Latest news with #iSeeCars.com
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Buying a new car? Why picking yellow, orange and green will help your car retain its value
Vehicles that experience high rates of depreciation after a few years aren't great for new car buyers, but they can be great for used car buyers. In fact, researching vehicles with high depreciation rates can be a good way to find a deal on a used car. On the other hand, some drivers may avoid vehicles that rapidly depreciate to retain some trade-in value or sell their cars later on. Some car colors have worse depreciation rates than others, according to a study conducted by an automotive search engine and research website. Gold: 34.4% three-year depreciation White: 32.1% three-year depreciation Black: 31.9% three-year depreciation Most vehicles tend to depreciate the second they roll off of dealer lots, but the rates of depreciation listed above are beyond average rates. So, if you're in the market for a new vehicle, you may not want to buy it in gold. Paying extra money for a gold color model could prove to be even more costly. Thankfully, there are plenty of car colors with below-average rates of depreciation. Yellow: 24.0% three-year depreciation Orange: 24.4% three-year depreciation Green: 26.3% three-year depreciation "Yellow cars hold their value the best" according to the study results. So if you're looking for a new vehicle, this may be a color to consider for value retention. If you're hunting for a used vehicle deal, avoiding this color could save you some money because of the lower depreciation rate. The overall average three-year depreciation rate of the colors included in the study was 31%. Finding a good deal on a used car can be difficult, but refining your search by including vehicles with high depreciation rates can save drivers thousands of dollars. Vehicles with high rates of depreciation after just a few years can have low mileage and much lower prices than their original MSRP. One example of a vehicle with a high depreciation rate is the 2023 Dodge Hornet. The 2023 model year is the first of its production history. Just a few years after its initial release, the Hornet has depreciated by over 31%. The 2023 Hornet has an original MSRP of $31,590. It now has a fair purchase price of $20,154 according to Kelley Blue Book. That's a value decrease of a whopping $11,436, making it a steal for interested parties as a used model. Another great example of vehicle depreciation is the 2022 Nissan Leaf. The 2022 Leaf has an original MSRP of $27,400 and a Kelley Blue Book fair purchase price of just $14,258. That's a depreciation rate of around 47%. Car buyers can save big bucks on a Nissan Leaf by purchasing a used model that has depreciated severely over the last few years. There's no surefire way to avoid car depreciation entirely, but proper maintenance and upkeep can help drivers retain as much of their vehicle's value as possible. Regular maintenance Interior cleaning Exterior protection According to State Farm, there are several ways car owners can minimize depreciation. Ultimately, proper car care can equate to less depreciation in the long run and a higher resale value, so take those oil changes seriously. The more presentable your car is, the easier it is to get a fair purchase price or trade-in value later on. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What car colors are best to buy? These will retain your car's value Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Buying a new car? Why picking yellow, orange and green will help your car retain its value
Vehicles that experience high rates of depreciation after a few years aren't great for new car buyers, but they can be great for used car buyers. In fact, researching vehicles with high depreciation rates can be a good way to find a deal on a used car. On the other hand, some drivers may avoid vehicles that rapidly depreciate to retain some trade-in value or sell their cars later on. Some car colors have worse depreciation rates than others, according to a study conducted by an automotive search engine and research website. Gold: 34.4% three-year depreciation White: 32.1% three-year depreciation Black: 31.9% three-year depreciation Most vehicles tend to depreciate the second they roll off of dealer lots, but the rates of depreciation listed above are beyond average rates. So, if you're in the market for a new vehicle, you may not want to buy it in gold. Paying extra money for a gold color model could prove to be even more costly. Thankfully, there are plenty of car colors with below-average rates of depreciation. Yellow: 24.0% three-year depreciation Orange: 24.4% three-year depreciation Green: 26.3% three-year