Imports are popular with online shoppers

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Imports once again dominated Kelley Blue Book’s annual ranking of the most-researched new vehicles on its website.

Of the top 20 vehicles, 15 were Japanese, three were American and two were German. Detroit was represented by the Ford Escape and Mustang and the Chevy Malibu.

The top three cars in the 2008 ranking — the Honda Civic and Accord and the Toyota Camry — have held those spots (in varying order) since 2004.

Given the spike in gas prices earlier in the year and the recent slump in the economy and stock market, shoppers gravitated toward fuel-efficient, economical models, said Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Irvine-based Kelley Blue Book and its website, kbb.com.

Despite the imports’ dominance, Nerad noted some good news for the domestics, including the strong showing by the redesigned Chevy Malibu, which has garnered considerable praise from critics.

Here’s the list:

1. Honda Civic
2. Honda Accord
3. Toyota Camry
4. Toyota Corolla
5. Nissan Altima
6. Honda CR-V
7. Toyota Prius
8. Toyota Highlander
9. Toyota RAV4
10. Mazda3
11. Toyota Yaris
12. Ford Escape
13. Honda Odyssey
14. Honda Pilot
15. Honda Fit
16. Ford Mustang
17. Chevrolet Malibu
18. Toyota Sienna
19. Mini Cooper
20. Volkswagen Jetta

-- Martin Zimmerman

(bottom) 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LT

Photo credits: Honda Motor, General Motors