AAA Unveils 12 `Top Cars' for 2000
22 December 1999
AAA Unveils 12 `Top Cars' for 2000 and Its Consumer-Friendly Buying Guide Rating All New Models
WASHINGTON--(AutomotiveWire)--Dec. 22, 1999--Following a thorough evaluation of 200 different vehicles for its AAA New Car & Truck Buying Guide, the nation's largest organization for motorists selected 12 Top Cars for 2000.AAA's automotive experts rated 11 vehicles as best in their price category and, for the first time, named a "Cool Car" because of its unique characteristics.
AAA's Top Cars, by price category, are:
Ford Focus (under $15,000) Mitsubishi Galant ($15,000-$20,000) Buick LeSabre ($20,000-$25,000) Acura 3.2TL ($25,000-$30,000) Lincoln LS ($30,000-$35,000) Cadillac DeVille ($35,000-$40,000) Lexus GS 400 ($40,000-$50,000) Mercedes-Benz S500 ($50,000+) Dodge Grand Caravan (minivan) Nissan Xterra (SUV under $25,000) Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon (SUV $25,000+)
The experts chose the Audi TT Quattro as the new millennium's "Cool Car" because it is fun to drive and eye-catching. AAA's annual New Car & Truck Buying Guide takes the guesswork out of buying a new vehicle. Its evaluations of all the model-year 2000 cars, trucks, minivans, SUVs and trucks are based on such criteria as:
| -- | ride and handling |
| -- | safety |
| -- | acceleration and braking |
| -- | fuel economy |
| -- | comfort and convenience |
| -- | storage space |
| -- | value |
Unlike evaluators for other car guides, Editor Dave Van Sickle and his team of automotive experts test drove each vehicle listed in the book to see how it handled in real-world situations, on streets and highways, with passengers and cargo. Their evaluations are clear and informative. The four-color guide has easy-to-read rating boxes, safety checklists, car buying tips, accurate and reliable pricing information, and vehicle pros and cons. Priced at $14.95, it is available at most AAA offices, major bookstores, and amazon.com.
"Determining which vehicles deserve the AAA Top Car Award is as difficult as the choices many consumers make when shopping for a new car," said Van Sickle. "In the end, our selections hinge on which vehicles offer the best combination of performance, design, quality, and value."
For details and photos, check www.aaa.com/news.
AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 89 clubs with 1,100 offices providing more than 42 million members in the United States and Canada with services such as travel, insurance, financial and automotive.