The 16 Best "Bang for Your Buck" Vehicles
Using a proprietary algorithm, they chose vehicles with low purchase prices compared to others in its class, low ownership costs including insurance and fuel, high safety ratings, and good reliability.
The result is a list of 80 vehicles that made it on the USAA Preferred list. 16 of these vehicles have been labeled "Best Value" in their class (highlighted in yellow).
Use the list as a guide to determine which vehicles you should consider purchasing within each class, and use the free RydeShopper to see the lowest prices being offered by your local dealers.
Segment | Vehicle |
---|---|
Sport | 2012 Ford Mustang |
Coupe | 2012 Honda CR-Z Hybrid |
2012 Chrysler 200 | |
2012 Scion tC | |
2012 Kia Forte Koup | |
2012 Toyota Yaris | |
Large Sedan | 2012 Dodge Charger |
2012 Chevrolet Impala | |
2012 Ford Taurus | |
Midsize Sedan | 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid |
2012 Dodge Avenger | |
2012 Kia Optima hybrid | |
2012 Kia Optima | |
2012 Subaru Legacy | |
2012 Hyundai Sonata | |
2012 Nissan Altima | |
2012 Chrysler 200 | |
2012 Ford Fusion | |
Small Sedan | 2012 Hyundai Elantra |
2012 Chevrolet Cruze | |
2012 Hyundai Accent | |
2012 Chevrolet Sonic | |
2012 Kia Forte | |
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback | |
2012 Nissan Sentra | |
2012 Honda Civic Sedan | |
Large Luxury | 2012 Hyundai Genesis |
2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe | |
2012 Volvo S80 | |
2012 Cadillac CTS–V Sedan | |
2012 Cadillac CTS–V Wagon | |
2012 Audi A6 | |
2012 Cadillac CTS Sedan | |
2012 Volvo C70 | |
2012 Lincoln MKS | |
Midsize Luxury | 2012 Volvo S60 |
2012 Audi A4 | |
2012 Lexus IS 350 | |
2012 Acura TL | |
2012 Lincoln MKZ | |
2012 Lexus IS 350C | |
2012 Lexus IS 250 | |
Wagon | 2012 Nissan JUKE |
2012 Nissan cube | |
2012 Kia Soul | |
2012 Honda Fit | |
2012 Scion xD | |
2012 Scion xB | |
2012 Kia Forte 5–Door | |
2012 Subaru Impreza Wagon | |
Large Luxury SUV | 2012 Audi Q7 |
2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class | |
Midsize Luxury SUV | 2012 Lexus RX 450h |
2012 BMW X3 | |
2012 Infiniti EX35 | |
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class | |
2012 Volvo XC60 | |
2012 Lexus RX 350 | |
2012 Acura RDX | |
2012 Audi Q5 | |
Large SUV | 2012 Chevrolet Traverse |
Midsize SUV | 2012 Dodge Journey |
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser | |
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe | |
2012 Ford Explorer | |
2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | |
2012 Subaru Tribeca | |
2012 Chevrolet Equinox | |
Small SUV | 2012 Kia Sportage |
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander | |
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | |
2012 Kia Sorento | |
Minivan | 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan |
2012 Kia Sedona |
My Recommendation for Car Shoppers
TrueCar No-Haggle, CarsDirect, and Ryde Shopper are the quickest way to see the lowest car prices in your area. These sites show you no-haggle prices from dealers closest to you - and the deals are usually really good. This should be the first step you take when negotiating your car price. Follow this up with my checklist to make sure you squeeze out every last bit of savings.- Gregg Fidan

Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author

Latest Weekly Car Buying Tips
April 2021
- Top 100 Cheapest Lease Deals Apr 15, 2021
- Biggest Discounts on New Cars Apr 15, 2021
- Real Prices of Compact Cars Apr 15, 2021
- Largest Hidden Dealer Rebates Apr 15, 2021
- Best Bang for Your Buck Lease Deals Apr 08, 2021
- Best Electric, Hybrid Lease Deals Apr 08, 2021
- Best 0% Finance Deals March 2021 Apr 08, 2021
- Real Prices of New Compact SUVs Apr 08, 2021
- Top 100 Cheapest New Cars Apr 01, 2021
- Real Prices of Large SUVs Apr 01, 2021
- New Cars You Should Wait to Buy Apr 01, 2021
- Luxury Lease Deals Under $500/mo Apr 01, 2021
March 2021
- Best Car Deals by Category Mar 25, 2021
- Worst Cars to Lease Right Now Mar 25, 2021
- Which Cars Better to Lease or Buy Mar 25, 2021
- Real Prices of Midsize Cars Mar 25, 2021
- Best Car Deals Around the Country Mar 18, 2021
- Cars With the Largest Rebates Mar 18, 2021
- Price Comparison of Subcompact SUVs Mar 18, 2021
- Real Prices of Midsize SUVs Mar 11, 2021
- Real Prices of Pickup Trucks Mar 04, 2021
- Biggest Discounts on Leftover Models Mar 04, 2021
December 2020
- Best End of Year Car Deals Dec 31, 2020
- Real Prices of Midsize Luxury Cars Dec 24, 2020
- Real Prices of Small Luxury SUVs Dec 17, 2020