SAN ANTONIO -

USAA, which helps military families secure auto financing, insurance and more, recently unveiled its second annual Best Value vehicles list along with its Top 10 models for teen drivers.

Included in the rundown of 2012 models in 16 categories for consumers looking "to get the most bang for their buck" were:

—Large Sedan: Dodge Charger
—Large Luxury SUV: Audi Q7
—Midsize Sedan: Toyota Camry Hybrid
—Midsize Luxury SUV: Lexus RX 450h (hybrid)
—Small Sedan: Hyundai Elantra
—Large Pickup: Toyota Tundra 2WD
—Large Luxury Sedan: Hyundai Genesis
—Small Pickup: Nissan Frontier
—Midsize Luxury Sedan: Volvo S60
—Sports: Ford Mustang
—Large SUV: Chevrolet Traverse
—Coupe: Honda CR-Z (hybrid)
—Midsize SUV: Dodge Journey
—Wagon: Nissan Juke
—Small SUV: Kia Sportage
—Minivan: Dodge Caravan

Officials recapped that their Best Value models offer the best financial value of all vehicles USAA evaluates as part of a broader rating system called USAA Preferred, which uses quantitative data to evaluate vehicles’ cost, safety and reliability, among other key factors.

The company said there are nearly 80 cars, trucks and minivans that are currently designated as USAA Preferred vehicles, and the Best Value list represents the vehicles that rose to the top of each category.

USAA assistant vice president Steve Thompson said, "30 percent of members who added a new model year vehicle to their USAA auto insurance policy in 2011 chose a USAA Preferred or Best Value vehicle.

"The goal of the list is to help members identify vehicles that offer better safety ratings, lower insurance premium costs, higher fuel economy, better overall reliability and lower MSRP compared to other vehicles in the same category," Thompson continued.

Lauren Fix, known as "The Car Coach," added, "The average vehicle on the road today is 10 years old. As the economy improves, new car sales are expected to increase as consumers begin replacing their clunkers with new models.

"Summer is a great time to get an excellent deal on a 2012 model, especially as used-car costs remain nearly on par with new vehicles," Fix went on to say.

Top 10 Vehicles for Teens

According to a recent survey commissioned by USAA, the attributes parents say are or will be most important when choosing a vehicle for their teen include reliability (81 percent), a high safety rating (73 percent) and affordable auto insurance (62 percent).

For parents seeking a new car for their teen, USAA identified the USAA Preferred vehicles that possess these attributes to create the first-ever Top 10 for Teens list:

1. Scion tC
2. Nissan Cube
3. Honda Fit
4. Scion xD
5. Scion xB
6. Toyota Yaris
7. Honda Civic
8. Hyundai Elantra
9. Honda CR-Z
10. Kia Forte

Fix noted that, "as a parent, I know how challenging it can be to feel confident about the car your teen drives, especially if it’s a much older model. USAA’s Top 10 for Teens list gives parents a place to start their search for a new vehicle that gets top marks in the areas they care most about – reliability, safety and reasonable insurance costs."

USAA Preferred and Best Value vehicles are designated as such on usaa.com and coming soon on the USAA Mobile App.

For more information about the USAA Best Value list, and the specific models featured, visit www.usaa.com/bestvalue.

Chevrolet Details U.S. Military Appreciation Month

Along with an offer to USAA members, Chevrolet will salute the nation’s active duty and retired service members in May by providing an exclusive "Honor" badge to customers who buy an eligible vehicle through the General Motors Military Discount program.

The brand also will donate $100 to Cell Phone for Soldiers for each eligible vehicle sold.

"The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces have given so much for so many," said Alan Batey, vice president of Chevrolet sales and service.

Batey added, "This is one small way Chevrolet can say ‘thank you.’"

During Military Appreciation Month, Chevrolet dealers will install, free upon request, the exclusive "Honor" badge — consisting of a yellow ribbon and "Honor" script — as a subtle recognition of military service to customers who buy an eligible Chevrolet through the GM Military Discount program. 

The GM Military Discount is available to active, reserve and retired members and spouses of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard. The discount, ranging from $400 to $4,000, is available on most Chevrolet cars, trucks and crossovers, depending on the model and options selected. The discount can be combined with most current incentives.

The GM Military Discount offers an additional $750 discount on selected Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles to eligible members of USAA.

To date, officials indicated 169,000 vehicles have been sold taking advantage of the USAA incentive.

"It’s so good to see companies like Chevrolet step up to celebrate our service members," said Mel Otte, a disabled Air Force veteran who spent 13 years in the service.

"Every time I look at my Chevrolet honor badge, I pause to remember my brethren, many of whom have sacrificed their lives in service to our country," Otte continued.

Since 2010, Chevrolet and its dealers have collected more than 103,000 lightly used devices for Cell Phones for Soldiers, and converted them to 6.2 million minutes of free talk time for troops serving overseas.

GM reiterated that it has supported the U.S. military since 1917, when 90 percent of GM’s truck production was directed toward World War I manufacturing. During World War II, GM converted all its plant facilities in support of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s call for an "Arsenal of Democracy." The value of all war products delivered by GM to WWII efforts totaled more than $12 billion.