GM, Toyota Dominate IntelliChoice.com’s List of Best Auto Deals for April

Irvine, CA (Vocus) April 16, 2010

IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and car values analysis, today announced “Best Deals of the Month” rankings for April 2010 that show Toyota still going strong, despite getting bumped from the top spot in a few categories thanks to generous rebates offered by competitors.

Toyota Remaining Strong

Despite its ongoing PR crisis, Toyota seems to be holding its own, earning the top spot in one third of the category segments. "Once again, Toyota's reputation for value has proven to be a top priority for consumers. In these economic times, buyers appreciate Toyota's low cost of ownership," said Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor of IntelliChoice.com. Toyota did lose the top spot in several segments – but competitor incentives was the determining factor rather than Toyota's recalls. "In three of the segments where Toyota slipped from the top spot, the winners of those segments offered large rebates ranging from $2,000 to $4,000," said Vogelheim.

Auto Rebates of the Month

Comparatively speaking, it's not a great time for rebates – the average rebate is just $974. That's up slightly from $861 in March, but still much lower than the recent highpoint of $1,503 in January. However, shoppers seeking large vehicles are in luck: almost every Full-Size Truck has a rebate, ranging from $750 to $5,000. In the Full-Size SUV category, the Nissan Armada offers an attractive $4,000 rebate –helping the Armada overtake the category's previous frontrunner, the Toyota Sequoia. The winner in the Luxury Crossover category, the Lincoln MKX, offers a $3,000 rebate. Nissan currently offers the largest rebate: $5,000 for the Titan King Cab 4WD.

The Domestics

When it comes to trucks, GM is the reigning champ. The brand swept the entire Full-Size Truck category, with GMC and Chevy winning all the top spots (knocking out Toyota in two segments). Domestic brands also did well in the high end categories: the Chevy Corvette earned the top spot in the Sports Car segment, while the Chrysler 300C dominated among Sports Sedans/Wagons.

The Winners
IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals of the Month” ranks the new cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs that deliver the best cost of ownership in 31 vehicle classes. The best car values for April 2010 are:

Cars

•     Subcompact - Toyota Yaris
•     Base Sport - Volkswagen GTI 2-door
•     Compact under $17,000 – Toyota Corolla
•     Compact over $17,000 – Golf TDI
•     Midsize Car – Toyota Prius
•     Convertible - MINI Cooper Convertible
•     Wagon – Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon
•     Full-Size Car – Toyota Avalon
•     Near Luxury Car – Lexus ES
•     Luxury Car – Audi A5 Coupe
•     Luxury Convertible – Volvo C70
•     Sports Car – Chevrolet Corvette
•     Sport Sedan/Wagon – Chrysler 300 C
•     Luxury Sports Sedan/Wagon – Lexus IS 350 Sedan, Lexus GS (tie)

Sport Utilities and Crossovers

•     Compact SUV/Crossover – Toyota RAV4
•     Midsize Crossover –- Toyota Highlander
•     Luxury Crossover – Lincoln MKX
•     Luxury SUV – GMC Yukon Denali
•     Midsize SUV – Toyota FJ Cruiser
•     Full-size SUV – Nissan Armada

Trucks

•     Compact Pickup 2WD - Toyota Tacoma 2WD
•     Compact Pickup 4WD - Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD
•     Full-Size Pickup 2WD ½ Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 2WD, GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 2WD (tie)
•     Full-Size Pickup 2WD ¾ Ton - Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD
•     Full-Size Pickup 2WD One Ton - Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 2WD
•     Full-Size Pickup 4WD ½ Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD,

GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD (tie)

•     Full-Size Pickup 4WD ¾ Ton - Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD
•     Full-Size Pickup 4WD One Ton - Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 4WD,

Vans

•     Full-Size Van – Chevrolet Express 1500
•     Minivan – Toyota Sienna

The Methodology
IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals of the Month” analyzes monthly car values based on the seven primary factors that determine a vehicle’s long-term ownership costs: fuel economy, maintenance, repair, retained or resale value, licensing, state fees and taxes. Using these factors, IntelliChoice.com determines what it costs to own and operate a new vehicle over five years. The company examines each and every new car model-year trim line, as ownership costs can vary significantly among different trim lines of the same model.

Visit http://www.intellichoice.com for complete car value rankings, including the best used cars on the market.

About IntelliChoice.com, Source Interlink Media, and Source Interlink Companies, Inc.
IntelliChoice.com, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car values analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice.com is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site (http://www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price new cars. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide. Source Interlink Media LLC is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services, a leading U.S. distributor of home entertainment products and services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.

For more information, contact: Jocelyn Johnson, 917-406-5886

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