depreciation "Yellow cars hold their value the best" according to the study results. So if you're looking for a new vehicle, this may be a color to consider for value retention. If you're hunting for a used vehicle deal, avoiding this color could save you some money because of the lower depreciation rate. The overall average three-year depreciation rate of the colors included in the study was 31%. Finding a good deal on a used car can be difficult, but refining your search by including vehicles with high depreciation rates can save drivers thousands of dollars. Vehicles with high rates of depreciation after just a few years can have low mileage and much lower prices than their original MSRP. One example of a vehicle with a high depreciation rate is the 2023 Dodge Hornet. The 2023 model year is the first of its production history. Just a few years after its initial release, the Hornet has depreciated by over 31%. The 2023 Hornet has an original MSRP of $31,590. It now has a fair purchase price of $20,154 according to Kelley Blue Book. That's a value decrease of a whopping $11,436, making it a steal for interested parties as a used model. Another great example of vehicle depreciation is the 2022 Nissan Leaf. The 2022 Leaf has an original MSRP of $27,400 and a Kelley Blue Book fair purchase price of just $14,258. That's a depreciation rate of around 47%. Car buyers can save big bucks on a Nissan Leaf by purchasing a used model that has depreciated severely over the last few years. There's no surefire way to avoid car depreciation entirely, but proper maintenance and upkeep can help drivers retain as much of their vehicle's value as possible. Regular maintenance Interior cleaning Exterior protection According to State Farm, there are several ways car owners can minimize depreciation. Ultimately, proper car care can equate to less depreciation in the long run and a higher resale value, so take those oil changes seriously. The more presentable your car is, the easier it is to get a fair purchase price or trade-in value later on. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What car colors are best to buy? These will retain your car's value
Miami Herald
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
The Surprising Car Colors That Actually Make You Money (And the Ones That Cost You)
It turns out your car's paint job does more than reflect your personality - it might also reflect thousands of dollars back into your wallet (or not) when it's time to sell. A new study by reveals that vehicle color can make a difference of more than $5,000 in resale value after just three years. The study analyzed more than 1.2 million 3-year-old used vehicles and found that yellow, orange, and green vehicles retained value significantly better than more traditional hues. Meanwhile, black, white, and gold cars depreciated the most. Here's how each car color stacks up in terms of three-year depreciation. Yellow cars lost just 24% of their value after three years, making them the best-performing color in the study. That works out to an average loss of $13,667 off the original price. Yellow remains a relatively rare paint option, which helps it stand out in the used market. It's also often associated with fun, sporty cars, and buyers seem to pay a premium for that. Orange cars were a close second, with an average depreciation of 24.4%, or $9,951. Like yellow, orange is a bold, eye-catching color that isn't widely available across vehicle segments. That scarcity likely gives it an edge when it comes time to sell. Vehicles painted green lost about 26.3% of their value, or $13,152, over three years. Green is another color that isn't especially common, but when buyers do seek it out, they're often willing to pay more. Whether it's a deep forest tone or a more vibrant shade, green cars tend to buck the trend of rapid depreciation. Beige cars experienced an average depreciation of 29.5%, resulting in a loss of $18,455. That's a bigger dollar drop than most of the colors ahead of it, but still below the overall average in terms of percentage. While beige may not be as flashy as some of the other top performers, its relative rarity might explain its stronger resale performance. Red vehicles depreciated by 29.8% over three years, or about $13,013. Red remains a popular choice for sporty and midsize vehicles, and its enduring appeal helps it land slightly ahead of the average. It's a familiar favorite that still holds some value. Silver cars also lost 29.8% of their value on average, with a total dollar loss of $12,636. Silver has long been one of the most popular paint colors, particularly for sedans and SUVs. Its ubiquity helps keep demand steady, but doesn't necessarily translate to standout resale