The Top 10 Best Cars To Buy in The US

Kelly Blue Book (KBB), Edmunds.com, and Motortrend.com provide their lists of the best cars to buy in the US. Their rankings tend to reflect such aspects as driving performance, value, safety, fuel efficiency, comfort level, features and technology. Below is a list of the top 10 best cars to buy in the US along with some of their review summaries.

1. Best Compact Car - 2023 Honda Civic

Description summary: There’s no mistaking the striking and sporty design. Inside, leading-edge tech and safety help keep you connected and protected. 2023 Honda Civic Release Date: Summer-Fall 2022.

Estimated Price: $40,000.

Exterior is more refined, subdued than previous Type R. The upgraded 2.0-liter turbo engine makes 315 horsepower. Revised interior isn't significantly different from the standard Civic. Starts off the second Civic Type R generation for 2023

This base trim starts with: 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (158 horsepower, 138 lb-ft) Continuously variable automatic transmission, 16-inch steel wheels with plastic cover, LED headlights, Automatic climate control., Push-button ignition, 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Partial digital instrument panel.

MSRP $24,650 - $30,050 MPG 22-33 City / 28-42 Hwy

Other top compact cars:

• 2023 Mazda Mazda3 - MSRP $22,550 - $35,300 MPG 23-28 City / 31‐37 Hwy
• 2023 Hyundai Elantra – MSRP $20,500 - $27,050 MPG 28-33 City / 36‐42 Hwy
• 2023 KIA Forte – MSRP $19,490 - $24,890 MPG 22-28 City / 31‐39 Hwy
• 2022 Toyota Corolla - MSRP $20,425 - $28,710 MPG 8-32 City / 36‐41 Hwy
• 2022 Volkswagen Jetta - MSRP $20,365 - $32,095 MPG 26-31 City / 36‐43 Hwy

2. Best Mid-Size Car - 2022 Honda Accord

Expert Rating (summary): The 2022 Honda Accord is roomy, refined, and has excellent reliability and robust resale. It’s also enjoyable to drive. The available 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, i-VTEC® turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 273 lb.-ft. of torque* and 252 hp offers a powerful way to conquer virtually any road. With an ECON drive mode button that helps you get more out of every litre and a combined fuel consumption rate of 7.2L-9.1L/100km*, you can be sure that no matter which Accord Sedan trim you pick, it will ensure your drive isn’t only exhilarating, but fuel-efficient as well.

MPG & Fuel 30 City / 38 Hwy / 33 Combined.

ENGINEERING LX

• Horsepower (SAE net) 192 @ 5500 rpm
• Torque (SAE net) 192 lb-ft @ 1600-5000 rpm
• Redline 6600 rpm
• Bore and Stroke 73.0 mm / 89.5 mm

The 2022 Honda Accord starts at $25,470.

3. Best Full-Size Cars: 2022 Toyota Avalon

Expert Rating: The 2022 Toyota Avalon is a luxury car for people who don’t want to pay luxury car prices. It is a super-comfortable car of better-than-mainstream quality. The Avalon has lots of standard convenience and safety features, a spacious and premium cabin, a comfortable ride, and a potent yet fuel- efficient V6 powertrain. Spacious, Lexus-like levels of refinement, Lots of standard equipment. Strong yet smooth V6 engine.

$36,825 – 43,525 MSRP

Specs

• Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
• Engine Gas/Electric I-4 Displacement (liters/cubic inches) 2.5 L/152
• Fuel System Port/Direct Injection
• Maximum Horsepower @ RPM 215 @ 5700
• Maximum Torque @ RPM 163 @ 3600
• Cooling System Capacity (quarts)
• Number of Transmission Speeds 1

4.Best Convertibles: 2022 MAZDA MX-5 Miata

Expert Rating: The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a stylish compact, 2-seater convertible configuration frees it from practical considerations and allows it to highlight the joy of driving. 181 hp, 151 lb-ft torque, Skyactiv-G 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine Up to 6.6 L/100 km highway, Standard features include: Black cloth soft-folding convertible top with glass rear window, 17-inch black metallic alloy wheels, Piano black power exterior mirrors, Kinematic Posture Control (KPC), Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring System (ABSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata starts at $23,915.

Engine

• Horsepower 181 hp @ 7,000 rpm
• Torque 151 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
• Valves 16
• Cam type Double overhead cam (DOHC)
• Drivetrain
• Transmission 6-speed shiftable automatic
• Drive type Rear wheel drive
• Suspension Four-wheel independent suspension yes Front and rear stabilizer bar
• Fuel & MPG
• Fuel type Premium unleaded (recommended)
• EPA city/highwayMPG 26/35 MPG
• EPA combined MPG 30 MPG
• Range in miles (city/hwy) 309.4/416.5 mi.
• Fuel tank capacity 11.9 gal

5. Best Subcompact Cars: 2022 Hyundai Accent

Expert Rating (summary) : The 2022 Hyundai Accent is a great value with low pricing throughout the model range and impressive fuel economy. Up to 41 MPG Hwy, 33 City, 120-hp Smartstream® 1.6L 4-cylinder engine, 5-inch color touchscreen display audio, Rear View Monitor (RVM), Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, 60/40 split-folding rear seatback.

The 2022 Hyundai Accent starts at MSRP $16,645.

