INDIANAPOLIS — It seems like every new vehicle wears a $40k price tag, but you don’t have to spend nearly that much to buy some of the best vehicles for style, utility, and comfort – whether you want a pickup, crossover, or luxury car. Even at prices below $25,000, these are ones you’ll be proud to show your friends and to drive a very long time.
Dynamic elegance meets crossover coupe with a fast roofline, large grille, and optional 19” wheels. Wide display infotainment screens look expensive. The 1.2-liter turbo-three delivers 136 horsepower and 28/32-MPG city/hwy. AWD is not available. Safety is enhanced by automatic braking, lane keep assist, and optional adaptive cruise.
Base price: $22,400
Chevy Trax
Envista’s buff brother dons muscular crossover bodywork and interior laden with large touchscreens, spacious legroom, and standard automatic braking plus lane keep assist. Wireless Apple/Android connectivity come too. Tap a 1.2-liter turbo-three delivering 137hp and 28/32-MPG. Heated seats/steering and adaptive cruise are optional.
Base price: $20,400
Ford Maverick
A dirt-cheap pickup that can actually haul dirt. Tight handling and standard AWD attack roads, but the 250 horsepower turbo-four achieves 22/29-MPG city/hwy. Check available contrasting color seats, Apple/Android connectivity, and flip up rear seats to load bicycles. An open bed with tie-downs is perfect for sports and yardwork.
Base price: $23,920
Kia Soul
Funky urban-friendly style fronts a stylish cabin big enough for friends, bikes, and IKEA haul. Moving it is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder providing 147 horsepower and efficient 29/35-MPG city/hwy. Safety is enhanced by automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning with intervention, and adaptive cruise. Get it in Surf Blue with a black roof.
Base price: $20,290
Hyundai Kona
All-new with a smoother design, the little crossover dons a cozy interior with wide flatscreen, and full suite of crash avoidance technology that includes safe exit assist. Base models run with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder conjuring 147 horsepower and 28/33-MPG. Adaptive cruise and Bose audio are options. Spend more for EV and N editions.
Base price: $24,250
Toyota Corolla
He’s not sexy, but this Mississippi boy puts out. Sharpened styling encompasses a roomy interior for five, upscale materials, 8” dash screen, and wireless Apple/Android connectivity. Beneath the hood is a 169 horsepower four-cylinder delivering 32/41-MPG city/hwy. Safety includes automatic braking, lane tracing, and radar cruise.
Base price: $22,050
Nissan Kicks
Redesigned for 2025, Kicks flaunts future-urban styling, twin-screen dashboard, and advanced infotainment. Go with a 141 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and available all-wheel-drive. A roomy interior offers optional 10-speaker Bose audio, heated steering wheel, panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, and lane-centering steering.
Base price: $21,830
Mazda CX-30
Upscale and elegant, the Mazda3-based crossover is delightful. Interiors are dressed in stitched coverings, artful center display, and cloth seats (leather optional). Radar cruise, auto braking, and lane keep assist enhance safety. Sashay away with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 191 horsepower and 26/33-MPG city/hwy - AWD standard.
Base price: $24,995
Honda Civic Sport Hybrid
Significantly updated for 2025 with edgier styling, Sport Hybrid models deliver 200 horsepower and 50/47-MPG city/highway with a 1.5-liter turbo-four. Add 18” wheels, moonroof, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. Bose audio and wireless phone charging are also available. Stay safe with automatic emergency braking.
Base price: $28,750
Subaru Impreza
All new, sheetmetal is sexier; interiors cradle tablet touchscreens, dual-zone climate, and wireless CarPlay/Auto. Crossover hatchback utility melds with athletic handling and AWD. Enjoy a 152 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder with CVT and 27/34-MPG city/hwy. Automatic braking, adaptive cruise, and lane keep assist are standard.
Base price: $22,995
Storm Forward!
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