Whether you’re looking to spend less than $20K on a new vehicle or you’re finally ready to invest your savings in an epic supercar, it’s important to know which one is the best value.
These cars will give you the most bang for your buck in their respective segments. They each offer exceptional packages that simply trump what the competition has to offer.
Honda Fit
This year, U.S. News named the Honda Fit the best subcompact car and hatchback for the money. It starts at $15,650, and when it’s equipped with Honda’s Continuously Variable Transmission, the Fit gets up to 41 miles per gallon on the highway.
Though it might look small, it has a comfortable, spacious interior that provides lots of versatility for transporting passengers and cargo.
You’ll also find that the cabin is packed with lots of convenience features that make the deal even better. Here are some of the Fit’s best standard amenities:
- Bluetooth HandsFreeLink
- Illuminated steering-wheel-mounted cruise, audio, and phone controls
- 5-inch color LCD screen with a Mutli-Angle Rearview Camera with guidelines
- Auxiliary jack and USB port
- Radio Data System
- Speed-Sensitive Volume Control
Those highlights probably give you the idea; this is one driver-centered car. Take it for a test drive, and you’ll see what we mean.
Mazda Mazda3 Sport
Plenty of power, a super functional design, and an array of premium features make the Mazda3 a prime choice for 2015.
A 155-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with VVT offers Mazda3 owners a zesty but composed ride free of the disappointing lag that many cars in this segment suffer from.
It was also engineered to be exceptionally efficient, getting up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
A 60/40 split fold-down rear seat makes it easy to change up the configuration inside as needed. Pack up for a road trip or stop by and grab all your friends for a night out on the town.
Remote keyless entry, push button start, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls keep things simple and free of distraction when you’re hitting the road.
And you’re connectivity and entertainment is covered with standard Bluetooth, two USB ports and an auxiliary jack, and a Mazda Connect Infotainment system with a 7-inch full color touchscreen.
Listen to HD radio, enjoy your favorite playlists through streaming apps like Pandora, or plug in your phone and pull up your own tunes.
You’ll take so much pleasure out of this car that you won’t ever want to pull in the driveway. And the best part is, you can get all of that for under $20K.
Ford Fusion
The 2015 Ford Fusion is one of Kiplinger’s top picks for Best in Class New Car Values. It offers quite an impressive list of specs for a surprisingly reasonable price.
The base model comes with a 2.5-liter Duratec I-4 engine paired with a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with a thumb shifter. The ride is lively, transitions are smooth, and handling is remarkably good.
The 2015 Fusion also comes with Ford’s brand new SYNC 3 voice-activated infotainment system. It’s fast, intuitive, and it gives you access to all of your favorite apps.
In addition, the SYNC 3 system comes with a standard rear view camera that automatically displays a view of what’s behind you when you’re in reverse.
The Ford Fusion has a slew of additional safety features that can be added, especially for those who are buying a new sedan for the family.
Class-exclusive inflatable second-row safety belts are one of those options. They help to hold passengers in place during a collision, and they also distribute the impact across the torso to reduce the risk of injury.
Active Park Assist, Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive, and Auto Start-Stop are also on the list of features that can be included. With a base price of $22,010, the Fusion leaves plenty of room for buyers to add on any features they’d like.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
If you’re looking for something sporty on a budget, the Golf GTI is a great way to go. Starting at $24,785, this hot little hatch will give you plenty of performance without breaking the bank.
In addition to its reasonable price sticker, it also delivers up to 34 miles per gallon, keeping costs low in the long run.
Its excellent fuel economy is a bit surprising given the amount of power it has under the hood. A 210-horsepower turbocharged engine offers plenty of ponies to play with.
And additional performance-focused features include a sport-tuned suspension, an XDS+ Cross Differential System, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
There are also tons of ways to enhance the GTI so it jives with your personality. For example, audiophiles might want to pay a little extra to get a Fender Premium Audio System.
And if you like to let in the light and fresh air, you can opt for the panoramic sunroof. Ramblers with lots of travel plans on the horizon will probably also be enticed by Volkswagen’s touchscreen navigation system.
With so much packed into this feisty little hatch, it’s no wonder it was named 2015 Car of the Year by Motor Trend.
Lexus IS 250
If you’re trying to narrow down the best entry-level luxury model to invest in, the Lexus IS 250 is definitely the car you want to check out.
The 250’s plush performance, fine craftsmanship, and absolute lavishness make it a must-drive for anyone shopping at their nearest new and used Lexus dealer.
Road and Track even named the IS 250 their Top Pick over other high end offerings from BMW, Cadillac, and Infiniti.
The IS 250 furnishes 204 horsepower generated by a 2.5-liter V6 engine and can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds.
Lexus Enform Remote allows owners to control various vehicle functions directly from a smartphone. Remote start, door locking and unlocking, vehicle status updates and alerts, and a location finder are all part of the app.
Inside the vehicle, the Lexus Enform infotainment system offers an 8-inch color display with an app suite that has just about every option you can think of.
Luxury abounds with an 8-speaker sound system, a standard power sunroof, leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, and intuitive controls like a temperature gauge that you can swipe.
Another big plus in the IS 250 is Siri Eyes Free mode which allows you to do pretty much anything you can do on your iPhone using just your voice.
Engineered to deliver a satisfying performance and designed to wrap you in the ultimate surroundings, the $36,550 Lexus IS 250 is unlike any other sedan on the market.
Dodge Challenger Hellcat
This muscle car was designed by SRT to be one of the most powerful beasts around. Its predatory looks and mind-blowing performance make it a great buy when it comes to price for power.
Starting at $59,995, the Challenger Hellcat pumps out 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. It can take down a quarter mile 10.8 seconds, and its top speed is 199 miles per hour.
As the fastest, most powerful muscle car ever, it has already become somewhat of a legend though it only just recently went into production.
From its big Brembo brakes to its unique SRT drive modes, the Hellcat comes equipped with everything you need to take down the competition.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The Corvette Z06 is a nearly $80,000 supercar that is named for its high performance ancestors. Rocking 650 horsepower, the Z06’s supercharged 6.2-liter aluminum V8 is one of the most advanced engines around.
Buyers can choose to pair it with either a 7-speed manual or 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, and the Z06 is also equipped with a Drive Mode Selector to customize performance.
Get it as a coupe or convertible, but either way, know that you’re getting the results of years of dedicated design and engineering.
It’s super light build includes an aluminum space frame, a carbon-fiber hood, and a removable carbon-fiber roof panel to help it fly around the track.
One of the best features—the Corvette comes with a Performance Data Recorder so you can record every exhilarating ride and relive it again and again.
