What's new for 1999 - Statistical Data Included

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

                          Cars $18,000 to $25,000
                                Bottom line

Price as equipped                $26,161
including power leather seats
and aluminum wheels
To buy                           $661 a month
$5,232 down, 8.5% APR, 36 months
To lease                         $348 a month
$908 due at signing,
$18,267 residual, 36 months

Best in Class Best Resale Value

TOYOTA AVALON XL

The Avalon offers an amazing 54% resale value after four years. That translates to lower lease payments, too.

Worth a Look

OLDSMOBILE ALERO

With its excellent handling and cornering, this replacement for the Achieva is aimed at winning back import buyers.

Best New Car

SUBARU LEGACY SUS

It's Crocodile Dundee's type of car, mating the ride of a sedan with a sport utility vehicle's spaciousness.

Worth a Look

MITSUBISHI GALANT GTZ

One of the smoothest-riding cars of the year, with an automatic transmission that almost sings.

Worth a Look

NISSAN ALTIMA

Good-looking and comfortable, with plenty of power to boot. This is a must-see for anyone shopping for a new sedan.

Worth a Look

PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SE

This car is a brute, with lots of room and power. A redesign is scheduled for midyear.

Worth a Look

TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA SE

It's about time Toyota brought back a two-door Camry. The looks don't dazzle, but the ride sure does.

                          Cars $25,000 to $35,000
                                Bottom line

Price as equipped                $29,322
including sunroof
and CD
To buy                           $741 a month
$5,864 down, 8.5% APR, 36 months
To lease                         $471 a month
$1,566 due at signing,
$16,494 residual, 36 months

Best New Car

CHRYSLER LHS

A powerful V-6 churns out an impressive 253 horsepower, and the nifty auto-stick transmission gives you added control.

Best Resale Value

MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR

A supercharged four-banger turns Daimler's smallest sedan into a highway barnstormer. A 56% resale value after four years is icing on the cake.

Best Seller

VOLVO S7O SERIES

With solid coupes, wagons and all-wheel-drive automobiles, it's no wonder this family of Volvos racked up almost 77,000 sales last year.

Worth a Look

BMW 328i

Grab the wheel. This competitively priced Beemer is faster, stronger and roomier than last year's model.

Best in Class

INFINITI 130

This luxury car delivers deft handling, reassuring power and a fun ride. It will do zero to 60 in about seven seconds.

Most Fuel-Efficient

SAAB 9-5

A car with lots of room also provides a great ride. The 2.3-liter turbocharged engine gets 21 mpg in the city. Several other cars in this class share the award.

First for Safety

BUICK PARK AVENUE

This big, solid sedan wins safety honors for the third year in a row. Its 3.8-liter V-6 offers a sense of security when entering the freeway and switching lanes.

                             Cars over $35,000
                                Bottom line

Price as equipped                $44,644
including power moonroof,
heated seats and six-disc CD
To buy                           $1,127 a month
$8,929 down, 8.5% APR, 36 months
To lease                         $619 a month
$1,244 due at signing,
$29,953 residual, 36 months