For the 14th consecutive year, we finish up the model year in ALL ABOUT CARS with a Top-10 list consisting of the vehicles we tested and reviewed this year; and after rating them, have concluded that they are the “best deals on wheels” in 2018. Next week, we will present our “vehicle of the year” regardless of price.

Now, just because a vehicle delivers the best bang for the buck, it doesn’t always translate into sales. In 2018, trucks were the top three-selling vehicles in the U.S., and no truck made my list this year. To make ALL ABOUT CARS’ “Car Buy of the Year” list, sales is not part of the equation. To be considered for this list, I must have test-driven the vehicle during calendar 2018, and dollar-for-value, or worth vs. cost carries the most weight, though some abstracts still apply.

Rated for this year’s competition, I test drove 54 vehicles, drove them, tested them and examined them for about a week each, using them as daily drivers around town for errands and for maneuvering; on the highway for long trips, for passing, stability and for fun; accelerating them and braking them hard on straight tracks and banked venues, auto-crosses and drag strips, and checking out what passengers and onlookers reported.

The cars tested vary from year to year. Some years we have higher-priced vehicles of great value on the list -- a low price is not always the sign of a great value. Price certainly is a factor; as is fuel economy, but the vehicle’s personality, how it fits its niche and how you feel driving it all play a part. This year, the winner was one of three finalists priced under $30,000 and eight of the 10 were under $40,000. Two cars on the list were priced in the $40,000 range.

The candidates were graded in eight categories, with vehicles earning 10 points for best possible to 1 point for worst possible. I gave only six perfect 10s in any category all year; no vehicle received less than a charitable 5 in any category, and no vehicle received more than a single category 10. My eight graded segments are: Interior; Safety; Power; Handling/Ride; Economy/Price; Looks; Niche-fitting and a Miscellaneous grouping in which I took into consideration the “feel-good” factor and other subjective intangibles

One more thing: the difference between this week’s Best Car Buy winner and next week’s “Car of the Year” champion is that this week it is all about best value for the price across all eight categories, and not necessarily the lowest amount of dollars spent. Next week’s winner is all about the car, truck or crossover and what it delivers, regardless of price – just the pure vehicle.

My 2018 Top Buys of the Year are led by two small SUV-CUVs, topped by a sporty above-badge sports-ute; and on the list were a minivan, a muscle car and a flagship sedan. Two on this list ALSO were finalists for next week’s “Car of the Year.” Prices reflect my review vehicles-as-tested.

No. 1 Hyundai Kona: Sub-Compact CUV targets urban adventurers -- $29,805

For the second year in a row, Hyundai topped my list (last year, the Hyundai Elantra came out on top). This year, Hyundai has targeted youthful “urban adventurers” with its all-new sub-compact crossover utility vehicle, the 2018 Hyundai Kona. With “urban smart armor” exterior styling, Kona has a bold and sporty demeanor packed with leading safety technology and advanced infotainment features in a compact footprint. Kona offers two engine choices and my test ride had a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Kona was fun to drive and averaged 26.7 mpg during a week of mixed-use runs. Look for Kona next week on the CAR of the YEAR list.

No. 2 Kia Niro: Sporty hybrid CUV adds safety and tech packages -- $29,710

Niro is a Hybrid that doesn’t look like a Hybrid, packaged as a Crossover that doesn’t look or act quite like a Crossover. Upgraded for 2018 with a new plug-in model, new cosmetics, and a full suite of safety and tech enhancements. The two-tiered power system is rated at 139hp and 195 lbs.-ft of torque, and my week of interstate and in-town driving averaged 53 mpg on the highway and 44.2 mpg overall.

No. 3 Honda Accord: All new with enhanced power, styling, connectivity -- $33,322

The 2018 Accord is all-new from the ground up from its structure to powertrain. Re-engineered for weight, safety, aerodynamics and style with a crisp, sporty design, the new Accord has a longer wheelbase and also has improved connectivity and driver-assistive technology. The new 1.5-liter, 16-valve DOHC direct-injected turbo engine produces a peak of 192 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. I averaged 33.4 mpg in tests.

