AAA Arizona Announces Top Vehicle Picks for 2008
Phoenix, Ariz.,
February 27, 2008 – From “‘McDreamy’ good looks” to “the best car nobody’s heard of,” AAA Arizona’s third annual list of Top Picks for 2008 reveals the best new vehicles on the market. The Audi R8 received the “Coolest Car” title for its “super exotic mid-engine” that “compromises nothing,” while the first full-size sport utility vehicle – the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid – took first place in the hybrid category for setting “the standard for all full-sized truck-based SUVs.”
“Most cars have gotten so good that we could have easily picked two or three models in each category,” said Jim Prueter, AAA Arizona senior vice president. “But in the end, we narrowed our list down to 16 vehicles based on qualifications such as safety, fuel economy, features, drive and build quality, comfort, convenience, appearance and how hard or easy it was to give the vehicle back after a weeklong test drive.”
Read the full reviews here.
AAA Arizona’s Top Picks for 2008 include:
- Sedan/Coupe under $15,000: Suzuki SX4
- Sedan/Coupe between $15-25,000: Chevrolet Malibu
- Sedan/Coupe between $25-35,000: Cadillac CTS
- Sedan/Coupe between $35-50,000: Audi A5
- Sedan/Coupe over $50,000: Audi A8
- Convertible under $35,000: Ford Mustang
- Convertible over $35,000: Chevrolet Corvette
- SUV under $25,000: Toyota FJ Cruiser
- SUV between $25-35,000: GMC Acadia
- SUV between $35-50,000: Mercedes-Benz M-Class
- SUV over $50,000: Lexus LX 570
- Truck Full-Size: Toyota Tundra
- Truck Compact/Mid-Size: Nissan Frontier
- Hybrid: Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
- Minivan: Dodge Grand Caravan
- Cool Car: Audi R8
Vehicles selected for the Top Picks list are reviewed by AAA auto experts Jim Prueter and Becky Antioco, who have a combined 20 years of experience in test driving and reviewing vehicles. The two test drive and review approximately 100 vehicles every year.
The selection process for Top Picks is based on how well a vehicle performs compared to how experts expect it should. A convertible, for example, would be expected to have exceptional handling and equipped for a level of performance an enthusiast would expect. Likewise, an SUV would be expected to have features that allow for room and function, such as seats that are easy to fold down and cargo space.
Top Picks are announced in the March/April edition of Highroads, AAA Arizona’s bi-monthly member magazine delivered to approximately 450,000 households in Arizona. Complete reviews of 2008 Top Picks can be found here. To be eligible for the list, Top Picks must be available for sale to the public no later than March 1st, 2008.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 775,000 Arizona members. Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.
NOTE: Images of vehicles on the Top Picks list are available for the media. To obtain and arrange interviews with an auto expert, please contact AAA Public Affairs.
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