The Most Value-Packed Cars

Looking for a ride that combines quality, reliability and cost efficiency over the long haul without breaking the bank? These 10 vehicles are your best bets.
Things are looking up for the auto industry this year: Global new car sales are expected to rise 6% over 2010, which would beat the record 70 million units sold in 2007. J.D. Power and Associates has said U.S. auto sales will reach 13 million units this year, an increase of 12% over 2010.

But a lot could happen to derail the rosy forecasts. Unrest in Egypt and the Middle East has the oil market on edge, and higher prices or the fear of them directly affects how and when consumers spend money on a new car--and which type they choose.

The main thing drivers want these days is something they can trust for the long haul, says David Wurster, head of product development and analysis for the automotive analytics firm Vincentric. An unstable outlook for fuel costs affects more than you might think--in everything from compact cars to SUVs.

"If fuel jumps up to $4 a gallon, now all of a sudden nobody will want trucks," Wurster says. "Then the residuals will start to fall and as a result the deprecation will go up and the cost of ownership will go up."

These days, compacts are some of the safest bets when it comes to getting the most value for the money. The Mazda2, Nissan Versa and Chevrolet Cruze take three of the first four spots on our list of the most value-packed cars on the market.