Body/Suspension/Chassis/Wheels:

• Body type: 4-door. Standard.
• Front suspension: MacPherson Strut with coil springs and gas shock absorbers.
• Rear suspension: Torsion axle with coil springs and monotube shock absorbers.
• Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS)
• 33.46.
• Rear disc brakes.
• 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers.

6. Best Hatchbacks: 2022 Honda Civic

Expert Rating (summary): The Honda Civic is more sophisticated for 2022. Honda has announced pricing for the hatchback version of the 2022 Civic. It starts at $23,915, and the various trim levels cost $1000– $1900 more than the equivalent sedan models. All the new technology and driver assists haven’t detracted from what fundamentally is a highly refined compact sedan and hatchback with superb fuel economy, and entertaining driving manners. Available powertrain options include a 180-horsepower* turbocharged engine, quick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission and dual-mode paddle shifters, which let you take full manual control of the CVT when in Sport mode.

Adds to or upgrades LX features:

• Continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters.
• Remote engine start.
• 3-mode drive system (ECON/Normal/Sport)
• Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock. ®
• 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels.
• Gloss black power side mirrors.
• Black window accents.
• Sport badge, and more

7. Best Wagons 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Expert Rating (summary): The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class encompasses a midsize sedan, coupe and convertible variants, high-performance AMG versions, and the E 450 All-Terrain. Standard on every Civic Hatchback, the Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies is designed to alert you to things you might miss while driving. CMBS®* can help bring your Honda to a stop by automatically applying brake pressure when the system determines that a frontal collision is unavoidable.

Available features include:

• 180-hp* turbocharged engine
• 6-speed manual transmission
• 3-mode drive system with Sport mode
• Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
• BOSE® Premium Sound System
• Wireless Apple CarPlayTM* and Android AutoTM* Integration
• 9" colour touchscreen
• Heated steering wheel

8. Most Fuel Efficient Cars

Most Fuel Efficient Coupes: 2023 BMW 4 Series

• Starting at $48,395
• Fuel Economy: 23/34 city/highway MPG.
• Engine Type and Required Fuel - Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
• Displacement (liters/cubic inches) 2.0 L/122
• Fuel System - Gasoline Direct Injection
• Maximum Horsepower @ RPM - 255 @ 5000
• Maximum Torque @ RPM - 295 @ 1550

Other Best Cars in Fuel Efficiency:

• Most Fuel Efficient Hatchbacks: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
• Most Fuel Efficient Sedans: 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
• Most Fuel Efficient Wagons: 2023 Kia Niro
• Most Fuel Efficient Convertibles: 2022 MAZDA MX-5 Miata

9. Highest Horsepower Cars

Highest Horsepower Convertibles: 2022 Ferrari 812 GTS

812 Superfast is the only Ferrari sports car to be equipped with the naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine. Output is rated at 789 horsepower along with 530 pound-feet of torque. For 2022, the Italian automaker is adding an even faster and more potent Competizione model with 818 horsepower and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 2.85 seconds.

Engine

• Engine Type and Required Fuel Premium Unleaded V-12
• Displacement (liters/cubic inches) 6.5 L/396
• Fuel System Gasoline Direct Injection
• Maximum Horsepower @ RPM 788 @ 8500
• Maximum Torque @ RPM 529 @ 7000
• Transmission Description
• Auto-Shift Manual w/OD
• Number of Transmission Speeds 7
• Fuel Consumption: 14.7 – 19.6 L/100km

PRICE $469,318 – $510,000

Other top cars for horsepower:

• Highest Horsepower Coupes: 2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast
• Highest Horsepower Hatchbacks: 2023 BMW M8
• Highest Horsepower Sedans: 2022 Bentley Flying Spur
• Highest Horsepower Wagons: 2023 Audi RS 6

10. Best Minivans: 2023 Honda Odyssey

STARTING MSRP *$37,490. Expert Rating (summary): The 2023 Honda Odyssey minivan comes with a new trim for its entry level, plus a fresh mid-range Sport model. It remains superb at what it does. It’s spacious, well built, well thought out, refined, safe, and reliable. Seating for 8, Magic Slide® 2nd-Row Seats, Available Rear Entertainment System.

Specs

• EPA Classification - Minivans 2WD
• Drivetrain - Front Wheel Drive
• Engine Type and Required Fuel - Regular Unleaded V-6
• Displacement (liters/cubic inches) - 3.5 L/212
• Fuel System - Gasoline Direct Injection
• Maximum Horsepower @ RPM - 280 @ 6000
• Maximum Torque @ RPM - 262 @ 4700
• Cooling System Capacity (quarts)
• Transmission Description - Automatic w/OD
• Number of Transmission Speeds -10

When to Buy a New Car

To get the best price on one of the best cars, you will have to do your research. The best time to buy a new car is when dealers make room for new vehicle models so they clear out inventory at the end of the year, typically, the beginning of October. Also, it is helpful to look for low-interest loans and other rebates near the end of the model year. Another way to save money on a new car is to do a trade-in at the dealership. As well, it is beneficial to go to a dealership with price comparisons, your car budget outline, and an exact idea of what you’re looking for in a top car.

Before going to the dealership, check your credit history and score so you know your financing options and limitations. It is important to be aware that manufacturers often have the best promotions with interest starting at 0%. And. when you do find the best car that meets your needs and budget, take the test drive to ensure it is a right fit for you.