Video: Affordability Report 2024: Best Value New Cars

02:32 min

By Cars.com Editors

April 16, 2024

Cars.com News Editor Jennifer Geiger breaks down our best value winners for 2024 across seven categories: Compact Cars, Subcompact SUVs, Compact SUVs, Compact Pickups, Mid-Size Pickups, Full-Size Pickups and Electric Vehicles.

Affordability is always on customer's minds, especially in 2024, as high interest rates are still a major source of anxiety for car shoppers. That's why cars.c

om created its affordability report detailing the best value new cars where we find the best bang for your buck on the market. Here are the cars we determine to offer the best value in each class. First in the compact car class, the 2024 Kia Forte LXS with the added technology package was our best value with a median list price of less than $22,000. It offers decent fuel economy combined with extremely reasonable pricing. Our subcompact SUV pick is the Nissan Kicks S, which is one of cars.com editors favorite little crossovers. When it comes to fuel, it's even more frugal than the Forte and has a low average list price of around $22,500. Compact SUVs make up the largest category as these have expanded in popularity in recent years, and the competition is fierce. The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox LS rises to the top with its bundled safety package and solid value. The Equinox is getting a slick redesigned for 2025, so you may be able to score a deal on the 2024 model. As for compact pickups, the Ford Maverick XL is our pick with its copilot 360 safety package and a median list price of just under $27,500. Stepping up to a mid-size pickup can offer more capability in terms of towing payload capacity and interior space, and we're big fans of the 2024 Nissan Frontier S King Cab with the technology package. Its versatile cabin should meet most weekend warrior needs without having to deal with the extra expense and size of a full size truck. But for those who truly need the extra ability of a full size truck, the 2024 Ford to F-150 XL Super Cab offers plenty of features to make it comfortable for most buyers as well as a solid value. Electric vehicles are becoming more affordable. Our 2024 best value pick is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE with rear wheel drive, which the EPA estimates can go 361 miles on a single charge. We were also impressed by this range and value Kings Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick Plus award. But what about subcompact cars? Technically none of the four subcompacts we analyzed met our criteria. However, you can see all of the finalists in each category and learn more about our affordability report on cars.com.