As a lifelong car enthusiast, I can attest that no artisanal or designer fragrance, vivid memory, or carefully cut flower beats anything other than the new car smell.
However, for a growing number of Americans, the opportunity to experience such a feeling can seem very far out of reach. According to the latest data from Kelley Blue Book, the average new car in the United States sold for an eye-watering $48,641 in January, a massive $11,000 increase over five years.
In January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the average new car in the U.S. sold for just $38,002.
As new cars are expensive for most buyers, many feel incentivized to keep their vehicles for as long as possible. According to May 2024 data from S&P Global Mobility, the average car on the road in the United States has reached 12.6 years in 2024.
With this in mind, new car buyers seek the best bang for their buck with their purchase, and fortunately, some very familiar models prove their worth as tried-and-tested names. A new study by iSeeCars shows that some familiar favorites deliver some of the best value over the longest period of time.
These new cars are the best value for the long haul
Getting the most value for money on any car purchase wholly depends on whether the car stays reliable; therefore, having a car you can rely on is worth its price.
In a new study, iSeeCars analyzed the prices of over 3.8 million vehicles sold in the second half of 2024 and compared them with data compiled from odometer readings of 368 million cars from its longest-lasting cars study published in 2024.
"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," iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer said in a statement.
"We’ve identified the models offering the lowest purchase price and the longest lifespan, helping consumers maximize their new car budget."
What they found was that none of the top 15 cars that provided the most reliability for the money were from luxury brands, European marques, or any Detroit Big Three automaker. Still, it did consist of some cars you might see on your neighbor's driveway or your daily commute.
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1. Honda Civic
Honda
Average List Price: $27,564
Expected Lifespan: 13.7 years
Price/Year: $2,006
2. Toyota Corolla
Toyota
Average List Price: $25,218
Expected Lifespan: 11.6 years
Price/Year: $2,166
3. Mazda Mazda3 (hatchback)
Mazda
Average List Price: $31,849
Expected Lifespan: 14.1 years
Price/Year: $2,260
4. Honda Accord
Honda
Average List Price: $30,659
Expected Lifespan: 13.1 years
Price/Year: $2,339
5. Subaru Impreza (wagon)
Subaru
Average List Price: $26,900
Expected Lifespan: 11.2 years
Price/Year: $2,399
6. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Mitsubishi
Average List Price: $28,250
Expected Lifespan: 11.8 years
Price/Year: $2,400
7. Honda CR-V
Honda
Average List Price: $36,009
Expected Lifespan: 15 years
Price/Year: $2,401
8. Toyota RAV4
Toyota
Average List Price: $35,258
Expected Lifespan: 14.6 years
Price/Year: $2,411
9. Kia Soul
Kia
Average List Price: $23,863
Expected Lifespan: 9.9 years
Price/Year: $2,417
10. Mazda Mazda3 (sedan)
Mazda
Average List Price: $27,735
Expected Lifespan: 10.6 years
Price/Year: $2,608
11. Hyundai Elantra
Average List Price: $25,536
Expected Lifespan: 9.8 years
Price/Year: $2,608
12. Toyota Prius
Toyota
Average List Price: $34,333
Expected Lifespan: 13 years
Price/Year: $2,649
13. Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota
Average List Price: $35,471
Expected Lifespan: 13.2 years
Price/Year: $2,683
14. Nissan Sentra
Nissan
Average List Price: $24,886
Expected Lifespan: 9 years
Price/Year: $2,755
15. Nissan Versa
Nissan
Average List Price: $21,011
Expected Lifespan: 7.6 years
Price/Year: $2,767
Honda, Toyota top list
At the top of the list is the venerable Honda Civic, which, according to iSeeCars, costs $27,564 and lasts 13.7 years on average.
The Civic is one of the brand's most popular cars. According to the brand's sales data, American Honda sold 242,005 Civics out of the 1,291,490 cars the Honda brand sold last year in the states.
In a close second is the Honda Civic's fiercest competitor, the Toyota Corolla. According to iSeeCars, it costs $25,218 and lasts 11.6 years on average. Last year, Toyota North America sold 232,908 Corollas out of the 1,986,954 Toyota brand vehicles it sold in the U.S. last year.
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"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," he said.
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It should be noted that iSeeCars did not mention much about the cost of maintenance, as it could be a make-or-break expense for many car owners and their ownership experience.
Brakes, tires, and motor oil are just some of the consumables that many drivers will have to replace on a regular basis during the life of their car. As the costs of everyday goods apart from their cars go up, some owners cheap out, which has hit the bottom lines of popular maintenance providers.
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