Consumer Reports Best Value List Features All Imports, Worst Value List Almost Entirely Domestics

Consumer Reports has just announced its list of Best and Worst Value vehicles on the market, with foreign automakers taking all the top spots in the Best Value categories, while the Worst Value categories are dominated by domestic automakers. More accurately, the Worst Value categories are mostly made up of one domestic automaker: Chrysler. Listed as Worst Values in the Family Car, Wagon/Minivan, Small SUV and Upscale Sedan segments are, respectively, the Dodge Avenger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Charger R/T. Other losers include the Chrysler Sebring Convertible as a worst value for a sporty car while the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara was a worst value pick for Midsize SUVs.

The only imported model to wind up on the Worst Value list was the Mercedes S550 in the Luxury Sedan category.

Top picks for Best Value include, surprisingly, both the Toyota Prius and Honda Fit, despite both vehicles having been recalled this past year. It’s not clear if the recalls were incuded in CR’s analysis, as the consumer group lists its judging criteria as, “a combination of performance, utility, and reliability for the money, considering total owner costs over the first five-years. The better a car performs in Consumer Reports’ road tests and reliability Ratings and the less it costs to own, the greater its value.”

Take a look at the full release below as well as the complete list of Best and Worst picks in each category.

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

Honda Fit and Toyota Prius Top Consumer Reports New-Car Best Value List

Annual Auto Issue Names Best and Worst New-Car Best Values in Eight Categories

YONKERS, N.Y., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Honda Fit and the Toyota Prius topped the list of new-car best values according to Consumer Reports’ 2010 Annual Auto Issue beating out more than 280 cars in eight categories.

The Honda Fit and the Toyota Prius each earned a value score of 2.08 and provided the best overall value despite being very different cars. Scores are expressed in relation to the value of the average vehicle (designated 1.00). A score of 2.00 represents twice the value of the average model.

While the Prius IV ($26,750) is more expensive than the Honda Fit ($16,020) and has a higher cost per mile (47 cents vs. 42), the Prius performed notably better in Consumer Reports’ battery of road tests, earning a score of 80 versus the Fit’s 68. Both cars have excellent reliability.

“A low price doesn’t always equal a good value,” said Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports. “Our best value list can help consumers choose a car that will give them the best bang for the buck.”

To determine which cars are the best values, Consumer Reports looked at a combination of performance, utility, and reliability for the money, considering total owner costs over the first five-years. The better a car performs in Consumer Reports’ road tests and reliability Ratings and the less it costs to own, the greater its value.

Consumer Reports identified the best and worst values among the hundreds of vehicles it has tested in eight vehicle categories: