Blog Category: Kelley Blue Book

Out of all of the car awards that are announced every year the Kelly Blue Book Awards are the ones that are geared most towards enabling consumers to get the most bang for their buck when shopping for a new automobile.  The editors at KBB.com sort through hundreds of new models to narrow the field down and pick winners in 12 different vehicle categories after a 7 week road test comparing various attributes such as how the vehicle handles, entering and exiting, parking, and operational features like the infotainment system and safety systems.  Road test evaluations were combined with pricing information, ownership costs, and consumer reviews.

Gas prices are creeping higher every summer and a lot of people have switched to smaller, more fuel efficient autos to get more mileage out of every tank. Not everyone can make such a drastic jump to a smaller vehicle to save money. Sometimes you just need more room for passengers and cargo and only an SUV will do.  Thanks to Kelly Blue Book’s list of the 10 most fuel efficient SUVs of 2013 you can find an SUV that fits your lifestyle, your budget, and saves you money at the gas station.

By now most people are aware that the EPA has passed new regulations regarding minimum fuel efficiency standards that will take effect in 2025. But not too many people are completely aware of what this will mean to them and to the American automotive industry.

The New EPA Regulations in a Nutshell

The EPA is the government agency charged with monitoring the fuel efficiency and emissions of all cars made and/or sold in the United States. They have promulgated numerous regulations in the past decades in regard to both emissions and fuel efficiency. Until now, most fuel efficiency regulations have dealt with how vehicle manufacturers are to perform fuel efficiency tests and how they are to announce the results of these tests.

With Earth Day right around the corner, it only makes sense to take a look at the leading  environmentally-friendly green vehicle market. What was once a market dominated by the Toyota Prius has ballooned in the last year or so to include a wide range of manufacturers, models, and features. The green car is here to stay and with recent legislation proposals in California and other States, we’re likely to see even more of these environmentally-friendly vehicles on our highways and city streets.

In every industry, perception and what we think of specific companies, brands and logos goes a long way in contributing to our purchase decisions. When it comes to buying a new car or truck, this brand awareness and perception goes a long way in how we research our vehicle purchases and ultimately in the vehicle we choose to buy.

10 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs and Crossovers

It doesn’t look like gas prices are going to get any lower any time soon... And when you’re interested in buying an SUV or crossover vehicle, the price of gas is a big factor in your purchase decision. It is one thing to pay the monthly payments and insurance costs and when you add in the cost of gas, it can make owning a larger vehicle an affordable challenge.

Typically we post blog posts here about buying a new car and the best new vehicles on the market based on awards and innovation. Today we’re going to talk about used cars and how to sell your used car. Let’s face it, many people really just feel overwhelmed by the thought of selling their used vehicle.

It can be time consuming. You have to understand pricing and how best to advertise your vehicle. You have to deal with people who aren’t really serious about buying your vehicle but take up your time anyway. Yes, selling a used vehicle can be considered to be a hassle but in today’s automotive market, selling your vehicle privately can be a very smart decision.

When it comes to buying a new vehicle, you want and need to know how much your new car, truck, SUV or minivan is going to cost you. But many buyers don’t realize that the total cost of ownership goes beyond the price you end up paying at the dealership. The total cost of ownership of a vehicle includes costs such as: depreciation, projected fuel costs, financing and insurance fees, yearly maintenance and repair fees, and state-associated fees for new vehicles and models.

It looks like 2012 is going to be a great year for those of you looking for a new vehicle. The automotive industry is on a resurgence and with President Obama stating that “with a million jobs at stake, I refuse to let the auto industry die" - things are looking encouraging. Detroit’s Big Three automakers are on the upswing thanks to an $85 billion federal buyout that now sees General Motors as the world’s number one automaker and with Chrysler and Ford putting money into new factories and plants. All this speaks to good things for anyone looking for a new vehicle or for those simply involved in the American auto industry.

It doesn’t really matter what we’re shopping for, we all like to get a good deal. When researching a new car, along with features, warranties, make and model - the price is a critical factor in making a final decision. With this in mind, the team of experts at Kelley Blue Book have put together a list of the top five great car deals.

This list of cars includes luxury cars, a hybrid and sedans:

2012 Acura TSX

Lease for $299/month with $1,999 due at signing (last verified end date 1/03/12)

If you were in the market for a green car ten years ago, your choices were few and far between. The Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid were newly available -- and rarer than hens’ teeth. Now it seems like every third driveway has a hybrid in it, and all-electric cars are moving from hobbyists’ garages to the mainstream vehicle marketplace.

When Kelley Blue Book, a well-known authority on vehicle prices and buying trends, published its annual list of the Top Ten Green Cars for 2011, it had lots of eco-friendlier cars to choose from, and they’re not all limited to that one special dealership in Los Angeles. You can find most of these cars most anywhere.

In a world where image really is everything, consumer opinion can make or break a brand.  Recognizing that, Kelley Blue Book – a longtime industry leader in automotive research and information – has just released its annual Brand Image Awards for 2011.  The awards, which are based on detailed data from KBB Market Intelligence’s Brand Watch study and are derived from an online study of more than 12,000 in market auto shoppers, recognize the best of the best in 10 categories.  These different categories leave no market uncovered.

According to a recent study conducted by the folks at Kelley Blue Book, only 44% of prospective new car buyers plan to get pre-approved for a loan before buying.  While that isn’t overly surprising, it remains a critical mistake…one that can cost the consumer a great deal of money and time.