Image via Complex Original
Intro
While we all want to be cruising around in a Maserati or a Bentley, the majority of can't muster that kind of money. It's easy to talk about Bugattis and Paganis all day long, but here's something a little more useful: The Top 25 Cars Under $25,000.
Suzuki Kizashi
25. Suzuki Kizashi
Price: $18,999
Complex Says: The Suzuki Kizashi is one of the most underrated cars in the world. While most of us associate Suzuki with sad little things that look more like Power Wheels than cars, the Kizashi is a nimbly handling, fairly powerful (180-185hp), efficient offering that really is worth considering next to the commonplace Jettas and Corrolas. Take one for a test drive. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Volvo C30
24. Volvo C30
Price: $24,700
Complex Says: It may be a little past its prime, but the Volvo C30 is stylish and dynamically alive. That rear end is just gorgeous. Anything that hearkens back to the fantabulous P1800 is cool in our book.
Toyota Tacoma
23. Toyota Tacoma
Price: $16,875
Complex Says: If you're a "Toyota truck guy," you're either dependable, tough, and generally pleasant to be around, or a Middle-Eastern/African terrorist, depending one whether you have plywood or a .50 cal in the back. Just $16,875 will get you the reputation of the rugged guy. For another couple grand and a Class 3 license, you can acquire the reputation of the terrorist. It's your choice.
Dodge Challenger
22. Dodge Challenger
Price: $24,895
Complex Says: Even though the new Challenger isn't a purpose-built muscle car like the competition from Ford and Chevy (in fact, the platform is a previous-generation Mercedes sedan), it's still a sweet, powerful, comfortable ride. If you want a muscle car that actually seats four, go with the Challenger. As it turns out, being an old Mercedes sedan masquerading as a muscle car has its benefits after all.
Jeep Wrangler
21. Jeep Wrangler
Price: $22,045
Complex Says: If you want a cheap off-roader, look no further than the iconic Jeep Wrangler. People have been climbing mountains in these things for decades. Not only do you get a capable little car, but you get a pass into a pretty cool community of motoring enthusiasts.
Volkswagen Golf TDI
20. Volkswagen Golf TDI
Price: $23,995
Complex Says: Want a car that's easy on gas but doesn't have a battery that produces way more carbon emissions in production than it will ever save in fuel economy? Try the VW Gold TDI. It's comfortable, fun to drive, and efficient, and it has a thoroughly modern turbo diesel, not one of the stinky, smelly, dirty powerplants of yesteryear. Plus, you get to make a choice that's actually good for the environment, not one that's only marketed as such.
Hyundai Elantra
19. Hyundai Elantra
Price: $16,445
Complex Says: Hyundai seems to have gone through puberty in the last couple years. The company went from the awkward adolescent years to sophisticated adult faster than anyone could have expected. While the last Elantra and everything else it shared the showroom with was total rubbish, the new Elantra is a well-made, efficient, stylish, semi-well-equipped automobile. What do we mean by "semi-well-equipped?" You can get an Elantra with heated rear seats, but you can't get power windows. WTF Hyundai?
Honda Accord
18. Honda Accord
Price: $21,380
Complex Says: It may be the predictable choice for a practical, reliable family sedan, but it's the predictable choice for a reason. The Accord is a solid choice for a person who wants a reasonably priced, immensely practical sedan. It may be a little boring, but it's a lot smart.
Hyundai Veloster
17. Hyundai Veloster
Price: $17,300
Complex Says: This new three-door (or four-door, if you count the hatch) is not just a featherweight. It's a looker, too. This is one of the most unique-looking cars on the road right now. It's one of the most fun to drive compacts as well, thanks to that small curb weight.
Fiat 500
16. Fiat 500
Price: $15,500
Complex Says: It's lively, efficient, and looks suspiciously like a stylish mid-century toaster. What more could a style-conscious city dweller ask for?
Mazda3
15. Mazda3
Price: $15,200
Complex Says: Zoom zoom. As far as front-wheel-drive budget cars go, the Mazda3 is a blast. Hell, the Mazda3 is fun no matter what it's compared to.
