Ford tops all sizes in affordable cars with Fiesta, Fusion and Taurus while Audi gains a hat-trick in luxury segments!
US NEWS Rankings & Reviews is one of the most looked-up to review lists in the United States and elsewhere. They have brought out their jury selection for the year 2012. These rankings are done based on multiple reviews of the models and in some cases, several tests in various aspects of an automobile.
2012 Chrysler 300 is among the top 3 affordable cars
A few of the models may be alien to our roads but they do give an overall impression of what sells and what runs on the other side of the Northern hemisphere. What is surprising in most of the categories this year is that the regal German Duo – BMW and Mercedes – have been pushed plenty behind in the mainstream segments by the popular American brands Ford and Chevy with some help from the Koreans and Japanese. Occasionally, you’ll see Subaru leading the list – the brand has been an American favourite for long, and not without reason, even though that might come as a surprise to buyers in the Middle East.
The absence of German heavyweights on the top and an overcrowded American brand presence are not the norms usually, though the list is based on American roads. The Japanese as well as the traditional German leaders used to feature way above in these lists till a couple of years ago. Interestingly, Audi has held its ground pretty well with the A4, A6 and A7 models while pushing their German rivals behind in most segment they are featured together!
A6 beat its German rivals Merc E class and the Jaguar XF, even the A7 to be top of the list in luxury large cars.
It’s good to see these dynamics at work – coz whatever else it means, it also means that the automobile market is certainly not in a limbo. After all, whatever is on wheels makes sense only when it’s moving!
Affordable Small Cars
2012 Ford Fiesta
2012 Honda Fit
2012 Hyundai Elantra
2012 Ford Focus
2012 Chevrolet Cruze
(2012 Chevrolet Sonic and 2012 VolksWagen Golf also at No. 5)
Upscale Small Cars
2012 Volkswagen GTI
2012 Audi A3
2012 BMW 1-Series
2012 Mini Cooper Countryman
2012 Nissan Leaf
The new Mini Countryman is No. 4 among the upscale small cars, just behind the Bimmer 1-series
Hatchbacks
2012 Ford Fiesta
2012 Honda Fit
2012 Volkswagen GTI
2012 Ford Focus
2012 Chevrolet Sonic
(2012 Volkswagen Golf also at No. 5)
Affordable Midsize Cars
2012 Ford Fusion
2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid
2012 Hyundai Sonata
2012 Volkswagen Passat
2012 Honda Accord
Upscale Midsize Cars
2012 Audi A4
2012 Buick Regal
2012 Chevrolet Volt
2012 Infiniti G
2012 Cadillac CTS
Affordable Large Cars
2012 Ford Taurus
2012 Buick LaCrosse
2012 Chrysler 300
2012 Toyota Avalon
2012 Dodge Charger
Among the top 5 luxury large cars, Infiniti M. This was shot during the Dubai Motor Show.
Luxury Large Cars
2012 Audi A6
2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class
2012 Audi A7
2012 Jaguar XF
2012 Infiniti M
Super Luxury Cars
2012 Audi A8
2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class
2012 Porsche Panamera
2012 Mercedes Benz S-Class Hybrid
2012 BMW 7-series
(2012 Jaguar XJ is also at No. 5)
Exotic Cars
2009 Maserati Quattroporte
2009 Maybach 57
2009 Maybach 62
2008 Maserati GranTurismo
All three American legends - favourites of Middle East petrol heads – have made the Affordable Sports Car list – Mustang, Camaro and Challenger (in the picture). Mazda MX-5 has enjoyed worldwide accolades is in second position while the 370Z is already a hot local favourite!
Affordable Sports Cars
2012 Ford Mustang
2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2012 Chevrolet Camaro
2012 Nissan 370 Z
2012 Dodge Challenger
Luxury Sports Cars
Porsche Cayman
2011 Chevrolet Corvette
2011 Porsche Boxster
2011 Audi TT
2011 BMW Z4
(2011 Mercedes Benz SLK is also at No.5)
Super Luxury Sports Cars
2011 Porsche 911 Carrera
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
2011 Mercedes-Benz SL
2011 Nissan GTR
2011 Jaguar XK
Exotic Sports Cars
2012 Lamborghini Aventador
2012 Audi R8
2012 Ferrari FF
2011 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
2012 Lexus LFA
Affordable Convertibles
Ford Mustang
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Chevrolet Camaro
Luxury Convertibles
2011 Porsche 911 Carrera
2011 Chevrolet Corvette
Infiniti G
Affordable Wagons
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Hyundai Elantra Touring
Luxury Wagons
BMW 3-series Wagon
Audi A4 Wagon
Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
Some of the mainstream lists are not complete. For the full list, log on to http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/
