IRVINE, Calif. -

After narrowing down its list to a few dozen Best Buy Award contenders in 12 major vehicle categories, Kelley Blue Book announced Thursday that it has named the 2018 Honda Accord this year’s overall Best Buy Award winner.

In addition to selling for far less than the average new car, the 2018 Honda Accord provides more features, better fuel economy and a greater reputation for quality and reliability than its competitors, according to KBB.

“The mid-size sedan segment has long been a sweet spot of needs, wants and value, and the totally redesigned 2018 Honda Accord is the most appealing car in the category. The Accord's storied refinement and resale value advantages remain, but the new model now outclasses the competition in almost every meaningful measure,” KBB said in a news release. “Value without compromise is as rare as it is desirable, and it's why the all-new Honda Accord is our Overall Best Buy for 2018.”

KBB’s year-long regimen of expert vehicle evaluation and testing includes more than 300 new-car models available in the U.S.

The analysis of each model focuses on an examination of vehicle pricing/transaction prices, along with 5-Year Cost to Own data related to depreciation; insurance; maintenance; financing; fuel, fees; taxes; consumer reviews and ratings, and vehicle sales/retail sales information, according to KBB.

“Kelley Blue Book takes great pride in providing a significant consumer service by identifying the new vehicles our experts believe to be the absolute best-value choices for new-car shoppers,” KBB executive publisher Karl Brauer said. “This year's Best Buy Award winners can help shoppers narrow the consideration list of new models across every major vehicle category, providing car buyers with confidence in their next new-car purchase.”

The 2018 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award 12 category winners include the following models:

  • Small Car: 2018 Honda Civic
  • Mid-Size Car: 2018 Honda Accord
  • Full-Size Car: 2018 Chevrolet Impala
  • Luxury Car: 2018 Audi A5 Sportback
  • Performance Car: 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster
  • Electric/Hybrid Car: 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
  • Small SUV/Crossover: 2018 Honda CR-V
  • Mid-Size SUV/Crossover: 2018 Honda Pilot
  • Full-Size SUV/Crossover: 2018 Ford Expedition
  • Luxury SUV/Crossover: 2018 Audi Q5
  • Truck: 2018 Ford F-150
  • Minivan: 2018 Honda Odyssey

Additionally, in a recent study, 64 percent of consumers said their vehicle opinion was influenced when a model earned a Kelley Blue Book award, outpacing the influence of an award offered by the next closest third-party automotive resource by nearly 20 percentage points, according to KBB.