Previously Featured Best Value Automobiles

Attention, drivers: this is not a list of the least expensive automobiles to purchase. Rather, below you will find models we know will deliver great value for your hard-earned money. We recommend vehicles in different categories because no one car is right for everyone. Think of this as a guide to help take some of the hassle out of choosing your new ride.

Top 10 Best Value Automobiles

5-Door Hatchbacks

Honda Fit While the Honda Fit is a steal at under $15,000, its real value can be found at the pump. Earning an impressive 35 mpg highway, this zippy 5-door hatch allows for more fun with less fuel stops.

Kia Soul Exclaim Boasting a trendy exterior, this five-passenger hatchback ought to catch the eye of twenty-somethings looking for their first car. This youth-oriented econobox is customizable (and available in four trims), and features a spacious interior along with decent fuel economy.

Ford Fiesta Hatchback Showing off a clean aerodynamic form, this fuel-efficient five-door hatchback includes a five-speed manual transmission and comes with excellent safety features as well as all the audio sophistication and digital wireless communication capability now demanded by young buyers.

Nissan Versa Meeting basic transportation needs and providing plenty of room, this hatchback has excellent fuel mileage, perfect for these times of rising gas prices.

Volkswagen Rabbit A compact and practical speedster, the Rabbit comes with a 2.5-liter, 170 horsepower in-line 5-cylinder engine along with an appealing price tag.

Mazda 3 Starting at $16,895, this is a good value. Even with the addition of leather seats, a navigation system, moon roof, Xenon headlights, enhanced braking system and 6-CD-package, pushing the price to $22,154, it's still a deal.

Kia Spectra5 This handsome little five-door is perfect for a tight budget, or as a first car. It even has sporty extras like front and rear spoilers, side sills and rear valance to sexy-it-up.

Suzuki Reno A great, no-nonsense starter car covered by a phenomenal warranty.

Honda Fit Sport A spacious, fuel-efficient hatchback with plenty of pick-up and driving fun.

Station Wagons

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen SE Although it's a compact, this five-passenger station wagon provides a spacious interior and a well-rounded experience. The Jetta SportWagen SE has quick handling and features a 2.8-liter 5-cylinder engine capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 127 mph.

Jaguar X-Type 3.0 Sportwagon A 227 bhp V6 engine is standard in this vehicle, and prices start around $31,000, making it a serious competitor in its category.

Dodge Magnum RT Packing a beefy engine, this station wagon has ample power and plenty of room.

Minivans

Mazda 5 Grand Touring An efficiently designed compact minivan that still manages to accommodate six passengers comfortably in its three rows of theater-style seating.

Nissan Quest 3.5 SE A fully loaded, borderline Space Age people mover.

Honda Odyssey Reliable and fully loaded with technology, this value minivan drives seven passengers comfortably and safely. The Honda Odyssey handles trips to local soccer games and journeys cross-country with equal ease.

Crossovers

Mazda CX-9 Sport This polished yet utilitarian-minded seven-passenger crossover offers three rows of seating, all of which accommodate adults comfortably. Along with a maximum 100 cu. ft. of cargo space and numerous standard features, this easy-handling vehicle is ideal for an active family.

Nissan Murano A stylish crossover that sports excellent drivability.

SUVs

Mitsubishi Outlander GT This small SUV offers a luxury feel at an affordable price thanks to standard features like Sirius satellite radio, Sportronic paddle shifters, and an innovative Super All-Wheel Control system that allows for smooth handling and improved steering control in any weather condition.

Ford Explorer 4x4 This truck-based SUV packs considerable power, and really can go off-road.

Suzuki XL7 4WD EX III Here's a fully loaded SUV without the fully loaded price of most competitors—it's excellent for parents dropping the kids off at school or for the adventurous off-roader.

2005 Isuzu Ascender With Isuzu, the acronym “SUV” could stand for: “Sport. Utility. Value,” with value meaning features, options, warranty and gas mileage. The Ascender does well in all these areas, and you can pick up a base version of the vehicle for about $27,000.

