Michelle Steiner
2007-01-17 19:41:21 UTC
DETROIT, MI (January 8, 2007) - A survey released today by PRIMEDIA's
IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and
value analysis, reveals that the twenty-two hybrid vehicles currently on
the market save their owners more money than the other vehicles in their
respective classes.
"With the number of hybrids now on the market, the end of 2006 was an
opportune time to examine the cost performance of each hybrid model with
respect to the rest of the vehicles in their peer group," said James
Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com. "Across the board, we found that
all twenty-two hybrid vehicles have a better Total Cost of Ownership
(TCO) over five years or 70,000 miles than the vehicles they directly
compete against."
Bell said that aside from lower fuel costs, other factors playing a role
in hybrids' cost performance are better-than-expected depreciation and
resale value. Also, contrary to skeptics and critics, repair and
maintenance costs have not proven to be higher than those of other
vehicles.
"Up to now," Bell added, "The Prius has been the darling of the hybrid
set, and it remains our highest rated value for hybrid vehicles. But
this survey validates the cost performance of the other many hybrid
models that are currently on the market. All of the hybrids in our study
have achieved 'Excellent' ratings in their respective classes from
IntelliChoice.com."
IntelliChoice.com's hybrid survey ranks hybrids in order of their
performance against their peer group:
Brand Model Trim 5Yr Expected 5Yr Actual
Cost Cost
Toyota Prius 33305 19896
Honda Civic Hybrid(Auto) 31595 23268
Honda Civic Hybrid w/Nav(Auto) 32843 24891
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD 44841 34038
Lexus RX 400h 2WD 54121 41472
Lexus RX 400h AWD 55509 42681
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD 45868 35690
Lexus RX 400h AWD(Original Version) 57231 45640
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 2WD 48409 38902
Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD 39361 32188
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD 49436 40522
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 41349 34331
Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD 40839 34696
Honda Accord Hybrid 40803 34706
Honda Insight (Manual) 28724 24755
Honda Insight AC(Auto) 30354 26424
Honda Insight AC(Manual) 29690 26212
Honda Accord Hybrid w/Nav 42305 37411
Chevrolet Silverado LT Hybrid 2WD* 42840 39377
GMC Sierra SLE Hybrid 2WD* 43041 39709
Chevrolet Silverado LT Hybrid 4WD* 45345 42260
GMC Sierra SLE Hybrid 4WD* 45824 42884
* All trim lines 1500 Extended Cab
Methodology
When analyzing Total Cost of Ownership, IntelliChoice.com focuses on
seven key criteria, including depreciation, fuel cost, finance costs,
insurance, repairs, maintenance and applicable state fees. In the case
of hybrids, IntelliChoice.com also factors in federal tax credits.
For the survey, 2006 model year hybrids were analyzed for their Total
Cost of Ownership over a five-year or 70,000-mile period. The five-year
expected Cost of Ownership for each hybrid vehicle is based on the
average cost of all vehicles in each class.
"Hybrids are proving themselves to be an excellent alternative for car
buyers. Even when factoring in the additional upfront costs for their
purchase, the long-term savings hybrids generate makes them a sensible
and attractive purchase," said Bell.
Against all criteria, IntelliChoice.com found the Toyota Prius to be the
best in overall class. Along with the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic,
Toyota Highlander, Ford Escape and Honda Insight also received top marks
for value. Some of the top hybrids in the 2006 survey were previously
awarded IntelliChoice's Best Overall Value of the Year (BOVY).
IntelliChoice.com's BOVY awards recognize cars, trucks and SUVs that
will cost significantly less to own than would be expected of vehicles
at their purchase prices. A listing of 2006 winners and more information
on the awards can be found at www.intellichoice.com.
2007 ownership costs on all new hybrid and regular models will be
available from IntelliChoice.com in late January.
About IntelliChoice.com
Part of PRIMEDIA's Enthusiast Media, IntelliChoice is the market leader
in automotive ownership cost and value analysis. Founded in 1986,
IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better
purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive
information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice web site
(www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research,
compare, configure and price vehicles. The site also connects buyers to
the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers
and online buying services.
IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and
value analysis, reveals that the twenty-two hybrid vehicles currently on
the market save their owners more money than the other vehicles in their
respective classes.
"With the number of hybrids now on the market, the end of 2006 was an
opportune time to examine the cost performance of each hybrid model with
respect to the rest of the vehicles in their peer group," said James
Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com. "Across the board, we found that
all twenty-two hybrid vehicles have a better Total Cost of Ownership
(TCO) over five years or 70,000 miles than the vehicles they directly
compete against."
Bell said that aside from lower fuel costs, other factors playing a role
in hybrids' cost performance are better-than-expected depreciation and
resale value. Also, contrary to skeptics and critics, repair and
maintenance costs have not proven to be higher than those of other
vehicles.
"Up to now," Bell added, "The Prius has been the darling of the hybrid
set, and it remains our highest rated value for hybrid vehicles. But
this survey validates the cost performance of the other many hybrid
models that are currently on the market. All of the hybrids in our study
have achieved 'Excellent' ratings in their respective classes from
IntelliChoice.com."
IntelliChoice.com's hybrid survey ranks hybrids in order of their
performance against their peer group:
Brand Model Trim 5Yr Expected 5Yr Actual
Cost Cost
Toyota Prius 33305 19896
Honda Civic Hybrid(Auto) 31595 23268
Honda Civic Hybrid w/Nav(Auto) 32843 24891
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD 44841 34038
Lexus RX 400h 2WD 54121 41472
Lexus RX 400h AWD 55509 42681
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD 45868 35690
Lexus RX 400h AWD(Original Version) 57231 45640
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 2WD 48409 38902
Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD 39361 32188
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD 49436 40522
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 41349 34331
Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD 40839 34696
Honda Accord Hybrid 40803 34706
Honda Insight (Manual) 28724 24755
Honda Insight AC(Auto) 30354 26424
Honda Insight AC(Manual) 29690 26212
Honda Accord Hybrid w/Nav 42305 37411
Chevrolet Silverado LT Hybrid 2WD* 42840 39377
GMC Sierra SLE Hybrid 2WD* 43041 39709
Chevrolet Silverado LT Hybrid 4WD* 45345 42260
GMC Sierra SLE Hybrid 4WD* 45824 42884
* All trim lines 1500 Extended Cab
Methodology
When analyzing Total Cost of Ownership, IntelliChoice.com focuses on
seven key criteria, including depreciation, fuel cost, finance costs,
insurance, repairs, maintenance and applicable state fees. In the case
of hybrids, IntelliChoice.com also factors in federal tax credits.
For the survey, 2006 model year hybrids were analyzed for their Total
Cost of Ownership over a five-year or 70,000-mile period. The five-year
expected Cost of Ownership for each hybrid vehicle is based on the
average cost of all vehicles in each class.
"Hybrids are proving themselves to be an excellent alternative for car
buyers. Even when factoring in the additional upfront costs for their
purchase, the long-term savings hybrids generate makes them a sensible
and attractive purchase," said Bell.
Against all criteria, IntelliChoice.com found the Toyota Prius to be the
best in overall class. Along with the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic,
Toyota Highlander, Ford Escape and Honda Insight also received top marks
for value. Some of the top hybrids in the 2006 survey were previously
awarded IntelliChoice's Best Overall Value of the Year (BOVY).
IntelliChoice.com's BOVY awards recognize cars, trucks and SUVs that
will cost significantly less to own than would be expected of vehicles
at their purchase prices. A listing of 2006 winners and more information
on the awards can be found at www.intellichoice.com.
2007 ownership costs on all new hybrid and regular models will be
available from IntelliChoice.com in late January.
About IntelliChoice.com
Part of PRIMEDIA's Enthusiast Media, IntelliChoice is the market leader
in automotive ownership cost and value analysis. Founded in 1986,
IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better
purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive
information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice web site
(www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research,
compare, configure and price vehicles. The site also connects buyers to
the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers
and online buying services.
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Support the troops: Bring them home ASAP.
Support the troops: Bring them home ASAP.