For Valentine's Day, Autotrader Experts Name 5 New Cars Fit for a Long-Term Relationship

It takes more than just looks to be happy in the long-term, so the experts at Autotrader made their picks for cars that look good and can keep shoppers happy for the long haul.

ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to love, a lasting romance requires more than just an initial attraction. For Valentine's Day weekend, the experts at Autotrader are celebrating a different kind of relationship—the one people have with their cars. It takes more than good looks to keep drivers happy, so the Autotrader experts made their picks for cars that look good and have what it takes to sustain a relationship for the long haul.

"It's easy to be attracted to an exotic Italian sports car, but those kinds of cars may not have what it takes to keep you happy in the long run," said Tara Trompeter, managing editor at Autotrader. "The great news is that there are quite a few cars that don't require you to sacrifice looks for things like comfort and reliability."

The following are the cars that made Autotrader's "5 New Cars That Offer More Than Just Good Looks":

Chevrolet Malibu
The recently redesigned Chevrolet Malibu proves that a midsize family sedan can be gorgeous. Featuring bold new styling with sharp lines and sporty creases, the Malibu stands out compared to other traditional midsize sedans. But the Malibu isn't all about its looks—it offers a fuel-efficient hybrid variant, along with an impressive array of equipment that includes a self-parking system, a heated steering wheel, a wide range of safety gadgets, heated and ventilated front seats and leather upholstery. Best of all, it's surprisingly affordable.

Lexus RC
The Lexus RC offers a bold, exotic look that really stands out. But unlike most high-performance exotics, the RC has a trick up its sleeve: traditionally strong Lexus durability. Plus, despite the RC's exotic car looks, its vast dealership network makes finding parts and service easy. That means the RC is both attractive and low maintenance—a good combination.

Lincoln MKC
The recently released Lincoln MKC offers an especially attractive design for a luxury compact crossover. And yet, the MKC has more to offer than just good looks: it's also highly practical, touting a roomy, comfortable interior, a wide array of modern gadgets and efficient engines that return up to 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway. With prices starting at a reasonable $34,100 with shipping, the MKC is one luxury crossover you'll like for the long term.

Porsche Cayman
The Porsche Cayman is a handsome coupe that offers the obvious benefits you'd expect from a Porsche: sleek styling, excellent performance, and tremendous handling. However, the Cayman can be a practical sports car, too, with reasonable pricing and strong reliability. Yes, it only has two seats, but two trunks give it ample cargo space. Even fuel economy is reasonable, as the Cayman returns up to 20 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway.

Volvo XC90
There's no doubt that the new Volvo XC90 offers gorgeous looks, as it boasts near-perfect proportions for an SUV. But the XC90 has a seemingly unending list of excellent traits to back up those good looks, ranging from a highly comfortable interior with a third row seat to an impressive infotainment system and even a new engine that combines excellent power with a surprisingly impressive 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway. There's even a plug-in hybrid version that offers lightning-fast acceleration and a fully electric range of around 17 miles.

For more information on these vehicles and why they were selected, check out Love at First Sight: 5 New Cars That Offer More Than Just Good Looks on the Autotrader site.

About Autotrader
Autotrader is the most visited third-party car shopping site, with the most engaged audience of in-market shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered consumer looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing solutions guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience.

Autotrader is wholly owned by Cox Automotive which owns Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com®), Manheim Auctions, Dealertrack® and a portfolio of software companies that optimize inventory and advertising online. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

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SOURCE Autotrader

For further information: Julie Shipp, Public Relations Manager, 404-568-7914, Julie.Shipp@autotrader.com