(iSeeCars) – Automotive value can be defined in a number of ways, but for buyers seeking the longest vehicle lifespan at the lowest price, the Honda Civic offers the best new car value. At today’s manufacturer suggested retail prices (MSRPs), the average new car costs $48,106 and has an 11.5-year predicted lifespan, which translates to $4,197 for each of those 11.5 years. But the Honda Civic only costs $27,564 and has a 13.7-year predicted lifespan, for a $2,006 price each year. The Toyota Corolla ranks second best, costing $25,218 and providing an 11.6-year lifespan, or a $2,166 price per year. The Mazda Mazda3 hatchback ranks third with a $31,849 price, 14.1-year lifespan, and $2,260 price per year.
iSeeCars analyzed the prices of over 3.8 million new cars sold in July – December 2024 and the odometer readings of over 368 million used cars from its Longest Lasting Cars Study. The average list price of each model was compared to its expected lifespan (in years) to calculate the list price per year.
“With new car prices remaining at near record highs, getting the best value for your new-car dollar remains a top priority for most consumers,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “We’ve identified the models offering the lowest purchase price and the longest lifespan, helping consumers maximize their new car budget.”
Most reliable new cars for the money
Toyota has four models on the Most Reliable New Cars for the Money list, followed by Honda with three vehicles. Mazda and Nissan make the list with two models each, while Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Subaru have one model. For buyers seeking long-term peace of mind, the longer warranty coverage from car brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Mitsubishi should be taken into consideration.
| 15 Best New Cars for the Money | |||||
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Lifespan (Years) | Price per Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Honda Civic | $27,564 | 13.7 | $2,006 | 0.48x |
| 2 | Toyota Corolla | $25,218 | 11.6 | $2,166 | 0.52x |
| 3 | Mazda Mazda3 (hatchback) | $31,849 | 14.1 | $2,260 | 0.54x |
| 4 | Honda Accord | $30,659 | 13.1 | $2,339 | 0.56x |
| 5 | Subaru Impreza (wagon) | $26,900 | 11.2 | $2,399 | 0.57x |
| 6 | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $28,250 | 11.8 | $2,400 | 0.57x |
| 7 | Honda CR-V | $36,009 | 15.0 | $2,401 | 0.57x |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | $35,258 | 14.6 | $2,411 | 0.57x |
| 9 | Kia Soul | $23,863 | 9.9 | $2,417 | 0.58x |
| 10 | Mazda Mazda3 (sedan) | $27,735 | 10.6 | $2,608 | 0.62x |
| 11 | Hyundai Elantra | $25,536 | 9.8 | $2,608 | 0.62x |
| 12 | Toyota Prius | $34,333 | 13.0 | $2,649 | 0.63x |
| 13 | Toyota Camry (hybrid) | $35,471 | 13.2 | $2,683 | 0.64x |
| 14 | Nissan Sentra | $24,886 | 9.0 | $2,755 | 0.66x |
| 15 | Nissan Versa | $21,011 | 7.6 | $2,767 | 0.66x |
| Overall Average | $48,106 | 11.5 | $4,197 | — | |
“It’s not surprising to see subcompact and compact models dominating the top most reliable cars for the money rankings, though within this group there’s some variety in the types of vehicles to choose from, including sedans, wagons, and crossovers,” said Brauer. “All of these cars are strong sellers, suggesting the car-buying public recognizes the value of affordable cars offering a long lifespan.”
With the high prices and low incentives at dealerships many consumers feel no new car is a good value. But modern cars last longer than ever, and if you buy one of the top-ranked models above you can save money by combining a relatively low purchase price with a long lifespan.
The “cheapest cars” on the market can actually represent a great value if they have a proven track record of being reliable vehicles. Remember, new cars lose most of their value in the first five years. But the right one that’s kept and driven for the bulk of its lifespan, can deliver a low total cost of ownership and excellent long-term value. If your budget can’t manage a new car purchase, many of these new cars with high reliability ratings are also highly reliable used cars.
Methodology
iSeeCars analyzed the prices of over 3.8 million new cars sold in July – December 2024 and the odometer readings of over 368 million used cars from its Longest Lasting Cars Study. The average list price of each model was compared to its expected lifespan (in years) to calculate the list price per year. Low-volume vehicles, sports cars, and vehicles not in production as of the 2024 model year were excluded from further analysis.
About iSeeCars.com
iSeeCars.com is a data-driven car search and research company that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, including the iSeeCars VIN Check report and Best Cars Rankings. iSeeCars has saved users over $430 million so far by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points and using proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new cars and used cars.
More from iSeeCars.com:
This article, Best New Cars for the Money, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.