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USAA Names 2013 Best Value Vehicles


dodge charger
2013 Dodge Charger

SAN ANTONIO--April 17, 2013; USAA unveiled its third-annual Best Value vehicles list naming the top 2013 automobiles that offer affordability, safety and reliability. The 2013 Best Value list includes:

“A USAA Preferred vehicle is a great value financially, and is among the safest vehicles on the road.”

Large Sedan: Dodge Charger

Large Luxury SUV: No vehicle ranked*

Midsize Sedan: Dodge Avenger

Midsize Luxury SUV: Lexus RX 450h (hybrid)

Small Sedan: Mitsubishi Lancer

Large Pickup: Toyota Tundra

Large Luxury Sedan: Lincoln MKS

Small Pickup: No vehicle ranked*

Midsize Luxury Sedan: Audi A4

Sports: Scion FR-S

Large SUV: Chevrolet Traverse

Coupe: Honda CR-Z

Midsize SUV: Ford Explorer

Wagon: Audi A3

Small SUV: Kia Sportage

Minivan: Dodge Grand Caravan

Best Value automobiles offer the best overall value of all vehicles USAA evaluates as part of its proprietary rating system called USAA Preferred, which uses quantitative data to evaluate vehicles' cost, safety and reliability, among other factors. There are nearly 70 cars, trucks and minivans currently designated as USAA Preferred vehicles. The Best Value list represents the vehicles that rose to the top of each category.

"This year we raised the bar on the importance of safety standards. Vehicles must earn a top safety pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to qualify as USAA Preferred," said Steve Thompson, vice president responsible for the USAA Car Buying Service. "A USAA Preferred vehicle is a great value financially, and is among the safest vehicles on the road."

2013 Top 10 for Teens

For a second year, USAA also identified the top 10 vehicles for teens. These USAA Preferred vehicles cost less than $25,500 and they rank highest in safety, reliability and reasonable insurance costs, which are the factors parents indicated are the most important when choosing a car for their teen driver.

1. Dodge Dart

6. Volkswagen Golf

2. Dodge Avenger

7. Hyundai Elantra

3. Honda CR-Z

8. Nissan Versa

4. Chrysler 200

9. Kia Optima

5. Honda Insight

10. Chevrolet Malibu

In addition to identifying the top cars for teen drivers, USAA now is offering the new Young Drivers IntelligenceTM service to help reduce teen driver accidents and save lives. The voluntary program includes a GPS-enabled device that plugs into the teen's vehicle and records driving data such as acceleration, braking, routes, and speed. Parents and teens can review the data online, providing the opportunity to teach safe driving behavior and track progress. Young Drivers Intelligence is available at no cost for one year to members whose teen drivers are insured by USAA. The program will not be used to modify insurance policies or premiums.

"Studies show that car accidents are the No. 1 cause of teen deaths across the country, and teen drivers are three times more likely to get into an accident than drivers in their 20s," said Lauren Fix, The Car Coach, a recognized automotive expert. "The USAA Top 10 for Teens list makes it easier for parents to select a vehicle they can feel more confident about their teen driving, and the Young Drivers IntelligenceTM tool allows parents to turn every trip their teen takes into a learning experience."

*No vehicles met the USAA Preferred requirements in the large luxury SUV and small pickup categories this year.