No. 4 Subaru Forester: Performance, Intuitive Cabin and Safety --$30,296

Subaru Forester remains a sports utility ride for the “granola-and-fresh water” brigade. Lives up to its slogan: “SUV tough, car easy,” with the versatility of a minivan, car and small sports-ute in its abilities. Adds new cosmetics inside and out, and new driving and safety technology. My test ride’s 2.5-liter engine delivered 170 horses and 174 lbs.-ft. and averaged 28.1 mpg.

No. 5 Hyundai Elantra: Increased tech, safety and trims -- $27,865

This popular compact now looks more like a fastback, with its roofline sloped from the windshield  to the rear of the car, and redesigned grille, lights, body panels and bumper emphasizing straight lines along the body. Elantra power comes from a Nu 2.0-liter MPI Atkinson Cycle DOHC 16-valve engine that puts out 147 horsepower and 132 lbs.-ft. of torque. I averaged 32.0mpg.

No. 6 Jeep Compass: Compact CUV adds upgraded materials and tech -- $34,415 The Jeep Compass is a compact crossover that on the looks of Grand Cherokee. Compass comes at you with a Premium, sculptural design, wide stance, legendary Jeep seven-slot grille and typical Jeep off-road and in-town abilities. Outfitted with a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine that produces 180hp and 175 lbs.-ft. of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, In tests, I averaged 25.7mpg.

No. 7 Ford Mustang GT: More Pony Power, exterior and tech gains -- $45,875

The highest ticket on the list is a best-buy with a sleek new design, more advanced tech and improved performance enhancements … and a 435hp 5.0-liter V-8 that provides 420 lb-ft of torque. With a 22-inch all-digital instrument cluster, improved aerodynamics and Pony history, I averaged 18.2 mpg in lots of on-track and highway tests. A ton of performance, style, tech, muscle and nostalgia at the price. Also on next week’s list.

No. 8 Ford Explorer: Capable, confident, rugged and powerful -- $36,225

Proving that Compact SUVs aren’t the only Crossovers on the list, the 2018 Explorer gets upgraded active safety and driver assist tech systems, a new grille insert, with redesigned and smaller fog light housings, and displays response, power and handling in all ranges. Powered by a 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine that delivers 290hp and 255 lbs-ft of torque, a week of mixed-use testing achieved an average of 23.3mpg.

No. 9 Dodge Caravan: Room for seven and priced to sell -- $33,585

The first minivan to ever make my Top-10 list, Caravan is priced at $20,000 less than the No.2-selling minivan – Dodge’s Pacifica. It fits the niche well and shows enough brawn, powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed, adaptive electronic control transmission with an electronically modulated torque converter clutch. The system puts out 283 hp and 260 lbs-ft of torque.  I average 26.9 mpg in tests.

No. 10 Toyota Avalon: Flagship mid-size sedan is premium and bold -- $43,412

The second highest price on this list, Toyota’s luxury sedan, the Avalon has a coupe-like profile, bold grille, discrete chrome trim, chiseled shoulder line and sculpted side sheet metal. Avalon remains unique in its segment with the choice of V6 or hybrid powertrains. The Avalon’s 3.5-liter, DOHC V-6 with Dual VVT-i produces 268 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. I averaged 26.9mpg in tests.

Next week, we present our annual CAR of THE YEAR list… and you will see several of these great buys again.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

 

 

Automotive enthusiasts have a tendency to be excited by dynamic vehicles and often anoint them with the term “supercar.” This leads to what I perceive as an overuse or misuse of the term. Having said that, a new imagining of an old vehicle certainly deserves consideration of the supercar label for its design, innovation, driving excitement and its horsepower -- 573hp. That vehicle is the 3-engine, 2017 Acura NSX.

The original Acura NSX debuted in 1990 as a cutting-edge coupe combining exotic car styling and performance with a new dimension of quality, exceptional ergonomics and dynamic poise. It underwent a performance upgrade in 1997 and facelift in 2002 before being discontinued in 2005. NSX is back for 2017 as a lightweight, naturally aspirated coupe that can be perceived as a hybrid supercar, with a twin-turbo engine combined with a hybrid setup, and dual-clutch transmission. The new NSX rides on an aluminum-intensive space frame with a carbon fiber floor and a body designed to direct airflow over, under, and through the car including cooling duties.

