CAMPBELL, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–IntelliChoice.com (www.intellichoice.com), the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" for the month of June for all cars, trucks, and SUVs. Big auto rebates continue to reflect a well-reported steep drop in sales for trucks and SUVs. However, IntelliChoice.com’s June list also showed that rebates can also be found on smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles."
Our Best Deals of this month are a clear indication that large vehicles, especially Sport Utility Vehicles and trucks, are in crisis mode," said James Bell, publisher and editor of IntelliChoice.com. "Truck makers continue to offer rebates of more than $3,000 and $4,000 dollars, and for the second month in a row, the Isuzu Ascender is offering one of the highest rebates we’ve seen all year: $7,000. That’s a number that would have been unheard of just a few months ago. All of this cash on the hood is a Catch-22 for buyers, because while they can get an amazing deal on a gas guzzler, they could well feel a squeeze on their wallets when they go to the pump."
Bell is quick to point out that all vehicle classes are feeling the impact of the auto market downturn. "A higher rebate is the deciding factor behind more than half of the winners’ classes. The Toyota Yaris Hatchback beat out the MINI Cooper Hatchback in the subcompact class, and the Corolla beat the popular Civic purely due to rebate numbers. This month it should be mentioned that the Lincoln Town Car beat the Infiniti M35 in the luxury class, based on the strength of a $5,000 rebate. That will come as a surprise to many consumers."
One consistent Best Deal winner not yet impacted by rebates – the Toyota Tacoma. "The Tacoma has long been a mainstay on IntelliChoice.com’s Best Deals list. I’m sure this has something to do with the fact that the Tacoma is a compact pickup truck and people still want utility without the burden of high fuel prices."
IntelliChoice.com’s "Best Deals of the Month" identify new cars, trucks, and SUVs with the best ownership cost value in 33 respective classes. Selections are based on current car pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer new car rebate. In addition, IntelliChoice.com uses the latest information from numerous automotive resources to evaluate what it costs to buy, own and operate each new model-year trim line over a five-year basis.
The following "Best Deals" for June 2008 are ranked by vehicle type and size
Subcompact Car – Toyota Yaris
Compact Car over $17,000 – Honda Civic Hybrid
Compact Car under $17,000 – Toyota Corolla
Midsize Car over $21,000 – Toyota Prius
Midsize Car under $21,000 – Toyota Prius
Convertible – MINI Cooper Convertible
Luxury Convertible – Audi A4 Convertible
Near Luxury Car – Lexus ES
Luxury Car – Lincoln Towncar
Large Car – Hyundai Sonata
Base Sport Car – Volkswagen R32
Sport Car – Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Sport Sedan/Wagon over $38,000 – Lexus GS
Sport Sedan/Wagon under $38,000 – Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
Compact Utility/Crossover – Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Midsize Crossover – Honda Pilot
Luxury Crossover – Lexus RX 400h
Small Wagon – Toyota Matrix
Midsize/Large Wagon – Subaru Outback Wagon
Intermediate Utility – Isuzu Ascender
Full-Size Utility – Chevrolet Tahoe
Luxury Utility – Lexus GX
Compact Pickup Truck 2WD – Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD
Compact Pickup 4WD – Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD
Full-Size Pickup 2WD 1/2 Ton – Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup 2WD 3/4 Ton – Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup 2WD One Ton – Dodge Ram 3500 Regular Cab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup 4WD 1/2 Ton – Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 4WD
Full-Size Pickup 4WD 3/4 Ton – Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4WD
Full-Size Pickup 4WD One Ton – Dodge Ram 3500 Regular Cab 4WD
Minivan – Toyota Sienna
Full-Size Van – Chevrolet Express 1500
Cargo Van – Chevrolet Express 1500 Cargo Van
