Are you planning on purchasing a new vehicle and do you want to get a car under 25000? And you are looking for the best cars under 25000? If that is the case then you are at the right place because we are going to cover a lot when it comes to purchasing a car under 25000 and more.
Planning your budget is an important thing to do. Not all of us have millions to spend on cars and some of us are pretty limited, including me. But it is what it is and we need to deal with this situation and plan our budget the best we possibly can.
And planning how much to spend on a new car is probably your best bet when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. So, if you have a limited budget, you need to narrow the list down and make sure you get the best deal for your money. And we are going to help you out with that by listing the most crucial information that you are going to need when purchasing a new vehicle.
In this article, first, we are going to learn why getting a cheap car is a smart move for you. Then we are going to discuss the tips on buying a new car and then we will cover our list of best cars under 25000. We will focus on their specs and what they offer you for this budget.
We will focus on the engines, transmissions, safety, fuel economy as well as other aspects. So, if you want to learn more about which are the best cars under 25000, follow along.
Why Getting A Car Under 25000 Is A Smart Move
Getting a car under 25000 is a smart move. Even if you are rich, it doesn’t mean that if you have a ton of money that you have to spend them on cars. Some things are more fulfilling than that. Like going to movies, playing basketball, you name it. It’s far more useful to spend money on hobbies than on cars, to be honest.
But spending less on cars doesn’t mean that you get less. Sometimes you even get more. So, why is this the case? Well, there is a thing about cars and that is called depreciation. But what is depreciation?
Well, every new product once you buy it, starts to lose some of its value. The minute it goes out of the showroom its value starts to diminish and this downward trend continues until the car is 30 years old and you sell it for $100 to be crushed. And that’s a lot of money lost during this lifespan of 30 years.
You are losing almost $1000 per year on it. In luxury cars, this is even more noticeable, you purchase a car for $100,000 and after 20 years it costs $3,000 and that is a $97,000 loss. Crazy amount.
Another positive of getting a new car under 25000 is that it requires less maintenance. New cars do not require much maintenance and you can be sure that you will not spend a lot of money on them until it gets more than 5 years old. After this period you might want to sell it and look for the best new cars under 25000. Many people are doing this and enjoying their lives driving new cars every couple of years and not having to deal with problems.
Tips On Buying New Car Under 25000
In this chapter, we are going to list some tips that will make your life easier when choosing one of the best cars under 25000. So, what tips do you need when you get a new car? Let’s elaborate.
As we discussed above, your prime goal is to find a car brand that doesn’t depreciate as other brands do. You need to make sure that you get a car and not lose a ton of money on it in the long run. Get a car make that is holding its value very well and you can sell this car later on for a small loss.
Another tip I can give you is to learn the car’s overall problems. Every car has a ton of problems, even new ones. A ton of new cars are having problems with the electrical systems as well as problems with infotainment and other stuff. And this is something that can cost a ton of money to fix if your car is out of warranty.
Another thing to look at is the recalls. As you know, recalls are procedures performed by the car makers where you have to return the car to the dealership and then perform some repairs on it to bring it back to normal. Some cars are more prone to these recalls while some have better production quality. So, finding a car that is the safest will be your best bet when purchasing a new vehicle.
Also, find a car that has cheap insurance costs. This cost depends much on how expensive your car is. But what are the best cars under 25000? Well, that’s what we are going to discuss next.
Best Cars Under 25000 Our Top Picks
Now let’s spend elaborate on which are the best cars under 25000. In our long list of cars, we are going to cover these vehicles and we are going to elaborate on their strengths and weakness. We made sure that there is an option for everybody. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for an SUV, sedan, or a small hatch, we got you covered.
We will focus on the engines and transmissions offered, the fuel economy, safety aspect, and as well as the price. There are some tremendous deals out there. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.
1. Honda HR-V 2022 – Best Cars Under 25000
The first car on our list of best cars under 25000 is the Honda HR-V. The HR-V is a small SUV manufactured by Honda and is one of the best sellers in its segment of subcompact crossovers.
The 2022 model is the last model of this generation. Means that you can snatch one on the cheap or wait for the new generation to appear next year. Either way, this model is in production since 2016 and during these years it’s proven itself to be an excellent vehicle.
Engines & Transmissions
The engine that is included in the HR-V is a 1.8 straight-4 engine that is producing 141hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. It’s not a powerhouse but is enough powerful to move the CR-V from a dead stop in less than 10 seconds.
The transmission that is included in the HR-V Is is a CVT transmission that is very reliable. Honda CVTs don’t usually have big problems.
Safety
The safety of the HR-V is quite good. This model got 5 stars on most of the safety tests. But it’s still an older model and safety has greatly improved since 2016 when it was first introduced.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the HR-V is quite good. The HR-V gets about 28 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 30 mpg. Which makes it one of the best performers out there.