performance. Brown vehicles saw an average depreciation of 30.4%, or $14,197. While brown isn't a top seller for new cars, its earth-tone appeal may help it retain slightly more value than some of the more common colors further down the list. Still, it's roughly in line with the overall market. Gray cars lost 30.5% of their value, amounting to $13,648 on average. Gray is a safe, neutral choice, and it remains extremely popular. But because so many cars come in gray, it doesn't stand out much in the resale market, and that keeps prices flat. Blue vehicles depreciated by 30.9%, or $13,994. While blue comes in a wide range of shades - from dark navy to bright electric - it tends to perform about average in terms of resale value. It's a crowd-pleasing choice, but not one that earns you extra on the used market. Black cars lost 31.9% of their value after three years, for an average drop of $15,381. Despite its timeless appeal, black is one of the most common car colors on the road. That means buyers have no shortage of options, which reduces resale prices. White vehicles depreciated by 32.1%, with a typical loss of $15,557. White has been the most popular new car color for years, but that popularity might be working against it when it comes time to sell. With so many available, used white cars just don't command much of a premium. At the bottom of the list is gold. Cars with gold paint lost a staggering 34.4% of their value after three years, which equals a drop of $16,679. Whether it's the dated perception or limited demand, gold simply doesn't hold up in the used market. If resale value matters to you, this is the color to avoid. If you want your car to retain more of its value, don't just focus on the brand, trim level, or features - think about the color, too. This study suggests that the paint you pick could make a difference of several thousand dollars when it's time to sell or trade in. Uncommon colors like yellow, orange, and green performed the best, likely because their rarity helps them stand out in a sea of neutral-toned cars. On the flip side, some of the most popular colors - including black, white, and silver - actually lost more value than average. These shades may be universally liked, but they're also everywhere, which drives down their resale value due to oversupply. Of course, color is just one factor. Vehicle type, mileage, condition, and market trends still play a huge role in how much a car is worth after a few years. But if you're deciding between two cars and all else is equal, picking the one in yellow or orange might not just be a fun choice - it could be the smarter one financially, too. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Cheapest cars to drive in 2025: Analysis finds surprising picks, discontinued models — under $30K
Cheapest cars to drive in 2025: Analysis finds surprising picks, discontinued models — under $30K These are the cheapest cars to drive according to an analysis by Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump signs executive order to relieve some auto tariffs President Donald Trump signed an executive order to relax some auto tariffs, though the industry won't see a total exemption. The cheapest cars to drive include several hatchbacks and small car models. The Mitsubishi Mirage tops the list of used cars, but it is no longer sold as new model. The Nissan Versa is the cheapest car to drive that's still available as a new model. Buying and maintaining a vehicle can be incredibly expensive. According to CNBC, a new car could cost you close to $50,000 in 2025. So, how do drivers get the most value out of their vehicle purchases? One way to save money on car ownership is by getting a car that's cheap to drive. Vehicles with high gas mileage and track records of reliability can save you big bucks at the pump and the mechanic shop. an automotive research company, searched for the most affordable vehicles to drive based on average annual miles and new car price. The results may surprise some car buyers. The cheapest cars to drive, according to Mitsubishi Mirage (average new price: $18,281) Kia Rio (average new price: $18,553) Chevrolet Spark (average new price: $16,982) Nissan Versa (average new price: $19,250) Mitsubishi Mirage G4 (average new price: $19,355) Kia Soul (average new price: $22,197) Toyota Corolla (average new price: $23,349) Chevrolet Malibu (average new price: $28,637) Hyundai Accent (average new price: $18,720) Nissan Sentra (average new price: $23,045) While several of the models listed are from Japanese automakers like Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, Japanese-made cars don't entirely dominate the list. There are also South Korean and American models included, like the Kia Rio