kbb.com Names Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
04-21-07, 10:24 AM
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kbb.com Names Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Pick Top 10 Cool, Affordable New
Vehicles
IRVINE, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The editors at Kelley Blue
Book (http://www.kbb.com), the leading provider of new - and used - vehicle
information, have compiled a list of the top 10 cool and affordable new
vehicles available today for less than $18,000. In addition to their sporty
stylishness, many of these editor's picks are smaller vehicles that deliver
excellent fuel economy, making these cars in this price range even more
appealing with gas prices currently surging over $3.00 a gallon in many
parts of the country. All but one of the winners on the list returns
highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or better.
In choosing the elite 10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000, the editors
thoroughly examined each vehicle through the subjective magnifying glass of
what is cool, with an emphasis on its styling, performance and fun-to-drive
factor. Additionally more objective criteria such as safety, fuel economy,
environmental impact, interior size and comfort were taken into account.
The list of qualifying vehicles under $18,000 was put together using
Kelley Blue Book's New Car Blue Book values, which reflect real-world
transaction prices and provide a more useful comparison point than
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
"Each of the vehicles on this year's list is cool in its own way, but a
common thread is versatility such as folding seats, clever cubbies and
innovative storage solutions,. These are all vehicles the kbb.com editorial
staff would be happy to live with," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial
director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "The
$18,000 price point is a logical demarcation of affordability since it
represents an average monthly payment of $300 to $350 over the course of a
five-year loan."
All the vehicles on this list can be purchased for $18,000 or less,
demonstrating that there are great alternatives for those who demand
coolness but who don't want to spend a fortune on their ride. With three-
and five-door cars accounting for half the vehicles named, it's now
official: the hatchback is back.
All vehicles are listed by their New Car Blue Book value. New Car Blue
Book values represent transaction values, or what others are paying for
this vehicle, during the week of April 9, 2007. New Car Blue Book values
are updated weekly on kbb.com. Adding optional equipment at the time of
purchase will increase the price of the vehicle.
Editorial Comments on the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic (Regular Cab Manual WT)
The 800-pound gorilla of this group earns its spot on the list by
delivering the most metal for the money along with hefty hauling and towing
capacities. It's not the newest-tech, but if you need to lug cool stuff,
the full-size Silverado Classic lets you do it for a compact-pickup monthly
payment.
MSRP: $17,015 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $16,590
2007 Ford Focus SES 2-Door Hatchback
Its Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle status helped place the versatile
Ford Focus 3-door on the list. We also applaud the Focus's combination of
international style and cheeky, fun-to-drive character in a handy,
economical package.
MSRP: $16,180 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $15,937
2007 Honda Fit
Driving the Fit is the most fun you can have with four wheels and 109
horsepower. Matched with Honda's renowned interior intangibles and a
cleverly configurable rear seat that provides uncanny cargo capacity, the
diminutive Fit is cool condensed.
MSRP: $14,445 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $14,301
2007 Hyundai Tiburon
Hyundai's sporty entry combines the presence of a $30,000 sports coupe
with energetic driving dynamics and the value expected from the brand.
Updates for the 2007 model year include freshened front and rear styling.
MSRP: $17,295 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,157
2007 Jeep Patriot
Based on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and Jeep's own Compass,
the Patriot sets itself apart by featuring all the utility and features of
its twin brothers but also adding an off-road capability and Jeep purity
the others lack.
MSRP: $14,985 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $14,985
2007 Mazda MAZDA3
Fun, stylish, versatile and substantial, the exceptionally well-rounded
MAZDA3 is the only vehicle to make it onto our list the past four years in
a row -- and every year since its introduction. Suffice it to say, it's
cool.
MSRP: $18,175 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,993
2007 Nissan Versa
By offering more room than its closest competitors and available
features like Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and keyless entry and
start, the Versa offers a little taste of luxury at a decidedly down-market
price.
MSRP: $13,075 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $13,206
2007 Scion tC
Wearing the mark of a brand born to be cool, the tC coupe furthers its
own pedigree with industrial-sleek styling, lively performance and a sharp
interior that belies the car's sub-$18,000 starting price.
MSRP: $16,980 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,235
2007 Suzuki SX4
The most affordable four-wheel-drive vehicle out there is wrapped in
distinctively styled sheetmetal and offers advanced features like keyless
entry and start. A 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is pretty cool, too.
MSRP: $17,124 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,038
2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
With an eager engine, unexpectedly tenacious handling and interior
refinement on par with cars costing twice its price, the vehicle formerly
known as Golf plays off its Euro roots to offer Continental cool.
MSRP: $15,630 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $15,474
About Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com)
Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is America's most used and trusted vehicle
pricing, values and information resource. The top-rated Web site provides
the most up-to-date pricing and values for thousands of new and used
vehicles, including the Blue Book(R) New Car Value, which reveals what
people actually are paying for new cars. Since 1926, car buyers and sellers
have relied upon Kelley Blue Book for authoritative and unbiased
information to make well- informed automotive decisions. The company also
reports vehicle prices and values via products and services, including the
famous Blue Book(R) Official Guide and software products. Kbb.com also has
been named the No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and
J.D. Power and Associates seven years in a row. No other medium reaches
more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com; one in every three American
car buyers complete their research on kbb.com.
