Just days after earning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) highest 5-star safety rating, the new 2012 Chrysler 300 flagship sedan is chalking up another accolade, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com “10 Best Family Cars of 2012″ award. For the last five years, the expert editors at kbb.com have awarded the 10 Best Family Cars that cater to unique family specifications and situations.

“Well-equipped at its starting price under $30,000, the Chrysler 300 qualifies as a screaming deal for those who favor a full-size sedan with outstanding comfort, loads of premium standard features and a distinctive sense of style,” said Jack R. Nerad, Executive Editorial Director and Executive Market Analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “Redesigned for 2011, the Chrysler 300 gets even better for 2012 thanks to a new economy-enhancing V-6 engine and segment-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission.”

The 10 Best Family Cars of 2012 list consists of new vehicles that are family-approved in a big way, offering safety, comfort, child-friendliness, strong consumer ratings and impressive Kelley Blue Book Total Cost of Ownership statistics.

Transportation costs during the ownership period are important for families trying to get by on tight budgets. A vital part of kbb.com’s selection process was identifying new vehicles that have low cost of ownership in the initial five-year ownership period. Available on kbb.com, Total Cost of Ownership information examines depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees for new models.
“At a time when the nation is regaining confidence and that fighting American ‘can-do’ spirit, the new Chrysler 300 series sedans reward these hard working folks with the world-class engineering, craftsmanship, safety and technology features that were once only found on high end sedans costing two or even three times the price,” said Saad Chehab, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We’re honored that Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com editors scrutinized our Chrysler 300 flagship sedan and recognized it for its quality and precision engineering that were once limited to the privileged few. This recognition goes to further demonstrate that Chrysler brand is now a top choice for the most demanding consumers.”

The Chrysler 300 is available with more than 70 safety and security features and was recently earned a 5-Star Safety Rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for front driver and overall vehicle scores. In addition, the Chrysler flagship sedan was named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Chrysler brand was named the ‘Most Ideal Popular Brand’ in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards based on owners’ ratings of their 2011 cars and trucks.

The 2012 Chrysler 300 sedan has a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $28,295 (including $925 destination charge).

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC

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As the competition grows stronger with each passing year, it has been increasingly difficult for a single automaker to dominate Consumer Reports’ annual Top Picks list. This year, Toyota is the first brand to earn half of the top 10 spots in nearly a decade.
The redesigned Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Highlander edged out the competition to become Top Picks in Consumer Reports’ Family Sedan and Family SUV categories respectively. The Camry Hybrid delivers a surprising 38 mpg overall fuel economy—the best in class and as good as some smaller and less versatile hybrids.

The two new Toyota additions join the incumbent Prius, RAV4, and Sienna as the best in their individual categories to secure the brand a starring role in this year’s list.

Consumer Reports’ 2012 Top Picks report, Automakers Report Cards and other key findings from the Annual Auto Issue were announced at a press conference today before the Washington Automotive Press Association (WAPA) in Washington, D.C.
“Every year the competition grows tighter; in recent years as many as nine different brands have taken the top spots. Combined with the improved Camry, Toyota’s ability to maintain a competitive lead among hybrids and SUVs is a big factor in its strong presence on this year’s list,” said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports’ automotive editor.

The last time a single brand held such a grip on Consumer Reports’ Top Picks was Honda in 2003. Historically a strong performing brand, this year there are no Honda models on the list for the second time in three years.

Consumer Reports’ Top Picks are the best all-around models in their categories, chosen from more than 275 vehicles the organization has recently tested. Top Pick models must meet CR’s stringent criteria in three areas: road test, reliability, and safety. They must rank at or near the top of their category on overall road test scores; they must have earned an average or better predicted-reliability Rating based on problems Consumer Reports subscribers reported on 1.3 million vehicles in the latest survey; and they must perform well if included in crash or rollover tests by the government or the insurance industry.

The Toyota Prius was named CR’s Top Pick Green Car for the 11th time and the ninth consecutive year—both records claimed by no other model in the history of Consumer Reports’ Top Picks. The Prius, including the recently tested Prius V wagon version, continues to set the standard for its blend of fuel efficiency, practicality, and affordability. The 44 overall mpg CR measured for the hatchback is still the highest of any five-passenger, non-plug-in vehicle CR has tested and the 41 mpg for the new Prius V wagon easily tops its class.

The Top 10 Picks By Category:

FAMILY SEDAN: Toyota Camry Hybrid
SPORTY CAR: Ford Mustang
SMALL SUV: Toyota RAV4
AFFORDABLE FAMILY SEDAN: Hyundai Sonata
FAMILY HAULER: Toyota Sienna V6
SPORTS SEDAN: Infiniti G
GREEN CAR: Toyota Prius
SMALL CAR: Subaru Impreza
PICKUP TRUCK: Chevrolet Avalanche
FAMILY SUV: Toyota Highlander

Consumer Reports’ testing procedures are the most comprehensive of any U.S. publication or Web site. More than 50 individual tests are performed on every vehicle, including evaluations of braking, handling, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Roughly 6,000 miles of general driving and evaluations are racked up on each test car during the testing process. CR buys all its test cars anonymously from dealers. Other reviewers base their evaluations on press cars that are hand-picked by the automakers.

Source Consumer Reports

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Consumer Reports recently showed that most fuel-efficient cars can beat their EPA highway fuel economy estimates in Consumer Reports measured fuel economy testing. But if you want to hit 40 mpg on the highway, their tests show that you have more options than you might think.