and Chevrolet Spark. One similarity between all vehicles listed is that they are all either subcompact cars, subcompact SUVs, or sedans. So, size and fuel efficiency play a role in the overall cost of ownership. The methodology for this study included analyzing odometer readings from over one million three-year-old cars. The models listed are the cheapest cars to drive based on average annual mileage and new car prices. So, the starting MSRP's of vehicles are a factor in their placing on the list, but not the only determining factor. Some of the cheapest cars to drive are no longer for sale If you own the Mitsubishi Mirage, Kia Rio, or Chevrolet Spark, you're in luck because these small cars have officially been discontinued. That's right, some of the cheapest cars to drive (according to iSeeCars) are no longer for sale as new models. You can still find pre-owned Mitsubishi Mirage, Kia Rio, and Chevrolet Spark models at used car dealers, CarMax, or Carvana. Among those in the list, the Nissan Versa is the first still available for sale as a new vehicle. Nissan's subcompact car starts at $17,190, ($18,330 with automatic transmission) and is available in three trims: the S, SV, and SR. The final configuration of the 2025 Nissan Versa SR remains more affordable than the average new car, starting at $21,190. The 2025 Nissan Versa SR uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine to produce 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. It achieves 32 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway, which is excellent fuel efficiency. The Versa nameplate remains affordable to buy as a new vehicle. How much should you pay for a new car in 2025? The average new car price may be close to $50K in 2025, but that doesn't mean you need to pay $50,000 for a new car. In fact, there are several new cars on the market with starting prices under $40,000 that provide significant value for the money. The 2025 Nissan Versa ($17,190), 2025 Nissan Sentra ($21,590), and 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 ($37,850) are listed as 2025 'Best Value Winners' by a leading online automotive marketplace. also recognizes several SUVs with strong value propositions as well like the 2025 Ford Escape ($29,150) and 2025 Kia Sorento ($31,990). Finding the right new car to buy can be a harrowing task. This list of cheapest cars to own can help you make an informed purchasing decision backed by research.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Did Your Car Make the List? Top 30 Cars Most Likely to Reach 250,000 Miles
People go into the car dealership saying they want 'a reliable car, one that's going to last.' But how do you know how long something's going to last? Well, the people over at analyzed over 402 million cars to determine which were most likely to continue operating up to at least 250,000 miles. (Hint: A lot of trucks and SUVs.) 'Many consumers still consider a car's usable lifespan to end at 100,000 miles. But our latest longest-lasting study confirms that even 200,000 miles isn't the end of the line for many cars. The top nine cars on this year's list have a better than 20% chance of hitting 250,000 miles,' said iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer. SUVs make up over half the spots (16) on the overall longest-lasting cars list. Four of those are Toyotas, but Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, and Nissan all have at least two SUVs on the top 30 longest-lasting list. Pickup trucks also feature prominently. And the good old-fashioned family sedan? Only five of them made the top 30. Is your car on the list? Check it out below.36.6% hit 250,000 miles The full-sized Toyota Tundra was launched in 1999 and has been slowly gaining market share ever since. Its third generation was launched in 2021 and last year Toyota sold almost 160,000 Tundras in the US across 10 trim levels. Prices start at $42,035.36.4% hit 250,000 miles The Sequoia full-size SUV is powered by an i-FORCE MAX Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid making 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, strong enough to tow up to 9,520 lbs. With seating for up to eight, it'll meet the needs of most suburban armies. Pricing starts at $64,370.26.8% hit 250,000 miles Toyota certainly got its investment back on the last 4Runner—the thing had a model lifecycle of 15 years, three times that of many plain old 'cars.' The sixth-gen 4Runner you see here is all-new from the frame rails up, all of it shared with the Land Cruiser and Tacoma (not bad platforms from which to share). Power is aplenty with an i-Force 2.4-liter turbo-four making 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque or an i-Force Max hybrid with 