The Fast and the Frugal: Scion FR-S Is Among U.S. News' Best Cars for the Money

BALTIMORE, Md., March 1, 2013 — "Sports car" and "value" may not be two terms that are often heard together, but U.S. News & World Report has found a vehicle that epitomizes both. The news publication recently named the Scion FR-S the winner in the Sports Cars segment of its 2013 Best Cars for the Money Awards, which evaluate vehicles in 21 different categories to help drivers find models that are affordable yet still enjoyable out on the road.

U.S. News' annual awards are based on more than just average purchase price or test-drives by automotive critics. Editors also take into consideration five-year total cost of ownership from TrueCar.com, reliability data from J.D. Power and Associates and crash-safety test scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The FR-S joined the list for the first time this year after debuting for the 2013 model year.

"Not only is the FR-S an affordable vehicle, it's also incredibly fun to drive with its lightweight chassis and low center of gravity, and that's what makes it a great value," said Randy Smith, sales manager of Russel Scion, a Scion dealer in Baltimore, Md. "When consumers are shopping for a new car, they don't want to opt for the cheapest option and then be disappointed in its performance down the road, and these awards from U.S. News really help drivers find the vehicles that are the best of both worlds."

Another Scion was awarded for its long-term value in February, with the 2013 Scion iQ winning the Subcompact Car category in the 5-Year Cost to Own Awards from Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. Beating out the Chevy Spark and Mazda2, the iQ was forecast by the automotive-information site to cost owners just $27,006 during the course of five years.

KBB.com editors combine a variety of factors when creating their 5-Year Cost to Own Awards. While many shoppers only consider the purchase price when looking for a new car, KBB.com looks at the additional costs that will roll in over five years, including insurance fees, financing costs, fuel, maintenance and repairs, and state fees.

"People who are looking for an affordable small car that's efficient for city living will love the iQ because they'll save money over the long term and get more for their money when it's time to trade in," added Smith. "The iQ is a great choice for those who not only want to minimize out-of-pocket auto expenses, but also want to minimize the hassle of fitting into tight parking spots."

About Russel Scion:
For years, Maryland Scion shoppers have trusted the dedicated and knowledgeable team at Russel Scion to deliver unparalleled sales and service experiences. Their Baltimore Scion dealership offers an extensive inventory of new and pre-owned Scion vehicles that can be browsed in a no-hassle shopping environment. Meanwhile, Russel Scion's service and parts department helps customers long after each sale to ensure that they can enjoy their Scion for years to come. View their inventory online at www.russelscion.com, visit their dealership at 6324 Baltimore National Pike or contact their team by phone at 410-788-8400. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RusselToyota.