Online automotive resource Edmunds has released its first ever Most Wanted list, and it appears as if Hondas are top of mind by both consumers and critics.
The awards feature a unique rating system that weighs both vehicle performance in the retail marketplace (sales, consumer research, inventory days, etc.) and the opinions of the organization’s editorial team members.
“The Most Wanted designation gives car shoppers assurance that both other buyers and Edmunds’ experts believe these vehicles are smart choices,” said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ executive director of industry analysis.
The performance in the retail marketplace consists of analyzing sales numbers from the first 10 months of 2016, not just of new models, but for all model years available for sale, which models spent the fewest number of days (on average) on dealer lots, and the amount of shopper attention for each vehicle (again for all model years) on the Edmunds site.
This data was weighted to determine the finalists in 16 categories, and the Edmunds review ratings for the respective models was added to the mix, with the vehicles most recommended being the ones that averaged the best scores with the two criteria.
When all was tallied up, Honda ended up capturing five of the 16 vehicle segments — Accord (midsize), Civic (compact), CR-V (compact SUV), Pilot (midsize SUV) and Acura MDX (luxury midsize SUV).
Toyota took home four awards — Avalon (large), Sienna (minivan), and Lexus ES 350 (luxury midsize) and RX 350 (luxury compact SUV). GM was also a multi award winner with the Cadillac Escalade (large luxury SUV) and Chevrolet Colorado (midsize pickup).
Individual award winners included Audi (A4: luxury compact), Dodge (Challenger: sports), Ford (F-150: large pickup), Mercedes-Benz (S-Class: large luxury) and Porsche (911: luxury sports).