Cash for clunkers: Recommended cars that qualify for a voucher

In the first part of this series, we featured a list of vehicles that met the qualifications for the cash for clunkers legislation working its way through Congress. Here, we present the second part of the puzzle– Consumer Reports recommended models that would make smart choices for motorists looking to take advantage of this program.

These are models that score well in Consumer Reports testing, have solid marks for safety, and average or better predicted reliability. Plus, they meet the government target for minimum fuel economy.

Make & model	EPA combined mpg	MSRP
Acura TSX	25	$29,675
Chevrolet HHR	24	24,730
Chevrolet Malibu (4-cyl.)	26	23,585
Ford Escape (4-cyl.)	21	25,470
Ford Escape Hybrid	28	25,470
Ford Focus	27	18,940
Ford Fusion (4-cyl., 2010)	25	22,145
Ford Fusion Hybrid (2010)	39	30,010
Honda Accord (4-cyl.)	24	22,795
Honda Civic	29	19,610
Honda CR-V	22	24,675
Honda Fit	31	16,020
Honda Odyssey	18	32,410
Hyundai Elantra	28	18,695
Hyundai Santa Fe	19	30,745
Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl.)	25	20,735
Hyundai Tucson (V6)	20	22,154
Kia Optima (4-cyl.)	25	22,795
Kia Sportage (V6)	20	23,565
Mazda3 (2.0L, 2010)	27	19,070
Mazda3 (2.5L, 2010)	25	20,700
Mazda5	23	22,615
Mini Cooper (base, MT)	32	21,700
Mitsubishi Outlander (4-cyl.)	22	22820
Nissan Altima 2.5S	26	22,705
Nissan Murano	20	33,330
Nissan Rogue	23	25,850
Nissan Sentra	28	18,855
Nissan Versa hatchback	29	16,675
Pontiac Vibe 1.8L	28	19,085
Scion tC	23	17,365
Scion xB	24	18,360
Scion xD	28	16,620
Subaru Forester	22	22,040
Subaru Impreza	22	19,106
Suzuki SX4 (FWD)	26	17,378
Toyota Camry (4-cyl.)	25	21,080
Toyota Camry Hybrid	34	29,720
Toyota Corolla	30	18,404
Toyota Highlander	19	38,575
Toyota Highlander Hybrid	26	43,770
Toyota Matrix S (2.4L)	24	21,180
Toyota Prius	46	24,803
Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.)	24	25,405
Toyota Sienna	19	36,989
Volkswagen Jetta (2.5L)	24	23,580
Volkswagen Rabbit	24	19,725
Volvo C30	23	25,795

To see a complete list of Consumer Reports recommended models check out our ratings, available to online subscribers. Also read, “Cash for clunkers: The best gas guzzlers to junk.” For more information on the Cash for clunkers program, see our guide.

—Eric Evarts

Update: President Obama signs Cash for Clunkers bill.

Comments

[Bob]

If you currently own two older vehicles that qualify under the cash for clunker programs, can they both be traded in at the same time and both receive vouchers towards a single new car? And how do different classes of vehicles apply (for example, you have a 1996 SUV and a 1999 SUV, can the voucher apply to a new car as opposed to an SUV?)

[Michael]

I have 2 Clunkers, that get 13 MPG (1993 Nissan Truck) and 16 MPG (1992 Olds Car) - but the governments website rates the MPG much higher than what I'm getting. The Olds shows 19 MPG combined - so I don't believe I will qualify for the program for either car.

[Phil]

Why isn't the Mercury Milan 4 cyl listed? It has similar featues and ratings as the Ford twin.

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

For space, we didn't include "twins." Milan 4-cyl is a good choice, though.

[alex]

Will my 93' Jeep Grand Cherokee get me a voucher? fueleconomy.org states it gets 14-19, but Im lucky if i average 14.

[Nathon]

Texas also has a clean air act voucher program. Can these two be used in conjunction? Also, does anyone have an exact date president Obama will be signing this bill?

[John Meehan]

I recently went to a local dealer who told me that the cash for clunkers would only issue me a tax credit and no cash. As I am retired and live on a fixed income it would take years for me to collect. I would be trading in a 1998 Chrysler Town and Country for a Ford Focus. Any help

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Obama has signed the bill. At time of purchase, participating dealers would apply the clunker credit toward the new car. The consumer does not wait for the benefit. So, it acts like a trade-in.

[Peter]

Why are the Odyssey and Sienna listed? The gov't has linked them with passengar cars and thus need to make a minimum 22 mpg combined.

[Tom Bassett]

the way the law is drafted, you only get one "voucher" for each new car purchased, so you don't get to trade in more than one car and get multiple $3,500 or $4,500 vouchers.

which is really too bad - in many cases, people (myself included) have two older vehicles and might want to get a single new one to replace them ... but with this law, we'll end up keeping one of them

[Christine]

Do minivans fall under category 2 truck in the bill? Otherwise, they would fall under passenger automobile and not qualify. This is confusing.

[Warren]

I have a 1993 Volvo 940 wagon, does it quality?

Thanks

[mike]

I did not see the VW Jetta TDI.It made green car of the year!! It get's 38 mpg. city 44-50 hwy.The car is in the Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption across 48 states.Avg. 58.82

[JPortis]

I have a 1995 Volvo 850 GLT, does it qualify>

[Phil]

1) GM makes more models that get 30 mpg than Toyota, Honda, Kia, Nissan.
Why are you not pushing domestic cars at all?
2) Cash for clunkers requires the old vehicle to be crushed. Therefore, a gas guzzling SUV that may be worth $4,500 on trade is going to be worth
$0 because it will have to be crushed and not resold. Thus, the consumer will lose the sales tax advantage of receiving the $4,500 for trade-in plus the 7% sales tax savings.

[Katie]

How do I get my voucher? I have a car that quilifies and need to trade it in today acutally.... Please help

[Kyle]

Why isn't one diesel car mentioned? The Jetta TDI gets 30-40% better mileage than its 2.5 sibling

[Ronald E Summers]

I was wondering how I can find out if my truck qualifies? And how and where I get my voucher from??

[eric]

I have a 1995 Caddilac Elderado wher should i take it? I heard it qualified for cash for clunkers!

[Obama]

This is socialism at its best. YOU ALL are paying for it in your high taxes.

[Judy Calufetti]

I have a 1993 Buick Park Avenue that gets 14 to 17 miles per gallon. Does this car qualify for the cash for clunkers program?

[Barbie Claggett]

We own a 1984 Ponitac Parisienne wagon, a 1984 Audi, and a 1994 Ford escort wagon. Do any or all of these qualify?

[Royal M]

I checked my car's eligibility here http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm, but I get 2 mpg estimates, one is 19 and one is 18, which do I use?

[Jen P]

Hi,

Your list is excellent. Is there any reason why it does not include Altima Hybrid as per following blog Altima is the best overall deal in the program as one can have 4 discounts.
http://cash4myclunker.blogspot.com/

Please let me know since I am in market to buy Altima Hybrid.

Thanks
Jen

[John V]

Just curious how the government is handling flex fuel vehicles ... my caravan is rated 19mpg for gas (so it wouldn't qualify). But it is rated 13mpg for E85, so it would qualify.