Earlier this week, we handed the Jalopnik audience the keys and asked you to share which new car you think offers the best value. There was a wide range of responses, from serious, logical to hilariously silly, but this is just a compilation of a few of my favorites, so feel free to come back and read some of the other responses.
The best thing about this question is that it is so incredibly variable; everyone has a different perspective on what value looks like to them, so there is no right answer. As an example of this, I put forward the idea that the Bentley Bentayga is excellent value because it’s about half the price of its main competitor, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. I guess if you’re very rich, but not very rich, a Bentayga is a smart financial choice, but I’m neither, so my real answer was the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness.
I don’t think any car offers as much multi-purpose value as the Crosstrek Wilderness, which is very capable off-road, practical, efficient, reliable and inexpensive at only about $35,000. But you didn’t come here to hear from me, these are some of the opinions of your fellow audience members.
Read more: Why Formula 1 engines went from V12 to V6
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
A front three-quarter shot of a gray Elantra Hybrid driving around a corner in a city –
I’m not saying it’s a good car. I say it’s the best value.
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid can be had for $25,000 MSRP, and there are plenty of programs to move it. At the same time, it gets up to 58 mpg on the highway and is pretty cheap to insure (as boring cars are).
If you’re stuck buying new (lease, want to experience depreciation) for whatever reason and need to get through 7-8 years of low cost of ownership life, they don’t get much cheaper.
Posted by: potbellyjoe
Mazda 3 Hatchback
three-quarter rear view of a gray Mazda 3 hatchback –
Mazda 3 hatchback for me. First of all, it looks absolutely great! The interior looks and feels better than what you see in some premium car brands. It has a real automatic transmission and is available with a manual. It has 90% of the reliability of a Toyota. Starting at $26,000, it’s one of the last cars under $30,000 that isn’t a penalty box.
Posted by: trailbilly
Hot Wheels Cars
Mattel’s Hot Wheels cars are offered for sale at a department store on April 23, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Mattel will report earnings after the markets close today. (-Scott Olson/Getty Images
Matchbox or Hot Wheels. Only $1.19 more at your local Meijer. Every car you can actually fit in is highway robbery.
Submitted by: Joe Stricker
Not one of them
Front three-quarter photo of my brother’s blue 2003 Subaru WRX wagon parked in front of the garage doors – Logan K. Carter
Honestly, I don’t think any new car is a good value these days…I think 2000-2010 vehicles in good condition under 100,000 miles are your best value. The era when computers increased reliability and before they became so technology heavy, they became problematic.
Posted by: cintocrunch1
Hyundai Elantra N
three-quarter shot of a white Elantra N driving around a corner in the desert in front of the mountains and Joshua trees –
The Kia Telluride was an amazing value when it first came out, it may have faded a bit since then, but it’s still a bargain. It offers stunning looks, lots of great options and trim levels, a luxurious interior, plenty of space and utility. Hard to beat as a family vehicle.
I’m biased here, but I think the Elantra N is the best performance deal since the Fiesta ST. I paid $34,000 for a car with a list of upgrades (engine, suspension and brakes, but also cooling, chassis, transmission and electronics… the list of changes is impressive). It can go straight to the track, kick it and drive home without a problem. Again and again. It offers most of the performance of cars that cost much more and far more than anything in its price range.
Submitted by: DTEL77
Subaru Crosstrek
three-quarter front view of a dark blue Subaru Crosstrek parked on the ground in front of green rocky mountains –
I’m far from a Subie guy (I respect them, just don’t want to own the vast majority), but I agree that the Crosstrek is a bargain. Go anywhere, do anything with easy going, cheap maintenance, solid reliability, and it doesn’t look terrible (but it doesn’t look great either).
For most people who want utility without a huge price tag or a huge SUV, it’s in a class of its own.
Submitted by: sclass88
A basic Chevrolet Corvette C8
side view of a blue C8 Corvette driving on a bridge in front of a cityscape and cloudy sky –
If you can find one, a base model C8 would be my choice. 70 grand isn’t cheap, but it buys you a lot of car. almost 500 horsepower, sub 3 seconds to 60, almost 200 mph and handles better than 99% of the stuff on the road
You can even get one in green, orange, purple or yellow
Submitted by: JaredOfLondon
Toyota RAV4 2026
three-quarter front view of a red Toyota RAV4 parked in front of a cactus and a tan building in the desert –
It’s hard to beat the newest RAV4. With the 2026 redesign, they made their excellent hybrid powertrain standard. For $31,900 MSRP you can have a 43mpg (average) crossover in an extremely practical package with the latest Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 and a very simple transmission that will last a very long time. AWD is an extra $1,400.
Submitted by: Stephen.
Honda Civic
three-quarter front view of a gray Honda Civic sedan driving down a road in front of bushes, rocks and the ocean –
Honda Civic. Arguably all their trim levels are good value – entry level can be had in the $25,000 range, excellent fuel economy, reliable, roomy, cheap to run and maintain. The Hybrid will save you some gas over the life of the car – probably more than you paid to get the Hybrid in the first place. Cheap fun is the Si and it’s hard to beat the Civic Type-R in terms of fun and power for the money. Plus four can fit in the luggage so everyone can experience the fun. The only reason I can think of against it is the cost of insurance. In my area the Civic is one of the most stolen cars and that is reflected in car insurance rates.
Submitted by: Xavier96
Volkswagen GTI and Jetta GLI
three-quarter front view of a red Volkswagen Jetta GLI parked on the ground in front of a bush-covered mountain –
Volkswagen GTI / GLI. It’s a car that does it all, and it’s hard to find anything better unless you spend $20,000 more. Satisfying daily commute, touring car, (small) family vehicle and trackday/autocross weapon.
Posted by: Commented
Chrysler Pacifica
three-quarter front view of a white Chrysler Pacifica passing grass and trees –
Chrysler Pacifica! Hear me out on this. Three row seats with stow-n-go, can be 2 rows or front seats only with a huge cargo area. Fuel efficiency is excellent for the size. Sliding doors are great for easy entry and to avoid easing others. It has a decent electronics package and, unlike GM, supports Apple Car Play and Android Auto. It can carry 7 people (6 adults comfortably) and all their belongings. The door price is almost half that of any SUV competition with similar storage and passenger specifications. The price is lower than other minivans that do not have stow-n-go. That’s value…if you can stomach the minivan stigma.
Posted by: Old_SLAAB_Guy
Lexus LC 500
three-quarter front view of a black Lexus LC 500 parked on asphalt in front of mountains –
Without a doubt, it’s the LC500. Depreciation is amazingly slow. 2018s still sell in the mid-$50s. A 50% loss in about 8-9 years for a premium car with expensive parts is exceptional. The car itself is just a notch below the quality of Bentley-esque materials. If you pick up one of the last 5% of VINs before they go out of production, the collectible factor could be around in the future. You could probably sell it for just $50,000 to drive it for 10 years. People are paying that kind of cost (or more) to drive for a total piece of junk that won’t even last 10 years.
Posted by: Tex
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