SOURCE Kelley Blue Book
Vehicles
IRVINE, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The editors at Kelley Blue
Book (http://www.kbb.com), the leading provider of new - and used - vehicle
information, have compiled a list of the top 10 cool and affordable new
vehicles available today for less than $18,000. In addition to their sporty
stylishness, many of these editor's picks are smaller vehicles that deliver
excellent fuel economy, making these cars in this price range even more
appealing with gas prices currently surging over $3.00 a gallon in many
parts of the country. All but one of the winners on the list returns
highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or better.
In choosing the elite 10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000, the editors
thoroughly examined each vehicle through the subjective magnifying glass of
what is cool, with an emphasis on its styling, performance and fun-to-drive
factor. Additionally more objective criteria such as safety, fuel economy,
environmental impact, interior size and comfort were taken into account.
The list of qualifying vehicles under $18,000 was put together using
Kelley Blue Book's New Car Blue Book values, which reflect real-world
transaction prices and provide a more useful comparison point than
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
"Each of the vehicles on this year's list is cool in its own way, but a
common thread is versatility such as folding seats, clever cubbies and
innovative storage solutions,. These are all vehicles the kbb.com editorial
staff would be happy to live with," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial
director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "The
$18,000 price point is a logical demarcation of affordability since it
represents an average monthly payment of $300 to $350 over the course of a
five-year loan."
All the vehicles on this list can be purchased for $18,000 or less,
demonstrating that there are great alternatives for those who demand
coolness but who don't want to spend a fortune on their ride. With three-
and five-door cars accounting for half the vehicles named, it's now
official: the hatchback is back.
Code:
Top 10 Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Vehicle MSRP New Car Blue
Book Value
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic $17,015 $16,590
2007 Ford Focus SES 2-door Hatchback $16,180 $15,937
2007 Honda Fit $14,445 $14,301
2007 Hyundai Tiburon $17,295 $17,157
2007 Jeep Patriot $14,985 $14,985
2007 Mazda 3 $18,175 $17,993
2007 Nissan Versa $13,075 $13,206
2007 Scion tC $16,980 $17,235
2007 Suzuki SX4 $17,124 $17,038
2007 Volkswagen Rabbit $15,630 $15,474
Book values represent transaction values, or what others are paying for
this vehicle, during the week of April 9, 2007. New Car Blue Book values
are updated weekly on kbb.com. Adding optional equipment at the time of
purchase will increase the price of the vehicle.
Editorial Comments on the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic (Regular Cab Manual WT)
The 800-pound gorilla of this group earns its spot on the list by
delivering the most metal for the money along with hefty hauling and towing
capacities. It's not the newest-tech, but if you need to lug cool stuff,
the full-size Silverado Classic lets you do it for a compact-pickup monthly
payment.
MSRP: $17,015 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $16,590
2007 Ford Focus SES 2-Door Hatchback
Its Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle status helped place the versatile
Ford Focus 3-door on the list. We also applaud the Focus's combination of
international style and cheeky, fun-to-drive character in a handy,
economical package.
MSRP: $16,180 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $15,937
2007 Honda Fit
Driving the Fit is the most fun you can have with four wheels and 109
horsepower. Matched with Honda's renowned interior intangibles and a
cleverly configurable rear seat that provides uncanny cargo capacity, the
diminutive Fit is cool condensed.
MSRP: $14,445 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $14,301
2007 Hyundai Tiburon
Hyundai's sporty entry combines the presence of a $30,000 sports coupe
with energetic driving dynamics and the value expected from the brand.
Updates for the 2007 model year include freshened front and rear styling.
MSRP: $17,295 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,157
2007 Jeep Patriot
Based on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and Jeep's own Compass,
the Patriot sets itself apart by featuring all the utility and features of
its twin brothers but also adding an off-road capability and Jeep purity
the others lack.
MSRP: $14,985 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $14,985
2007 Mazda MAZDA3
Fun, stylish, versatile and substantial, the exceptionally well-rounded
MAZDA3 is the only vehicle to make it onto our list the past four years in
a row -- and every year since its introduction. Suffice it to say, it's
cool.
MSRP: $18,175 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,993
2007 Nissan Versa
By offering more room than its closest competitors and available
features like Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and keyless entry and
start, the Versa offers a little taste of luxury at a decidedly down-market
price.
MSRP: $13,075 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $13,206
2007 Scion tC
Wearing the mark of a brand born to be cool, the tC coupe furthers its
own pedigree with industrial-sleek styling, lively performance and a sharp
interior that belies the car's sub-$18,000 starting price.
MSRP: $16,980 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,235
2007 Suzuki SX4
The most affordable four-wheel-drive vehicle out there is wrapped in
distinctively styled sheetmetal and offers advanced features like keyless
entry and start. A 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is pretty cool, too.
MSRP: $17,124 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,038
2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
With an eager engine, unexpectedly tenacious handling and interior
refinement on par with cars costing twice its price, the vehicle formerly
known as Golf plays off its Euro roots to offer Continental cool.
MSRP: $15,630 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $15,474
About Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com)
Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is America's most used and trusted vehicle
pricing, values and information resource. The top-rated Web site provides
the most up-to-date pricing and values for thousands of new and used
vehicles, including the Blue Book(R) New Car Value, which reveals what
people actually are paying for new cars. Since 1926, car buyers and sellers
have relied upon Kelley Blue Book for authoritative and unbiased
information to make well- informed automotive decisions. The company also
reports vehicle prices and values via products and services, including the
famous Blue Book(R) Official Guide and software products. Kbb.com also has
been named the No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and
J.D. Power and Associates seven years in a row. No other medium reaches
more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com; one in every three American
car buyers complete their research on kbb.com.
SOURCE Kelley Blue Book
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