AAA Selects Top 12 Cars of 2002

AP is reporting that the AAA has picked their top 12 cars of 2002.Their selection follows.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was the highest-rated vehicle overall, with 173 of a possible 200 points.

The Ford Thunderbird was voted "cool car of the year" in the AAA Auto Guide Awards announced Monday.

A panel of AAA experts tested more than 200 vehicles under everyday driving conditions and awarded points based on ride and handling, acceleration and braking, fuel economy, comfort and convenience, storage space and value.

The "cool car of the year" award is based on unique characteristics such as the Thunderbird's wedge-shaped body and porthole windows that are true to the original T-bird design, said AAA spokeswoman Jennifer Mack.

Aside from scoring the most points overall, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class was the leader in the $50,000-and-higher class.

Other passenger car winners in their classes were: Cadillac DeVille, BMW 5-series, Lexus ES 300, Acura 3.2TL, Buick LeSabre, Nissan Altima and Ford Focus.

The Cadillac Escalade was the top sport utility vehicle in the over-$25,000 class, the Toyota Highlander was the top SUV under $25,000, and the Honda Odyssey was the highest-rated minivan.

The only vehicles to make the list for a second consecutive year were the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Cadillac DeVille, Acura 3.2TL and Buick LeSabre.