Mr. Jones

http://www.intellichoice.com/press/2...rall_car_value

Cars
Subcompact Class - MINI Cooper Hatchback
Compact Class under $17,000 - Honda Civic Sedan
Compact Class over $17,000 - Honda Civic Hybrid
Midsize Class under $21,000 - Toyota Prius
Midsize Class over $21,000 - Toyota Prius
Large Class - Toyota Avalon
Near Luxury Class - Lexus ES
Luxury Class - Infiniti M35
Luxury Convertible - Audi A4 Convertible
Convertible - MINI Cooper Convertible
Small Wagon Class - Scion xB
Midsize/Large Wagon Class - Subaru Outback Wagon
Base Sport Class - Volkswagen R32
Sport Class - Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Sports Sedan/Wagon under $38,000 - Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Sports Sedan/Wagon over $38,000 - Lexus GS

Sport Utilities
Compact Utility/Crossover - Ford Escape Hybrid
Intermediate Utility Class - Toyota 4Runner
Luxury Utility Class - Lexus GX
Utility Class - Toyota Land Cruiser

Crossovers
Midsize Crossover Class - Honda Pilot
Luxury Crossover Class - Lexus RX 350

Trucks
Compact Pickup Class 2WD - Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD
Compact Pickup Class 4WD - Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD
Full-Size Pickup Class 1/2 Ton 2WD - Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup Class 1/2 Ton 4WD - Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 4WD
Full-Size Pickup Class 3/4 Ton 2WD - Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD ExtendedCab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup Class 3/4 Ton 4WD - Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Extended Cab 4WD
Full-Size Pickup Class One Ton 2WD - Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup Class One Ton 4WD - Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 4WD

Vans
Minivan Class - Toyota Sienna
Full-Size Van Class - Chevrolet Express 1500
Cargo Van Class - Chevrolet Uplander

whoster

the Prius is mid-size?

Mr. Jones

EPA says its a midsize based on interior dimensions

mmarshall

Why do they pick Hybrids?

I have to disagree with some of this reasoning.

Hybrids, yes, are low-polluters, and generally get good mileage, but they are expensive, sometimes have dealer markups as well, and take a long time to recover their added purchase price from lower gasoline costs. And, not every place allows tax credits for them either.


Now, IMO, these picks for good value make a lot more sense, although I would consider the M35 to be more of a sport sedan than a true luxury car. And, especially for all-weather daily driving, few cars on the road are a better overall value than the Outback....I love mine, and would buy another one in a heartbeat.

rosskoss

Yes, the Prius is classified as a midsize car by the EPA. It's a lot bigger inside than it looks like outside. Another car that's a lot bigger inside is the Nissan Versa. Great packaging.

mmarshall

It has always been like that at the EPA. They go by interior volume for their size classifications, not outside dimensions.

But the EPA does not necessarily go by USEFUL interior volume, or what physical shape that inside space is, but simply X number of cubic feet. I'm not saying, though, that the Prius is not space-efficient...it is, but of course some of that room is taken up by the big battery pack. The Versa, of course, does not have a battery pack.

Gojirra99

I remember the first time I sat inside a Prius, I was surprised how spacious it is inside, more than I expected ...

encore888

Yeah the Prius is relatively spacious from the inside, I was also quite surprised when I sat inside at the LA Auto Show.

RX_330

How is the M35 luxury and the ES near luxury?

LexBob2

Maybe price point, ammenities and AWD availability? Not really sure.

The ES has always been considered any entry level luxury car.