Winter weather closed my test track, so I was unable to prove the estimated top speed of 191mph or the manufacturer’s estimate of a 3-second-flat zero-60mph sprint; and the NSX probably should be tested in spring or summer to fully enjoy the experience; but we never look gift horsepower in the trunk, so an exciting ride in winter was better than no ride at all.

Designed with elegance, NSX is constructed with a multi-material space frame of cast aluminum nodes and a mix of light aluminum and low-density SMC outer panels. The architecture features a wedge shape with prominent cooling ducts on the rear fenders, a conservative rear spoiler, and no active aero components (such as an active rear spoiler or active front grille shutters). Complex high-performance aluminum castings for crush zones is the world's first automotive application of the technique, as are the A-pillars made from 3DQ ultra-high-strength steel and a use of Carbon Fiber front floor panels.

Sitting on a wheelbase of 103.5 inches, with a length of 178 inches, height of 47.8 inches, width of 87.3 inches and a curbweight of only 3803 lbs., the NSX provides stability and speed by managing air flow through the front motor room and rear engine room as well as around the body, while still maintaining the increased stability of properly distributed downforce. Stability at speed is what the NSX delivers with exceptional balance and confidence to enhance the driving experience.

And there’s exceptional power. Maximum total system power is 573hp with maximum total system torque of 476 lb.-ft. The next-generation Sport Hybrid SH-AWD power unit consists of an all-new longitudinally mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 that puts out 500 hp and 406 lb.-ft of torque, and a permanent-magnet, water-cooled electric motor/generator direct drive motor. This system delivers 47hp and 109 lb.-ft. and is mated to a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission

On the road, stability is track-worthy and acceleration is immediate with the electric motors engaging before the twin turbos kick in. In tight quick turns you have to be on your toes because there is a lot of understeer, but the system softens torque steer and I wouldn’t be surprised if the 3-second factory hype on a zero-to-60 sprint is close to reality. My road-hugging pedal mashing averaged 20.7mpg in town and on the interstates.

The NSX cockpit is cozy, elegant, intuitive and filled with electronics. With seating capacity for two, NSX provides 38.3 inches of headroom, 42.8 inches of legroom, 57.6 inches of shoulder room and 54.5 inches of hip room.

Intuitive instrumentation, Alcantara® leather, well-padded sports seats, steering wheel and center console, exemplary ergonomics and a center console/control set-up designed to minimize distractions from the most important function – driving – combines with state-of-the-art connectivity and infotainment and more than a dozen active and passive safety features to provide a super interior experience.

In Curva Red – there’s not much better than a red sportscar -- the 2017 Acura NSX starts at $156,000. The Ebony interior was enhanced by Semi-Aniline Full Leather Alcantara® power seats for an additional $2500. Pricey exclusive wheel designs were available but the standard Y-spoke wheels were classy as they were. Brake packages for $10,000 or more were available, but the standard iron rotors with Black calipers served my test ride well. The Exterior Sports Package with a Black front spoiler, Black side sills, Black rear diffuser and chrome exhaust finisher was pretty cool, and we did without the $9000 Carbon Fiber rendition of the package. The same can be said for the body color rear decklid that was kept rather than to upgrade to Carbon Fiber for an additional $3000, as well as the spiffy NSX engine cover that could have been upgrade to Carbon Fiber for $3000. The standard interior package included a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Metallic Silver steering wheel spokes, Alcantara® meter visor and Black rubber pedals and footrest. An available Carbon Fiber upgrade was not included and would have cost $2900. One upgrade that was made on my test ride was an ELS Studio® Audio +Tech + SiriusXM Package for $3300 that upgraded a standard premium audio system to an ELS Studio® Premium Audio System with AcuraLink® The Next Generation, navigation, proximity sensors and XM Radio. A Black Aluminum roof antenna was also added as was Illuminated door sill trim inside (and this time Carbon Fiber was included) for $1500. Destination handling is $1800, which put the price as tested at $165,100.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

What weighs in at about one ton, has been redesigned with new front-end styling and a freshened rear bumper, sports an economical 74-hp engine and is fun to drive? The answer is the tweaked 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage.

