The 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition has a schedule of activities set to run from April 23rd through May 2nd.  With this year’s slogan of “leading through innovation”, excitement is buzzing around the first look at several concept vehicles and future models.

The Beijing auto show, also known as Auto China, has been a bi-annual event for more than two decades. This year marks the 12th exhibition.

One of the most influential and trusted sources for car rankings and reviews, U.S. News & World Report, has announced the 2012 Best Cars for the Money Awards.  These awards help car buyers navigate a confusing automotive market by identifying vehicles that offer the best value for the money and that best incorporate the features today’s car buyers are looking for.

The Best Cars for the Money Awards cover 23 categories, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans.  Each category has a single winner. The awards combine U.S. news Best Cars rankings with the average price paid and five-year total cost of ownership.  The award-winning vehicles have the best combination of praise from car reviewers, lower upfront costs, and lower long-term ownership costs than their competition.

The 23 winners come from 12 different brands, showing that no single car company has a lock on value.  Fourteen of the 22 winners are cars that have been introduced or significantly redesigned in the last three years. 

Ford took home the most awards, with five of their vehicles earning awards. Chevrolet and Mazda each took home three awards. This year’s awards also saw some new brands emerge as winners with the 2012 Subaru Outback, Audi Q5, and Jeep Wrangler all being first-time winners.

“You don’t have to choose between a great car and a great value,” said Jamie Page Deaton, Managing Editor of U.S. News Best Cars. “The award-winning vehicles are both easy to live with and easy to afford.”

We’ve put together a list of the winners below and you can find them all in your area here on CarLocate.com.

For a complete list of winners visit U.S. News Best Cars.

Other U.S. News Best Cars Awards

Two vehicles were just awarded the most exclusive award in North America.  The 2012 Hyundai Elantra was named the 2012 North American Car of the Year and the 2012 Range Rover Evoque was named the 2012 North American Truck of the Year.

A jury of 50 independent North American automotive journalists evaluates each of the new cars and trucks introduced last year and chooses their top 3 for each category. From the top three they then must choose the best.  The vehicles are judged on a number of factors including innovation, impact on the industry, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, and value for the dollar.

2012 Hyundai Elantra

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra beat out the Volkswagen Passat and the Ford Focus. “Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America.  “In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra’s far-reaching impact on the industry.”
Elantra’s standard fuel economy is EPA-rated at 29 miles per gallon city and 40 miles per gallon highway – these figures give Elantra a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles.  Elantra’s strong EPA ratings are backed up by the highest owner satisfaction with real-world fuel economy in the compact class, according to data from J.D. Power and Associates.

2012 Range Rover Evoque

“We are honored that the all-new Range Rover Evoque has been named the 2012 North American Truck of the Year, one of the most celebrated automotive awards in our industry,” said Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America. “This recognition is in keeping with the overwhelmingly positive global response from consumers who are selecting the vehicle for its ideal combination of luxury and capability, within a sustainable package.”

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is the lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever produced. The vehicle also stays true to the brands core values of luxury, craftsmanship, performance, and multi-terrain capability. The Evoque also sends a message to the industry that the company is committed to sustainability and determined to deliver vehicles that are both relevant and highly desirable.

The Range Rover Evoque has garnered many other awards since its debut including Motor Trend’s Sport/Utility of the Year, Automobile Magazine’s 2012 All-Star Award, and Bloomberg News’ Crossover Car of the Year.