Discover the Top Choices for Value in the 2025 Best Cars for the Money Awards

U.S. News Reveals 2025 Best Cars for the Money Awards



On January 30, 2025, U.S. News & World Report announced its much-anticipated Best Cars for the Money awards, recognizing vehicles that masterfully blend affordability with quality across 13 automotive categories. This annual accolade aims to assist consumers in making informed choices by highlighting cars, SUVs, trucks, and minivans that provide exceptional value.

According to John Vincent, Senior Editor of Vehicle Testing at U.S. News, "The Best Cars for the Money awards spotlight vehicles that blend a good ownership experience with good value, both at the time of purchase and down the road." The selection process involved a meticulous analysis of various factors, such as fuel efficiency, comfort, practicality, performance, purchase price, and overall ownership costs.

As the average price of a new vehicle approaches a staggering $50,000, interest rates on car loans remain high. This scenario pushes American consumers to prioritize true value in their purchases. Vincent emphasizes that the cheapest car isn't always the best; hence, U.S. News is dedicated to helping shoppers find the right balance of quality, value, and affordability.

This year, Honda emerged as a standout brand, winning four awards across different categories. The Honda Odyssey continues its reign as the Best Minivan for the Money for the fifth consecutive year. Other Honda winners include the Honda Civic, Honda Passport, and Honda Accord, all recognized for their low ownership costs, high safety ratings, and impressive fuel efficiency.

Hyundai matched Honda's performance with four accolades. The Hyundai Tucson retained its title as the Best Compact SUV for the Money, while the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid earned its place as the Best Hybrid Car for the Money for the fourth time. Additionally, the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid celebrated their inaugural wins in the Best Electric SUV for the Money and Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV for the Money categories, owing their success to their advanced features and competitive pricing.

Kia also showcased its strength in the SUV market with three awards. The Kia Soul took home the Best Subcompact SUV for the Money, the Kia Sportage Hybrid received recognition as the Best Hybrid SUV for the Money, and the Kia Telluride achieved its second consecutive and third overall win as the Best 3-Row SUV for the Money.

Among the 2025 awards, two categories returned to spotlight midsize and full-size pickup trucks, with the Toyota Tacoma being named the Best Midsize Pickup Truck for the Money. This accolade is attributed to its off-road capabilities, robust powertrain options, and low ownership costs. The Ram 1500 was crowned the Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money, noted for its luxurious interior, solid performance, and remarkable fuel efficiency.

The complete list of award winners for 2025 includes:

  • - Best Compact Car for the Money: 2025 Honda Civic
  • - Best Compact SUV for the Money: 2025 Hyundai Tucson
  • - Best Electric SUV for the Money: 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric
  • - Best Hybrid Car for the Money: 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
  • - Best Hybrid SUV for the Money: 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
  • - Best Midsize Car for the Money: 2025 Honda Accord
  • - Best Minivan for the Money: 2025 Honda Odyssey
  • - Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV for the Money: 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
  • - Best 2-Row SUV for the Money: 2025 Honda Passport
  • - Best 3-Row SUV for the Money: 2025 Kia Telluride
  • - Best Subcompact SUV for the Money: 2025 Kia Soul
  • - Best Midsize Pickup Truck for the Money: 2025 Toyota Tacoma
  • - Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money: 2025 Ram 1500

Each winner represents the best combination of quality and value within its category, with U.S. News evaluating overall rankings based on safety, reliability, and expert automotive opinions alongside transaction price data and projected five-year ownership costs. To learn more about the methodology, visit U.S. News Best Cars.

With the 2025 Best Cars for the Money Awards, prospective car buyers are encouraged to navigate their options with confidence, empowered by valuable insights into quality, cost, and performance—all key factors in ensuring a justifiable investment.

For more details, check out Best Cars for the Money and join the conversation on social media using #BestCars.

Topics Auto & Transportation)

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