AAA awards the 2023 All Electric Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC SUV with the overall top score for the 2024 Car Guide.

This year, all category winners are either electric, plug-in electric hybrids or hybrids.

Additionally, the SUV category was divided into small, midsize, and large due to popularity among car buyers.

“This research is designed to help consumers make well-informed decisions when shopping for a new vehicle,” said Mike Hoshaw, vice president of automotive services, AAA East Central. “Since SUVs continue to increase in popularity, this year’s AAA Car Guide separates SUVs into three categories so car buyers can easily distinguish between the extensive number of available options.”

Category Winners

Each of the AAA Car Guide winners has numerous ADAS safety features and performance capabilities.

The 2023 All Electric Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC SUV earned the top score overall, best large SUV, and best car over $60k.

Researchers noted that the Mercedes-Benz has a very comfortable ride, a quiet cabin, and excellent headlight coverage.

The Ford F-150 Lightning ranks first in the pickup category.

With its cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and energy efficiency, US drivers now can have everything they know and love about an F-150, designed for the electrified lifestyle.

Researchers noted that the Ford F-150 Lightning has plenty of interior room for passengers and lots of standard ADAS features.

The AAA Car Guide includes comprehensive reviews of each vehicle based on 13 criteria, including the number of ADAS safety features, fuel efficiency, emissions, braking, handling, ride quality and acceleration.

These vehicles are tested, scored, and placed in one of seven vehicle type categories by the Automotive Research Center of the Automobile Club of Southern California.

AAA Efforts in EV Education

Since its establishment, AAA has been dedicated to advocating and educating people on mobility topics, and electric vehicles (EVs) are no exception.

•EV 101: Online resource for anyone interested in going electric, whether shopping for new or used.

•Car Care Electric Vehicles - Low Maintenance - No Problem: AAA series for young adults providing helpful tips, advice and life hacks on all things “#Adulting.”

•Mobile EV Charging Pilot and AAA EV Member Benefits: Available in select cities, this service is now part of our roadside assistance and will get EV owners back on the go if they run out of charge. That’s just one of the many benefits and services we offer our EV members.

•EV Research: AAA in-house experts conduct research about consumer sentiment around EVs and their functionality.

•AAA Car Guide Website: For those in the market for newer used EVs, the online resources also contain links to the two prior editions in 2022 and 2023.

AAA also provides consumers with other resources like the Your Driving Costs calculator, estimates of the cost to own a vehicle based on financing that vehicle, owning and driving it for five years, and trading in that vehicle at the end of those five years.

The 2023 AAA Your Driving Cost analysis revealed that EVs have the least expense associated with annual ownership costs in the categories of maintenance, repair and tire costs, fuel and licenses, registration and taxes.

Winners, detailed evaluation criteria, vehicle reviews, and an in-depth analysis of the ADAS technology can be found at aaa.com/carguide.

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Editor’s note: AAA East Central is a nonprofit association with 70 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.