2024 Best Cars for the Money

To win the title of U.S. News Best Car for the Money, a vehicle in a given category must deliver the best balance of price and quality. Our measure of quality derives from our overall U.S. News score, which is generated by combining a wide range of factors like the opinions of the automotive press, crash test ratings and reliability data. We determine value by combining five-year total cost of ownership data, provided by Vincentric, with real transaction costs reported by TrueCar.

The Kia Soul is our 2024 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money, rising above the rest of its class thanks to its winning combination of affordability and practicality. Compared to other Subcompact SUVs, the Kia Soul boasts a competitive estimated cost of ownership over a five-year period, as well as the second-lowest average transaction price in the segment. Additionally, the Kia Soul has an extensive list of desirable standard features, as well as a spacious and comfortable interior. All things considered, the Soul is one of the most high-value options on the market at the moment.

Winning for the third year in a row, the Honda Civic is our Best Compact Car for the Money in 2024. The top-ranked Civic upholds its reputation as a high-value, affordable option with strengths like competitive EPA estimates, a practical interior and a healthy roster of standard features. It’s one of the best performing cars in the segment as well, and it has a solid predicted reliability rating to boot. Though there are alternatives in the segment with even lower starting prices than the Civic, few can match the quality it brings to the table. In short, it handily earns the title of best compact car for the money.

The highly-ranked Hyundai Tucson is our Best Compact SUV for the Money in 2024. In a fiercely competitive segment, the Tucson delivers the best value thanks in part to its spacious passenger and cargo accommodations and its upscale interior trimmings. These strengths highlight the quality of the Tucson and show why it’s one of the best options among compact crossovers.

The Tucson does not ditch the value element, however. It boasts one of the more affordable average transaction prices in the class, as well as a low total cost of ownership estimate compared to its competitors, allowing it to beat out its numerous rivals for the title of Best Compact SUV for the Money.

The Honda Accord is one of the most appealing cars on the market right now, and it handily wins our Best Midsize Car for the Money in 2024. A jack of all trades, the Accord wins the title thanks to a variety of qualities. Whether we’re talking about its spirited performance, robust tech, comfortable cabin or good fuel economy, the Accord is an excellent choice for almost any buyer.

On top of its many strengths, the Accord boasts a relatively low average transaction price compared to others in the segment. Not only that, but its estimated total cost of ownership over five years is the lowest within the class, meaning it can be, among other things, refueled, repaired and maintained for less money than many competitors. With so much to like, it’s easy to name the Accord as the best midsize car for the money this year.

The Honda Passport is an excellent midsize crossover, with qualities that include an abundance of passenger and cargo space, an extensive list of standard features and a robust V6 engine. Additionally, the Passport boasts a thoughtful interior with a second row capable of comfortably seating three adults, making it a practical choice that will be sure to return value for your money. While not the cheapest vehicle in the class, it does the best job of balancing quality and cost. As such, it secures the title of Best 2-Row SUV for the Money in 2024.

The Kia Telluride is our 2024 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money, and for good reason. The Telluride, which tops our midsize SUV ranking, is one of the most well-equipped and well-designed SUVs on the market. Its many qualities include an incredibly spacious interior and cargo hold, a substantial list of standard technology, a well-designed infotainment system and solid performance capabilities. Though the Telluride sits in the middle of the pack in the segment in terms of total cost of ownership and initial transaction price, its excellence across the board ensures that this SUV returns excellent value when compared to its competitors, and buyers will likely feel that their money was well spent.

For the sixth time in the last seven years, the Honda Odyssey is our Best Minivan for the Money, continuing its impressive streak. The top-ranked Odyssey thrives thanks to its incredibly spacious cabin, abundance of standard features and impressive comfort across all three rows. As a family vehicle, the Odyssey is one of the best on the market.

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid stands out as one of the most affordable hybrid cars currently on sale, with an average transaction price that’s among the lowest in the segment. The Elantra Hybrid rises above its competitors thanks to its comfortable ride and roomy, feature-filled cabin.

This Hyundai is also an easy car to live with, with its total cost of ownership being in line with other rivals in the class. Not only that, but it returns a stellar 54 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, making it one of the most fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles available. Backed by these qualities, the Elantra Hybrid cements itself as the Best Hybrid Car for the Money award winner in 2024.

For the second year in a row, the Kia Sportage Hybrid is the winner of our Best Hybrid SUV for the Money award. The Sportage Hybrid has a roomy, well-built interior. It also has a well-sorted powertrain that manages to return 43 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, an outstanding figure that contributes to the Sportage Hybrid’s low estimated five-year cost of ownership. Additionally, the average Sportage Hybrid transaction price is one of the lowest among hybrid SUVs, ensuring that the Sportage Hybrid is a high-value option both in the short and long term.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the winner of our Best Electric SUV for the Money for 2024. Though the Ioniq 5 falls in the middle of the pack among electric SUVs when it comes to initial transaction cost and long-term ownership estimates, your money goes far when taking into consideration its sophisticated driving dynamics and competitive EV range.

With up to 303 miles of range, the futuristic Ioniq 5 is an excellent choice for those who want an electric SUV that is both capable and practical. It places near the top of our electric SUVs ranking for good reason, so if you’re currently shopping in this segment, it belongs on your test-drive list.

Following the footsteps of its HEV sibling, the Kia Sportage PHEV is our Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV for the Money for 2024. The Sportage PHEV bests its competition thanks in part to its excellent interior amenities, including a well-built cabin, comfortable seating and high-tech features. According to our pricing metrics, the Sportage PHEV also proves to be one of the more value-oriented options in the segment, due to competitive average transaction prices and long-term estimated cost of ownership.

Research is an essential part of the car shopping process, and our rankings and reviews are the perfect place to start. However, if you’re ready for a new car, take a look at our new car purchase deals and lease deals pages.

The U.S. News Best Price Program can also save you money. You can get a pre-negotiated price on your vehicle at a local dealer. It offers significant savings with pre-negotiated prices, home delivery and online sales options.