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Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2003

Every year, the Edmunds.com editors get together to ponder that eternal question, "What cars or trucks would we most want to park in our garage?" For the 2003 model year our editors have once again scoured the entire automotive spectrum looking for their favorite vehicles. What they've came up with are the Edmunds.com Editors' Most Wanted cars and trucks for 2003.

Most Significant Vehicle of the Year: Nissan 350Z The term "affordable sports car" has just been redefined.

Sedans | Wagons | Coupes | Convertibles | Trucks | SUVs | Vans | Exotics

Sedans

Sedan Under $15,000: Hyundai Elantra Proof that you don't have to pay to play.

Sedan Under $25,000: Volkswagen Passat Uptown amenities at a down-to-earth price.

Sedan Under $35,000: BMW 3 Series The original sport sedan still reigns supreme.

Sedan Under $45,000: BMW 5 Series Performance and luxury in a first-class package.

Sedan Over $45,000: Mercedes-Benz E Class Classic styling wrapped around 21st-century technology.

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Wagons

Wagon Under $15,000: Suzuki Aerio This one carries a lot while costing very little.

Wagon Under $25,000: Volkswagen Passat A low-priced estate that makes a premium statement.

Wagon Under $35,000: Audi A4 A wagon with more sex appeal than several sports cars.

Wagon Under $45,000: BMW 5 Series Performance car thrills for the entire family.

Wagon Over $45,000: Mercedes-Benz E-Class When top-of-the-line desires outweigh bottom line concerns.

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Coupes

Coupe Under $15,000: Honda Civic An economy-car best-seller that fully deserves the title.

Coupe Under $25,000: Mini Cooper Premium-car thrills at an economy-car price.

Coupe Under $35,000: BMW 3 Series Driving passion in both form and function.

Coupe Under $45,000: Chevrolet Corvette America’s sports car is aging like fine wine.

Coupe Over $45,000: Porsche 911 We've stopped looking for a substitute.

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Convertibles

Convertible Under $25,000: Mazda MX-5 Miata A four-wheeled, drop-top definition of the word "fun."

Convertible Under $35,000: Honda S2000 Think of it as an F1 racer with power windows.

Convertible Under $45,000: BMW 3 Series A full-fledged sports car with room for four.

Convertible Over $45,000: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class An ideal mix of performance, style and technology.

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Trucks

Compact Truck: Dodge Dakota A stylish compact truck that works harder than the rest.

Large Truck: Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra A master of the push-pull-carry triumvirate.

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SUVs

Compact SUV: Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute These two put the "fun" in SUV functionality.

Midsize SUV: Honda Pilot The future of family transportation has arrived.

Midsize SUV Under $45,000: BMW X5 Plays up the "sport" in sport-utility vehicle.

Midsize SUV Over $45,000: Land Rover Range Rover The most capable and luxurious SUV you can buy.

Large SUV Under $45,000: Toyota Sequoia Offers vanlike interior space along with luxury-car refinement.

Large SUV Over $45,000: Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX 470 Performs as off-road bruiser or on-road cruiser equally well.

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Vans

Minivan: Honda Odyssey Design and safety features combine to create the ultimate people mover.

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Exotics

Exotics: Ferrari 360 Power and passion taken to the ultimate extreme.

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How It Works

Why We Began the Editors' Most Wanted List

• Our staff members get the same question over and over: What's the "best" car or truck?
• There isn't a single "best" car or truck that will meet everyone's needs.
• When somebody asks us what the "best" of the crop is, we respond by quizzing the inquiring mind about her needs and wants in a vehicle.
• Still, readers want to know what cars and trucks we'd buy given the resources.

• Our editorial staff gathered to hash over the roster of 2003 models.
• We voted for our 30 favorite models in a variety of vehicle classes. To improve the functionality of our Most Wanted awards, we picked standardized price points for each vehicle type (sedans, wagons, SUVs, etc.). To be eligible for a given price category, at least one version of a model line had to have an MSRP (not including destination charge) below that category's price limit. This was typically the base model with no options. Unlike in previous years, there was no upper price limit for eligible winners.
• The result of our voting is a list of cars and trucks we'd want in our own garages.
• Only 2003 models were eligible and, with the exception of the Exotics category, at least one member of our editorial team had to have driven the vehicle prior to our voting deadline of October 1, 2002.

When reviewing our selections, keep in mind that we're a group of men and women that enjoys driving.

• Our staff of writers ranges in age from the mid-twenties to the late-forties.
• Some of us have kids.
• We all enjoy long road trips and the occasional blast up a twisting canyon road.
• Some of us lead active lifestyles, while the rest of us chomp Thai-Chicken pizza and eagerly await "Simpsons" reruns each night.

We need vehicles that fit this kind of lifestyle.

We eat, breathe and dream automobiles, and in many instances, this love for the car overruled common sense during our selection process. But that's the great thing about the Edmunds.com Editors' Most Wanted list: it's guided by passion, not science (much like the majority of car purchases).

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Your Feedback

Give us your feedback about our Editors' Most Wanted picks.
E-mail: editor@edmunds.com

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