I’m, typically, contacted by colleagues from different respected automotive publications that undergo nice size to find out the perfect automobiles cash can purchase. Once I noticed Automobiles U.S. Information’ high 2025 picks, I used to be not very shocked, however was additionally intrigued by the methodology behind the alternatives. There are three classes and three completely different winners. These might not be essentially the most enjoyable automobiles on the market, however relating to consolation, practicality, security, options and worth, you may see why these three automobiles are the highest picks for the perfect automobiles cash can purchase in 2025.
Greatest Compact Automobile: 2025 Honda Civic
The eleventh-generation Honda Civic continues the custom of being a strong choose. To me, the Civic has at all times been the marginally extra thrilling model of the Toyota Corolla. Good reliability and security ranking, together with a sensible and well-built inside, make the present Civic a preferred selection. If the bottom engine’s 150 horsepower would not appear sufficient, there’s additionally a hybrid variant, which is as fuel-efficient because the Corolla Hybrid whereas providing higher efficiency, for about the identical MSRP. The 2025 Honda Civic begins at $24,250.
Professionals:
1. Spacious inside
2. Good materials high quality within the cabin
3. Nice gasoline financial system (31-32 MPG metropolis/ 39-41 MPG freeway)
4. Intuitive infotainment system
5. Nice dealing with
Cons:
1. Underpowered base engine (1.5-liter turbo now not obtainable)
2. CVT is the one transmission possibility
3. Extreme highway noise
4. The costliest base mannequin in its class
The Various
I’d get the Mazda 3 as an alternative. Its inside is well-executed, though second-row seating is without doubt one of the worst within the class. Mazda’s providing handles nice and supplies nice experience high quality. You possibly can have a 2.5-liter engine (usually aspirated or turbocharged), which packs much more punch than the Civic’s engines.
With the Premium trim, you may go for the six-speed handbook. The Mazda 3 seems higher for my part. The larger engine comes at the price of gasoline financial system – 23-27 MPG metropolis/ 31-37 MPG freeway, relying on the engine and transmission. All-wheel drive can also be non-compulsory.
Greatest Hybrid Automobile: 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Hyundai Elantra hybrid is a strong choose. Many imagine that what Hyundai does now’s what Toyota did 25 years in the past. Whereas I would go away this to a debate, the Elantra’s robust fits are its spacious inside, beneficiant customary tools, and best-in-class gasoline financial system. Final, however not least, the Elantra is essentially the most reasonably priced hybrid mannequin in its class, with a beginning MSRP of $25,100.
Professionals:
1. Essentially the most reasonably priced hybrid mannequin in its class
2. Spacious inside
3. Wealthy customary tools
4. Unimaginable gasoline financial system – 49-51 MPG metropolis/ 52-58 MPG freeway
Cons:
1. Mediocre inside high quality
2. Dealing with shouldn’t be as spectacular in comparison with a lot of the competitors
3. Underpowered engine
4. CVT could make loud noises
The choice
If a compact hybrid automobile is what you want, I’d spend a bit extra on the Corolla-beating Honda Civic e:HEV. It begins at $28,750 and you may be missing a number of the Hyundai’s customary options, however you’re getting a significantly better inside, higher dealing with, and gasoline financial system that’s virtually pretty much as good – 50 MPG metropolis/ 47 MPG freeway.
Greatest Midsize Automobile: 2025 Honda Accord
I can totally get behind the 2025 Honda Accord’s US Automobiles award for the 2025 Greatest Midsize automobile cash can purchase, for quite a few causes. The Accord strikes the proper steadiness of consolation, practicality, high quality, and a reputation that screams reliability.
Some opponents within the section provide barely extra beneficiant customary tools, however the Accord beats with one of many best-executed and most spacious interiors, and beneficiant cargo area of 16.7 cubic ft, earlier than you fold the rear seats down.
At $28,295, the Accord can also be a discount. Whereas the Accord’s hybrid model can prevent a ton of cash in the long term, the 1.5-liter turbo-four supplies respectable efficiency and gasoline financial system. My solely gripe with the current-generation Accord is that Honda dropped the two.0-liter turbocharged engine.
Professionals:
1. Upscale inside
2. Spacious cabin and beneficiant cargo space
3. Surprisingly sharp dealing with
4. Silky-smooth experience high quality
5. Nice gasoline financial system – 29 MPG metropolis/ 37 MPG freeway
6. Intuitive infotainment system
Cons:
1. No extra 2.0-liter turbocharged model
2. CVT is the one transmission possibility
The choice
Kia K5 is a superb different to the Accord that prices barely much less – $27,190 base MSRP. It has most of what the Accord gives, for much less cash. The one shortcomings are that the Kia would not provide the identical stage of dealing with because the Accord, even in case you go for the sporty GT trim.
There is no such thing as a hybrid possibility both. Much like the Mazda 3 from earlier, you get two variations of the two.5-liter engine (normally-aspirated and turbocharged). They pack 191 and 290 horsepower, respectively. Normal tools is barely extra beneficiant than the Honda. The bottom Kia K5’s gasoline financial system (with the bottom engine) can also be similar to the non-hybrid Accord at 26 MPG metropolis/ 37 MPG freeway. For the turbocharged Kia K5 these numbers are 24 MPG metropolis/ 33 MPG freeway.
Do you personal or have an curiosity in any of those automobiles? In that case, be at liberty to share your ideas within the remark part beneath.
Dimitar Angelov‘s automotive pursuits made him an knowledgeable in all kinds of autos. Japanese manufacturers like Toyota are closest to his coronary heart, though efficiency automobiles normally are his favourite section, which is why he’s continually looking out for the perfect offers available on the market. Dimitar Angelov’s automobile ardour and knack for the written phrase led him to finish a Grasp of Arts in Media and Communications, and traditional automobile restoration. Dim is pleased to get behind the wheel of any automobile and share his impressions. You possibly can comply with Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Fb.
Picture supply: Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, Kia K5