The Least Boring Cars and SUVs Under $35,000

If you think cars have been getting pricier and pricier, you’re not wrong. The average transaction price of a new car in America has floated up to around $38,000—think about that! However, if you believe staying under that amount means you’ll be stuck in some dirtball economy car or a used car or—even worse—something boring, worry not. For less than the average price of a new car, say, $35,000 (that’s a nice, round figure!), you can buy several excellent vehicles that are actually interesting. And given how most people will try and cozy up as close to their budgets as possible, we’ve gathered up 10 awesome new cars and SUVs with base prices less than $35,000 but higher than $25,000—although if you’re interested in not-boring rides for less than that, we’ve got you covered. Read on, frugal, fun-loving shoppers:

2020 Chevrolet Camaro 2.0T / V-6 1LE | Base Price: $30,995

Chevrolet’s Camaro is a handler at heart, but you can really kick things up a notch without having to jump all the way into the nearly $40,000, V-8–powered Camaro SS. How? With the $4500 1LE handling package Chevrolet offers on the Camaro 1LT trim level and up (the 1LT is the second-to-least-expensive Camaro available). You can choose either the base 275-hp 2.0-liter turbo four engine or the available 335-hp V-6—our price above accounts for the Camaro 2.0T 1LT with the 1LE package included—and either one comes in well under $35,000. Similar to the 1LE treatment available on the pricier Camaro SS and ZL1 models, the 1LE kit here includes 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels, summer tires, Brembo front brakes, upgraded suspension, extra engine and differential coolers, a limited-slip differential, and dual-mode exhaust.

2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Package | Base Price: $33,505

Chevrolet isn’t alone in making extra track performance available on its lesser pony-car trim levels and engines. Ford offers the entry-level Mustang EcoBoost—the turbocharged, four-cylinder model—with the $4995 High Performance package that’s quite similar to Chevy’s 1LE treatment. While the least-expensive Ford Mustang so equipped seems pricier than the Camaro 2.0T 1LE, that’s because the Mustang’s turbocharged 2.3-liter engine more closely lines up with the Chevy’s optional V-6 in terms of power. (With that in mind, the Mustang’s $33,505 price tag actually undercuts the Camaro V-6 1LE’s $33,585 MSRP.) The Mustang HPP, as we’ll dub it, includes a limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels, an active exhaust, oil pressure and boost gauges, bigger brakes, a larger radiator, stiffer front springs, a rear wing, sportier chassis tuning with a larger-diameter rear anti-roll bar, and special calibration for the electric power steering. It also bumps the Mustang’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine to 330 horsepower, up from 310, while delivering the same 350 lb-ft of torque.

2020 Honda Accord Sport | Base Price: $27,785

People like to joke that the answer to any automotive question is “Mazda Miata.” While that car also makes an appearance on this list and is hugely enjoyable, it’s only the right choice for people with limited need for passenger accommodations (it has only two seats) and those who rarely contend with extreme weather. The Honda Accord, on the other hand, has a legitimate right to claim to be the answer. This mid-size sedan is huge inside, seats four easily and five reasonably comfortably, and has a big ol’ trunk. While every Accord avoids the “boring” label secretly, thanks to the lineup’s smart handling and general sense of verve, we recommend opting for the Sport trim level, which brings the Accord’s satisfying driving dynamics more obviously to the fore. It’s the only way to get Honda’s sweet six-speed manual transmission in an Accord, and the trim also includes 19-inch wheels and tires, darkened grille elements, and snazzy dual exhausts. The basic Accord Sport 1.5T is a steal at just over $27,000; if you need more than its 192-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, the 252-hp turbo 2.0-liter option costs an extra $4530 and brings a host of extra equipment.

2020 Honda Civic Si | Base Price: $26,155

We don’t envy anyone with roughly $26,000 to spend and their eye on a Honda dealership. It’d be a tough choice between reaching up for the roomy, fun-to-drive Accord Sport listed above and saving a few bucks and opting for the smaller, but slightly more powerful, much sportier, and better-equipped Civic Si sedan or coupe. Every Civic Si comes standard with a 205-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four, a limited-slip front differential, multi-mode electronically adaptive suspension, and a six-speed manual transmission. Honda also tosses in a moonroof, automatic climate control, heated front sport seats, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Civic Si is a hoot to drive, and a great value. Take your pick between the two-door coupe and the four-door sedan—they cost the same.

