List the Top 8 Passenger Vehicles
Between 2010 and what has transpired this year a few changes have happened to the top 8 passenger vehicles. Between the cost of fuel constantly changing and the economy, it is sometimes hard to predict the response of the public to the car market. Hyundai had some major positive changes that brought them to the top of the list for passenger vehicles, while the company also saw some loss in sales with other models. Without further ado, let us take a look at the top 8 passenger vehicles.
At the top of the list we have the Hyundai Elantra. This is one of those cars you just love to drive. It falls in at just under $20,000 fully loaded and around $15,000 without the perks. The sedan will easily handle four adults and has good storage in the trunk. The Elantra gets around 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway so it is not going to break the bank in the fuel area. The standard sunroof is a must for me. As the company has grown through the years, Hyundai is producing some really outstanding cars; this may be the best yet. It is sporty and has all the nifty gadgets you expect in a 2011 car, rearview camera, GPS and the rest. I cannot think of a reason to not buy one this year.
Coming in at number two in the large passenger car class is the Toyota Corolla. Prices at between $15,000 and $18,000 the Corolla is a little more affordable than the Elantra if you are looking for a fully loaded vehicle. With 28 MPG in the city and 35 on the highway, you are still going to do just fine on fuel. Again, this is easily comfortable for four adults and a great car for children. Toyota has been a standby for many years and the Corolla has always served them well. With a 4 cylinder engine, you may not go out and do a lot of drag racing, but the little engine has a good amount of spunk.
The Corolla does have a hands-free cell phone unit that can be added, but you won’t find a GPS system from them at this time. I have to say that I rented a Corolla in the mid 90’s and was very impressed and this car just does something for me. The styling has changed a bit through the years, but it is still an awesome looking car. My only issue would be the lack of toys, GPS and such and the four cylinder engine. I don’t go out and race around, but if I am going to pass someone, I feel safer having a little extra under the hood.
The Honda Civic is a great looking car and weighs in at number 3. Still in the four cylinder range, but with a good 140 horsepower, you can get around with a little power. Matching the Corolla with 28 MPG in the city and 36 on the highway you can feel a little better about your personal economy. The sedan is a little tight for four adults. I test drove the DX model and it felt really good. Pricing is depends a lot on the model you choose the DX is around $15,000 standard and the model EX-L falls in the $23,000 range. I am a fool for built-in GPS and Honda has a very nice little system. As a personal car, I don’t know. I like the Civic, but something is just not there for me. If I was buying my 16 year-old son or daughter a car, this would be a perfect choice.
Just like the Civic, the Mazda 3 has five models that range in price from $15,000 to $23,000. The 3 has a little more punch in the 4 cylinders than the Corolla. If you go into the two higher prices models you will actually get 167 horsepower which can move this car around. This car is sporty looking, but the body has been designed to allow some extra head room in the back without giving away the look and feel. The Mazda 3 falls in the number 4 spot of top passenger cars and this is a large drop from 2010. A 44% decrease in sales from 2010 could bring this 3 out of the top 8 next year if it continues. Fuel mileage is pretty good at 25 for the city and 33 on the highway in the 2.0 liter engine.
Number 5 on the list of the top large passenger cars is held by the Volkswagen Jetta. That is not really surprising in itself. The amazing fact is that sales went up by 141%. Sales in 2010 were just over 1200 and 2011 showed sales of over 3000. There must be something in the water at the Volkswagen plant. As far as looks, I am neither impressed or anything else by this car. Number 5 in the top 8 is a respectable place for a passenger car. Again, the mileage is par with the others we have seen, 23 for the city and 33 for the highway. My main issue with this year’s Jetta is that it seems like it is stuck between wanting to be a luxury car and trying to be a sports car.
You are going to love number six on the list. The Chevrolet Cruze is just a cool car. The highway gas mileage is the best yet at 42 MPG. Features and model make the price vary from $15,000 to $24,000. Four adults fit with not a single issue in the Cruze. A nice 138 horsepower will get you off the light with some pep. Depending on the dealer, Chevrolet has some of the best warranties in the nation. A great car for a person of the go, and it is even better for the small family.
The Toyota Matrix was the seventh most popular passenger vehicle in sales in 2011. Gas mileage is the lowest our list has seen so far, but still far from bad. The Matrix gets 21 miles per gallon in the city and on the highway it gets 29 miles per gallon. If you want a real sporty look, the Matrix is not for you. For a parent with a few children riding around town, this is a really great vehicle. It starts at just under $17,000 and still has a good number of features at the price.
The last in our line-up is the Hyundai Accent. Over the past year, sales on the Accent dropped by almost 30%, but the Accent still made it into the top 8. Within the highest for city gas mileage, the Accent gets 30 MPG around town and 40 on the open road. The price is right for even the best model at almost $16,000 with standard features. With 138 horsepower the engine gets you going. Hyundai has always been superior in safety and the Accent is no different. A really nice 5 year warranty covers your vehicle very well. It is surprising to see this little powder keg lose sales through the past year. I test drove one over a week ago and it handled like a dream.
That covers the top 8 passenger vehicles for the 2010 and 2011 season. Very impressive sales reports show that the economy may be improving as more and more people get their dream cars. We hope you find your dream car soon.