AutoHeroes Top Picks:
Best in Class 2005 Vehicles

Small Sedan ............................

Mazda3
It's bargain-priced, reliable and fun to drive. It also looks pretty nifty too. With 4 door and 5 door wagon options available, it's tough to find a small car that delivers as much for a similar price.

Honda Civic
Terrific reliability, build quality and refinement for an inexpensive car make the Civic a top pick.

Subaru Impreza
A little pricier than its competition, the Impreza offers All-Wheel-Drive, a major benefit in colder climates. It's reliable and fun to drive.

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Small SUV .............................

Subaru Forester
The Forester, CRV and RAV4 are all tops in quality and reliability, but the Forester rides like a car, which provides better handling and control in emergency situations.

Honda CRV
Like all Hondas, the CRV is reliable and has excellent build quality. Part time all-wheel-drive offers better fuel economy than competitors.

Toyota RAV4
Standard stability control and a flexible interior make the RAV 4 a terrific car. It's a bit smaller than its rivals, but terrific reliability and safety make it a top pick.

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Family Sedan ........................

Honda Accord
In the world of family sedans, the Accord reigns supreme. Reliable, comfortable and safe, the Accord is the benchmark for midsize sedans.

Toyota Camry
Not quite as powerful or as fun to drive as the Accord, the Camry provides comfort, lots of room and comfort for a price that's slightly lower than the Honda.

Chevrolet Malibu
The Malibu is a worthy competitor to its Japanese rivals. Chevrolet has improved their build quality and reliability to the point where they are neck and neck with their foreign counterparts. The Malibu Maxx is an excellent family car, as it has a nice roomy back seat and the versatility of a wagon.

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Midsize SUV ........................

Honda Pilot
Honda knows how to make cars, and with the Pilot, it seems as though they know how to make trucks as well. Seating for 8 (albeit the 3rd row is a bit cramped) and Honda's resale value, reliability and craftsmanship make the Pilot a Best Buy in this category.

Toyota Highlander
Toyota reliability matched with practicality and solid build-quality add up to the best midsize SUV on the market. The Hybrid version does improve fuel economy over the standard V6 highlander by over 10 MPG, but at a price that is significantly higher.

Nissan Murano
Like many of Nissan's automobiles, the Murano's design does not appeal to everyone. It's futuristic interior and exterior are refreshingly different from all other vehicles on the road, making it ideal for the person who doesn't want to see the Murano's twin in every driveway. Reliable with a strong V6 engine and CVT transmission, the Murano is competitively priced against its competition.

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Luxury SUV ....................

Acura MDX
Honda's build quality and reliability are apparent with the MDX. The Touring version is as well equipped as any SUV on the market. It is a midsize luxury sedan on the inside with all of the benefits of an SUV on the outside.

Lexus RX 330
The RX seems much smaller than the Acura MDX, yet its exterior dimensions are only slightly smaller. If you don't need the convenience of a 3rd row seat or the extra cargo volume that the MDX has, then the RX is a worthy buy. Other than that, the RX matches the MDX for quality and reliability.

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Upscale Sedan .................

Acura TL
Tops in build quality, reliability, performance and luxury make the TL a best buy in this category. At a price-point that is lower than some of its rivals, the TL earns a top spot in this highly competitive class.

BMW 3 Series
Still the benchmark sports sedan. Power is not the best, but nothing handles like the 3. Add all-wheel drive, convertible and wagon versions and there's a 3 series to fit almost any need.

Infiniti G35
Lagging slightly behind its European rivals, the G35 offers a remarkable blend of performance, style, and room. Optional all-wheel drive makes the G35 a very worthy vehicle in this class.

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Premium Sedans .................

Acura RL
For $50,000 the RL provides all wheel drive, 300 horsepower and refinement that is almost unmatched. Most competitors are more expensive when comparably equipped. Add the reliability and resale value that Acura is known for and there's no better pick in this class.

Infiniti M
The first Infiniti to rival the BMW 5, Acura RL and Mercedes E class in quality, luxury and performance. All-wheel drive adds extra security.

BMW 5 Series
The best handling of the midsize luxury cars, the 5 series offers all-wheel drive for the first time on the 5 series. The BMW can be slightly more expensive than its competitors depending on options, but no car can match the ride and handling of the 5 series.

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Luxury Sedans .....................

Lexus LS430
Priced in the middle of the pack in its class, the LS matches the best in regards to comfort, and equipment. It may not be as fun to drive as its European rivals, but its reliability, overall quality and resale value make it a top choice.

Audi A8
All wheel drive, a sporty ride and some of the best handling in its class make the A8 a solid luxury sedan. A lower base price than its competitors makes the Audi a car to consider.

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Minivans .............................

Toyota Sienna
The Sienna takes top billing in the minivan class for its comfortable ride, reliability and safety. Add on available all-wheel-drive and the Sienna is the best choice for a minivan.

Honda Odyssey
Honda yet again produces the best family-hauler on the market. It is as well appointed as a luxury sedan when buying the Touring version, and its versatility and handling are top notch.

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Convertibles ........................

Honda S2000
A street racer that drives as well as any car on the road. The interior is cramped for anyone over 6 foot, but the engine, chassis and suspension make it a marvel to drive. The S2000 matches or exceeds the performance of the Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z4, but does it for thousands less.

Mazda Miata MX-5
The Miata deserves to be mentioned in the Convertible class and the Bang for the Buck class, as it is just so much fun to drive. A hefty boost in horsepower for 2006 will only add to this great small convertible.

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Bang for the Buck .................

Subaru WRX and WRX Sti
All wheel drive, handling, horsepower and budget prices (when accounting for discounts). The WRX wagon is the best combination of practicality and performance available for the money. The Sti has 300 horsepower and drives like a street legal race car. For under $30,000, there's not much that can compete with the Subarus.

Mini Cooper S
Take a classic British sports car and let BMW redesign it. You get a quirky little car that's not too practical and it certainly puts style ahead of function… but the Cooper S is a gas to drive, like a street legal go-kart. It doesn't have as much horsepower as other sports cars, but what it does have it uses to its full potential. It has great gas mileage and it is very easy to park, so it makes a wonderful commuting car.

Ford Mustang
It's been around for about 40 years, and though the styling has changed, the pony car is still alive. The interior isn't great, fit-and-finish can sometimes be lacking, but it has all of the features a Mustang should have: Power, Style and a bit of nostalgia. The GT has gobs of power and the convertible has major appeal. This is the "bang for the buck" car for the consumer who wants to buy American.

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