We’re fresh into 2019 and I figured we’d kick off the new year with a look back at some of the best affordable rides I’ve driven in the past year or so.
Let’s qualify that a little: We’ll say that ‘best’ means a superior overall combination of the way the vehicle drives, the way it comes equipped for the price, and the way it functions toward its intended use.
And we’ll say that “affordable” refers to vehicles priced under $25,000.
If you’re in the market for maximum new-car bang for the buck, here’s what I’d recommend you check out.
Nissan Kicks
Kicks replaces the quirky Juke in Nissan’s lineup, and is Nissan’s smallest crossover, taking a place beneath the Qashqai and Rogue.
This one’s only available in front-wheel drive, so if you want all-wheel drive, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Thing is, skipping the AWD system keeps the price down, the weight down, the fuel efficiency up, and helps maximize cargo space, as Kicks’s cargo floor can be lowered since there’s no need to clear room for AWD hardware beneath it.
The result, from a starting price of $18,000, is an affordable machine that’s easy to board and exit, one with virtually untouchable cargo space for the money, and an overall pleasant and easy-to-drive experience.
Go top of the line with a Kicks SR at about $23,000 and you’ll get up-level feature content like headrest speakers, a BOSE audio system, around-view parking monitor, remote start and more.
If affordable access to heaps of space is a priority, and if you can do without AWD, give this one a look. Just take the Kicks down the roughest road you can find on your test drive, to confirm that the ride quality is acceptable as some surfaces can coax above-average harshness from the suspension.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
All new for 2019 and priced from under $21,000, this all-new Corolla variant is one of the most modern, fresh and advanced compacts on the scene. My tester was the Corolla Hatchback with SE Upgrade package, which clocked in at about $24,000 with a six-speed manual transmission. Included were heated seats, blind spot monitoring, heated steering wheel and more.
The most notable attribute of this machine is likely it’s safety features: All Corolla Hatchback models include a full array of advanced safety and hazard-detection features, including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a pre-collision system that can detect pedestrians and cyclists.
Simply, few if any other compacts on the scene right now offer such a wide range of safety features included as standard.
Corolla Hatchback is also gorgeous looking, flaunts an elegantly upscale interior and feels dialled in to be comfortably sporty in almost all conditions.
The brakes, steering and manual shifter all feel nicely dialled in and honed. The overall drive is excellent.
So, if you’re after something very safe, very lovely to drive, and very lovely to look at, the Corolla Hatchback delivers in full. Just note that some shoppers will wish for more cargo space, as Corolla Hatchback’s cargo hold is on the small side, and the engine, while thrifty, never feels particularly excited to be worked hard.
Hyundai Kona
My full review of this popular compact crossover will be published in a few weeks and it’s been the single vehicle I’ve been asked about the most in the past year.
Kona is Hyundai’s smallest crossover, taking a place beneath the Santa Fe and Tucson in the model line.
Unique and easy-to-spot looks conceal a nicely-equipped cabin, and at just under $25,000 for a 2.0 Preferred AWD, you get no shortage of advanced safety features, push-button ignition, a heated steering wheel, a backup camera, Android Auto / Apple CarPlay, heated seats and that all-important AWD system.
This one feels light and easily manoeuvrable, drives and rides well in most situations and the AWD system operates with smooth and seamless precision. It’ll whip around in deep or hard-packed snow almost as though it were on bare pavement.
Simple and easy-to-use controls and a flexible cabin and cargo hold help round out the package.
