Top New Cars for Your Money Ranked | Carscoops

      Japanese brands swept the top 15 positions, with Kia claiming one spot and leaving out both American and European models entirely.

      According to a recent report, the 2025 Honda Civic provides the best long-term value among new vehicles.

      The study analyzed new car prices and the longevity of various models to determine lifetime costs. The Toyota Corolla ranked second in value, with Toyota securing four spots in the top 15.

      If you prioritize getting the most value for your money and intend to keep a car for a long time, your best bet is to choose Japanese vehicles. This is supported by a new study evaluating the best value vehicles for 2025 currently available in the U.S.

      Japanese brands claimed 14 of the top 15 positions, with Korea's Kia being the sole competitor. No European or American brands made it to the main list, although some U.S. brands are represented in segment-specific lists, particularly in the truck category.

      Related: The Top 5 Longest-Lasting Cars Are All Toyotas

      The iSeeCars report combined new car pricing data for vehicles available in late 2024 with prior data from its longest-lasting cars study. By dividing the average new price by the expected lifespan, a cost per year of ownership was established to rank each vehicle.

      While there may be a slight disconnect, as the lifespan data pertains to models that are no longer on sale, and many currently available models feature newer engines and technology with uncertain longevity, this study should still be taken seriously.

      Best new vehicles for the money

      How did the Honda Civic secure the top spot for value despite being $2,300 more expensive than the second-place Toyota Corolla? It comes down to the Honda's expected longevity of an additional two years.

      Honda occupies three spots on the overall list (including the Accord and CR-V), while Toyota has four (Corolla, RAV4, Prius, and Camry Hybrid).

      The authors of the study pointed out that their data does not factor in costs associated with service and maintenance, and that models from Kia and Hyundai (which are not featured in the top 15) may prove to be more affordable to own because of their longer warranties.

      Best new small SUVs for the money

      The top three small SUVs are all priced around $2,400 per year for ownership and are included in the overall vehicle value list. However, there is a significant increase to $2,925 for the Chevy Trailblazer in fourth place, which is hindered by its shorter 10-year lifespan (the CR-V, while more costly, can last up to 15 years).

      Best new midsize SUVs for the money

      Toyota once again takes the lead in the midsize SUV category. Its Highlander ranks first at a cost of $3,489 per year, and apart from the Ford Edge in second place at $3,533, every one of the top six spots is filled by Toyota products. The Lexus RX 500h also makes an appearance in 13th place, boasting a long lifespan of 15.7 years.

      Best new large SUVs for the money

      Related: 2025 Buick Enclave Is Bigger, Prettier, And Techier

      These large SUVs not only have impressive dimensions, but also significant yearly costs compared to previous categories. The average cost for large SUVs is $7,888, but the top-rated Buick Enclave reduces that to $5,555, despite its shorter lifespan of 9.6 years compared to the Lexus LX 600's 16.4 years.

      Best new midsize trucks for the money

      While the Toyota Tacoma isn't the cheapest midsize truck, it is the only one that costs less than $3,000 per year, thanks to its anticipated long lifespan.

      Best new full-size trucks for the money

      Toyota again earns a top spot in the full-size truck category. The Nissan Titan comes in second but incurs nearly $500 more in yearly costs, again due to its shorter lifespan.

      Best new hybrids for the money

      You're likely not surprised to see the Prius recognized as the best-value hybrid, with the Camry Hybrid following closely behind. Toyota and Lexus occupy three additional positions in the top spots, with the Hyundai Sonata in fifth and the Ford Escape Hybrid in eighth.

      However, the Escape's projected lifespan of 10 years is notably low. Given the prevalence of 72-month loans, some buyers may find themselves still paying for the vehicle when it fails.

      iSeeCars also detailed small and midsize cars in separate tables. We covered these earlier since they appear in the overall best-value list, but we have included the accompanying data sheets below for reference.

      Best new small cars for the money

      Best new midsize cars for the money