Selecting the perfect car for you—and your needs—doesn’t have to be daunting.
budget
— isn’t always simple. After all, there seem to be countless choices readily available.
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The finest automobiles are ones that continue to perform well for many years after your initial buy and any associated loans. These vehicles tend to be dependable, fuel-efficient, and budget-friendly over both the short and long haul. Additionally, some models hold their value quite nicely when resold.
The least desirable vehicles are ones that not only come with a high initial price tag, but also lose value quickly, perform badly, offer poor fuel efficiency, and incur exorbitant repair and maintenance costs. To put it simply, they act as financial black holes.
To identify which cars provide the best—and poorest—value for your hard-earned cash, LIFEHACKS spoke with Geoff Cudd, a consumer advocate and auto industry veteran.
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He has driven hundreds of vehicles, and among them, he believes some provide the finest experiences.
worst value
are made in America rather than being exclusively American products; here are his insights.
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Vehicles Offering the Greatest Bang for Your Buck
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mid-size sedan known for its impressive performance and efficiency. Both the LX and EX versions come equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering an output of 192 horsepower. Meanwhile, the hybrid variant features a combination of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder along with dual electric motors, providing a combined power of 204 horsepower.
Despite being a Japanese marque, Honda boasts over 12 million production units in the United States. Furthermore, it holds a prominent position in the American auto sector, earning a spot on Cudd’s roster of top choices available nowadays.
Throughout the years, I’ve been able to test-drive and evaluate numerous vehicles, providing me with extensive insights into the car industry,” stated Cudd. “The Honda Accord stands out as one of the most cost-effective options available.
As per his view, this car offers the perfect combination of fuel economy, dependability, and comfort.
When considering just fuel economy, the 2022 Honda Accord achieves 30 miles per gallon in urban areas and 38 miles per gallon on highways, resulting in an overall average of 33 miles per gallon. While newer versions might offer improved efficiency, if you’re searching for exceptional performance, the Honda Accord Hybrid is your best bet as it delivers 51 miles per gallon in cities and 48 miles per gallon on highways.
Cudd mentioned that based on his experience, the Honda Accord retains its value quite well. When bought new, its MSRP typically hovers around $30,000; however, even an older version maintains a comparable resale price.
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It has been reported that these vehicles lose value quite gradually, with an average depreciation rate of around 21% over a span of five years.
Regarding maintenance, Cudd opted for the Accord due to its long-term affordability. As stated by Repair Pal, this car requires approximately $400 per year in repairs — which isn’t too shabby when you consider the generally modest expenses associated with owning one of these cars.
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Toyota Camry
Similar to Honda, Toyota is a global brand originating from Japan. Despite this, it is commonly acknowledged for producing some of the finest American-manufactured cars available today. According to Cudd, the Camry excels notably among them all.
“These vehicles are known for their dependability, affordable upkeep, and impressive resale value,” clarified Cudd.
A freshly introduced Toyota Camry comes with a base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $29,495, positioning it as an accessible choice right off the bat. Additionally, it boasts impressive features when it comes to driving dynamics. For the 2024 model, you’ll find a standard 2.5-liter inline-four engine delivering 203 horsepower. This edition includes an eight-speed automatic gearbox along with conventional front-wheel drive; however, all-wheel drive can be selected for added capability.
Regarding fuel efficiency, the Camry has an estimated rating of 25 miles per gallon in urban areas and 34 miles per gallon on highways, resulting in a combined average of 29 miles per gallon. The hybrid versions can achieve approximately twice this figure.
The Toyota Camry typically experiences a depreciation rate of approximately 24% within five years. Consequently, its resale value stands slightly above $26,000. According to Repair Pal, the estimated yearly average cost for repairs comes out to be under $400.
Vehicles Offering Poor Value for Money
Jaguar XF
There’s no denying that luxury vehicles frequently offer poor value for money, but Cudd stated that the Jaguar XF ranks as one of the least impressive cars he has ever experienced.
“He cautioned that luxury vehicles such as the Jaguar XF usually turn out to be bad deals when considering their cost-effectiveness. These cars generally lose value fast and necessitate costly upkeep and frequent fixes which can accumulate swiftly.”
Sadly, this also results in them having significantly less resale value.
The Jaguar XF and its affiliated marque represent a British automobile company with international reach. While you may encounter fewer instances of these particular cars on American roads, when you do see them, their stylish design might make you question whether they offer good value for money.
In 2024, the Jaguar XF begins with an MSRP of $51,075, which is almost double the cost of comparable models like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Additionally, it achieves approximately 23 miles per gallon in urban areas and around 30 miles per gallon on highways, indicating potentially increased fuel expenses.
However, maintenance and depreciation are significant aspects that lead Cudd to consider the Jaguar XF among his least favorite vehicles. The car experiences a typical devaluation of 50% within half a decade with a subsequent sale price slightly below $30,000. Additionally, it incurs approximately $1,066 yearly for upkeep and repair work.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes-Benz was initially manufactured in Germany but has become a widely recognized international brand often seen cruising on American roads. Despite its stunning appearance and impressive performance, Cudd believes it isn’t worth the steep cost.
Similar to the Jaguar XF, he pointed out that one significant drawback of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is its high cost relative to its value. With a base MSRP of $118,450 and typical yearly repair expenses amounting to around $1,076, it becomes quite pricey. Additionally, this model loses approximately 46% of its value over five years on average.
The fuel efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is comparable to that of the Jaguar XF. For the six-cylinder S500 model, you can anticipate approximately 21 miles per gallon in urban areas and about 30 miles per gallon on highways. In contrast, the V-8 S580 variant provides just 16 miles per gallon in cities and roughly 25 miles per gallon on roads outside the city.
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I’ve Test-Driven More Than 200 Vehicles—Here Are the Top 4 American-Made Cars That Offer Great Value Along With the Bottom 4 To Avoid