Price
The price of the HR-V starts at about $22,999. This is for the base model. But if you are looking for the best cars under 25000 and you have more money to spend, you can get a more optioned model for $25,000.
2. Mini Cooper 2022 – Best Cars Under 25000
We cannot make a list of the best cars under 25000 and not include a hatchback. So, we decided to include the Mini Cooper in our list. There are others but the Mini has that look and presence on the road that most cars lack these days.
This generation of Mini is produced since 2013 and is still selling well. Mostly because BMW is updating the model regularly and doesn’t allow it to fall behind the competition. Soon it should be replaced by a new generation so you can find these Minis on the cheap.
Engines & Transmissions
The base engine in the Mini Cooper is the 1.5-liter straight-4 engine that is producing about 134hp and 162 lb-ft of torque.
It is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Safety
The safety of the Mini Cooper is relatively good, even though it is an older model. BMW is updating it often. Even though this aspect is incomparable with newer models that are well up to date.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy is good. The Mini Cooper gets about 28 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 32 mpg combined. Making it a good performer.
Price
The price starts at about $22,750. So, it is in your price range and that’s why we included it in the best cars under the 25000 list. If you go for the Cooper S that starts at about $27,000 you get a ton more goodies like a beefier engine, better equipment, and overall a better car as a package.
3. Mazda 6 2022 – Best Cars Under 25000
We cannot discuss the best cars under 2500 if we are not discussing the sedan offering. More precisely the Mazda 6. The Mazda 6 is one of the best offerings by Mazda at the moment.
This generation of the Mazda 6 was introduced in 2013 and is still in production. This model has enjoyed great popularity because of its sleek looks. And Mazda makes us sure that always keeps it up to date and includes every modern technology possible in this model.
Engines & Transmissions
The engine used in the base model is a 2.5L straight-4 engine that is producing 187hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. And these are some healthy numbers for a car of this size.
The transmission is a 6-speed automatic with overdrive (if you need a pointer, check out our guide on the meaning of O/D off). It is a classic automatic and not a CVT like some cars on our list.
Safety
The safety on the Mazda 6 is okay. Considering that it is a 9-year old model. You can expect that it will not be on top of the newest cars.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the Mazda 6 is good. It gets about 26 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined.
Price
The base price for the Mazda 6 is right on the limit and starts at $24,999. Which is not that bad considering what you get.
4. Toyota Camry 2022 – Best Cars Under 25000
When talking about the best cars under 25000, we cannot forget about the Toyota Camry. The Camry is one of the best sellers in the country and for a reason.
Toyota always delivers the best quality cars out there. So, if you are in the search for something that has high endurance in a sedan version. The Toyota Camry is the way to go.
The present model of the Toyota Camry was introduced in 2017 and we can say that it is a relatively new model.
Engines & Transmissions
The Toyota Camry comes equipped with a 2.5L straight-4 engine that is producing 203hp and 184lb-ft of torque. A healthy number for a sedan of its class.
The transmission is a classic torque converter automatic that has 8-speeds. The high number of speeds aids the efficiency of this vehicle and puts it among the best in its class.
Safety – Best Cars Under 25000
The safety of the Camry is rather good and is one of the best performers out there. But for more info, it is useful to learn what safety equipment comes with it.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy is rather good. The Camry gets about 28 mpg in the city, 39 mpg on the highway, and about 32 mpg combined. Making it an excellent performer. So, if you are looking for a good-performing vehicle, the Camry is the car for you.
Price
The price of the Camry starts at $25,999. It is a grand more expensive. But in some places, you might get it for cheaper if the car was sitting for long. Either way, to go a grand above the budget sometimes is worth it since you get more than with other sub-$25,000 cars.
5. Hyundai Sonata 2022 – Best Cars Under 25000
Another sedan in our list of best cars under 25000. We decided to throw in the Hyundai Sonata because it is easily one of the hottest cars out there on the market right now.
It has a neat design that makes it stand out from the crowd. It is all modern and a good-looking car that turns heads. Also, it is a new model that was introduced for the 2020 model year.
Engines & Transmissions
The base model of the Sonata comes equipped with a straight-4 2.5L that produces about 191hp and 181lb-ft of torque.
It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. This transmission guarantees that the fuel economy will be impressive.
Safety
The safety of the Sonata is good. According to the NHTSA, it got a 5-star overall rating. So, you know that you get a quality vehicle.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy is pretty good. Quite similar to the Toyota Camry. The Sonata gets about 28 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and an overall fuel economy of 32 mpg. Great numbers if you want to drive on the cheap.
Price
The Hyundai Sonata price starts at about $24,999. Right on the limit and it is one of the best cars under 25000 if not the best. You can hardly get a better value for your hard-earned dollar than the Sonata.
6. Toyota CH-R 2022 – Best Cars Under 25000
We have covered the HR-V and now let’s also discuss the Toyota CH-R. These two are probably one of the best subcompact SUVs on the market and it is a no-brainer to add them to our best cars under the 25000 list.
