8 Best Cars, Trucks and SUVs for Under $25,000 According to Edmunds

It’s hard to find a cheap car in 2022. High car prices have been a mainstay for months, with only a few signs that prices could drop later this year. If you have a limited budget for a new car, your options are limited. But they are not bad at all. Here are the eight best options under $25,000, according to Edmunds.
The 2022 Mazda3 is one of the best cars under $25,000
The 2022 Mazda3 is a compact sedan that gives you a premium look and feel without a hefty price tag. For less than $25,000, you can get the Mazda3 2.5 S version, which is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four making 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque.
Every Mazda3 model comes with a host of standard features. For driving aids, there are rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, drowsy driver monitor and frontal collision mitigation. The Mazda3 is also the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2022. Inside, the eight-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8.8-inch infotainment screen give you plenty of tech to enjoy. enjoy.
Behind the wheel, the Mazda3 is fun to drive, giving you responsive steering and handling to pair with quick acceleration. It’s an easy daily driver that can give you a bit more if you want some fun. It’s no wonder this year’s new Mazda3 came out on top by Edmunds list of the best cars, trucks and SUVs for under $25,000.
The 2022 Honda Civic is one of the best cars you can buy
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The Honda Civic is one of the best sedans you can buy on the market today. The Civic has a history of reliability, comfort and affordability, and the 2022 model is no different. Edmunds even named the Civic the best sedan of 2022.
You can also get two versions for less than $25,000: the base Honda Civic LX and the Sport. Both Civic models are powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four making 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. All Honda Civic models come with many of the same driver aids as the Mazda3: lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation. A few others are included, such as automatic high beams and a traffic sign reader system.
The Civic Sport trim gets you a larger 18-inch wheel instead of 16-inches. It also includes remote ignition and keyless entry, sport driving mode, an eight-speaker audio system and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Although less powerful than the Mazda3, the Civic’s cargo space and fuel economy with 33 to 35 combined miles per gallon make it an attractive option.
The 2022 Kia Forte is an inexpensive new car under $25,000
Redesigned for 2022, the Kia Forte has a reputation for being one of the most affordable sedans on the market. All versions of Forte are under the $25,000 budget cap.
But that low price doesn’t mean you compromise on drivability or options. There are two powertrains: a 2.0-liter inline-four producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque for the FE, LXS and GT-Line versions and a 1.6-liter inline-four producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft. ft of torque in the GT.
All 2022 Kia Forte models come standard with cruise control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and at least an 8-inch touchscreen. The Forte comes standard with driver aids such as forward collision mitigation, lane keeping systems, driver attention warning and lane departure warning. High-end trims like the Forte GT-Line and GT come with navigation-based intelligent cruise control and pedestrian and cyclist collision avoidance.
There’s more cargo space than the Civic with 15.3 cubic feet. It also has great warranties like five years or 60,000 miles on the base and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain to give you peace of mind.
The 2022 Kia K5 has a lot to offer new car buyers
While the 2022 Kia K5 was on Edmunds’ list of the best cars, trucks and SUVs under $25,000, only one Kia K5 model falls under the budget cap: the LX. The LX trim comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine giving you 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The K5’s engine is efficient at a combined 32 miles per gallon.
Like the Forte, the Kia K5 comes with forward collision mitigation, driver attention warning and lane-keeping systems as standard. Inside, you also get an 8-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. You can also take advantage of the base five-year or 60,000-mile and 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranties standard on every model.
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 is one of the best SUVs under $25,000
While Edmunds calls the 2022 Mazda CX-30 one of the best SUVs under $25,000, Edmunds reviewers note that the Mazda CX-30 looks a lot like an SUV-sized Mazda3. Like the Kia K5, only one trim level for the CX-30 falls under the budget cap: the 2.5 S.
It’s powered similarly to the Mazda3 with a 2.5-liter inline-four making 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The standard features of the CX-30 set it apart. It is the only vehicle on this list to come standard with all-wheel drive.
Drivers can also take advantage of a host of safety features, including forward collision mitigation, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and drowsy driver monitoring systems.
The CX-30 is easy and fun to drive and handle, much like the Mazda3. There’s more cargo space than most sedans on this list with 20.2 cubic feet of space, and there’s a luxurious feel inside the cabin. But it has the worst fuel economy on the list at 26 mpg combined.
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The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer offers two economy versions
The Chevrolet Trailblazer has two versions that fit within the budget: the LS and the LT. Both are powered by the smallest engine on the list: a 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-three making 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. That means both Trailblazer trims get stellar gas mileage for a non-hybrid SUV at a combined 30 mpg for the LS and 28 mpg for the LT.
With 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space, there’s a lot more room in the Trailblazer than in the CX-30. Standard Trailblazer features include a Wi-Fi hotspot, fold-flat passenger seat, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For safety features, forward collision mitigation and lane-keep assist are standard. The LT trim adds a few perks like cruise control, keyless entry, and heated front seats.
With these features at a great starting price, it’s no wonder Edmunds included this year’s model on its list of the best advertised cars, trucks and SUVs under $25,000. Besides, Edmunds ranked the Trailblazer the second best extra-small SUV for 2022 and 2023.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona is a subcompact SUV under $25,000
Hyundai’s subcompact SUV, the Kona, offers two versions under the $25,000 MSRP: the SE and the SEL. Both Hyundai Kona models have a 2.0-liter inline-four engine with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. That’s a gasp of fuel at 32 mpg combined.
Exterior styling is revamped for the 2022 Hyundai Kona, but retains standard features that have been a mainstay since 2018. Driver aids like forward collision mitigation, lane departure mitigation and a lane-keeping system are available on all models. All-wheel drive is optional on both trims, and the Kona handles well in corners.
It has less cargo space than the Trailblazer or CX-30 at 19.2 cubic feet, but, as one of the best cars, trucks and SUVs under $25,000, the Hyundai Kona is an affordable option and fun to keep under budget.
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The 2022 Ford Maverick is the best truck under $25,000
The 2022 Ford Maverick is the only truck on Edmunds’ list of the best cars, trucks and SUVs under $25,000. It offers a lot without a high price too. The XL and XLT models fit comfortably under the $25,000 budget cap.
Every Ford Maverick model is equipped with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline-electric hybrid engine that produces 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system shines in fuel economy; the combined 37 mpg is the best on this list.
Based on Ford’s Escape compact SUV, the Maverick gives you a 4.5-foot-long bed behind four seats in the cabin. The 2022 Ford Maverick can also tow up to 2,000 lbs. and load up to 1,500 lbs. payload when needed.
Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear underseat storage and front collision mitigation. It’s not as comfortable and spacious inside as the SUVs or sedans on the list. But if you’re looking for an affordable truck, the Maverick is hard to beat. TrueCar even named it the second-best midsize truck on the market.
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