IntelliChoice, a provider of automotive ownership cost and value analysis for more than 25 years, announced today the winners of its 2013 Best Overall Value of the Year (BOVY) awards.
Each year, IntelliChoice compiles and analyzes data on every new model sold in the U.S. to identify those that not only have low total ownership costs, but also lower than expected costs over time when compared to other similar models. The BOVY awards help consumers understand that the total cost to own a vehicle is influenced by a variety of factors beyond initial purchase price.
The 2013 BOVYs represent 23 diverse but popular vehicle segments, which enable shoppers to easily compare similar vehicles over time regardless of the type of vehicle they may be shopping for. Two manufacturers in particular took multiple classes with their associated brands. Collectively, Lexus and Toyota won 13 classes, while models from VW/Porsche/Audi garnered five.
“This year’s list of winners sees some compelling vehicles that have not previously been eligible to win,” said Eric Anderson, ownership cost supervisor of IntelliChoice. “As a result, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon, Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC and Toyota Prius c are all tops in their respective classes for 2013.”
The 2013 BOVY award winners are as follows:
Compact Passenger Car - Toyota Prius c
Premium Compact Passenger Car - Lexus CT 200h
Passenger Car - Toyota Prius
Premium Passenger Car - Lexus ES 350
Luxury Passenger Car - Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC
Convertible - MINI Cooper Convertible
Premium Convertible - Lexus IS 250C
Performance Car - Subaru Impreza WRX STI Wagon
Premium Performance Car - Porsche Boxster S
Luxury Performance Car - Porsche 911 Coupe
Sporty/Coupe - Toyota Yaris 2-Door Hatchback
Premium Sporty/Coupe - Audi TT Coupe
Compact Crossover/Wagon - Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon
Premium Compact Crossover/Wagon - Audi A3 TDI
Crossover/Wagon - Toyota Prius v
Full-Size Crossover/Wagon - Toyota Highlander V6
Premium Crossover/Wagon - Lexus RX 450h
Luxury Crossover/Wagon - Acura MDX
SUV - Toyota FJ Cruiser
Premium SUV - Lexus GX 460
Full-Size SUV - GMC Yukon Denali
Minivan - Toyota Sienna V6
Full-Size Pickup LD - Toyota Tundra CrewMax
“Alternative fuel vehicles are, by and large, selling well,” said Anderson. “The E350 BlueTEC alone represents about 15 percent of all E-Class sales for Mercedes-Benz, while the Jetta TDI accounts for about 30 percent of Jetta sales.”
Other shifts this year include the GMC Yukon Denali winning the Full-Size SUV segment. Despite the current model being in its seventh year of production, it still demonstrates a strong residual value and Excellent Overall Value. Conversely, the Lexus ES, all-new for the 2013 model year, saw an improvement in fuel costs which helped boost it to the top of the Premium Passenger Car class.
Throughout the year, IntelliChoice aggregates and analyzes data on more than 2,000 vehicle models to determine its Best Overall Values. Data gathered from auto manufacturers, the U.S. government and third-party resources are used to determine the actual costs of ownership for each new vehicle over a five-year period. IntelliChoice then assigns a value rating to each vehicle and compares that rating to peer models to determine a Best Overall Value in each vehicle class.