The CH-R is Toyota’s take on the subcompact SUV class and is a really neat car. This model was introduced in 2018 for the US model and became an instant hit. It sells about 40,000 units in the US each year.
Engines & Transmissions
The engine that is included in the base model of the CH-R is a 2.0L straight-4 engine that is making 144hp and 139 lb-ft of torque.
This engine is paired with a CVT transmission that works well with this engine and delivers excellent fuel mileage.
Safety – Best Cars Under 25000
The safety of this model is also good. It got good grades on the IIHS tests.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the CH-R is good. The CH-R gets about 27 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. Which are quite decent numbers for this car.
Price
The price of the CH-R starts at about $22,999 and you can get a decently specked one for $25,000.
7. Subaru Crosstrek 2022 – Best Cars Under 25000
A list of best cars under 25000 without a Subaru would be meaningless since its models are one of the bestsellers in the US market. Namely the Subaru Crosstrek which is the smallest model that Subaru offers.
This model is a compact crossover that looks particularly rugged and its looks are not deceiving. The Crosstrek can deliver a hit and tackle some rugged terrains unlike other competitors in this segment.
Engines & Transmissions
The base model is equipped with a boxer engine in an H-4 configuration that is 2.0L in displacement. This engine produces about 152hp and 145lb-ft of torque. Which is quite enough to power this beast.
The transmission in the Crosstrek is an 8-speed CVT transmission that delivers an excellent performance.
Safety – Best Cars Under 25000
In the NHTSA tests, the Crosstrek performed well. It got a 5-star overall rating, which is quite good for this model because it delivers a decent level of safety.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the Crosstrek is also really good. It gets 28 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined. Making it one of the best performers out there in terms of fuel economy in its class.
Price
The price for the Crosstrek starts as low as $22,450 but this is the manual version. You probably want the CVT automatic and for this one, you will have to pay a bit more. Which is about $24,999, exactly on the limit.
8. Chevrolet Equinox 2021 – Best Cars Under 25000
And we keep the best for last in our list of best cars under 25000. And this place is for the Chevy Equinox. A perfect compact crossover manufactured by Chevrolet.
What is good though is that this model is relatively new. 2018 was its first year of production and most of the cars are almost new. This model has a refresh that is coming out for 2022. So, the 2021 models are available at a discounted price. And these are the models that you need to learn more about since they are in your budget.
Engines & Transmissions
What is good with the Equinox is that is equipped with a punchy turbocharged straight-4 engine. This engine is outputting 170hp and 203lb-ft of torque.
This peppy engine is powered by a 6-speed automatic that offers good performance. Not on par with the 8-speed cars that we covered, but the fuel economy is decent.
Safety – Best Cars Under 25000
The Chevy Equinox is a relatively safe car, according to the IIHS, it performed quite well on their tests.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the Equinox is 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with a combined fuel economy of about 28 mpg.
Price
The price of the Chevy Equinox 2021 is about $24,999. Exactly on the target, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. Overall an excellent deal. If you want to spend more, you can go for the 2022 model of the Equinox that is 2 grand more expensive.
Facts: 10 Best Family Cars Under $25,000
- Kelley Blue Book’s 12 Best Family Cars include minivans and compact, midsize, and full-size SUVs, but this list focuses on the 10 Best Family Cars Under $25,000.
- The list features smaller vehicles that offer impressive cargo space and versatility, excellent safety features, and have MSRPs that start below $25,000.
- Nearly every model on this list is an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ and prices start below $25,000 without destination charges.
- Kia Seltos, Subaru Crosstrek, and Honda Civic Hatchback (to learn more, also check out our guide on are Honda civic reliable) are some of the vehicles included in the list, all of which offer excellent cargo space, fuel economy, and advanced safety features.
- Toyota Corolla Cross is the newest SUV from Toyota and has a strong reputation for safety and reliability.
- Kia Soul is one of the best ways to get maximum cargo space with minimum expense and offers features like forward collision avoidance and blind-spot monitoring.
- Honda HR-V is a well-established subcompact SUV that offers a versatile interior, impressive reliability, and tremendous value with its Magic Seat second row.
- Hyundai Kona is a subcompact SUV that is a past Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner and offers an impressive combination of value, versatility, and features.
- Mazda CX-30 is a small, affordable family car that comes with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
- Nissan Rogue Sport and Chevrolet Trailblazer (fun fact, check out our guide on the Trailblazer bolt pattern) are some of the most affordable SUVs on this year’s list and offer good storage space and fuel economy along with impressive safety features.
Conclusion To Best Cars Under 25000
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the best cars under 25000. First, we learned why getting a car under 25000 is a smart move and we shared our tips on purchasing a new car under 25000.
Then we covered our list of best cars under 25000. We primarily focused on the hottest models out there from several different segments. And we focused on their engines, fuel economy, safety as well as the price tag.
