IntelliChoice Reveals Best Overall Value Award Winners for 2002 Model Year Vehicles

CHICAGO, Feb. 6 -- PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice, a PRIMEDIA company that develops and distributes consumer automobile pricing, specifications and ownership and leasing cost data, today announced winners of the 16th annual ``Best Overall Value of the Year'' awards for 2002 model year cars, trucks and SUVs at media preview days of the 2002 Chicago Auto Show.

IntelliChoice's Best Overall Value of the Year awards recognize cars, trucks and SUVs that will cost significantly less to own than would be expected of vehicles at their purchase prices. A listing of this year's winners and more information on the awards can be found at http://www.intellichoice.com. Overall category winners include:

* Best Car Value under $24,000 - Honda Civic DX Sedan * Best Car Value over $24,000 - Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Cabriolet * Best Truck Value under $26,000 - Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab 4WD * Best Truck Value over $26,000 - Ford F150 XLT Styleside SuperCab 4WD * Best Sport Utility Value under $28,000 - Toyota 4Runner SR5 2WD * Best Sport Utility Value over $28,000 - Mercedes-Benz ML320

``The cars, trucks and SUVs awarded with this distinction have proven their value and exceeded expectations in many areas that vehicle-owners must consider when purchasing, including maintenance, repairs and insurance costs,'' said David Wurster, publisher of PRIMEDIA'S IntelliChoice. ``The Best Overall Value of the Year awards are useful indicators that very clearly determine what new vehicles provide the best value and they serve as another resource tool for new-car purchasers.''

IntelliChoice's value calculation accounts for the price of a vehicle and the accumulated costs of depreciation, maintenance, repairs, fuel, fees, financing and insurance. The value measurement analyzes data compiled on more than 1,000 car, truck and SUV models and projects what these costs will be for the upcoming five-year ownership cycle. In addition to Best Overall Value award distinctions, PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice also recognized the following 28 vehicles as class winners:

* Base Sport Class - BMW Z3 Roadster * Compact Class over $16,500 - Honda Civic Sedan * Compact Class under $16,500 - Honda Civic Sedan * Compact Pickup Class 2WD - Toyota Tacoma * Compact Pickup Class 4WD - Dodge Dakota * Compact Sport Utility Class over $20,000 - Toyota 4Runner * Compact Sport Utility Class under $20,000 - Toyota RAV4 * Full-Size Pickup Class 1/2 Ton 2WD - Toyota Tundra * Full-Size Pickup Class 1/2 Ton 4WD - Ford F150 SuperCab * Full-Size Pickup Class 3/4 Ton 2WD - Chevrolet Silverado C2500 * Full-Size Pickup Class 3/4 Ton 4WD - Ford F250 SuperCab * Full-Size Pickup Class One Ton 2WD - Ford F350 SuperCab * Full-Size Pickup Class One Ton 4WD - Ford F350 SuperCab * Full-Size Sport Utility Class - Toyota Land Cruiser * Full-Size Van Class - Ford E150 Wagon * Intermediate Sport Utility Class over $30,000 - Mercedes-Benz M-Class * Intermediate Sport Utility Class under $30,000 - Ford Explorer * Large Class -Toyota Avalon * Luxury Class - Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class * Midsize Class over $20,500 - Honda Accord Sedan * Midsize Class under $20,500 - Honda Accord Sedan * Midsize/Large Wagon Class - Volkswagen Passat * Mini-Van Class over $25,000 - Toyota Sienna * Mini-Van Class under $25,000 - Toyota Sienna * Near Luxury Class - Acura 3.2TL * Small Wagon Class - Volkswagen Jetta * Sport Class - Porsche 911 Carrera * Subcompact Class - Honda Civic Coupe