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Kiplinger's 2009 Auto Buying Guide
Search by price category, type of vehicle or manufacturer, then use the sorting
arrows at the top of each column to rank by miles per gallon, resale value, and more.
Not enough information? Click on any vehicle for a complete data sheet. Kiplinger's
2009 winners are denoted with a red star (
).
Top safety picks are denoted with a blue star (
). All transmissions are automatic unless denoted "manual".
How to Use Our Rankings
Sedans Under $20,000
Make/Model
|
Suggested retail price
|
Dealer cost
|
New Car Blue Book Value
|
Service cost (5 yr.)
|
Insurance cost (1 yr.)
|
Resale value (3 yr.)
|
Horse- power
|
MPG city/hwy.
|
Cargo Room (Cu. ft.)
|
| Chevrolet Aveo 5 LS 4dr hatch (manual) | $12,120 | $11,490 | $12,059 | $4,148 | $1,376 | 51% | 106 | 27/34 | 7.1 |
| Chevrolet Aveo 5 LT 4dr hatch (manual) | 14,255 | 13,507 | 14,184 | 4,148 | 1,376 | 50 | 106 | 27/34 | 7.1 |
| Chevrolet Aveo LS 4dr (manual) | 12,120 | 11,490 | 12,059 | 4,148 | 1,448 | 51 | 106 | 27/34 | 12.4 |
| Chevrolet Aveo LT 4dr (manual) | 14,255 | 13,507 | 14,184 | 4,148 | 1,533 | 51 | 106 | 27/34 | 12.4 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt LS 2dr | 16,595 | 15,658 | 16,050 | 2,280 | 1,533 | 44 | 155 | 24/33 | 13.9 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt LS 4dr | 16,595 | 15,658 | 16,050 | 2,280 | 1,448 | 44 | 155 | 24/33 | 13.9 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE 2dr (manual) | 15,670 | 14,844 | 15,216 | NA | NA | NA | 155 | 25/37 | 13.9 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE 4dr (manual) | 15,670 | 14,844 | 15,216 | NA | NA | NA | 155 | 25/37 | 13.9 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt LT 2dr | 17,295 | 16,320 | 16,728 | 2,280 | 1,576 | 45 | 155 | 24/33 | 13.9 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt LT 4dr | 17,295 | 16,320 | 16,728 | 2,280 | 1,489 | 46 | 155 | 24/33 | 13.9 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt LT XFE 2dr (manual) | 16,370 | 15,506 | 15,894 | NA | NA | NA | 155 | 25/37 | 13.9 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt LT XFE 4dr (manual) | 16,370 | 15,506 | 15,894 | NA | NA | NA | 155 | 25/37 | 13.9 |
| Chrysler PT Cruiser (manual) | 17,920 | 16,868 | 17,374 | 2,883 | 1,344 | 33 | 150 | 21/26 | 21.6 |
| Dodge Caliber SE 4dr hatch (manual) | 16,290 | 15,336 | 15,873 | 2,683 | 1,284 | 42 | 148 | 24/30P | 18.5 |
| Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr hatch (manual) | 17,680 | 16,601 | 17,182 | 2,787 | 1,344 | 42 | 148 | 24/30 | 18.5 |
| Ford Focus S 4dr (manual) | 15,690 | 14,786 | 15,377 | 2,810 | 1,376 | 51 | 140 | 24/35 | 13.8 |
| Ford Focus SE 2dr (manual) | 16,875 | 15,713 | 16,342 | 2,846 | 1,533 | 53 | 140 | 24/35 | 13.8 |
| Ford Focus SE 4dr (manual) | 16,875 | 15,713 | 16,342 | 2,810 | 1,376 | 52 | 140 | 24/35 | 13.8 |
| Ford Focus SEL 4dr (manual) | 18,665 | 17,343 | 18,037 | 2,846 | 1,376 | 51 | 140 | 24/35 | 13.8 |
| Ford Focus SES 2dr (manual) | 18,265 | 16,979 | 17,658 | 2,930 | 1,533 | 52 | 140 | 24/35 | 13.8 |
| Ford Focus SES 4dr (manual) | 18,265 | 16,979 | 17,658 | 2,846 | 1,376 | 50 | 140 | 24/35 | 13.8 |
| Ford Fusion S 4dr (manual) | 18,860 | 17,628 | 18,157 | 3,600 | 1,376 | 45 | 160 | 20/29 | 15.8 |
| Honda Civic DX 2dr | 16,675 | 15,425 | 16,675 | 2,460 | 1,533 | 66 | 140 | 25/36 | 11.5 |
| Honda Civic DX 2dr (manual) | 15,875 | 14,691 | 15,875 | 2,460 | 1,489 | 66 | 140 | 26/34 | 11.5 |
| Honda Civic DX 4dr (manual) | 16,074 | 14,874 | 16,074 | 2,460 | 1,376 | 66 | 140 | 26/34 | 12.0 |
| Honda Civic DX 4dr | 16,875 | 15,608 | 16,875 | 2,460 | 1,376 | 66 | 140 | 25/36 | 12.0 |
| Honda Civic EX 2dr (manual) | 19,875 | 18,360 | 19,875 | 2,568 | 1,705 | 66 | 140 | 26/34 | 11.5 |
| Honda Civic EX 4dr (manual) | 19,875 | 18,360 | 19,875 | 2,568 | 1,448 | 66 | 140 | 26/34 | 12.0 |
| Honda Civic LX 2dr | 18,625 | 17,213 | 18,625 | 2,568 | 1,705 | 67 | 140 | 25/36 | 11.5 |
| Honda Civic LX 2dr (manual) | 17,825 | 16,480 | 17,825 | 2,568 | 1,576 | 67 | 140 | 26/34 | 11.5 |
| Honda Civic LX 4dr | 18,825 | 17,397 | 18,825 | 2,568 | 1,448 | 67 | 140 | 25/36 | 12.0 |
| Honda Civic LX 4dr (manual) | 18,025 | 16,663 | 18,025 | 2,568 | 1,412 | 67 | 140 | 26/34 | 12.0 |
| Honda Civic LX-S 4dr (manual) | 18,625 | 17,213 | 18,625 | 2,568 | 1,448 | 67 | 140 | 26/34 | 12.0 |
| Honda Civic LX-S 4dr | 19,425 | 17,947 | 19,425 | 2,568 | 1,448 | 67 | 140 | 25/36 | 12.0 |
| Honda Civic VP 4dr | 17,625 | 16,296 | 17,625 | 2,460 | 1,412 | NA | 140 | 25/36 | 12.0 |
| Honda Civic VP 4dr (manual) | 16,825 | 15,562 | 16,825 | 2,460 | 1,412 | NA | 140 | 26/34 | 12.0 |
| Honda Fit 4dr hatch | 16,020 | 15,482 | 16,340 | 2,321 | 1,376 | 67 | 117 | 28/35 | 20.6 |
| Honda Fit 4dr hatch (manual) | 15,220 | 14,714 | 15,524 | 2,321 | 1,376 | 67 | 117 | 27/33 | 20.6 |
| Honda Fit Sport 4dr hatch (manual) | 16,730 | 16,163 | 17,065 | 2,317 | 1,412 | 67 | 117 | 27/33 | 20.6 |