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Prices start at $42,715 but easily top 60k.26.7% hit 250,000 milesThe Toyota Tacoma is consistently the best-selling truck in its class, the mid-size pickup segment. For 2024, it sold nearly 200,000 units, remaining ahead of competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger. The 4th-generation Tacoma came out last year to much fanfare, with three different versions of the 2.4-liter turbo-four, two cab options, and 2- and 4WD. That means versatility ready to take on just about anything. Prices range from $32,995 to $53,595.25.9% hit 250,000 miles The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is now 25 years old, and Toyota celebrated with a special edition last year, slathered with '25' badges everywhere. The current generation seats your choice of seven or eight family and friends. The 2025 model has standard all-wheel drive. Prices range from $47,770 to $55,425 across seven models. And the all-important fuel mileage? A steady 35 mpg city and 35 highway.25.8% hit 250,000 milesThe unibody pickup debuted in 2006, took a brief sabbatical after its initial run, and returned in its current, squared-off, second-generation guise in 2017. It rides on the same platform as the Pilot SUV and the Odyssey minivan, and is offered exclusively as a four-door crew cab with a five-foot bed. The sole powertrain is a V6 engine with all-wheel drive. The new truck took advantage of its unibody frame with some interesting packaging solutions, like under-bed storage. That unibody means it's not as good at towing, hauling, and off-roading as some of its body-on-frame competitors, but it rewards with a more comfortable, car-like ride. Prices range from $41,600 to $48,200.22.0% hit 250,000 milesThe original Suburban debuted in 1935, making this nameplate the oldest living SUV. It's popular because it's big. It'll hold 144.5 cu-ft of cargo, almost 10 times that of a normal 'car.' The current version has a 17.7-inch infotainment screen and a 15-inch head-up display. Moving the Big Brute is your choice of three powerplants: a 5.3-liter v8, 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter straight-six diesel. The 5.3 makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, the 6.2 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and the diesel gains 28 horsepower and 35 lb-ft of torque this year to peak at 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft. That will tow up to 7,700 pounds. You pay for that with mid-teens gas mileage, but for buyers in this class, that's not a concern. Rule the road, buy a 'Burban.22.0% hit 250,000 milesToyota stopped making the Avalon a little over two years ago. Retired middle managers wept. Like the old Hyundai Azera, it was the perfect car for people who wanted to float gingerly over the planet and not have to worry about their 401(k)s. Alas. But those people took good care of their cars, thus explaining why 22% of them hit 250,000 miles.20.7% hit 250,000 milesOld Lexus GXs with 200,000 miles on them were the best-kept secret of off-roaders and overlanders for years. Then everyone else found out about them and prices for high-mileage used GXs went up, up, up. The attraction had been that you could get a highly capable off-roader with Lexus luxury that had likely only seen duty in softest suburbia, and for a relatively cheap price. The GX's presence on this list is testament to that. The GX550 was all-new in 2024, based on the new Toyota Land Cruiser instead of the 4Runner. It retains a body-on-frame architecture and a focus on off-road capability. The 349-hp twin-turbo V6 mated to a 10-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel drive with low range is the standard driveline setup. It's a capable three-row (unless you get the Overtrail trim level with two rows) that can conquer way more than you might have thought off-road, while remaining a comfortable cruiser on. But it'll cost you—prices range from $65,285 to $81,750.18.8% hit 250,000 milesThe Silverado has always played bridesmaid to the Ford F-150's bride, to mangle an analogy. It's nonetheless highly successful, Chevrolet having sold over half a million of them last year to Ford's nearly three quarters of a million F-150 sales. With a wide variety of models in the Silverado range, there's something for every budget. You can carry up to 2,260 pounds of payload or tow as much as 13,300 pounds, according to Chevy. Prices range from the $37,845 bargain-basement Work Truck to the $64,895 High Country.17.9% hit 250,000 milesThe XL is the long-wheelbase version of the already-lengthy Yukon SUV. Like all GMCs, this one came off the same drawing board as the Suburban. The Yukon XL got a mid-cycle facelift for 2025 