Subaru B9 Tribeca A real SUV concept with a spacious interior and an assortment of features.

Sedans

Chevrolet Malibu Sedan LTZ A value-packed, all-around American sedan.

Chrysler 300C The power under the hood comes from Mexico and the final assembly takes place in Canada, but the 300C is unmistakably American. Besides that, you get the feeling you are in a top-of-the line euro sedan. Fortunately, though, the price will keep you grounded.

Nissan Altima The Altima is sleek, dependable and affordable. It's that rare purchase that feels sensible in price but extravagant in looks.

2005 Buick LaCrosse CXS A super comfortable midrange sedan delivering business class-style luxuries.

Hyundai Sonata This handsome sedan is a great value with its roomy and comfortable interior, six airbags and attractive warranty package, all for under $19,000.

Luxury Sedans

Hyundai Genesis Hyundai's rear-wheel drive sports sedan offers high-end luxury for a surprisingly low price. Facets include solar-controlled tinted glass, center console-mounted iPod/USB/Aux input jacks and a 3.8-liter V6 engine, which can rev up to 290 horses.

Mercedes-Benz E350 A perfectly luxurious sedan that is a pleasure to drive.

Infiniti M35 Packed with more technology than a space shuttle, the M35 brings it at thousands less than its German competition.

Acura RL With a $50,000 price tag, the Acura RL has a chance to compete in a crowded market, possibly as a top contender in its class.

Full-Size Sedans

Hyundai Azera A quiet and reliable sedan delivering a first-class driving experience.

Mid-Size Sedans

Mazda 6 i Sedan Touring Plus Don't let the expanded dimensions of the new Mazda 6 fool you—this full-size family sedan still packs a powerful punch. With 170 horsepower coursing through its efficient I4 engine, this muscular Mazda can zoom-zoom from 0-60 in a respectable 6.3 seconds.

Honda Civic Si It's the car that started the Sport Compact craze. With almost 200 horsepower and 25 mpg combined mileage, what's not to like?

Ford Fusion V6 A value-packed, good-handling American sedan.

Sports Sedans

Lincoln MKS Fitted with a muscular 3.5 liter, twin turbocharged V6 engine and standard all-wheel drive, the MKS EcoBoost is a reasonably-priced alternative to its European competition.

Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited Sedan The Legacy leaves behind very little pollution, as it is a designated Super-Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, and you can easily find one at a fitting price.

Acura TL A roomy luxury sedan that grips the road.

Jaguar X-Type 3.0 A great road-holding, compact luxury sedan.

Convertibles

Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible Solid and well-rounded, this convertible has more cargo and passenger space than comparable cars in its class.

Mazda MX-5 Hardtop A roadster that promises fun and flexibility with a convertible top option.

Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible GLS 1.8 T A totally cool, fun and romantic convertible with a sporty attitude at a very attainable sticker price.

Sporty Small Cars

Mazdaspeed 3 A perfect balance of performance thrills, creature comforts and price.

Sport Coupes

Nissan 370Z Coupe This tiny two-seater sports coupe, which features a powerful 3.7-liter, 332-horsepower V6 engine and precision handling, offers luxury car looks and sports car performance at a reasonable price.

Porsche 911 Carrera S This new generation of the 911 Carrera S, dubbed 997, is a perfect example of history repeating itself. Possibly the best news is that this is all attainable at a lesser price.

Mitsubishi Eclipse GT A much improved, fun and value-loaded sports car.

Top 10 Best Value Automobiles

Top Fuel Efficient Top Hybrid Cars Top Small Cars Top Crossovers Top Luxury Sedans Top Family Sedans Top Cars for Moms

Top Dog-Friendly Cars Top Convertibles Top Fun-to-Drive Cars Top Exotics Top Fastest Cars Top Best New Cars Top Best Selling

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(Updated: 03/24/11 NW)