5 of the best sedans for under $25,000
The popularity of big SUVs and pickups has pushed the average new-car transaction price to $33,600. But if your goal is more driving than hauling, a midsize or compact sedan gives you the most comfortable commute for the money.
Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com have just put out a list of the best 2016 sedans for under $25,000. And that doesn't mean a bare-bones model like it might have a decade ago. "Still affordable, practical and efficient, today's bread-and-butter sedans offer levels of comfort, quiet, style and technology what you'd find in flagship luxury sedans not too many years ago," said the kbb.com editors.
Click ahead for a closer look at the most interesting picks from the Kelley list.
2016 Kia Optima
The totally redesigned Optima garners praise for a roomy, comfortable interior with ample leg room even in the rear seats. The Optima comes standard with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine rated by the EPA for 24 MPG in city driving and 35 MPG on the highway. An optional 1.6-liter turbocharged four, which some test drivers prefer for stronger acceleration, also has better estimated mileage at 28 city, 39 highway.
Like all Kias, the Optima comes with a powertrain warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles. The base LX model with the standard engine and one options package lists for $24,960 but typically sells for $23,400, according to kbb.com. The options include two of the latest safety technologies, blind-sport warning and rear cross-traffic detection.
2016 Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata ranks No. 1 among midsize cars, according to reviews sampled by U.S. News. The Sonata gets praise from test drivers for its comfortable, stylish cabin and strong fuel economy. The standard, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated for 25 MPG city, 38 highway. Like the Optima, it has an optional turbocharged four with stronger acceleration and better city MPG at an estimated 28.
Hyundai offers the same 10 years, 100,000 miles powertrain warranty as its Korean corporate sibling Kia.
The Sonata comes standard with Bluetooth, satellite radio and a seven-inch touch screen. The base SE model with common options lists for $22,585 and typically sells for about $21,230, according to Kelley pricing.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
The Malibu won the award for best midsize sedan for families from U.S. News. Test drivers praised the Malibu for its roomy comfortable seats, commodious trunk and an infotainment system that's easy to use.
The Malibu comes standard with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine rated for 27 MPG in city driving and 37 on the highway. An optional larger 2-liter turbo four is rated 22 city, 33 highway. Malibu comes standard with a stop/start feature that turns off the engine when the car stops in order to increase gas mileage.
The Malibu LS version, which comes with the important rearview camera, lists for $23,995 and sells for an average of about $22,820, according to kbb pricing.
2016 Honda Civic
The Civic is ranked No. 1 among compact cars by U.S. News. The base 2-liter four-cylinder engine is rated for 31 MPG city, 41 highway with an automatic transmission -- very good numbers for a compact car. With an optional turbocharged engine, its estimate for highway driving is even better at 42. That helps the Civic rank well in its class for long-term ownership costs.
Critics praise its responsive handling and well-designed cabin. The Civic LX sedan with automatic transmission lists for $20,275 and sells for a typical kbb price of $18,960.
Mazda3
Test drivers say the Mazda3 has sportier handling and a more stylish cabin than most of its compact competitors. The Mazda3 comes with a 2-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 30 MPG city, 41 highway. Test drivers preferred the larger 2.5-liter four for more power and no appreciable loss in gas mileage at 29 MPG city, 40 highway.
Mazda3 comes standard with an infotainment system with a seven-inch touch screen and a rearview camera. The iSport version of the four-door sedan with automatic transmission lists for $19,715 and typically sells for $18,600, according to kbb.com.