Our Picks for the 8 Best Bang For Your Buck Cars in 2023
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Buying a new car is always a significant investment. Therefore, if you’re not too thrilled with spending thousands of dollars on a new vehicle, it makes sense to choose the most affordable model available, right? Well, that’s not always the case because getting the cheapest car doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good deal.
When shopping for a new car, you’ll want to get the most value out of your purchase – but it’s not automatically the most affordable vehicle from the dealership. The best bang for your buck car offers a mix of price points, features-per-dollar value, and ownership experiences.
To help you out, CoPilot picked out eight of the best bang for your buck cars in 2023. These aren’t just good, highly-rated cars but offer good value over the long haul. Let’s take a look.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe ($27,200)
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the best two-row SUVs for your money. With an MSRP of $27,200, the 2022 Santa Fe has the lowest base price in its class. However, the lower price doesn’t of the Santa Fe doesn’t feel like a penalty box. This two-row SUV offers a spacious and comfortable cabin that also boasts an upscale appearance and feel. Plus, the cabin is also outfitted with contemporary features like a digital gauge cluster, heads-up display, heated seats, etc.
It comes with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder that cranks out 191 hp, which can be upgraded to a turbocharged 2.5-liter for a lively 277 hp. The Santa Fe does stumble a bit in fuel economy, which isn’t as good as its rivals.
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2022 Nissan Versa ($15,580)
The Nissan Versa was a car people bought if they wanted something cheap. But since the 2020 redesign, the Versa has risen to the occasion, and the 2022 model is now a proper best bang for your buck car. Apart from the attractive price tag, the 2022 Versa has a stylish exterior, a sizable trunk space, easy-to-use infotainment, tons of standard safety features, and good fuel economy. Interior-wise, the Versa doesn’t feel like you’re in a kid’s play area anymore, with soft-touch surfaces and nice materials peppered throughout.
Regarding performance, the Versa takes its time getting you up to speed with its 122 hp four-cylinder engine. Overall, the Versa delivers the basics with its affordability but doesn’t feel like you’re punishing yourself.
2022 Chevrolet Spark ($13,600)
The tiny, adorable Chevrolet Spark is the cheapest car you can buy brand-new in the United States. With such a low price tag, one would think that the Spark would have a lot of compromises, and they’re right, but it’s hardly a bad value car. This subcompact hatchback offers strong fuel economy, a good collection of tech features, and agile handling. The content-rich infotainment system is a pleasant surprise and relatively easy to use.
As you might expect, the Spark suffers from a performance standpoint, only managing 98 hp @ 6200 rpm. Plus, the backseat is pitifully small, especially compared to its rivals.
2023 Kia Soul ($19,790)
The Kia Soul is one of the best SUVs under $20k. With the 2023 Soul, you’re buying the latest and greatest model for a low price tag. The squared-off design may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the Soul certainly brings value in spades. One of its best features is its roomy interior and cargo area, making it a good prospect for a small family SUV. In addition, the Soul packs a standard 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. It’s a little lethargic in performance, further highlighted by its single drivetrain option.
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2022 Volkswagen Taos ($23,495)
Although the 2022 Volkswagen Taos may be fashionably late to the compact SUV party, it’s certainly worth the wait because it’s a good best bang for your buck car. For starters, the Taos boasts a distinctive, handsome look, which is tough to pull off in such a saturated segment. The Taos impresses as soon as you sit inside with its standard digital instrument cluster, which is customizable. Comfort is also on-point, thanks to good support and easy-to-use climate control. Overall, the Taos is more than fairly-priced for what you’ll get.
2022 Subaru Impreza Sedan ($19,295)
The 2022 Subaru Impreza offers unique value since it’s an affordable sedan with standard all-wheel drive. The Impreza boasts a quiet and comfortable ride, making it an enjoyable drive on the highway. It comes with a standard touchscreen that’s laid out like a smartphone so that most people would have no issue tinkering with it – plus, the controls are pretty intuitive as well. While its performance isn’t awe-inspiring, the 2022 Subaru Impreza is a budget-friendly way to get all-wheel drive.
2023 Hyundai Venue ($19,500)
If you’re looking for the cheapest SUV to buy brand-new, the 2023 Hyundai Venue is your answer. This pint-sized crossover won’t impress you with its performance and interior space, but the bulk of its value lies elsewhere. For instance, the Venue is outfitted with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. However, only the SE and SEL trims have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It also has various driver assistance features such as pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Finally, the Venue has strong mpg ratings of 29 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV ($31,500)
Finally, we have something for fans of EVs. For less than $35k, you can take home the Bolt EV. The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt is one of the top models in the electric car segment – thanks to its confident handling, lively acceleration, spacious cargo area, and great electric range. For the 2022 version, the Bolt EV is even better with refreshed interior and exterior designs, updated tech, more standard driver assistance features, and an even lower price tag. Its battery-only electric range is also quite good at 259 miles. Overall, the Chevrolet Bolt EV is a great best bang for your buck car for those looking to get into the EV space for cheap.
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