The Best Cars for Your Money

April 4, 2009— -- Amid the dire news for America's car companies comes a ray of light for beleaguered General Motors. An annual value study recently released by Vincentric, an auto-industry analysis firm in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., gives 10 GM models top ratings. Only one model from fellow-sufferer Chrysler, the Jeep Compass, made the cut. Ford, which has yet to require government funding to help maintain its viability, had three models that earned top billing.

Among GM's winners are several models coming to define the Detroit-based company: hybrids and trucks. GM's segment toppers include the Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Malibu hybrids and the GMC Sierra 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 pickups.

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The study, titled the "Best Value in America" report, evaluates the cost of owning specific models by accounting for depreciation, fuel, insurance, opportunity costs, financing, maintenance, taxes and state fees and repairs.

Each car was evaluated in every state and in Washington, D.C. The cars studied racked up annual mileages of 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000. Vincentric used varied insurance profiles (new drivers, less experienced drivers and experienced drivers) to determine the value for each vehicle.

Vincentric identified superior value by measuring which vehicles had the lowest ownership costs given their market segment and price.

To some extent, the Vincentric ratings reflect American automakers' strengths and weaknesses, says David Wurster, who leads product development and industry analysis for Vincentric. GM will pull through its current dire straits, he predicts. Chrysler may not.

"Hopefully what this means now is [GM will] get two months to refinish this plan for reorganizing, and they'll be in a position to be viable going forward," speculates Wurster. "I think [the government] wants Chrysler to do a deal and to kind of go away," he adds.

GM joined high-value stalwarts BMW and Toyota in this year's highest Vincentric ratings. The top-rated models range from the $22,600 MINI Cooper, rated best for a subcompact car, to Toyota's $64,755 Land Cruiser, rated the best of the large premium SUVs. Toyota's 4Runner, Camry, Prius, Tacoma and Venza each win their own segments, as does BMW's M3, X6, 7-Series and 5-Series Sedan and Wagon.