| Honda Fit Sport 4dr hatch | 17,580 | 16,979 | 17,932 | 2,317 | 1,412 | 67 | 117 | 27/33 | 20.6 |
| Honda Fit Sport 4dr hatch w/Navi | 19,630 | 18,947 | 19,819 | 2,317 | 1,412 | 67 | 117 | 27/33 | 20.6 |
| Honda Fit Sport 4dr hatch w/Navi (manual) | 18,580 | 17,939 | 18,952 | 2,317 | 1,412 | 67 | 117 | 27/33 | 20.6 |
| Hyundai Accent GLS 4dr (manual) | 13,595 | 13,264 | 13,595 | 2,706 | 1,533 | 52 | 110 | 27/33 | 12.4 |
| Hyundai Accent GLS 4dr | 14,595 | 14,219 | 14,595 | 2,706 | 1,533 | 52 | 110 | 26/35 | 12.4 |
| Hyundai Accent GS 2dr hatch | 12,745 | 12,452 | 12,745 | 2,714 | 1,448 | 52 | 110 | 26/35 | 15.9 |
| Hyundai Accent GS 2dr hatch (manual) | 11,745 | 11,497 | 11,745 | 2,714 | 1,448 | 52 | 110 | 27/33 | 15.9 |
| Hyundai Accent SE 2dr hatch | 16,545 | 16,081 | 16,545 | 2,842 | 1,576 | 49 | 110 | 26/35 | 15.9 |
| Hyundai Accent SE 2dr hatch (manual) | 15,745 | 15,317 | 15,745 | 2,842 | 1,576 | 49 | 110 | 27/33 | 15.9 |
| Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr | 15,365 | 15,795 | NA | NA | NA | 47 | 138 | 25/33 | 14.2 |
| Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr (manual) | 14,795 | 14,410 | NA | NA | NA | 44 | 138 | 24/33 | 14.2 |
| Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr (manual) | 17,695 | 17,009 | NA | NA | NA | 43 | 138 | 24/33 | 14.2 |
| Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr | 17,765 | 18,495 | NA | NA | NA | 46 | 138 | 25/33 | 14.2 |
| Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr (manual) | 19,395 | 18,617 | 19,104 | 3,679 | 1,489 | 38 | 175 | 21/32 | 16.3 |
| Kia Optima LX 4dr | 19,625 | 18,385 | NA | NA | NA | 34 | 175 | 22/32 | 15.0 |
| Kia Optima LX 4dr (manual) | 18,170 | 17,185 | NA | NA | NA | 32 | 175 | 22/32 | 15.0 |
| Kia Rio 4dr (manual) | 12,145 | 11,695 | 12,084 | NA | NA | 46 | 110 | 27/33 | 11.9 |
| Kia Rio LX 4dr | 14,725 | 14,010 | 14,651 | NA | NA | 49 | 110 | 26/35 | 11.9 |
| Kia Rio LX 4dr (manual) | 13,875 | 13,200 | 13,806 | NA | NA | 49 | 110 | 27/33 | 11.9 |
| Kia Rio SX 4dr (manual) | 14,675 | 13,955 | 14,602 | NA | NA | 49 | 110 | 27/33 | 11.9 |
| Kia Rio SX 4dr | 15,525 | 14,770 | 15,447 | NA | NA | 49 | 110 | 26/35 | 11.9 |
| Kia Rio5 LX 4dr hatch (manual) | 13,975 | 13,290 | 13,905 | NA | NA | 49 | 110 | 27/33 | 15.8 |
| Kia Rio5 LX 4dr hatch | 14,825 | 14,100 | 14,751 | NA | NA | 49 | 110 | 26/35 | 15.8 |
| Kia Rio5 SX 4dr hatch | 15,775 | 15,005 | 15,696 | NA | NA | 49 | 110 | 26/35 | 15.8 |
| Kia Rio5 SX 4dr hatch (manual) | 14,930 | 14,200 | 14,855 | NA | NA | 49 | 110 | 27/33 | 15.8 |
