Nissan, Toyota Lead Popular Brands with Four Awards Each
Acura Tops Premium List with Four Best Buys
Morton Grove, IL. December 5, 2023 – Consumer Guide® Automotive, the leading publisher of authoritative, unbiased new-car reviews for 57 years, today announced the recipients of its 2024 Best Buy Awards. A Consumer Guide Best Buy represents the finest balance of attributes and value in its class. For 2024, 41 Best Buys have been awarded in 17 classes, providing clear, easy choices for consumers.
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Nissan and Toyota are Consumer Guide’s most awarded brands for 2024—earning an impressive four Best Buy awards each.
“Nissan and Toyota have broad product lineups, offering something in most every category. Our editors have determined that four vehicles from each maker are among the best products in their respective segments,” said Consumer Guide Publisher Tom Appel, who led the editors’ selection process for this year’s list.
Among premium brands, Acura topped the list, also having been awarded four Best Buy trophies for 2024.
The complete list of Consumer Guide 2024 Best Buy Awards can be viewed below.
Listen to a complete rundown of this year’s Best Buys on an upcoming episode of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast, available for download on all major podcast platforms.
Since 1967, Consumer Guide Automotive’s award-winning editorial team has used a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process to identify the vehicles worthy of serious consideration by consumers. The editors utilize objective criteria, such as price, features, performance, accommodations, fuel economy, reliability records, and resale value, to assess each vehicle.
The key to Consumer Guide Automotive’s annual Best Buy Awards is the careful evaluation of every aspect of each vehicle as it relates to consumers’ real-world driving experience. It is this thoroughness that leads consumers to check Consumer Guide Automotive reviews before buying a new vehicle.
Consumer Guide’s editorial team drives more than 100,000 miles every year evaluating what these vehicles do well—and what they don’t. Whether it is driving through the city, on highways, in rural areas, on long trips, or simply picking up the kids at school, these vehicles are tested in the same way that typical car buyers would use their vehicles.
Complete reviews of the winning vehicles, as well as other pertinent information for in-market car buyers, can be found at Consumerguide.com. For a daily dose of automotive news, test-drive reviews, humor, and history, visit the CG Daily Drive blog at Blog.Consumerguide.com.
For more information, please contact Tom Appel at tom@cgauto.com or by phone at 847-502-5373.
2024 Consumer Guide Best Buys
Subcompact Crossover
Nissan Kicks
Why it’s a Best Buy: Loads of content for the money, sporty character, easy on the gas
But… Not available with AWD
Hyundai Venue
Why it’s a Best Buy: Affordable, roomy, spunky character, great fuel economy
But… Not available with AWD
Kia Soul
Why it’s a Best Buy: Tidy package with room for four adults, fun to drive, rides and handles well
But… Not available with AWD
Subaru Crosstrek
Why it’s a Best Buy: Outstanding snow performance, sporty handling, comfortable cabin
But… Limited rear-seat space, could be quieter at highway speed
Premium Subcompact Crossover
BMW X1
Why it’s a Best Buy: BMW character in a tidy, relatively affordable package
But… Pricey options can drive up the bottom line
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Why it’s a Best Buy: Fun and functional EV that’s spacious and refined
But… Less battery range than other small EVs
Compact Crossover
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Why it’s a Best Buy: Stylish electric crossover boasting refined and sporty character, excellent cabin design
But… Top trim levels are expensive, as is available AWD
Kia EV6
Why it’s a Best Buy: Deft combination of EV performance and daily-use practicality
But… Top trim levels are expensive, as is optional AWD
Nissan Rogue
Why it’s a Best Buy: Family friendly combination of space and refinement. Great gas mileage, too
But… Top trim levels get pricey
Nissan Ariya
Why it’s a Best Buy: User friendly EV that’s high on utility and refinement
But… Pricey available AWD
Premium Compact Crossover
2023 Acura RDX Advance
Why it’s a Best Buy: Practical, fun to drive, affordable for the class
But… Touch-pad digital controller can frustrate
Genesis GV60
Why it’s a Best Buy: Nimble EV boasts ultra-premium cabin decor, sporty demeanor, standard AWD
But… Outward visibility limited to the rear
Midsize Crossover
Hyundai Palisade
Why it’s a Best Buy: Reasonably priced upscale family hauler, refined road manners
But… Class-average fuel economy
