What's new for 1999 - Statistical Data Included

Kiplinger's New Cars & Trucks, Annual, 1999 by Ed Henry

Most Fuel Efficient

CHEVROLET METRO HATCHBACK

The smallest car in the class has enough legroom for a 6-foot-tall driver and delivers 41 miles to the gallon in tough city traffic.

Best Resale Value

SATURN SC1

Got a bias against plastic? Get over it. The sporty Saturn holds on to 45% of its value after four years, compared with 23% for Chevy's sheet-metal Metro.

                          Cars $13,000 to $18,000
                                Bottom line

Price as equipped                $18,145
including sunroof and
keyless entry
To buy                           $458 a month
$3,629 down, 8.5% APR, 36 months
To lease                         $291 a month
$991 due at signing,
$10,274 residual, 36 months

Best in Class

CHEVROLET MALIBU

The cream of the crop for the third year in a row, the Malibu earns its points with its solid ride, good handling and V-6 power.

Worth a Look

MERCURY COUGAR V6

Dramatic new styling, a taut, European-style ride and lots of high-end power will grab your attention.

Best Resale Value

VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

What a fun car! And soaring demand will prop up resale values, too. After four years, it's expected to be worth 61% of its sticker price.

Best New Car

MITSUBISHI GALANT DE

With few new cars in the price category, the redesigned Galant's crisp handling, decent power and solid transmission stand out.

Best Seller

HONDA ACCORD

Barely. With sales of 370,739, the pride of Marysville, Ohio, squeaked past the Toyota Camry by a mere 217 cars.

Most Fuel-Efficient

CHEVROLET PRIZM

The Prizm's 31 mpg makes it the winner, even though the Civics eke out another mile per gallon. Why? Because the Civic first appears among the under $13,000s.

First for Safety

CHEVROLET CAMARO

Pulls ahead of last year's winner, the more expensive and sedate Lumina, based on the number of injuries to passengers involved in accidents.

Worth a Look

FORD MUSTANG GT CONVERTIBLE

Stunning new looks, yes, but the significant change for many drivers will be a 16% hike in horsepower for the big V-B.

First for Safety

BUICK LESABRE

Solid and spacious, last year's safety winner wins again. A major redesign is slated for next year.

Worth a Look

BUICK REGAL GS

You're in control, sailing around corners and stopping on a dime, thanks to enhanced traction control and more efficient anti-lock brakes.

Worth a Look

DODGE INTREPID ES

This is virtually the same car as the top-of-the-line Concorde LXi, for about 11% less.

Best Seller

FORD TAURUS

Still America's favorite car--with 337,120 sales this year--despite a puny base engine with only 145 horsepower.

Worth a Look

DAEWOO LEGANZA

Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro had a hand in styling this comfortable, $18,660 Korean car, which offers a surprising array of standard equipment for the cost-conscious buyer.

Worth a Look

CHRYSLER CONCORDE LX

To spiff up this second-year model, Chrysler gave it a quieter suspension, a new headliner, optional leather seats and a new theft-deterrent system.

Most Fuel-Efficient

MAZDA 626 LX

An attractive redesign, a lower sticker price than last year and, at 26 mpg in the city, the most fuel-efficient in its class.