10 Cars That are the Best Bang for Your Buck

Looking to get a good deal on a car without having to break the bank? Keep reading to find out which cars will get you the best bang for your buck.

10. 2023 Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona / Photo by Stephen Kidd

According to U.S. News & World Report, the 2023 Hyundai Kona is the best cars for your money. Voted the North American Utility of the Year, the 2023 Hyundai Kona is available with a gas engine or an electric powertrain. This vehicle also has agile handling and an upscale cabin. Its starting price is around $20,000.

FUN FACTS:

The Hyundai Kona is named after the Kona District on the west side of the island of Hawaii.

Hyundai was forced to change the Kona’s name in Portugal because the name is too similar to the Portuguese word “cona,” which is a slang word for female genitalia.

9. 2023 Honda Insight

Honda Insight
Honda Insight

According to CNET editor Antuan Goodwin, the 2023 Honda Insight is “the most efficient Civic hybrid yet.”

“The Insight is simply a really good car that delivers great economy without drawing attention to how ‘green’ it is. It’s also a bargain, starting at around $23,000. That leaves plenty of room in the budget to consider the fully-loaded $28,090 Touring model with its better infotainment, LaneWatch safety tech, and superior creature comforts,” Goodwin said.

And, according to Consumer Reports, the Insight’s best attribute is its fuel efficiency, which is an astounding 54 mpg overall.

8. Mercedes-Benz E Class

Mercedes-Benz E Class
Mercedes-Benz E Class

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re probably wondering, “how can a Mercedes-Benz give you the best bang for your buck?” Well, one way is to get an off-lease used Mercedes-Benz. According to BUSINESS INSIDER, off-lease used cars are a great way to get a nearly new car at a fraction of the price. Automotive search engine iSeeCars.com released a study showing which cars offer the best bang for the buck based on depreciation. The Mercedes-Benz E Class came in at number three on the list. It had a depreciation rate of 49.9 percent during the first three years of ownership and an average three-year-old used price of $34,010.

7. 2023 Kia Soul

Kia Soul
Kia Soul

The 2023 Kia Soul is comfortable, affordable, spacious, and eco-friendly. Plus, it gets good gas mileage.

The 2023 Kia Soul underwent a mid-cycle facelift. It differed from its predecessor in many ways, including redesigned front and rear bumpers that included a metal shield on the bottom, climate control in the interior, a two-screen multimedia system, and a 204hp turbocharged engine — an increase of 40hp from its predecessor. This was the first major upgrade introduced by Kia for the second generation of the Soul.

6. 2023 Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wrangler

According to CNET editor Emme Hall, the Wrangler is the best off-roading SUV that money can buy. And, yes, you can get one for under $30k. You just have to do without certain luxuries, but you still get a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Plus, the Wrangler has a two-speed transfer case, six-speed manual transmission, and a removable top and doors for those open-air, summertime road trips. Not too bad for a vehicle with a starting price of $27,600.

5. Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Passat is another car that made it onto iSeeCars.com’s list of cars that offer the best bang for the buck based on depreciation. During the first three years of ownership, the Volkswagen Passat depreciates 50.7 percent. Its average three-year-old used price is $14,906.

Long known for a quiet, comfortable ride, as well as its capable handling and quality interior treatment, the Passat has been produced by German automaker Volkswagen since 1937. It was optimized for the American market in 2012, with lots of room in the front and rear. It also became less expensive.

FUN FACT: The Passat did not have a 2011 model.

4. Chrysler 200

Chrysler 200
Chrysler 200

Also on iSeeCars.com’s list, the Chrysler 200 depreciates 48.4 percent during the first three years of ownership. It has an average three-year-old used price of $14,011.

According to Car and Driver magazine, the Chrysler 200 isn’t exactly the best car out there — but it’s not the worst either. “It offers a competent chassis, an intuitive infotainment system, and plenty of storage, yet it lacks the refinement of its competitors. A 184-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, nine-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive are standard; a 295-hp 3.6-liter V-6 and all-wheel drive are optional. It’s a pleasant sedan for commuting and household chores,” the magazine said on its website. But, due to poor sales, the 200 was not produced beyond 2023.

3. 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda MX-5 Miata

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of those cars that’s fun yet affordable. In fact, according to CNET editor Andrew Krok, it’s “one of the most accessibly fun vehicles on sale today. It has the right amount of body roll, making every turn just a little more fun than it should be.”

“With 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque on tap from its 2.0-liter I4, the 2019 MX-5 Miata is more powerful than it used to be, and that little bump makes it much more palatable for daily driving and highway overtakes,” Krok added.

2. Ford Transit Connect XL

Ford Transit Connect XL
Ford Transit Connect XL

Yes, this mini cargo van is aimed at small businesses, but that doesn’t mean you can’t purchase one for your own personal use. This vehicle is a two-seater, but it has optional seating that can accommodate up to five people. Plus, it has lots of cargo room in the back. It also has a four-speed automatic transmission, 2.0-liter four engine with 136 hp, and gets an estimated 26 mpg on the highway. And, according to Forbes, Ford says that the Transit Connect was designed to achieve low operating costs. It has an MSRP of $21,455, with an average market price of $20,556.

1. Toyota Prius

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid photographed in Washington, D.C., USA.
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid / Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Toyota Prius is a gasoline-electric hybrid, compact four-door hatch that definitely gives you more bang for your buck when you consider its upfront costs, fuel costs, depreciation, and estimated resale value. It gets an EPA-estimated 51 mpg in city driving, and its fuel costs are some of the lowest, at $5,700. The downside is that you will have to wait longer than you likely want to for the fuel savings to pay off the premium you have to pay for buying a hybrid.

The Toyota Prius has a 1.8-liter four engine, plus electric motor, with 134 hp total. It also comes with an electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission — or ECVT for short. Its MSRP is $21,650, with an average market price of $22,519.

Garry L. Hemphill
Garry L. Hemphill

My mission is to help people discover their dreams and take action to make them a reality. I specialize in creating content that motivates, educates, and inspires others to pursue their passions with purpose.

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