| Kia Spectra EX 4dr | 16,850 | 15,790 | 16,766 | 3,178 | 1,489 | 38 | 138 | 24/32 | 12.2 |
| Kia Spectra EX 4dr (manual) | 15,850 | 14,860 | 15,771 | 3,178 | 1,489 | 38 | 138 | 23/30 | 12.2 |
| Kia Spectra LX 4dr (manual) | 13,850 | 13,280 | 13,781 | 3,008 | 1,489 | 43 | 138 | 23/30 | 12.2 |
| Kia Spectra LX 4dr | 14,850 | 14,240 | 14,776 | 3,178 | 1,489 | 43 | 138 | 24/32 | 12.2 |
| Kia Spectra SX 4dr | 17,995 | 16,860 | 17,905 | 3,322 | 1,489 | 38 | 138 | 24/32 | 12.2 |
| Kia Spectra SX 4dr (manual) | 16,995 | 15,930 | 16,910 | 3,178 | 1,489 | 38 | 138 | 23/30 | 12.2 |
| Kia Spectra5 SX 4dr hatch | 17,995 | 16,860 | 17,905 | 3,322 | 1,576 | 39 | 138 | 24/32 | 18.3 |
| Kia Spectra5 SX 4dr hatch (manual) | 16,995 | 15,930 | 16,910 | 3,322 | 1,576 | 39 | 138 | 23/30 | 18.3 |
| Mazda3 i Sport 4dr | 16,060 | 15,099 | 15,899 | 3,276 | 1,489 | 59 | 148 | 22/30 | 11.5 |
| Mazda3 i Sport 4dr (manual) | 15,160 | 14,260 | 15,008 | 3,278 | 1,489 | 59 | 148 | 24/32 | 11.5 |
| Mazda3 i Touring Value 4dr (manual) | 17,565 | 16,503 | 17,389 | 3,278 | 1,489 | 58 | 148 | 24/32 | 11.5 |
| Mazda3 i Touring Value 4dr | 18,465 | 17,342 | 18,280 | 3,276 | 1,489 | 58 | 148 | 22/30 | 11.5 |
| Mazda3 s Sport 4dr | 19,455 | 18,266 | 19,260 | 3,440 | 1,576 | 58 | 156 | 22/28 | 11.5 |
| Mazda3 s Sport 4dr (manual) | 18,505 | 17,379 | 18,230 | 3,442 | 1,576 | 58 | 156 | 22/29 | 11.5 |
| Mazda3 s Sport 4dr hatch | 19,945 | 18,723 | 19,746 | 3,556 | 1,705 | 59 | 156 | 22/28 | 17.1 |
| Mazda3 s Sport 4dr hatch (manual) | 18,995 | 17,836 | 18,805 | 3,558 | 1,705 | 59 | 156 | 22/29 | 17.1 |
| Mazda3 s Touring 4dr (manual) | 19,495 | 18,303 | 19,300 | 3,442 | 1,576 | 57 | 156 | 22/29 | 11.5 |
| Mazda3 s Touring 4dr hatch (manual) | 19,495 | 18,303 | 19,300 | 3,558 | 1,705 | 58 | 156 | 22/29 | 17.1 |
| Mazda6 i Sport Value 4dr (manual) | 19,220 | 18,271 | 19,028 | 3,712 | 1,533 | 48 | 170 | 20/29 | 16.6 |
| Mini Cooper 2dr hatch (manual) | 19,200 | 17,345 | NA | NA | NA | 75 | 118 | 28/37P | 5.7 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer DE 4dr | 17,115 | 16,246 | 16,944 | 3,200 | 1,313 | 51 | 152 | 22/28 | 11.6 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer DE 4dr (manual) | 14,865 | 14,194 | 14,716 | 3,142 | 1,313 | 51 | 152 | 22/30 | 11.6 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4dr | 17,965 | 17,148 | 17,785 | 3,200 | 1,344 | 52 | 152 | 22/28 | 11.6 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4dr (manual) | 17,065 | 16,290 | 16,894 | 3,142 | 1,344 | 52 | 152 | 22/30 | 11.6 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer GTS 4dr (manual) | 19,115 | 18,225 | 18,924 | 3,954 | 1,376 | 56 | 168 | 21/28 | 11.6 |
