The Nissan Armada had the highest cost per mile in the Consumer Reports study.

Buying a new car has always had its emotional element, especially when it comes to factors like design – but there’s also the rational side to the purchase equation where one tries to make dollars and sense out of what is typically among the most expensive purchases you’ll ever make.

The folks at Consumer Reports did the numbers, working in such data as fuel economy, price and reliability to come up with projected operating costs. In turn, it has come up with what it has dubbed the 10 worst values on the road.  At the top of that list?  The massive Nissan Armada SUV, a full-size beast that delivers a minimal 13 miles per gallon and, according to the non-profit magazine, costs a whopping $1.20 a mile to operate when everything is factored in.

A relatively low price is no assurance that a car is a good value, however.  CR also has harsh words for the Nissan Versa which may be $1,500 cheaper than the rival Honda Fit but, in the end delivers far less for the money, the magazine’s auto editor Rik Paul declaring that the Honda subcompact “provides almost twice the value.”

Actually, the Versa wasn’t the worst in its category, however, the Volkswagen Beetle equipped with a 2.5-liter engine coming in at the bottom of the equation among compact and subcompact models.

(Consumer spending on new cars likely a record in December. Click Here for the story.)

It may have its emotional appeal, but the latest VW Beetle didn't score well, according to CR.

The magazines worst values, by category?

• Large/Luxury SUVs: The Nissan Armada Platinum costs a budget-busting $1.20 a mile to operate, according to Consumer Reports.  That’s nearly triple the magazine’s most affordable model, the Toyota Prius, at only 47 cents a mile;
• Pickups: The Ford F-250 Lariat equipped with a 6.7-liter V-8 was the worst pickup for the money, though fans will insist the performance and payload capacity offsets the costs. By comparison, the Honda Ridgeline was the magazine’s best value among pickups;
• Midsize SUVs: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara may be the vehicle of choice for those who want the maximum off-roadability but it offers the minimum value in this category. Here’s where Nissan redeems itself, the Murano named the top value;
• Small SUVs: The Ford Escape went through a major redesign last year, the maker migrating from a truck-like design to a more modern, crossover-style shape. The new Escape may get great reviews but from an economic standpoint it’s the worst value in the segment, says CR;
• Wagons/Minivans: The Chrysler Town & Country is one of just two models still offered by the Detroit maker credited with inventing the modern minivan. But while it’s roomy, versatile and well-equipped, CR editors determined it sucks fuel, has reliability issues and isn’t a great value;
• Convertibles/Sports Cars: The Chevrolet Camaro may connect with buyers on an emotional level, and it certainly delivers high horsepower and performance numbers, but in terms of value it is at the bottom of the list, says CR;
• Luxury Cars: The BMW 750 is the most expensive model on the list and while it doesn’t have the worst mileage, it still sucks down fuel.  It also loses value quickly due to its high depreciation. Does that matter to folks spending at least $87,000? Maybe not;
• Large Cars: The Ford Taurus Limited has won kudos for its styling but as one of the oldest models in the segment it’s no longer a reviewer favorite. And it is by far the worst value in the segment, says Consumer Reports;
• Midsize Cars: The Nissan Altima has won raves for its styling and fuel economy, but it nonetheless scored at the bottom of the midsize category in terms of value, says CR, especially when compared to other newer models like the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion;
• Compact/Subcompact Cars: The original Volkswagen Beetle was long considered one of the market’s great values, but while the latest Bug may still have its emotional appeal, its high sticker price and reliability issues pushed it to the bottom of the list among small cars.

(Toyota does damage control, regains CR’s Recommended rating for Camry after crash test fix. Click Here for the story.)