2020 Jeep Wrangler | Base Price: $29,790

Who keeps tying helium balloons to Jeep Wrangler pricing? The rugged 4×4’s MSRP keeps floating higher and higher, and now a basic two-door, manual-transmission Wrangler Sport with a soft top and no air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, or much of anything else starts at nearly $30,000. The four-door Unlimited with the same, ahem, limited equipment runs $33,290, just under our pretend price cap here. Look, pay up, because the Wrangler is the only game in town when it comes to adventurous, convertible SUVs with world-conquering off-road capability. (At least until the 2021 Ford Bronco arrives.) Boring? Not a chance. Expensive? Quite possibly. Options add up quickly, and even though you can’t do much damage to your wallet with the Sport trim, the higher-spec models really run up the tab.
Our recommendation for a Jeeper on a budget? The new-for-2020 Wrangler Sport Willys trim. There are two Willys trims now, but the cheaper Sport is basically a regular Sport—so, same lack of power conveniences and A/C, which is optional—but includes the Rubicon trim level’s shocks, black 17-inch aluminum wheels, 32-inch mud tires, protective rock rails, a limited-slip rear differential, and a black grille. All that for $31,490. Even the four-door version sneaks under $35,000—by $10!

2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Base Price: $27,525

Try not having fun behind the wheel of a Mazda MX-5 Miata. Really, try. It’s nearly impossible to—unless maybe, well, you crash. Provided that outcome isn’t in the cards, the Miata is wonderfully balanced (with near-50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution), extremely light weight, and (as of 2019) something resembling powerful. Sure, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes “only” 181 horsepower, but remember it swats around only about 2300 pounds of Miata like you lifting a glass of water to your mouth. The roof lowers, both on the regular MX-5 Miata roadster and on the graceful-looking RF variant, which features a power-retractable targa roof panel. So, let the sun in, take the Miata for a rip, and enjoy its farty little exhaust note, quick steering, and puppy-like sense of joy.

2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Base Price: $33,795

While there are boring Mercedes-Benzes out there, there isn’t anything boring about getting one for about the price of a well-equipped Honda Accord. And unlike the first “cheap” Benz, the original CLA-Class, the new Mercedes A-Class doesn’t feel cheap. It feels like, well, a tiny Mercedes-Benz. It’s refined. The interior is hip, with plenty of cool tech and available driver-selectable ambient lighting. Outside, the A-Class has a chunky, shark-nose sort of appeal, like a scaled-down CLS-Class. Fair warning, however: While the A220 model slides just under our price cap, the all-wheel-drive A220 4Matic does not, and if you get practically any option, you’ll probably crest $35,000.

2020 Nissan 370Z | Base Price: $31,015

Nissan’s 370Z has been on sale for a very, very long time. It is distinctly not-new, and yet it’s among the few proper sports cars you can still buy today. That counts for something, right? The Z is affordable, at least to start, and comes with a 332-hp 3.7-liter V-6, a six-speed manual transmission, and plenty of good looks. We’d upgrade to the still-under-$35,000 370Z coupe with the Sport trim, which adds a limited-slip rear differential, better brakes, and 19-inch RAYS wheels.

2020 Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ | Base Prices: $28,015–$29,745

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 twins are slightly larger than the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but nearly as lightweight and set up for tail-out hooliganism like few, if any, affordable cars on sale today. Both rear-wheel-drive coupes feature the same basic chassis setup, 2.0-liter flat-four engine, and six-speed manual and automatic transmission options. Take your pick on looks; the Subaru’s grille and headlight designs are cleaner than the busier Toyotas’, but the 86 costs less. Either model will deliver powerslides and drifty handling behavior easily and at mostly legal road speeds, meaning their fun is accessible in the real world—no need to visit a track. But if you wanted to have yourself a real track day, Toyota and Subaru designed the BRZ and 86 to accommodate four extra full-size wheels and tires between their trunks and back seats.

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI | Base Price: $28,595

The Volkswagen Golf GTI should make anyone’s short list, whether they’re looking for an everyday commuter with class, a pop of performance, or an insanely practical combination of both. As it has for generations, the GTI blends driving fun with a boxy, roomy, and compact body equally adept at schlepping people and cargo. With its 220-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, manual or snappy dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and Audi-like build quality and refinement, there are few better ways to spend about $30,000 these days. The redesigned, 2021 Golf GTI will soon take over for this car globally, and it and possibly MTthe next-gen R will be the only Golfs of any flavor in American VW dealerships.

The Least Boring Cars, Trucks, and SUVs For Less Than $35,000

2020 Chevrolet Camaro 2.0T/V-6 1LE – $30,995
2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Package – $33,505
2020 Honda Accord Sport – $27,785
2020 Honda Civic Si – $26,155
2020 Jeep Wrangler – $29,790
2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata – $27,525
2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class – $33,795
2020 Nissan 370Z – $31,015
2020 Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ – $28,015–$29,745
2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI – $28,595

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