with new headlights, more interactive taillights, and a new grille. There's a new AT4 Ultimate model with off-road-ready features and luxo-interior items like massaging front seats, full-grain leather covering all three rows, and that open-pore-wood interior trim. Yukon XL offers two gasoline V8s—a 5.3 and a 6.2—and a 3.0-liter straight-six diesel, all mated to a 10-speed automatic. Like its stablemates at GM, the Yukon XL gets an independent rear end, just like the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator got a few years ago. You also have the option of Magnaride shocks and air suspension. Prices start at $74,390.17.7% hit 250,000 milesWhile the Suburban has been around for 90 years, the Tahoe is a relatively youthful 30-year-old. Worst-kept secret in America: The Tahoe is a shorter version of the Suburban, with slightly shorter dimensions but similar performance and a lower price. It gets the same 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8, or 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel mated to the same 10-speed automatic. Towing is about the same, too. And it'll fit in more parking spaces than the big 'Burb. Prices range from $61,195-$83,895.17.5% hit 250,000 milesAnyone who operated a carpool in the parenthood days appreciated the Honda Pilot, the first—or at least one of the first SUVs in its mid-size class—to offer seating for eight. The model debuted in 2002, and it's still a little bit SUV-ish despite its unibody framework. There are even integrated perimeter frame rails to attach a trailer hitch. A smooth 3.5-liter V6 makes 285 hp fed to a 10-speed automatic for seamless acceleration, with your choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The engine returns 19 mpg city and 27 hwy, which isn't the worst in the class. If you want to go lightly off-road, there's a TrailSport edition that has a special suspension with a 1.0-inch lift, steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, a hill-descent control system, and a specially tuned all-wheel-drive system with a Trail driving mode. Just don't go too far start at $41,650.16.6% hit 250,000 milesStarting at under $30,000, the Accord remains one of the best arguments for the sedan amid the current market obsession with crossover SUVs. Powertrain choices are just two: a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder making 192 horsepower and driving the front wheels through a CVT; and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors that combine for 204 horsepower (but that's the Accord Hybrid and we're talking about the non-hybrid here). The Accord remains one of the better-handling cars offered for a reasonable price. In this case that ranges from $29,445 to $31, GMC Sierra is almost identical to the Chevy Silverado, as you may already know. Both share the same frame rails and many other parts. For power you get a choice of four engines: a turbocharged four-banger, a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, or a muscular Duramax diesel, the latter capable of towing up to 13,300 pounds. Pricing starts at a downright accessible $39,145 for the Pro, and goes up to $86,890 for the Denali Ultimate. In between you are only limited by imagination and options availability.15.8% hit 250,000 milesThere is no more iconic American vehicle than the Ford F-150. Since 1948 Ford has sold over 41 million of them, so they must be doing something right. Ford crows about its sales-leading position among vehicles in the U.S. market, but if you want to get snippy you could say the Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra pickups combine to sometimes outsell it. The current model is the 14th generation of Ford F-Series truck. There are eight models of F-150, and countless ways to equip them, from the base XL starting at $40,805, to the mighty 720-hp Raptor starting at $81,695. God bless America!15.7% hit 250,000 milesIf your gas card doesn't require adult supervision, you won't need to get the Highlander Hybrid. The regular Highlander gives you all the eight-seat utility and cubbyhole happiness of the Hybrid but at a cheaper cost. Prices start at $41,270. If you get the front-drive model, you start at an EPA-estimated 22 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg, which is below the Hybrid's 35 mpg city and 35 highway, but not that far below it. The LE's 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbo driving the front wheels may be one of the best buys in the class.14.8% hit 250,000 milesDespite being named after powerful figures in Greek mythology, the Nissan Titan was not invincible. After more than two decades on the market, the full-size pickup truck met its end due to poor sales. US sales had peaked in 2018 at just