| Nissan Sentra 4dr | 17,425 | 16,742 | NA | 2,617 | 1,344 | 54 | 140 | 24/30 | 13.1 |
| Nissan Sentra S 4dr | 18,455 | 17,262 | NA | 2,649 | 1,344 | 53 | 140 | 24/30 | 13.1 |
| Nissan Sentra S 4dr (manual) | 17,655 | 16,518 | NA | 2,589 | 1,344 | 53 | 140 | 21/29 | 13.1 |
| Nissan Versa S 4dr (manual) | 13,685 | 13,234 | 13,617 | 2,713 | 1,284 | 60 | 122 | 26/31 | 13.8 |
| Nissan Versa S 4dr | 14,685 | 14,195 | 14,612 | 2,773 | 1,284 | 60 | 122 | 24/32 | 13.8 |
| Nissan Versa S 4dr hatch | 14,685 | 14,195 | 14,612 | 2,773 | 1,257 | 59 | 122 | 24/32 | 17.8 |
| Nissan Versa S 4dr hatch (manual) | 13,685 | 13,234 | 13,617 | 2,713 | 1,257 | 59 | 122 | 26/31 | 17.8 |
| Nissan Versa SL 4dr | 16,685 | 16,118 | 16,602 | 2,773 | 1,284 | 58 | 122 | 27/33 | 13.8 |
| Nissan Versa SL 4dr hatch | 16,905 | 16,329 | 16,802 | 2,773 | 1,257 | 58 | 122 | 27/33 | 17.8 |
| Pontiac G3 4dr hatch (manual) | 14,995 | 14,207 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 106 | 27/34 | 7.1 |
| Pontiac G5 2dr (manual) | 16,935 | 16,040 | 16,441 | 2,459 | 1,576 | 51 | 155 | 25/35 | 13.9 |
| Saturn Astra XE 4dr hatch (manual) | 17,715 | 16,607 | NA | NA | NA | 45 | 138 | 24/32 | 12.2 |
| Saturn Astra XR 4dr hatch (manual) | 19,265 | 18,056 | NA | NA | NA | 44 | 138 | 24/32 | 12.2 |
| Scion tC 2dr hatch | 18,470 | 17,580 | 18,470 | 3,306 | 1,705 | 66 | 161 | 21/29 | 12.8 |
| Scion tC 2dr hatch (manual) | 17,670 | 16,820 | 17,670 | 3,306 | 1,705 | 66 | 161 | 20/27 | 12.8 |
| Scion xB 4dr hatch | 17,370 | 16,535 | 17,370 | 2,926 | 1,284 | 70 | 158 | 22/28 | 21.7 |
| Scion xB 4dr hatch (manual) | 16,420 | 15,632 | 16,420 | 2,926 | 1,284 | 70 | 158 | 22/28 | 21.7 |
| Scion xD 4dr hatch | 16,120 | 15,347 | 16,120 | 2,759 | 1,284 | 67 | 128 | 26/32 | 10.5 |
| Scion xD 4dr hatch (manual) | 15,320 | 14,587 | 15,320 | 2,759 | 1,284 | 67 | 128 | 27/33 | 10.5 |
| Subaru Impreza 2.5i AWD 4dr (manual) | 18,160 | 17,399 | NA | 4,055 | 1,972 | 53 | 170 | 20/27 | 11.3 |
| Suzuki SX4 AWD 4dr hatch (manual) | 17,134 | 16,476 | 16,417 | NA | NA | 52 | 143 | 21/28 | 16.0 |
| Suzuki SX4 AWD 4dr hatch | 18,234 | 17,832 | 17,511 | NA | NA | 52 | 143 | 21/28 | 16.0 |
| Toyota Camry 4dr (manual) | 19,865 | 18,236 | 19,239 | 2,893 | 1,313 | 57 | 158 | 21/31 | 15.0 |