Mirage took the year off and has returned with a fresh new look thanks to a revamped front fascia with chrome upper/lower grille; new hood design; LED tail lamps; rear spoiler; color-keyed front and rear bumpers; folding side-view mirrors; door handles and tailgate handle; new 14-inch alloy wheel design; 15-inch alloy wheels; HID automatic on/off headlights; beveled fog lamps and nine exterior color choices: Wine Red, Sunrise Orange, Sapphire Blue, Infra Red, Pearl White, Mystic Black, Starlight Silver and Mercury Gray.

The exterior improvements join style with substance as its augmented aerodynamics increase fuel efficiency, while its sleek form helps reduce weight to just over 2000 pounds. This combination keeps gas mileage high while reducing the coefficient of drag (Cd) to 0.27.

The subcompact measures 149.4 inches long, 65.6 inches wide and 59.4 inches high on a 96.5-inch wheelbase, with minimum ground clearance of 6.3 inches and curb weight of only 2090 lbs. for my test Mirage in GT trim.

The GT separates itself from other Mirage trims with a 6.5-inch display audio with Smartphone link, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™; rear view camera system; bi-xenon HID headlights with light tube; 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels; front seat heater; FAST-key passive entry system and push-button start; semi-hi-contrast meter cluster with chrome accent and Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with steering wheel-mounted controls.

All Mirages are outfitted with a 1.2-liter MIVEC DOHC, 12-valve Inline 3-cylinder engine with an aluminum head and aluminum block. The fuel-efficient Inline-3 engine produces 78 hp and 74 lbs,-ft. of torque. However, even for a 2090-lb. vehicle, the economical system was a slow accelerator and under-performer. You need to strategize your passing and uphill travel, and the engine shows you it is trying with a noisy whine that enters the cabin. Track tests showed an 11.9 second sprint from zero-to-60mph and a quarter-mile journey of 18.7 seconds, slow by every means, but both seemed faster in this subcompact. And weaving in and out of traffic on the highway or cruising around town, Mirage is a very fun drive.

The rack-and-pinion, Electric Power Assist steering is a bit vague, and road inadequacies are often felt through the MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension, which reminded me of compacts back in the day, when you expected such things in return for superior gas mileage. Well, Mirage DOES deliver expertly in fuel economy. With an EPA rating of 37mpg in the city, a whopping 43 on the highway and 39 combined, Mirage is a winner at the pumps. While I didn’t average 40, my week of mixed-use tests did come in at a very pump-friendly 39.7mpg.

In the cockpit, Mirage has updated the interior with improved front and rear seat materials, steering wheel with decorative bezel, new panel design for air conditioning and illuminated semi high-contrast combination gauge cluster –speedo and tach.

The cabin offers seating for five with 39.1 inches of front headroom and 37.3 inches in row two, 41.7 inches of front legroom, but only 34.0 in the second seats and shoulder room of 51.7 and 51.0. The tight accommodations are augmented by 6-way adjustable driver’s seat and 4-way front passenger seat, automatic air conditioner and climate control with a micron air filter and rear heater floor ducts.

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage has supplemented its attention to safety with an advanced seven air bag SRS system including driver's side knee air bag, dual-stage front air bags with occupant seat position sensors, front seat mounted side-impact air bags and front and rear curtain side air bags. Mirage also employs an anti-lock braking system with Electronic Brake-force Distribution; Active Stability Control with Traction Control Logic; Hill Start Assist; Tire Pressure Monitoring System; Engine immobilizer anti-theft security alarm system and Mitsubishi Motors' patented Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution safety cell body construction

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is available in three trim levels, with the first two in either 5-speed manual or automatic transmission configurations – the top-level GT is automatic only. The base manual ES starts at $12,995 and the automatic starts at $14,195. The SE bases at $14,795 (manual) and $15,995 (automatic) and my sporty test Mirage GT starts at $16,495. The Wine Red exterior was mated to a black fabric interior, but I thought the also-available Sunrise Orange was a much more hip color for the Mirage. A cargo net and cargo mat added $95; Floor and Center Console illumination in blue added $225; front and rear parking assist sensors added $450; front and rear mudguards and scuff plates added $180; a cool Rockford Fosgate® Premium Audio Package with a 300-watt ecoPunch™ amp with subwoofers added $575, and remote engine start added $495. With destination and handling fees of $635, my Mirage GT test ride stickered for $18,775, but some dealers offer incentives of $1000 or more, so check one out at a dealership … it’s a ton of fun.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.