Volkswagen might call the 2009 CC a coupe, but it's clearly a sedan — albeit one that transforms the mundane image of a sedan into something more personal and sporting.
Value is a big factor these days in any purchasing decision, especially when that purchase is something as large as a new car, truck or SUV.
For the past 24 years, San Diego-based research consultant Strategic Vision has published its Total Value Index, a study that takes into account the key criteria that consumers use when choosing a new automobile, to help identify which new cars offer the best bang for your buck. This year the big winners were Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.
Nearly 50,000 recent car buyers were queried for the 2009 index. They were asked questions about their preferences relating to factors such as expected reliability, expected fuel economy, innovation, price and expected resale value across all of the major vehicle categories, including small car, luxury car, convertible, minivan and luxury SUV.
What did their responses say about the 2009 car buyer? Price tag isn't the only consideration when it comes to determining value. Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision, says that consumers are scrutinizing every dollar they spend. "A cheap vehicle can't get a high score [in our study in this market] if all it is is cheap," Edwards says. "It needs to offer quality and the right styling."
Watch Video: Mercedes-Benz R-Class Test Drive
While consumers are looking for the best bang for the buck these days more than ever before, there were still a few surprises on this year's index, the biggest one being that not a single Toyota made the list of vehicles consumers consider to have the highest value. Proving exactly what Edwards alluded to above. "Today's customers are saying, 'You're just not offering me what the others are,'" Edwards says of car buyers' attitudes toward the Japanese car company. "People have come to accept that almost all other vehicles are durable and reliable enough. What they're looking for is reliable plus." The result doesn't mean Toyota is any less popular than in years past — the Camry is still one of the top-selling vehicles in the country — it's just that the playing field has been leveled. Car buyers want more than just reliability, they want surprises, innovations, and bells and whistles, according to Strategic Vision's research.
Read: Car and Driver's 10Best Cars of 2010
Another surprise is that Hyundai is now offering some of those bells and whistles. The South Korean carmaker topped the charts with its Genesis in the near-luxury car category. "Folks who are getting into that vehicle are used to other luxury brands," Edwards says. "The median household income is $125,000." Just a few years ago, the notion of Hyundai making a standout luxury car would probably have seemed far-fetched. But now, with the Genesis, Hyundai has just that. "It may not have the performance of a BMW or classy imagery of a Mercedes, but it's where people are spending their money," Edwards says.
Compare: Hyundai Genesis vs. BMW 3-Series vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Other Total Value Index standouts include the Volkswagen CC, which won the large-car category and also had the highest total value score of any vehicle this year. "This is the best Volkwagen car consumers have ever seen when it comes to quality," Edwards says of the CC. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which runs on ultra-low-sulfur diesel, also scored major points. "People were excited about the clean technology," Edwards says.
Discuss: How do you define automotive value?
In the small-car category, the Honda Insight took top honors, and in the specialty car group, the MINI Cooper hatchback was the winner — not a surprise, according to Edwards. "The MINI Cooper is always a vehicle that offers fun and excitement in a compact price," he says.
What country are you from? Buy American, they make a lot of good cars!!!