| Toyota Corolla 4dr | 16,770 | 15,565 | 16,499 | 2,457 | 1,489 | 64 | 132 | 27/35 | 12.3 |
| Toyota Corolla 4dr (manual) | 15,970 | 14,825 | 15,714 | 2,457 | 1,489 | 64 | 132 | 26/35 | 12.3 |
| Toyota Corolla LE 4dr | 17,370 | 15,787 | 16,734 | 2,457 | 1,489 | 63 | 132 | 27/35 | 12.3 |
| Toyota Corolla S 4dr | 17,870 | 16,240 | 17,214 | 2,545 | 1,489 | 63 | 132 | 27/35 | 12.3 |
| Toyota Corolla S 4dr (manual) | 17,040 | 15,489 | 16,418 | 2,545 | 1,489 | 63 | 132 | 26/35 | 12.3 |
| Toyota Corolla XLE 4dr | 18,270 | 16,602 | 17,598 | 2,545 | 1,489 | 63 | 132 | 27/35 | 12.3 |
| Toyota Corolla XRS 4dr (manual) | 19,480 | 17,696 | 18,758 | 2,997 | 1,489 | 62 | 158 | 22/30 | 12.3 |
| Toyota Yaris 4dr | 14,485 | 13,658 | 14,485 | 2,880 | 1,257 | 69 | 106 | 29/35 | 12.9 |
| Toyota Yaris 4dr (manual) | 13,685 | 12,906 | 13,685 | 2,880 | 1,257 | 69 | 106 | 29/36 | 12.9 |
| Toyota Yaris 4dr hatch | 14,025 | 13,227 | 14,025 | 2,880 | 1,257 | NA | 106 | 29/35 | 9.3 |
| Toyota Yaris S 2dr hatch | 15,545 | 14,655 | 15,545 | 2,960 | 1,257 | 67 | 106 | 29/35 | 9.3 |
| Toyota Yaris S 2dr hatch (manual) | 14,745 | 13,903 | 14,745 | 2,960 | 1,257 | 67 | 106 | 29/36 | 9.3 |
| Toyota Yaris S 4dr (manual) | 15,800 | 14,893 | 15,800 | 2,960 | 1,257 | 67 | 106 | 29/36 | 13.7 |
| Toyota Yaris S 4dr | 16,600 | 15,645 | 16,600 | 2,960 | 1,257 | 67 | 106 | 29/35 | 13.7 |
| Toyota Yaris S 4dr hatch | 15,845 | 14,937 | 15,845 | 2,960 | 1,257 | 67 | 106 | 29/35 | 9.3 |
| Volkswagen Jetta S 4dr | 19,090 | 18,445 | 18,889 | 2,801 | 1,412 | 54 | 170 | 20/29 | 16.0 |
| Volkswagen Jetta S 4dr (manual) | 17,990 | 17,346 | 17,810 | 2,744 | 1,412 | 54 | 170 | 21/30 | 16.0 |
| Volkswagen New Beetle S 2dr | 19,740 | 18,838 | 19,740 | NA | NA | 58 | 150 | 20/29 | 12.0 |
| Volkswagen New Beetle S 2dr (manual) | 18,640 | 17,739 | 18,640 | NA | NA | 58 | 150 | 20/28 | 12.0 |
| Volkswagen Rabbit S 2dr hatch | 17,640 | 16,821 | 17,640 | 2,653 | 1,448 | 65 | 170 | 20/29 | 15.0 |
| Volkswagen Rabbit S 2dr hatch (manual) | 16,540 | 15,722 | 16,540 | 2,597 | 1,412 | 65 | 170 | 21/30 | 15.0 |
| Volkswagen Rabbit S 4dr hatch | 19,640 | 19,095 | 19,640 | 2,653 | 1,448 | 65 | 170 | 20/29 | 15.0 |
NA - Information not available. e - Estimate. P - Premium gasoline. D - Diesel fuel. F - Flex-fuel vehicle. H - Hybrid vehicle. SOURCES - Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com (new vehicle data); Vincentric (service and insurance costs).
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