- Starting Price: $26,995
The 2025 Ford Maverick offers two fantastic powertrain options. The standard setup is a lively 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine delivering a robust 250 horsepower. For those chasing maximum efficiency, the available 191-horsepower hybrid powertrain is a marvel, returning an incredible 42 mpg in the city. The versatile FLEXBED, a 4.5-foot bed boasts a 1,500-pound payload capacity. Standard towing is 2,000 pounds, but with the EcoBoost engine and 4K Tow Package, that number jumps to an impressive 4,000 pounds.
The Maverick features an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that comes standard, along with the FordPass Connect system for remote features. The cabin offers clever storage solutions, like door pockets designed to hold large water bottles. Other notable standards include durable cloth upholstery and a 4.2-inch digital instrument display, making the Maverick a highly functional and brilliantly affordable compact truck.
- Starting Price: $26,990
The 2025 Kia Niro stands out for its fuel efficiency. Its 1.6-liter hybrid system produces a capable 139 horsepower, but the real headline is its phenomenal fuel economy, reaching an EPA-estimated 53 mpg combined. Certain trims even push that to 54 mpg, making it one of the most economical SUVs you can buy. The Niro is also surprisingly practical, offering a generous 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which expands to a massive 63.7 cubic feet when folded.
The Niro is packed with an impressive array of modern tech and safety features. Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Kia’s excellent Drive Wise safety suite is also standard, bringing you Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist.
- Starting Price: $24,550
The 2025 Hyundai Kona gives you exciting engine choices. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine provides 147 horsepower and achieves a solid 31 mpg combined. A major highlight is its cavernous cargo area, which provides 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and expands to an enormous 63.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down, rivaling some larger SUVs.
A truly notable feature is the available 12.3-inch panoramic display, which seamlessly merges the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen into one sleek unit. Standard tech is already impressive, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite is also included, providing key features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.
- Starting Price: $28,295
The 2025 Honda Accord is powered by a smooth and capable 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 192 horsepower. It strikes an excellent balance between power and efficiency, returning an estimated 32 mpg combined. The Accord’s driving dynamics are a key strength, offering a ride that is both beautifully composed and genuinely engaging.
Step inside, and you’ll find a premium and remarkably spacious cabin. Notable standard features include a crisp 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Every Accord comes standard with the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite of safety technologies.
- Starting Price: $28,700
For 2025, the legendary Toyota Camry is now exclusively a hybrid, and it's a brilliant move. The powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce a combined 225 horsepower in front-wheel-drive models, while all-wheel-drive versions get a boost to 232 horsepower. This setup delivers phenomenal fuel economy, with an estimated 51 mpg combined.
The Camry’s cabin is thoughtfully designed and well-equipped. Standard features are generous, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 7-inch digital instrument display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Every Camry comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a fantastic standard package of driver aids. It includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist.
- Starting Price: $24,995
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 injects pure driving fun into the subcompact SUV class with its standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 191 horsepower. It also comes standard with all-wheel drive, a premium feature that costs extra on most competitors. For those who crave more punch, an available turbocharged 2.5-liter engine pumps out up to 250 horsepower. Cargo space is practical, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Its handling is wonderfully sharp, feeling more like a sporty hatchback.
Notable standard features include an 8.8-inch infotainment display controlled by an intuitive rotary knob, push-button start, and an eight-speaker audio system. Mazda’s i-Activsense safety suite is also standard, providing Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane-keep Assist, delivering a premium and safe experience.
- Starting Price: $22,125
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra is powered by a highly efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower. Paired with a smooth continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this combination delivers fantastic fuel economy, achieving up to 36 mpg combined. For those wanting more excitement, the sporty N-Line model offers a thrilling 201-horsepower turbocharged engine. The Elantra provides 14.2 cubic feet of trunk space, a very competitive figure for the compact sedan class.
The Elantra’s biggest draw is its daring style combined with high-tech features. Standard equipment is generous, including an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite also comes standard, featuring Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.
The 2025 Subaru Outback comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower. Every model features Subaru's legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it supremely capable in bad weather and on light trails.
Subaru’s dedication to safety shines through with the advanced EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite, which comes standard on every Outback. This includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, and Lane Keep Assist. Most notably, it offers an enormous cargo area, offering 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanding to an incredible 75.6 cubic feet when they're folded.
- Starting Price: $24,690
The 2025 Kia Seltos gives buyers a great choice between a 146-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a peppy 195-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged option. It boasts an unbelievably spacious interior for its class with best-in-class second-row legroom that your passengers will love. Cargo capacity is also fantastic, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, providing incredible utility for a subcompact SUV.
The Seltos is loaded with technology, including a standard 8-inch touchscreen and stunning available dual 10.25-inch panoramic screens for a high-end, futuristic feel. All-wheel drive is available on the base trim and standard on all others, enhancing its capability. Standard Kia Drive Wise safety features include Auto Emergency Braking Technology and Lane Keeping & Following Assist Technology, providing tremendous value in a very stylish package
- Starting Price: $29,485
The 2025 Toyota Prius continues to blend efficiency and practicality with a modern design. It features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 194 horsepower (196 hp with available AWD) and offering responsive acceleration for a hybrid. Its primary strength is fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 57 mpg combined.
The Prius maintains its strong reputation for reliability and comes equipped with a range of modern technology. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, with a 12.3-inch display available on higher trims. Every model includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