Subaru Impreza
14. Subaru Impreza
Price: $17,495
Complex Says: The third generation may be starting to seriously show its age. But a new model is due out any minute now, and it looks like it will be a great choice for the northerner who lives on a hill. If you're looking for an AWD compact, not only is this one of your only choices, but now it gets 36mpg too.
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
13. Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Price: $19,995
Complex Says: If you need a car that can carry a couch around in a pinch, the Jetta SportWagen is your friend. Being a VeeDub, it's got a good ride and has a pleasing feel of solidity. Being a wagon, it can fit everything you own in it without the inherent poor handling, sketchy safety, bad fuel economy, and expensive insurance associated with SUVs. Face it: if you really wanted to off-road, you wouldn't be looking at an Escalade anyway.
Hyundai Sonata
12. Hyundai Sonata
Price: $19,695
Complex Says: Hyundai made a winner with the Sonata. It's well-sorted, well-styled, well-finished, and well-equipped. All of that in a decently practical package at a reasonable price makes this one sedan not to overlook.
Buick Verano
11. Buick Verano
Price: $22,585
Complex Says: Buick's new compact melds classic Buick traits (easy to drive, comfortable, quiet as an Arctic grave) with the everyday benefits of a compact car. The Verano is a fantastic car for anybody looking for a classy, luxurious, affordable car to tool around the city in.
Honda Fit
10. Honda Fit
Price: $15,175
Complex Says: When it comes to subcompacts, this is easily the most practical of the bunch. Honda moved the gas tank out from under the rear seats, which allows them to fold flatter than the competition. Between that, the surprising amount of headroom, and the fun, sporty handling, the Fit is a car to consider.
Ford Fiesta
9. Ford Fiesta
Price: $13,200
Complex Says: Ford really stepped up its game in the subcompact market, offering a solid, agile, practical, and fun hatchback (let's ignore the infinitely less useful sedan). We even crashed one of these into a ditch and the bloody thing popped right out and kept on running with nary a scratch. Awesome little car.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
8. Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Price: $22,250
Complex Says: The Hyundai Genesis coupe is a serious contender in the sports car market. It's a classic front-engined, rear-wheel-drive coupe that's easy to drive. While the V6 is over our budget, the 2.0L turbo is still enough to have plenty of fun...more than is legal by a long shot.
Volkswagen GTI
7. Volkswagen GTI
Price: $23,695
Complex Says: The original hot hatch still has a lot going for it. The 2.0L turbo and sport suspension is fun to flog while returning decent fuel economy and remaining comfortable. Plus, the sheer amount of cargo that can fit in one of these things is surprising.
Ford F-150
6. Ford F-150
Price: $22,990
Complex Says: The Ford F series line of pickup trucks has been the best-selling truck for 34 years now. If you need to haul a ton of lumber, take your boat to the lake, or tow your old POS to the junk yard, this truck will do it. And it will do it for under $25,000.
MINI Cooper S
5. Mini Cooper S
Price: $23,800
Complex Says: The Mini Cooper feels like a go-kart. This thing is shockingly fun to drive, surprisingly fast, gets good fuel economy, and also has fantastic head-room...no really. If you're not grinning after test driving one of these, you drive like an octogenarian.
Ford Focus
4. Ford Focus
Price: $16,500
Complex Says: The new Focus really is a refined, capable vehicle. It has a feeling of German stability that makes VW feel jealous and an interior that puts most other cars in its class to shame. It sure doesn't hurt that you can get a Focus Titanium with some sweet leather seats and still be under our $25,000 cap.
Chevy Camaro
3. Chevrolet Camaro
Price: $23,200
Complex Says: Three hundred and twenty-three horses in some stunning sheet metal for $23,000? Sign us up!
Mazda MX-5
2. Mazda MX-5
Price: $23,190
Complex Says: Sure, someone will make a joke at your expense. You won't care, though, because your detractors will be in your dust after the next corner.
Ford Mustang
1. Ford Mustang
Price: $22,310
Complex Says: The new V6 Mustang admirably fulfills the goals of the original 1964.5 Mustang. The first Mustang was designed to be a fun, stylish car for under $2,500. Today, inflation has taken its toll, but it's still under $25,000. And the Mustang offers an enticing combination of 305 horsepower, surprisingly good handling, 31mpg, and sexy, retro-modern good looks.