over 50,000 units and went down from there. Nissan sold fewer than 20,000 Titans in the truck's last year on the market. A plan to build it on a RAM truck platform fizzled out, and even a Cummins diesel intervention couldn't save it. The last trucks had the powerful 5.6-liter gasoline V8 mated to a new nine-speed Jatco automatic. And yet, those who did buy Titans apparently took good care of them, as witnessed by the truck's 18th-place finish on this list. Farewell Titan, we hardly knew ye.14.6% hit 250,000 milesSix of the 30 vehicles on this list are basically the same thing, variations on a theme: the Chevies Suburban, Silverado, and Tahoe, and the GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, and Sierra. The Yukon is the shorter version of the Yukon XL, but they all share the same powertrains and platforms, more or less. GMCs generally come with a few more options and therefore cost a little more, but beyond that, have a look at the siblings hanging off the General Motors Family Tree to see where this one fits in. For 2025 the Yukon gets a mid-cycle facelift that includes a new-look front end as well as a redesigned dashboard with a huge center screen. There's also a new entry-level Elevation model and the new more luxurious AT4 Ultimate. Pricing ranges from $69,395-$103,995.13.9% hit 250,000 milesLike its Accord uncle up in the mid-size sedan class, the Honda CR-V manages to do everything you want it to while still being a little fun to drive. Maybe not as fun as the Mazda CX-50 or VW Tiguan, but somewhat fun enough to make the daily tasks of suburbia more bearable. That carries over to the inside, where it's comfortable and easily useable, among the better entries in the class. If you get the front-drive model you get 40 mpg combined, but the AWD option only slices three mpgs off that figure so if you live where it snows, get the AWD model. You can also choose a hybrid, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors, produces 204 horsepower—14 more than the non-hybrid's 190 hp. Prices start at $31,495.13.5% hit 250,000 milesIt was a decade or two ago now that sedans ruled the Earth, with the Toyota Camry battling it out with the Ford Taurus for sedan segment supremacy. Anybody remember the Taurus? There are still a lot of people who remember—and buy—the Toyota Camry. It was all-new last year, with a hybrid engine as the only powertrain. It wasn't long ago that V6 power was standard in this segment, but lately the four-cylinders have taken over, with very few compromises. Pair up a capable 2.5-liter DOHC inline-four with a 134-hp electric motor (with 153 lb-ft of torque) powered by a lithium-ion battery, and you can sail on past lots of gas stations with a combined 232 hp with on-demand all-wheel drive (or 225 hp with front-wheel drive). The best fuel-economy rating for the 2025 Camry is the LE FWD trim, at 53/50 mpg city/highway. At the low end is the XSE AWD trim, certified at 44/43 mpg. The only way to buy this new Camry is as a start at under $30,000. Act now while sedans still exist.13.1% hit 250,000 milesThe Ford Expedition is big, the modern-convenience successor to the ergonomically challenging full-size Bronco of yore. At one point in its production, the Expedition offered seating for nine. Nine! Sales peaked at 233,125 four years after the model's 1996 introduction, took a hit from the recession, another hit from the pandemic, and seem to feel steady at around 75,000 a year lately. Ford now offers 10 versions of Expedition, from the $57,625 XL STX to the $85,795 Platinum Max.13.1% hit 250,000 milesWith a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that combine for 204 horsepower, the Accord Hybrid still returns a wallet-walloping 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway, which should be good enough for a sale right there. But like other Hondas in most classes, it's also fun to drive. Its 0-60 mph time was a little over six and a half seconds, which is good enough by class standards so you can't really complain about it (just think about that 51 mpg!). The hybrid powertrain is standard in the top four of the Accord's six trims, with prices going from $34,805 to $40,450.13.0% hit 250,000 milesAnybody remember the original Nissan Pathfinder from 1985? It rode on the frame rails of the Frontier pickup, had only two doors, and could go anywhere. Ah yes, many adventures were had in those things. But that was five generations ago. It became a three-row unibody crossover utility vehicle in 2012, and has been getting ever-more luxurious ever since. By the time the fifth and current generation came around in 2021, it was a completely new animal. