Cars and Drivers

Which 2017 Cars Have Received the Most Awards?

Paul Ausick

Published: July 27, 2017 9:05 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 9:43 am

Consumers have a lot of choices when they go shopping for a new car. With more than 350 models available this year, choosing the right one can be a bit confusing.

The experts at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) have made the choice a little easier by compiling a list of the 2017 models that have earned the most awards from their “Best of” lists, including the Best Buy Awards, Best Auto Tech Awards, Best Resale Value Awards and 5-Year Cost to Own Awards.

Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, said:

Our expert editors drive and review nearly every new car on the road each year, so we have an abundance of knowledge that fuels our Top 10 lists and editorial awards, while our analysts evaluate tremendous amounts of data to help determine which vehicles make the cut for Kelley Blue Book’s awards.  Because of all the data and analysis that goes into them, they are a good place to start your new-car search.

Here’s KBB’s list of the 10 most awarded cars of 2017, along with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and the editors’ comments on the vehicles.

1. Honda Accord: $23,330.
   

   The Accord earned the most accolades for 2017, and the variety of other awards it won call out the sedan’s strong suits: it’s a 5-Year Cost to Own standout, one of the 10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000, and it’s one of our Best Family Sedans.

2. Honda Civic: $20,415.
   

   The Civic has been our Small Car Best Buy winner every year since the award’s inception, and repeated as the Overall Best Buy for 2017. It’s also lauded for its tech features, as one of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000, and for its status as an appealing family sedan.

3. Jeep Wrangler: $28,090.
   

   The Wrangler’s soft-top and trail-ready nature made it a shoo-in for the 10 Most Fun SUVs as well as one of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $25,000. But it also appeals to the practical side, earning two Best Resale Value awards as well as a spot on the 5-Year Cost to Own Award list.

4. Hyundai Sonata: $22,435.
   

   The Sonata is a compelling alternative to popular choices like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. In 2017, this past Best Buy Award winner earned praise as one of the 10 Best Sedans Under $25,000 and one of the 10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000.

5. Kia Optima: $23,095.
   

   The sporty, stylish sedan was named one of our 10 Best Sedans Under $25,000 and one of our Best Family Sedans. The Optima’s hybrid variants were also recognized, as both the Hybrid and the Plug-in Hybrid were among the best hybrids under $40,000.

6. Toyota Prius/Prius Prime: $24,360
   

   Toyota’s newest-generation hybrid (Prius) and plug-in hybrid (Prius Prime) have been named as the Best Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Cars Under $40,000, and earned 5-Year Cost to Own Awards. The Prius Prime is also a 2017 Best Buy Award winner.

7. Chevrolet Impala: $28,175.
   

   The Impala is a three-time Best Buy award winner, one of this year’s Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000, one of our Best Family Sedans and offers impressive 5-Year Cost to Own numbers.

8. Kia Sportage: $25,595.
   

   The Sportage is this year’s Small SUV Best Buy for many reasons, including value, practicality, style and an excellent warranty. These aspects of the Sportage also earned it a spot on our 12 Best Family Cars list, and made it one of the 10 Best SUVs Under $25,000.

9. Honda CR-V: $24,985.
   

   The CR-V is a frequent award-winner and now has even more accolades for its collection, including being chosen as one of KBB’s 12 Best Family Cars, one of our 10 Best SUVs Under $25,000 and one of the 10 Best All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Under $25,000.

10. Subaru Impreza: $19,125.
    

    This year, the Impreza is one of the 10 Best Sedans Under $25,000, a Best Resale Value Award winner and was named one of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000.