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Marty Padgett
Marty Padgett
Editorial Director
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Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations...
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TCC Best Car to Buy 2011
TheCarConnection's Best Car to Buy 2011 award will be announced next week in conjunction with the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show--and with the deadline drawing near, it's time to winnow our list down to the smaller set of contenders.
With TCC's numeric ratings in hand, we've lifted half our field into the next round of competition. Each car making the first cut has received a rating of 8.0 or more, out of a possible 10, from TheCarConnection's team of car reviewers.
The vehicles that remain span all types and styles, and range from a base price of about $16,000 all the way up to $50,000, including destination charges. Without exception, our editors have road-tested the nominees, with two clarifications. The inclusion of the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is based on experience with the mechanically similar sedan, in advance of our first drive early next month. As for the 2011 Ford Explorer, our driving impressions remain under embargo until mid-December.
It's a tough competition, with 40 vehicles in all making our initial list. The remaining 20 vehicles each are the strongest contenders for our award, and they follow here, in bold:
Sedans, Hatchbacks and Wagons
2011 Acura TSX Wagon
2011 BMW 5-Series
2011 Buick Regal
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
2011 Chrysler 200
2011 Dodge Avenger
2011 Dodge Charger
2011 Ford Fiesta
2011 Hyundai Elantra
2011 Hyundai Sonata
2011 Infiniti G25
2011 Infiniti M37
2011 Kia Optima
2011 Mazda2
2011 Nissan Juke
2011 Scion tC
2011 Toyota Avalon
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
2011 Volvo S60
SUVs/Crossovers
2011 BMW X3
2011 Dodge Durango
2011 Dodge Journey
2011 Ford Edge
2011 Ford Explorer
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2011 Kia Sorento
2011 Kia Sportage
2011 Lincoln MKX
2011 MINI Cooper Countryman
2011 Volkswagen Touareg
Minivans
2011 Chrysler Town & Country
2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
2011 Honda Odyssey
2011 Nissan Quest
2011 Toyota Sienna
Green Cars: Electric Vehicles and Hybrids
2011 Chevrolet Volt
2011 Honda CR-Z
2011 Lexus CT 200h
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
2011 Nissan Leaf
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