Every new car under $25k recommended by Consumer Reports
In 2025, 16 new vehicles with price tags of $25k or less met CR's criteria for quality. Here's the list.
Fast facts:
- Only sixteen 2025 vehicles that start at less than $25k come recommended by the renowned auto experts at Consumer Reports.
- Toyota and Hyundai tied for most models on the list with three each.
- Only one 2025 hybrid car recommended by CR costs under $25k — the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which also has the best average fuel economy of any car on this list at 48 MPG.
- The cheapest model on this list by far is the Nissan Versa, which starts at just $17,190.
Anyone who has been thinking about purchasing a new vehicle lately has likely begun to tighten their timeline, given the looming impact of recently imposed tariffs on imported vehicles and vehicle parts.
And while the tariff situation does seem prone to frequent changes, it remains likely that the cost of most new cars will rise more quickly than it has in the past due to the ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and other nations.
For those looking to buy a reliable and relatively affordable new car before prices potentially skyrocket, options can be limited. After all, the average price of a new car was already an astounding $48,641 in March 2025, according to Car Edge.
And while $50k for a new car is out of reach for many, there are still new cars out there whose base models cost less than half that much.