COMING SOON: We’re currently kicking the tires and running the numbers on dozens of new cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans to determine the winners of our 2018 Best Buy Awards. We can tell you there are some new and first-time winners this year, so we hope to see you again later this month. But first, have a look at the defending champions.
There can only be one king.
Whether you’re shopping for a big or small SUV, a midsize sedan, a minivan or a truck, there are too many great choices available to you today. But only one of your choices gets to be the best in its class — gets to be the king.
Earning the crown
For the annual Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, our job is to turn you on to the smartest purchase you can make in each of 12 vehicle categories. We focus on “best value” in all of its different forms. Obviously, we study what you’ll pay for your new car, truck, van or SUV at the outset, what it’ll cost to run, and how much of your initial investment you can expect to get back when you sell it. Kelley Blue Book runs these numbers for virtually every vehicle on the road, and nobody has more experience. Beyond that hard data, however, there are other vital elements to honoring a vehicle as a Best Buy. It’s how a car makes you feel when you drive it. How your SUV makes you proud when it’s parked out front, plus the interior touches and technology that delight you. And it’s how a truck or minivan makes it easier for you to load and carry family and freight, and keep them safe. Drawing from decades of expertise, it takes our editors 365 days of driving everything out there and six weeks of intense back-to-back testing to crown the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winners.
The Best of The Best
After our editors select the winners, we go back into the conference room one more time to choose our Overall Best Buy winner. The Overall Best Buy recipient’s combination of exceptional quality and value break this winner loose from the vehicle category it occupies and elevate it above the entire market.
Without a doubt, the 2017 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards competition was Game of Thrones fierce. For a deeper behind-the-scenes look at how we came to our Best Buy conclusions, dig in to Jack R. Nerad’s “The Making of Best Buys 2017.” If you’d rather see which stalwarts repeated their reign and which surprises ascended to become 2017 Best Buy royalty, scroll on and discover what it takes to be The Best.
Overall Best Buy
Category Best Buys
Totally redesigned just last year, Honda’s venerable compact car leads the way in redefining the segment. Read More
The Honda Accord is packed with modern style and technology, but remains as familiar, comfortable and reliable as a favorite T-shirt. Read More
Full-Size Car
2017 Chevrolet Impala
The current-generation Impala is now in its third model year, and it’s now won three Full-Size Car Best Buy trophies. Read More
The all-new Kia Sportage checks all the boxes for practicality-seeking small SUV shoppers, but with a generous helping of style and smarts. Read More
Still fresh off last year’s all-encompassing redesign, the Honda Pilot offers a combination of practicality and value still unmatched in the segment. Read More
Full-Size SUV
2017 Chevrolet Tahoe
A storied workhorse for big, active families, the Chevy Tahoe is the best-selling SUV in the segment and now a three-time Best Buy winner. Read More
Minivan
2017 Chrysler Pacifica
An unrivaled mix of clever features, smart design and comfortable, confidence-inspiring driving dynamics has vaulted the all-new Chrysler Pacifica to the top of minivan mountain. Read More
With sophisticated and efficient turbocharged engines, revolutionary aluminum construction and a host of clever features, the truck of tomorrow is here today in the Ford F-150. Read More
Electric/Hybrid Car
2017 Toyota Prius Prime
The plug-in version of the Prius now offers greater all-electric range and capability, unique styling inside and out, and a new name: Prius Prime. Read More
Performance Car
2017 Porsche 718 Boxster
More powerful, more practical and more boldly styled than ever, Porsche’s mid-engine marvel is now more than just one of the world’s most fun-to-drive cars. Read More
The totally redesigned Audi A4 is a technological tour de force and a thoroughly modern take on luxury. Read More
Luxury SUV
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC
The Germans sweep the Best Buy Awards luxury categories this year with the thoroughly impressive Mercedes-Benz GLC claiming the SUV trophy. Read More