Below is a list of recently tested vehicles that returned 40 mpg or better in our 65-mph highway fuel economy testing, but were officially rated for less.

Honda Civic LX
Honda Civic EX
Ford Fiesta SE sedan
Ford Focus SE
Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
Fiat 500 Sport (manual)
Fiat 500C Pop (manual)
Nissan Versa SV sedan
Honda CR-Z EX (manual)
Ford Fiesta SES hatchback (manual)
Mini Cooper (manual)
BMW 335d
Ford Fusion Hybrid
Toyota Camry LE
Mazda2 Sport (manual)
Toyota Corolla LE
Scion xD (manual)

If getting that magic 40 mpg on the highway is important to you, this list provides more options.

Again, it’s important to emphasize that maximizing fuel economy depends a lot on how and where you drive.

Several years ago we measured fuel economy with a 2005 Toyota Camry four-cylinder sedan in different situations. Driving at 65 mph delivered 35 mpg; speeding up to 75 mph cut that to 30 mpg, while slowing down to 55 mph returned 40 mpg. Hard acceleration and braking reduced the Camry’s mileage by 2 to 3 mpg.

The Bottom Line
EPA highway fuel economy numbers provide a place to start your comparison shopping, but they’re often over-hyped as advertising claims. The full fuel picture is more complicated than that. We suggest using a variety of sources, including Consumer Reports test data, to determine if you’ll actually get the fuel economy you desire.

Source Consumer Reports

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Whether buying coverage for the first time or renewing an existing auto insurance policy, consumers should take advantage of a highly competitive insurance marketplace, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Consumers can contact their insurance agent or company representative to make sure they are getting the right type of auto insurance at the best possible rate. As a consumer, it is important to educate yourself about all of your coverage options by asking questions and making sure you are getting any available discounts.

Your insurance premium rate is based on a variety of factors including your driving record; how much you use your car; where it is parked and where you live; the type of car you drive; your age and gender; your credit score; and the type and amount of coverage.

To help consumers get the best auto insurance policy at the best price, the I.I.I. offers the following suggestions:

1. Comparison Shop

Prices and coverage levels vary from company to company, so it pays to shop around. Get at least three quotes. You can call insurance agents or companies directly, as well as get information on the Internet. But, do not shop by price alone—look for an insurance company that has a reputation for good customer service. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations and check consumer guides as well as your state insurance department’s website. And, lastly remember to review the insurance company’s financial strength rating.

2. Check Insurance Costs Before Buying a Car

Auto insurance premiums are based in part on the price of the car, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record and the likelihood of theft, so it is worth taking these factors into consideration before making a decision about which car to buy.

3. Increase Your Deductible

A deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance policy kicks in. By requesting a higher deductible on comprehensive or collision coverage, you can lower your premium costs substantially. Before choosing a higher deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside to pay it if you have a claim.

4. Reduce Coverage on Older Cars

Consider dropping the optional comprehensive or collision on older cars. If the market value of your car is less than 10 times the auto insurance premium you are paying, purchasing comprehensive and/or collision coverage may not be cost-effective.

5. Ask About All Available Insurance Discounts

Insurance companies offer a wide variety of discounts—here are some you can ask about:

■Antitheft devices
■Multiple policies with the same company
■College students living away from home
■Defensive driving courses
■Drivers ed courses
■Good credit record
■Higher deductibles
■Low annual mileage
■Long-time customer
■More than one car
■No accidents in three years
■No moving violations in three years
■Student drivers with good grades

Source Insurance Information Institute

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Cars.com, the premier online resource for buying and selling new and used vehicles, announced today that SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is the recipient of a $100,000 donation from Cars.com Cares, the site’s corporate giving initiative.

“We launched Cars.com Cares this year to help fuel organizations that share our mission of building confidence,” said Mitch Golub, president of Cars.com.  “SADD builds confidence in kids and young adults through the promotion of positive lifestyle choices.  I’m thrilled they are receiving our $100,000 donation to continue their great work.”

Voting for Cars.com Cares began on the site’s Facebook page on January 26 and continued through February 13. During that time, fans could vote for one of seven causes in the running for the site’s grand donation. Other participating causes included Adopt-A-Classroom, Alliance For a Healthier Generation, Cameras for Kids Foundation, Reading Is Fundamental, Scholarship America and VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Cars.com also got Super Bowl viewers and Facebook fans involved in the program.  Every time someone tagged the site’s Super Bowl ad using Shazam or shared their vote on Facebook, Cars.com added a $1 donation to the cause with the most votes, up to $100,000. SADD brought in the largest number of votes from its national network to receive the full donation. Each participating cause received a donation from Cars.com Cares.

“We cannot thank Cars.com enough for including us in the Cars.com Cares program,” said Penny Wells, executive director of SADD. “This donation will help fund many of our prevention education programs in schools and communities across the country.  SADD gives young people the confidence to stand up for their beliefs and the tools they need to help other teens make choices that are healthy and positive.”

About SADD

For 30 years, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) has been committed to empowering young people to lead education and prevention initiatives in their schools and communities. Founded in Massachusetts as Students Against Driving Drunk in 1981, SADD has become the nation’s leading peer-to-peer youth education, prevention, and activism organization, with thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. SADD now highlights prevention of many destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse, risky and impaired driving, and teen violence and suicide. For more information, visit us online at sadd.org or follow SADD on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, or YouTube.

Source Cars.com

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