The art of making a great car purchase actually lies with a little science. Or a lot, according to the Automotive Science Group, which aims to help consumers make informed car-buying decisions through its objective, data-driven analysis.
To that end, it has created the Automotive Performance Index, enabling shoppers to find the best new models across a range of categories. “You define the size and class of automobile that meets your needs, and we’ll differentiate the best-performing model in the segment,” says the group.
For 2019, the index has identified 33 best-in-class vehicles in 11 categories based on economic, environmental and all-around performance assessments. Nine overall winners are highlighted, too.
The leading 2019-year models, from 1,640 variants of car, crossover and SUV, are below. Two-seaters, convertibles and vehicles exceeding $100,000 were excluded from the study.
Best cars of 2019
Mini compact
Toyota Yaris – all-around performance
BMW i3 – environmental performance
Chevrolet Spark – economic performance
Compact
Mitsubishi Mirage – all-around performance
Toyota Prius C – environmental performance
Mitsubishi Mirage – economic performance
Midsize
Toyota Prius Prime – all-around performance
Toyota Prius Prime – environmental performance
Honda Fit – economic performance
Full-size
Hyundai Ioniq Plugin – all-around performance
Hyundai Ioniq Plugin – environmental performance
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid – economic performance
Wagon
Subaru Outback – all-around performance
Subaru Outback – environmental performance
Fiat 500 L – economic performance
Best cars overall
Toyota Prius Prime – all-around performance
Hyundai Ioniq Plugin – environmental performance
Mitsubishi Mirage – economic performance
Best crossovers of 2019
Mini crossover
Mazda CX-3 – all-around performance
Lexus UX 250h – environmental performance
Hyundai Kona – economic performance
Compact crossover
Kia Niro Plugin – all-around performance
Kia Niro Plugin – environmental performance
Nissan Kicks – economic performance
Crossover
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – all-around performance
Toyota RAV4 – environmental performance
Jeep Compass – economic performance
Best crossovers overall
Kia Niro Plugin – all-around performance
Kia Niro Plugin – environmental performance
Nissan Kicks – economic performance
Best SUVs and minivans of 2019
Midsize SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander – all-around performance
Tesla Model X – environmental performance
Nissan Rogue – economic performance
Full-size SUV
Kia Sorento – all-around performance
Toyota Highlander Hybrid – environmental performance
Kia Sorento – economic performance
Minivan
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid – all-around performance
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid – environmental performance
Ford Transit Connect – economic performance
Best SUVs and minivans overall
Mitsubishi Outlander – all-around performance
Tesla Model X – environmental performance
Nissan Rogue – economic performance
Many car buyers shop by brand, and Automotive Science Group analyzed 32 automakers in five categories. Besides all-around, environmental and economic performance, there were awards for most-distinguished brand and social performance, which takes into account factors such as labor policies and practices.
Best brands of 2019
Mitsubishi – all-around performance
Tesla – environmental performance
Mitsubishi – economic performance
Mini – social performance
Toyota – most-distinguished brand
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