IntelliChoice.com, an online source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, announced the results on February 8 of its "Best Overall Value of the Year" awards for model year 2006. And for the first time, two hybrid SUVs join the reigning hybrid champion Toyota Prius and four other vehicles in giving American carbuyers the best value for their money. IntelliChoice.com's "Best Overall Value of the Year" awards recognize vehicles whose cost of ownership are significantly lower than those of peer models and provide a quick reference to finding vehicles that promise the best return on investment. "Hybrids continue to refute the argument that their cost of ownership fails to justify their slightly higher sticker prices," said James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com. "Perhaps more importantly, this is the first time that two hybrids, the Ford Escape and the Toyota Highlander, dominate the SUV category. This is also the second year in a row that one vehicle, the Honda Odyssey, swept the minivan category." Winners for 2006 This year, IntelliChoice.com identified 29 winning models by segment and class, plus eight overall category winners. The eight overall category winners are: -- Best Car Value Under $23,000 - Toyota Prius
-- Best Car Value Over $23,000 - Lexus LS 430
-- Best SUV Value Under $28,000 - Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD
-- Best SUV Value Over $28,000 - Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD
-- Best Truck Value Under $26,000 - Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 2WD
-- Best Truck Value Over $26,000 - Toyota Tundra Extended Cab 4WD
-- Best Van Value Under $25,000 - Honda Odyssey LX
-- Best Van Value Over $25,000 - Honda Odyssey EX

How IntelliChoice.com Determines "Best Overall Value" 2006 marks IntelliChoice.com's twentieth year publishing ownership cost and value analysis. The Best Overall Value of the Year (BOVY) awards identify the vehicles that promise the best return on investment within their classes. The IntelliChoice.com evaluation process aggregates and analyzes data from auto manufacturers, the U.S. government, and third-party data resources to determine the true costs of owning every 2006 vehicle over a five-year ownership period. For the 2006 BOVY's, IntelliChoice.com assigned a value rating to more than 1,700 mainstream vehicles sold in America. This value rating factors the accumulated costs of depreciation, maintenance, repairs, fuel, state fees, financing, and insurance to identify the true standout models in each class. BEST OVERALL VALUE OF THE YEAR MODEL YEAR 2006 AWARD WINNERS Cars -- Subcompact Class - Honda Insight -- Compact Class under $16,000 - Honda Civic DX Sedan -- Compact Class over $16,000 - Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan -- Midsize Class under $21,000 - Toyota Prius -- Midsize Class over $21,000 - Honda Accord DX -- Large Class - Toyota Avalon -- Near Luxury Class - BMW 325i -- Luxury Class - Lexus LS 430 -- Small Wagon Class - Scion xB -- Midsize/Large Wagon Class - Subaru Outback 2.5i -- Base Sport Class - Honda Civic Si Coupe -- Sport Class - Chevrolet Corvette Sport Utilities -- Compact Sport Utility Class under $21,000 - Toyota RAV4 -- Compact Sport Utility Class over $21,000 - Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD -- Intermediate Sport Utility Class under $29,000 - Honda Pilot -- Intermediate Sport Utility Class over $29,000 - Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD -- Full-Size Sport Utility Class under $36,000 - Toyota Sequoia SR5 2WD -- Full-Size Sport Utility Class over $36,000 - Toyota Land Cruiser Trucks -- Compact Pickup Class 2WD - Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab -- Compact Pickup Class 4WD - Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab -- Full-Size Pickup Class 1/2 Ton 2WD - Toyota Tundra Regular Cab -- Full-Size Pickup Class 1/2 Ton 4WD - Toyota Tundra Double Cab SR5 -- Full-Size Pickup Class 3/4 Ton 2WD - Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab XL -- Full-Size Pickup Class 3/4 Ton 4WD - Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab XL -- Full-Size Pickup Class One Ton 2WD - Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab ST -- Full-Size Pickup Class One Ton 4WD - Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab ST Vans -- Mini-Van Class under $24,000 - Honda Odyssey LX -- Mini-Van Class over $24,000 - Honda Odyssey EX -- Full-Size Van Class - Chevrolet Express 1500