(WWJ) -- There are a lot of good cars on the market, but which ones give you the most for your money. US News and World Report highlighting twenty vehicles in their 2026 “Best Cars for the Money” awards.
“I know that consumers are feeling stretched, says Alex Kwanten, US News Autos’ managing editor. “The average transaction price went over fifty thousand dollars last year.”
From a low cost Hyundai Elantra hybrid to an F-150 pickup, Kwanten says the list cross references the publications reviews of new vehicles with sticker price and cost of ownership.
“This list of best cars for the money is a great starting point if you’re on a budget.”
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There are traditional mid-size cars like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, along with minivans like the Honda Odyssey. Chevy’s Equinox got the nod as best compact electric SUV for the money.
The brand that picked up the most honors, seven, was Kia.
“If you’ve seen Kia’s lately, they don’t look like they did fifteen twenty years ago,” says Kwanten. “They are very sophisticated vehicles in terms of style and features now.”
The list includes some very large vehicles as well, Kwanten and his team singling out the new Ford Expedition.
“Y’know big trucks and big suv’s can cost some money. But, if your life needs that space, or you need that space, we want to provide a recommendation for people who are on a budget.”
US News and World Reports has been ranking new cars and trucks since 2007. It issues a number of different lists every year. Kwantan says this year they expanded their “Best Cars for the Money” list from 13 to 20 vehicles to give a nice mix of electric vehicles, gasoline powered vehicles and hybrids.
“All of these vehicles provide pretty good value for the money and they are all pretty good vehicles.”