Best New Cars Under $25,000
These safe, fuel-efficient, and reliable choices offer good performance at a reasonable price
Despite the fact that the average price of a new vehicle was over $47,000 in April 2024, according to Kelley Blue Book, there are still many safe, reliable, and fuel-efficient models available for $25,000 or less. A number of brands still sell compact sedans and hatchbacks, and many seem strikingly similar. But once you dig into the data to see how they perform in Consumer Reports’ tests and owner surveys, significant differences emerge.
To help you make a smart and informed purchase decision, we present the best compact cars and hatchbacks under $25,000 based on CR’s Overall Scores. Every model is recommended and well-equipped at this price, although several can be optioned up to $30,000 and beyond.
Be aware that Overall Scores change over time as new information, such as reliability data, becomes available. The model pages always reflect our latest ratings.
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