IRVINE, Calif. — Following head-to-head testing and evaluation of 2019 model-year vehicles, the experts at Kelley Blue Book today have announced the winners of the 2019 Best Buy Awards. The program honors the top new model-year vehicles available in the U.S. market in 14 major categories, along with a brand-new category for 2019: Best New Model, with the Volvo XC40 taking home top honors.

To aid new-car buyers in their quest, Kelley Blue Book curated the Best Buy Awards to help shoppers narrow down their new-car consideration list and purchase their next vehicle with confidence. Analysts identified the best of all available 2019 models, with a special emphasis on value-per-dollar in both purchase and ownership experience.

“Shopping for a new car can be a daunting task, and with hundreds of options to choose from, it is hard to identify what vehicles earn top marks in pricing, ownership costs, expert evaluation, consumer opinion and more,” said Karl Brauer, executive publisher for Kelley Blue Book. “The Best Buy Awards were designed to help consumers shop with confidence by doing the heavy lifting for them and providing clear guidance on which specific car, truck, minivan and SUV models they should be prioritizing and considering for their next new-car purchase.”

Starting with the more than 300 new models available for 2019, Kelley Blue Book’s annual Best Buy Awards are based on a year-long regimen of expert vehicle evaluation and testing of nearly every new vehicle available in America, along with analysis of a broad array of vehicle-related data, including vehicle pricing, “5-Year Cost to Own” data (which includes depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, fuel, fees and taxes for new cars), consumer reviews and ratings and vehicle sales information.

To be considered for Kelley Blue Book’s newest award, Best New Model, the vehicle must be an all-new or redesigned vehicle and offer a strong value proposition to consumers based on pricing, innovation, and available standard technology and safety features.

This year’s winners are:

• Best New Model: Volvo XC40

• Compact Car: Honda Civic

• Midsize Car: Honda Accord

• Subcompact SUV: Hyundai Kona

• Compact SUV: Honda CR-V

• Midsize SUV: Honda Pilot

• Full-Size SUV: Ford Expedition

• Minivan: Honda Odyssey

• Subcompact Luxury SUV: Volvo XC40

• Compact Luxury SUV: Audi Q5

• Midsize Luxury SUV: Audi Q7

• Pickup Truck: Ford F-150

• Performance Car: Hyundai Veloster N

• Electric/Hybrid Car: Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid

• Luxury Car: Lexus ES

For full coverage of this year’s awards, click here.