Kia Telluride
Why it’s a Best Buy: Sporty and practical, plenty of appealing trim levels and option packages
But… Class-average fuel economy
Toyota Highlander
Why it’s a Best Buy: Spot-on blend of value and family utility, long-trip comfort
But… Four-cylinder engine offerings not as refined as discontinued V6
Premium Midsize Crossover
Acura MDX
Why it’s a Best Buy: Sporty and luxurious, less expensive than European counterparts
But… Touch-pad control system can be frustrating
Buick Enclave
Why it’s a Best Buy: Class-leading ride quality and quietness, roomy and upscale cabin
But… Lacks sporty feel
Infiniti QX60
Why it’s a Best Buy: Classy cabin, smooth and satisfying powertrain
But… Mediocre fuel economy
Lexus RX
Why it’s a Best Buy: Comfortable and upscale cabin, long-trip highway refinement
But… Not especially sporty
Large SUV
Ford Expedition
Why it’s a Best Buy: Expansive cabin, upscale décor, premium road manners
But… Middling fuel economy
Premium Large SUV
Cadillac Escalade
Why it’s a Best Buy: Top-notch cabin appointments, extremely refined underway
But… Prices are steep, poor fuel economy
2024 Lincoln Navigator
Why it’s a Best Buy: Big-family room and comfort, upscale trim, surprising road manners
But… Poor fuel economy
Compact Car
Honda Civic
Why it’s a Best Buy: Feels like a larger car–in a good way
But… There’s not much here not to like
Nissan Versa
Why it’s a Best Buy: Excellent value, plenty of tech features, comfortable front-row
But… Limited rear-seat space, cabin could be quieter
Toyota Corolla
Why it’s a Best Buy: Strong value, comfortable cabin, available (and recommended) hybrid models
But… Less fun to drive than Honda Civic
Premium Compact Car
Acura Integra
Why it’s a Best Buy: Practical Honda-Civic-based sedan with a sporty vibe, upscale cabin
But… Hatchback variant would add to appeal
Genesis G70
Why it’s a Best Buy: European sport-sedan appeal at a more reasonable price
But… Small door openings complicate entry and exiting
Midsize Car
Honda Accord
Why it’s a Best Buy: Best Accord yet boasts excellent road manners, refined cabin, sporty character
But… Potent 2.0-liter turbocharged engine has been discontinued
Subaru Outback
Why it’s a Best Buy: Roomy cabin, outstanding snow performance
But… Crude engine stop/start operation
Toyota Camry
Why it’s a Best Buy: Excellent room and comfort, refined hybrid option, long-trip comfort
But… Less sporty than Honda Accord
Toyota Crown
Why it’s a Best Buy: Roomy, fun-to-drive sedan that’s easy on the gas and features standard AWD
But… Only top-trim Platinum equipped with potent turbocharged engine
Premium Midsize Car
Acura TLX
Why it’s a Best Buy: Fun to drive, strong dollar value
But… Limited rear-seat space
Cadillac CT5
Why it’s a Best Buy: Strong dollar value, upscale cabin, sporty character
But… Small trunk
Lexus ES
Why it’s a Best Buy: Outstanding long-trip comfort, quiet and comfortable cabin
But… Not much fun to drive
Premium Large Car
Genesis G90
Why it’s a Best Buy: Cutting-edge design, roomy and upscale cabin, plenty of power
But… Still a class value, but no longer a bargain
Lexus LS
Why it’s a Best Buy: World-class assembly quality, plenty of smooth power, quiet cabin
But… Hybrid only offered as pricey premium model
Sporty/Performance Car
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Why it’s a Best Buy: Pure sports-car experience, relatively affordable
But… Limited cargo space
Ford Mustang
Why it’s a Best Buy: Plenty of power, great handling, decent amount of cabin space
But… Prices have risen over the years
Chrysler Pacifica
Why it’s a Best Buy: Luxurious accommodations, class-leading quietness and ride comfort
But… Not offered in affordable base trim level
Small/Midsize Pickup Truck
Ford Maverick
Why it’s a Best Buy: Truck utility in a practical, fun-to-drive, urban-friendly package
But… Prices have risen substantially since introduction
Large Pickup Truck
Ram 1500
Why it’s a Best Buy: Large-truck utility melded with luxury-car refinement
But… Top trim levels priced like luxury cars
Check out the 2023 Consumer Guide Best Buys
2024 Consumer Guide Best Buys
2024 Consumer Guide Best Buys
Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast Episode 195: Public Charging Disaster, Hyundai and Amazon Deal
2024 Consumer Guide Best Buys
ABOUT CONSUMER GUIDE AUTOMOTIVE
Since 1967, Consumer Guide has published authoritative, objective reviews of new and used cars and trucks. Consumer Guide’s singular focus is to make car shopping easier for consumers. Consumer Guide editors provide professional, unbiased evaluations of nearly 1500 new and used vehicles as well as expert shopping advice and insightful automotive editorials. Consumer Guide is based in Palatine, IL. It is published by J-Turn Media, Inc.
2024 Consumer Guide Best Buys
