This week, Consumer Guide Automotive revealed the recipients of its 2012 Best Buy and Recommended Awards, showcasing a total of 106 vehicles.

Two domestic nameplates led the way with the most models honored as Chevrolet and Ford each had nine award winners. Toyota was right behind with eight lauded units while Honda had seven vehicles praised.

Since 1967, the editorial team at Consumer Guide Automotive has used a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process to identify the vehicles that it deems worthy of serious consideration by a consumer, the publication noted.

In assessing each vehicles, the editors utilize such criteria as price, features, performance, accommodations, fuel economy, reliability records and resale value.

The winners are divided into two categories: The Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy and Recommended winners.

Officials explained that a Best Buy rating signifies that a vehicle is ranked at the top of its class and is strongly recommended by the editors. Best Buy vehicles are said to represent the best balance of attributes and price within their classes, and they are said to be the most ideal choices for most consumers.

This year’s models earning the Best Buy award include the Nissan Versa, Ford Expedition, Kia Optima, Buick LaCrosse, Dodge Charger and the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Consumer Guide Automotive indicated that its Recommended list features vehicles that, though not ranked at the very top of their category, are still worth strong consideration by the consumer for their unique combination of attributes and value.

This year’s Recommended awards include the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Impreza, Honda Accord, Audi A7 and the Nissan Frontier.

“The key to Consumer Guide Automotive’s annual Best Buy and Recommended Awards is the careful evaluation of every aspect of each vehicle as it relates to consumers’ real-world driving experience,” editors explained.

“It is this thoroughness which is driving increasing numbers of consumers to check Consumer Guide Automotive reviews before buying a new vehicle,” they continued.

Consumer Guide’s editorial team drives nearly 200,000 miles per year evaluating what these vehicles do well, and what they don’t.

The publication said multiple editors evaluate each vehicle, a process that assure that recommendations are based on experiences that best reflect the settings and conditions that  buyers encounters every day.

“Whether it is driving through the city, highways, rural areas, long trips, or simply picking up the kids at school, the vehicles are tested in the same way that typical car buyers would use their vehicle,” editors concluded.

The following is a breakdown of the award winners:

Subcompact Car Best Buys
Ford Fiesta
Honda Fit
Hyundai Accent
Mazda 2
Nissan Cube

Subcompact Car Recommended
Chevrolet Sonic

Compact Car Best Buys
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Mazda3
Nissan Versa
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

Compact Car Recommendeds
Chevrolet Cruze
Hyundai Elantra
Scion Xb
Subaru Impreza

Premium Compact Car Best Buys
BMW 3-Series
Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Premium Compact Car Recommendeds
Acura TSX (includes Sport Wagon)
Audi A4

Midsize Car Best Buys
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Mazda 5
Toyota Camry
Toyota Prius

Midsize Car Recommendeds
Chevrolet Malibu
Honda Accord
Nissan Altima
Subaru Outback
Suzuki Kizashi

Premium Midsize Car Best Buys
Acura TL
Cadillac CTS
Infiniti G
Jaguar XF
Volkswagen CC

Premium Midsize Car Recommendeds
Audi A7
Buick Regal
Lexus ES 350
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Volvo XC70

Large Car Best Buys
Buick LaCrosse
Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Toyota Avalon

Large Car Recommendeds
Ford Taurus
Hyundai Genesis

Premium Large Car Best Buys
Lexus LS
Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Premium Large Car Recommendeds
Jaguar XJ
Sporty/Performance Best Buys
Ford Mustang
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mini Cooper / Clubman
Volkswagen GTI

Sporty/Performance Recommendeds
Fiat 500
Honda CR-Z
Nissan Juke

Premium Sporty/Performance Best Buys
Audi A5
Chevrolet Corvette

Premium Sporty/Performance Recommended
Jaguar XK
Compact SUV Best Buys
Hyundai Tucson
Volkswagen Tiguan

Compact SUV Recommendeds
Ford Escape
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4

Premium Compact SUV Best Buy
Audi Q5

Premium Compact SUV Recommendeds
Infiniti EX35
Volvo XC60

Midsize SUV Best Buys
Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Journey
GMC Acadia
Honda Pilot
Kia Sorento
Mazda CX-9

Midsize SUV Recommendeds
Chevrolet Equinox
Dodge Durango
Ford Flex
GMC Terrain
Jeep Grand Cherokee

Premium Midsize SUV Best Buys
Acura MDX
Buick Enclave
Lexus RX

Premium Midsize SUV Recommended
Cadillac SRX
Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Large SUV Best Buys
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon

Large SUV Recommended
Toyota Sequoia

Premium Large SUV Best Buy
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Premium Large SUV Recommendeds
Cadillac Escalade

Compact Pickup Best Buy
Toyota Tacoma

Compact Pickup Recommendeds
Honda Ridgeline
Nissan Frontier
Suzuki Equator

Large Pickup Best Buys
Ram 1500
Ford F-150

Large Pickup Recommendeds
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
GMC Sierra 1500
Toyota Tundra

Minivan Best Buys
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
Honda Odyssey

Minivan Recommendeds
Nissan Quest
Toyota Sienna