As new-model automobiles continue to roll my way, over these many years, I wish my readers the best for 2013. Happy New Year.
Seventy-two new cars and trucks reviewed by me in The Post this year averaged $46,424 in price, a jump of $3,000 per model over those driven in 2011. Two years ago, the new vehicles averaged $44,245.
The $46K average is skewed somewhat by the very high-priced premium models sent to Denver for testing; six of the 72 vehicles I drove carried stickers over $100,000. Plus, models provided for review by manufacturers are typically loaded with all the bells and whistles. Even many in the lower price range are being fitted with such options as navigation, rearview cameras, heated seats and sunroofs.
Ford models led the list of drives in 2012 with seven, followed by Hyundai and Subaru with five each and Audi, BMW and Mazda four each. Seven makes – Chevrolet, Dodge, Infiniti, Jeep, Kia, Lexus and Volkswagen – provided three review models each. Two each were provided by Chrysler, Fiat, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota and Volvo, and one each by Acura, Buick, Cadillac, Fisker, Honda, Jaguar, Mini, Mitsubishi, Range Rover and Suzuki.
The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland’s sticker price of $46,015 came the closest to matching the average of all those driven.
Prices ranged from $19,025 for the Ford Fiesta five-door hatchback to $135,060 for the Porsche Panamera GTS sedan.
Bud Wells can be reached via e-mail at bwells@denverpost.com.
BUD’S ’12 RIDES
The models and prices:
Porsche Panamera GTS $135,060
Porsche 911 Carrera S $122,935
Mercedes-Benz SL550 $119,945
BMW M6 Coupe $114,645
Fisker Karma Electric $112,000
BMW 650i xDrive $100,825
Mercedes GL350 BTC diesel $89,280
Audi A8L V-6 $88,595
Chev Corvette GS Conv. $78,485
BMW X5 xDrive $74,595
Range Rover Sport $70,295
Jaguar XF $67,000
Infiniti M56 AWD $66,925
Infiniti FX50 $66,545
Ford F350 Natural Gas $61,500
Lexus GS350 F Sport $58,997
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 $58,660
BMW 335i $54,070
Cadillac SRX $53,520
Lexus RX350 $52,974
Audi A5 AWD Coupe $48,560
Volvo XC60 T6 $48,145
Audi allroad 2.0T $47,395
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland $46,015
Infiniti EX35 $45,095
Chrysler 300 AWD $44,700
Chevrolet Volt $43,880
Ford Mustang GT $40,770
Toyota Prius Plug-in $40,510
Acura RDX $40,315
Lexus CT200h hybrid $39,940
Ford Flex AWD $39,195
Volvo S60 T5 AWD $38,170
Audi A3 TDI diesel $38,050
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited $37,600
Hyundai Azera $36,875
Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab $36,215
Kia Sorento $36,090
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport $35,925
Subaru Outback 3.6R $35,886
Ford Taurus SEL $35,635
Volkswagen Golf R $35,360
Toyota Camry Hybrid $34,547
Subaru Legacy 3.6R $33,677
Volkswagen Tiguan $33,300
Hyundai Genesis Coupe $33,105
Volkswagen Passat TDI $32,965
Mini Cooper S Coupe $32,400
Kia Optima Hybrid $32,820
Ford Mustang V-6 $30,880
Honda CR-V EX-L $30,605
Mazda CX-5 AWD $30,415
Dodge Grand Caravan SXT $29,970
Chrysler 200 $27,785
Jeep Liberty Sport $27,110
Buick Verano $26,850
Suzuki Kizashi Sport $26,404
Fiat 500 Abarth $26,050
Mazda3 5-door hatch $25,855
Dodge Dart Limited $25,065
Mazda3 $24,970
Ford Focus SEL $24,545
Subaru Impreza $23,914
Hyundai Elantra GT $23,015
Subaru XV Crosstrek $22,790
Mitsubishi Lancer AWC $22,340
Hyundai Veloster $22,155
Mazda CX-5 $21,490
Subaru Impreza Sport $21,414
Kia Soul Exclaim $20,350
Fiat 500 Sport $19,500
Ford Fiesta 5-door $19,025
