The December issue of Consumers Digest includes the 2012 model year Best Buys, including 35 vehicles and eight companion models.

For the third consecutive year, American automakers have secured more than 60 percent of the Best Buy ratings from CD, led by ten vehicles each from Ford and General Motors. Chrysler and other brands in its vehicle family earned a total of eight, compared to three in 2011.

Chrysler has had a run of good news, recently announcing 19 consecutive months of rising vehicle sales. Consumers Digest editor Rich Dzierwa indicated the success may result from the influence of Fiat, now Chrysler's parent company. He predicted new quality measures originating in Fiat may further benefit Chrysler.

Vehicles are evaluated based on a number of factors, weighing price and ownership costs against both design and performance. Performance includes braking, steering and handling, fuel economy and more, while design focuses on style, ergonomics, use of space and accessories.

While coverage providers have little interest in a vehicle's comfort when calculating auto insurance rates, price, steering and braking can all be factors. Vehicles which are more expensive and more likely to be in an accident are more expensive to insure. While Consumeers Digest's Best Buys are not necessarily good from an insurance standpoint, drivers looking for a new vehicle will find the evaluations share some criteria.