The Kia Soul was named a Best Bet by The Car Book 2019, an honor it held last year too.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. While that phrase is widely interpreted to mean that change is constant, the auto industry is a different animal sometimes and the latest edition of The Car Book shows why.
The book, which is now in its 39thyear, provides today’s car buyer with our unique crash test ratings, comparative complaint ratings, and all of the information needed to make a smart, safe and informed vehicle purchase.
Jack Gillis and the Center of Automotive Safety team up to produce the book, which has been helping buyers sort through those thousands of different vehicles and equipment levels to determine the best vehicle for a buyer in any given year.
In addition to in-depth ratings for current year vehicles the site includes more than 1,000 used car ratings going back five years.
(FCA debuted special anniversary minivans in Chicago. Click Here for the story.)
“For 39 years my goal with The Car Book has been to provide all the information consumers need to make an informed, safe and reliable vehicle purchase,” said Gillis, a noted consumer advocate and auto safety expert.
The book, which doesn’t take advertising is an objective look at the industry’s offerings and how they may best suit a particular buyer. Additionally, the book annually produces its “Best Bets” based on the size of the vehicle.
Perhaps more importantly, the list doesn’t change much from last year to this year so it’s going to look pretty familiar to devotees. This year’s best bets include:
- Compact: Kia Soul and Toyota Prius
- Intermediate: Acura TLX, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry and Subaru Legacy
- Large: Tesla Model S and Cadillac XTS
- Minivan: Honda Odyssey
- Pickup:Ford F-150
- Small SUV: Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-3, Acura RDX, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
- Midsize SUV: Tesla Model X, Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Subaru Outback and Acura MDX
- Large SUV: Volvo XC90
(Click Here for more about IIHS testing small SUVs in pedestrian crashes.)
The online version of the book offers use of the Decision Wizard—an easy-to-use search function, which allows consumers to choose the most important aspects of their ideal vehicle.
The Decision Wizard offers multiple search avenues, from size class and price range to crash test results, warranty ratings and safety features, all of which gives consumers the ability to easily choose the car that best fits their needs.
(To see more about why February auto sales are expected to drop, Click Here.)
“Every year since 1981, we have had the great honor of collaborating with the legendary Jack Gillis to produce The Car Book,” said Center for Auto Safety Executive Director Jason Levine. “It has grown and matured over these almost 4 decades, becoming a more complete, richer, and user-friendly resource for new car buyers who are more interested in safety than moon roofs or cup holders.”