The Best Cars For the Money

The best cars for the money are ones that combine a relatively low new car price with a long potential lifespan. They also offer the best combination of fuel economy, driving pleasure, and safety technology.

The Toyota Corolla

This compact sedan is one of the best-known and most popular small cars in the United States, combining good gas mileage with a spacious interior and plenty of safety features. It’s also one of the few affordable options with all-wheel drive, so it’s a great choice for those who live in places with lots of snow.

Nissan Altima

The Altima is an outstanding midsize sedan that slots in between the Sentra and Maxima, offering plenty of interior space, an excellent ride, and a wide range of features for a low price. This year’s new model is no different, with a raft of safety-focused tech that will keep you safe on the road.

Mercedes E-Class

The E-Class is the goldilocks car for Mercedes fans, blending luxury with reliability and performance without a big price tag. It’s a little more affordable than the AMG version, but it still offers excellent refinement and plenty of power to get you up to speed quickly.

Kia K5

The Kia K5 is a sporty family sedan that can be as comfortable for two adults as it is for five, and offers plenty of style and technology. Its base engine is pretty strong, but a nifty hybrid variant makes it even more of a money saver on the highway.

Hyundai Elantra N

While most compact sports cars can be quite expensive, the Hyundai Elantra N offers a lot of pedigree and performance for its sub-$35,000 asking price. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder can deliver 275 horsepower to the front wheels, and an overboost feature aptly named “N Grin Shift” adds up to 286 ponies in short bursts.

BMW 7 Series

The 7 Series is one of the most prestigious luxury sedans on the market, and this entry-level model has more than enough room for six, thanks to a generously sized cabin. It’s also one of the most advanced, with an impressive suite of safety technology and a powerfully fast engine that can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Honda Civic

The Civic is one of the most beloved and versatile vehicles in America, offering a wide range of engines and trim levels, good fuel economy, and a smooth ride. This year’s 11th-generation Civic has even more to offer, and it’s our pick for the best value in the segment.

Ram pickup

Whether you need a full-size truck for your job or just like to haul stuff around town, the latest generation of the Ram pickup has changed how people think about this segment. Its large infotainment screen and other high-tech comforts turn it into an entirely different vehicle than what we expected.

Mazda3

The Mazda3 is a popular and fun-to-drive compact sedan that can be a family car, a daily driver or a sporty cruiser. Its cylinder-deactivation system can save you fuel by shutting down the engine whenever you’re not using it. It’s offered as both a sedan and a hatchback, with all-wheel drive available on select models.