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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.

Under $15,000 | Under $25,000 | Under $35,000 | Under $45,000 | Over $45,000

Under $15,000

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

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

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

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Under $25,000

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

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

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

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

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

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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Under $35,000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Under $45,000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Over $45,000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How It Works

• 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 current models available to the public.
• We picked our 30 favorites in a variety of vehicle classes. Unlike last year, where price was not a factor in our choices, this year, in order to give all vehicles a fair shot, we used the $30,000 mark as a dividing line between categories. (Since $30,000 is the point between high- and low-end cars.) Also, we have four categories of $20,000 or under, in order to give lower-priced economy cars a chance to make the list. It should also be noted that no cars over $55,000 were eligible.
• This resulted in a list of cars and trucks we'd want in our own garages.
• Only current models were eligible, and at least one member of our editorial team had to have driven the vehicle prior to our deadline of October 1, this year.
• Nominations were accepted, and votes were counted. Majority rule determined the winner.

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 early-twenties to the late-forties.
• Half of us have kids.
• We enjoy long road trips.
• Some of us lead active lifestyles, while the rest of us chomp chocolate chip cookie dough and eagerly await "Drew Carey Show" 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 Edmunds.com's Editors' Most Wanted list. It's guided by passion, not science.

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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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