2014 best buy cars, SUVs, trucks

If you are in the market for a new car, consider these 2014 best buy recommendations from the editors of Consumers Digest. The ratings are published in the December 2013 issues now on sale, and on the Consumers Digest website.

The Best Buy recommendations are based on behind-the-wheel driving experience, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, cargo space and flexibility, fuel economy, and what the magazine calls ergonomics and amenities and which ecoXplorer calls “creature fatures”.  Whatever you call ergonomics and amenities, these 2014 models all offer exceptional all-around value for the money.  By category, the winners are – drum roll please –

Subcompacts – Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta

Compacts –  Ford Focus, Kia Soul, Mazda3

Family Cars – Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima, Mazda6

Hybrids – Ford Fusion Hybrid/Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Toyota Prius

Luxury Cars – Audi A6, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS, Chrysler 300

Sporty Cars – Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ford Mustang, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ

Minivans – Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey

Compact SUVs – Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5

Midsize SUVs – Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder

Full-size SUVs – Buick Enclave/Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Dodge Durango, Mazda CX-9

Luxury SUVs – Acura MDX, Acura RDX, Infiniti QX60

Pickups -Ford F-150 and Ram 1500