy: 48/45
Safety Ratings: NHTSA – 4 stars; IIHS – Good |
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| MINIVAN |
Toyota Sienna
Spacious, quiet, powerful and available with all-wheel
drive, Sienna is well constructed and delivers
excellent driving characteristics. Makes driving
a minivan dare we say, pleasurable?
Fuel Economy: 17/23
Safety Ratings: NHTSA – 5 stars; IIHS – Good |
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| COOL CAR |
Nissan GT-R
Unlike anything we’ve driven — 480-horsepower,
twin turbo, zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds — GT-R is
an all-wheel-drive bargain-priced exotic supercar
with rocket-sled-like thrust. It handles like it's
painted on the road, this is the car that auto
enthusiasts everywhere want to own. Yeowwwww!
Fuel Economy: 16/21
Safety Ratings: Not rated |
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Want more info? Read the
complete reviews of all our top picks and hundreds
of others at AAA.com.
*The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) rates vehicles for crash-test worthiness
on a 1 to 5 scale, five being the highest possible
rating; the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS) bestows ratings of Poor, Marginal, Acceptable
or Good. Visit safercar.gov or iihs.org for
more information on safety ratings.
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