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine lets you tow up to 6,000 pounds. Prices range from $38,460 to $46,550.12.6% hit 250,000 milesThe Prius makes all its sacrifices in the pursuit of the almighty MPG. In the case of the base LE front-drive Prius, you'll be rewarded with a pump-pounding 57 mpg EPA combined, which our monkey ancestors could only imagine. Mileage drops a little if you get the optional AWD. The powertrain uses two motors and an engine, that is, a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine that makes 150 hp, one permanent magnet AC synchronous motor making 111 hp, and one interior permanent magnet rear motor making 40 hp for a hybrid system net power of 196 ponies. Not a performance machine, and now you see why owners put those stickers on the backs of the car that say, 'Cool Prius! —No One.' But the Prius is all about efficiency, and you get it with that 57 mpg.12.6% hit 250,000 milesThe first-generation Armada rolled off the assembly line in 2003 on Nissan Titan underpinnings. Starting in mid-2016, the second-generation Armada rides on the Nissan Patrol platform, with some tweaks for our market. It's basically the same setup as the Infiniti QX80 for a few grand less. Big three-row SUVs have traditionally been American specialties—just look further up this list. But Nissan (and Toyota) have always been there, offering a unique entry that might make you stand out in the kiddie pickup line every day at 3:00 pm. Armada is all-new for 2025, Nissan says, with a twin-turbo V6 replacing the big V8. The new six makes 425 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, 25 hp and 103 lb-ft more than the previous 5.6-liter V8. So you cannot say it's whimpier. The 2025 Armada starts at $58,530 and goes up to $79,000 for the Platinum Reserve.12.4% hit 250,000 milesMazda's CX-9 was its biggest people hauler ever from 2006 up until production ended in 2024. It was a product of the Ford-Mazda alliance, running on a Ford platform and powered by a Ford V6, at least at first. It's now been replaced by the all-new CX-90. But the CX-9 had a good run, hauling seven passengers in three rows for almost 20 years. 11.9% hit 250,000 milesThe Acura MDX followed directly behind—and miles ahead of—the Isuzu Trooper-based SLX that Acura sold for a few years while parent-company Honda tried to figure out what an SUV was. They figured well. The MDX has been a luxury stalwart for 25 years since. Now powered by a choice of 290-hp naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 in the base MDX, or 355-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the MDX Type S Advance, the MDX has found its luxo-niche. Prices range from $52,550 to $76,600.11.5% hit 250,000 milesHonda has been making the Odyssey for 31 years now, and in that time it has continuously studied and surveyed American families about what they want in a minivan. The result, now in its fifth generation, is a highly useable interior and even a functional roof rack (note the bicycle). There are cupholders, cubbyholes, and connectivity throughout. There are even those handy plastic grocery bag hooks, which should be standard on all vehicles no matter what class. The second-row versatility is particularly clever, in a class where we thought clever had been exhausted. You can remove the center section and slide the outboard seat over to make easier access to the back row, for instance. There's even a mandatory three-seat-wide third row, making this an eight-seater whether you want eight seats or not. Power comes from a mighty 3.5-liter V6 making 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque that'll get you to 60 mph in about six and a half seconds or so. The V6 is thirsty, though, and drinks up 19 mpg city but a more efficient 28 highway, not as impressive as some in the class. Likewise, pricing is Honda-high with stickers ranging from $43,670 to $52,630. That price may be worth it as you use this van day in and day out for years and years up to 250,000 miles.11.5% hit 250,000 milesThe Sterling Heights (Michigan) Assembly Plant just celebrated its 2 millionth Ram 1500, so you know this is a popular truck. It won Car and Driver's 10 Best, Motor Trend's Truck of the Year, and a number of other accolades. For 2025, the Ram 1500 adds the mighty 3.0-liter Hurricane and 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output (H/O) Straight-Six Turbo (SST) engines. The 3.0-liter Hurricane is rated at 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, while the High Output Hurricane makes 540 hp and 521 lb-ft. You can also get a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque. Max towing capacity is 11,580 pounds, and payload goes up to 2,300 pounds. There's even 24 inches of water fording. Prices range from just over $42,000 to around $89,000.
