They say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” but when it comes to cars, you can say that “value is in the eye of the beholder.” This is due to consumers buying cars based on what aspects they want the vehicle to have. Some place importance on safety and comfort, while others look for style and technology. Every year, however, one particular vehicle comes to stand out from the rest when it comes to the best choice for buyers. This winning entry comes in all shapes and sizes, in each category ranging from cars, trucks, and SUVs.
According to Kelley Blue Book, consumers have been pretty good at picking the right cars; often times the award winners are among its segment’s best-selling list. According to the September 2017 Cox Automotive Consumer Brand Tracker Study, 64 percent of consumers said that they were influenced by their vehicle opinion when that model earned a Kelley Blue Book award.
After an entire year of reviewing hundreds of vehicles, the KBB experts have finally announced the 2018 Best Buy Award winners in 12 major categories. They also named the Overall Best Buy of 2018, which went to the newly redesigned 2018 Honda Accord.
2018 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winners
Overall Winner: 2018 Honda Accord
The 2018 Honda Accord is found to be the “most appealing car” in the mid-size sedan category. The Accord’s refinement and resale value are complemented by the fact that it also sells for far less than the average new vehicle. At the same time, it provides more features, better fuel economy and a more proven reputation for reliability. With the Honda Accord, you get value without compromising the rest.
Small Car: 2018 Honda Civic
Honda’s compact car has now earned KBB’s Small Car Best Buy Award three years in a row. The reliable and highly popular Honda Civic remains one of the nation’s most recommended cars for reliability, a trait easily confirmed by its strong sales figures.
Mid-Size Car: 2018 Honda Accord
Completely redesigned for 2018, the 10th-generation Honda Accord sets a new standard for the popular mid-size sedan segment. Its groundbreaking style and impressive technology features are backed by comfort, efficiency, and one of the best reputations on the road.
Full-Size Car: 2018 Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala has won this category for the fourth year in a row now and has won over the hearts of KBB editors. Chevy’s full-size sedan continues to earn its accolades and simultaneously reward its owners for making a smart car-buying decision.
Luxury Car: 2018 Audi A5 Sportback
This year, the winner of the luxury car segment is the 2018 Audi A5 Sportback, the sibling of the last year’s winner, the Audi A4. The all-new A5 features sleeker styling, a hatchback utility and slightly more room, which makes way for more reasons for consumers to love it.
Performance Car: 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster
The fact that a two-seat Porsche would win this award is not surprising in the least. The idea that it may be the year’s best sports car is a pill that many people can find hard to swallow. This is actually the second year in a row that Porsche’s mid-engine has earned a Best Buy Award in the Performance Car category.
Mid-Size SUV/Crossover: 2018 Honda Pilot
The 2018 Honda Pilot combines styling and substance with a renown reputation for reliability. This year, the Pilot fended off some strong contenders to earn KBB‘s Mid-Size Best Buy. The Honda Pilot also has an excellent resale value that is a desirable trait for those who smart shop.
Full-Size SUV/Crossover: 2018 Ford Expedition
The new 2018 Ford Expedition finally got a makeover and certainly deserves this category win. A combination of its driving dynamics, powertrain, technological features, and practicality helped the Expedition earn its first Best Buy Award.
Electric/Hybrid Car: 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
Honda’s new hybrid combines five-passenger capacity with 47 miles of all-electric range and an available $7,500 federal tax credit. Those features paired with its unmistakable potential has made way for it to beat out the competition in this year’s Electric/Hybrid category.
Small SUV/Crossover: 2018 Honda CR-V
Another Honda makes the list to win the Small SUV/Crossover segment. The Honda CR-V is still fresh from a 2017 redesign that helped separate it from its competition. Whether you desire a flexible and fuel-efficient SUV or a leather daily commuter with luxury amenities, the CR-V can work for you.
Luxury SUV/Crossover: 2018 Audi Q5
Audi’s compact luxury SUV has been the company’s best-selling vehicle for many years, but the new-for-2018 model has changed the game. This Q5 is larger, more luxurious and has more power than its predecessor with a more refined driving experience, tech-friendly cabin, and elegant design.
Truck: 2018 Ford F-150
For four years straight, the Ford F-150 has been sweeping up award left and right in KBB‘s Best Buy competition. This year, Ford updated its styling, added a new base engine, expanded the 10-speed automatic transmission option, and promises to add a turbodiesel to its lineup.
Minivan: 2018 Honda Odyssey
In KBB‘s first review of the redesigned 2018 Honda Odyssey, it called it the “best family car in the world.” After a thorough evaluation alongside other class leaders, KBB has grown even more convinced of that. The resale value of the Odyssey cannot be beaten and its five-year cost to own data helped it beat the competition and earn Honda yet another award this year.