Justin Pritchard is a seasoned Sudbury, Ontario-based automotive journalist, producer, and technical writer. With a passion for cars and a talent for storytelling, he’s established himself as a prominent figure in the Canadian automotive scene. His work, which encompasses automotive reviews, insightful analyses, and stunning photography, is featured across multiple Canadian television programs, print publications, and online platforms. Justin’s dedication to his craft has earned him numerous awards and accolades, solidifying his reputation as a trusted voice in the automotive industry.
To the left, a brand new, still-in-the-wrapper car with full warranty and zero question marks. To the right, a used car for the same amount of money. In the middle? You, with about $25,512 in your pocket and a pretty serious decision to make. That’s not a random dollar-amount figure, either: according to CarEdge.com, $25,512 is exactly what the average shopper is paying for a used car right now. If you’re wondering, the average new-car transaction price these days is $50,000, with average transaction prices for full-sized trucks like the Ford F-150 approaching $65,000.
Below, we’re recommending a list of ten brand-new alternatives that can be had for similar (often identical) money to today’s average used car transaction price: $25,512. If you’re about to pull the trigger on a second-hand machine from that pricing universe, these are the ten brand-new alternatives you should probably be considering.
Pricing shown below is sourced from each manufacturer’s consumer-facing website. Pricing below does not include PDI, fees, or taxes. All technical data is sourced from the manufacturers.
2026 Mazda3 Hatchback Specifications
Engine
2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gas NA
Power
186 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque
186 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
Drive
FWD
Transmission
6-speed automatic
The fourth and latest-generation Mazda 3 launched for the 2019 model year. That puts the 2026 model year units comfortably past 7 years of continuous production, typically a strong indicator of reliability. This is one of the most proven and highly rated machines on your page, and it lands within a whopping twelve bucks of the average used car transaction price today. Note that for 2026, the 2.0-liter engine option has been dropped, and even base models run the more powerful and efficient 2.5-liter unit instead, which makes much better use of your gas dollars.
2026 Volkswagen Taos Specifications
Engine
1.5-liter inline four-cylinder gas turbo
Power
174 hp @ 5,500-6,000 RPM
Torque
184 lb-ft @ 1,750-4,000 RPM
Drive
FWD
Transmission
8-speed automatic
The Taos got a major update for the 2025 model year, complete with new fascias, wheels, and colors. On board, the interior is redesigned and more modern, and an updated version of the 1.5-liter EA211 turbocharged four-cylinder TSI engine was fitted, complete with revised piston rings, injectors, and turbocharger hardware. Drivers get 174 horsepower, up from the outgoing model’s 158. Only the base-model unit lands in our pricing range for this feature, but an 8-inch floating display, digital cockpit and 17-inch wheels are all included.
2026 Honda Civic Sedan Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gas NA
Power
150 hp @ 6,400 RPM
Torque
133 lb-ft @ 4,000-5,000 RPM
Drive
FWD
Transmission
CVT
Pricing for the two least-expensive Civic Sedan models in the 2026 lineup straddles the average used car transaction price by $1,000. Shoppers on a slightly tighter budget can consider the Civic LX at $24,595, or the Civic Sport at $26,595. The 2-liter K-Series engine spins up 150 high-efficiency horsepower, making it the least-powerful engine you’ll find in a Honda today. A refresh for the 2025 model year brings sportier styling to the mix this year. A strong safety story, excellent brand reputation, and the Honda Sensing suite of safety tech come built in with every model.
2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Specifications
Engine
1.8-liter four-cylinder gas hybrid
Power
138 hp
Torque
NA
Drive
FWD
Transmission
ECVT
Here’s the only hybrid on our list, and a compelling pick among the ten cars on your page. As fuel prices remain unstable, shoppers will likely value more fuel-efficient cars in the future, helping hybrids like this one retain more of their original value down the line. In the meantime, you get the enhanced torque of the Corolla Hybrid’s electric motor to add pleasing responsiveness to around-town driving, all wrapped up in a well-rated car that’s held as one of the auto industry’s most successful and long-running nameplates.
2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Specifications
Engine
2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gas NA
Power
147 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque
132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
Drive
FWD
Transmission
Intelligent Variable Transmission
Here’s another attractive choice for the shopper who wants maximum bang for their buck when it comes to styling and feature content. Of all the cars on your page, this one sits the highest amongst its model range. The base model K4 LX starts at $21,990. Step your budget up to our $25,512 figure, and you’re into a GT-Line– the second-highest trim grade– with a few bucks to spare. Dual 12.3-inch displays, automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, and heated front seats with 10-way driver’s seat provide an affordable taste of the motoring high life. There’s a hatchback coming, too.
2026 Hyundai Kona SE Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter four-cylinder gas NA (Atkinson Cycle)
Power
147 hp @ 6,200 RPM
Torque
132 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM
Drive
FWD
Transmission
Intelligent Variable Transmission
The latest-generation Hyundai Kona launched for the 2024 model year and has carried on into 2026 with minimal changes. Interestingly, Hyundai says they designed the platform for the latest Kona’s all-electric Kona EV variant first, though most units run gas-powered engines. At our price point, you’re in a base-model SE grade unit that’s sized and equipped for the heart of its segment. The Kona is one of Hyundai’s most popular models, and it’s rated highly by owners and experts alike. Shoppers tend to buy SUVs more than sedans, which is why we chose the Kona for this spot on our list. Still, an honorable mention for the $24,450 Elantra Hybrid is appropriate here, if you’re not dead-set on an SUV body style.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0S Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gas NA
Power
148 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque
145 lb-ft @ 4,200 RPM
Drive
FWD
Transmission
CVT
Mitsubishi has been building the Outlander Sport in its current form almost the exact same way for a very, very long time. This is one of the longest-running nameplates in the compact SUV space, and many shoppers appreciate the Outlander Sport’s use of old-school, simple engines and drivelines that are well proven, backed by excellent warranty coverage, and easy to care for. The 2.0S trim grade fits into our price range with $1,000 to spare, should you fancy a trip to the accessory catalog.
2026 Nissan Kicks SV AWD Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gas NA
Power
141 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
140 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
Drive
AWD
Transmission
CVT
Like the Kia K4 above, the all-new Nissan Kicks lineup gives shoppers on a budget of $25,512 a few directions to go in. The range starts at $21,380 and features available AWD for the first time in this latest generation. The lineup is simple to shop, just choose S, SV or SR trim grades, and front or all-wheel drive. At our price point for this story, we’d recommend maxing out the SV grade model with AWD for $25,330. If you don’t need AWD and can cough up a few hundred bucks more, then the top-dog SR with front-wheel drive might be worth a slight stretch in your budget.
2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT FWD Specifications
Engine
1.2-liter inline three-cylinder turbo
Power
137 hp @ 5,000 RPM
Torque
162 lb-ft @ 2,500 RPM
Drive
FWD
Transmission
CVT
With three-cylinder power from $23,200, the Chevrolet Trailblazer gives drivers the only three-cylinder engine on our list, as well as among the highest torque output figures on your page. The LT grade from $24,400 adds feature content goodies like remote start, 17-inch wheels, and deep-tint glass in a front-drive configuration. You can get AWD in this price range as well, though you’ll have to step down to the LS trim grade.
Buick Envista Preferred FWD Specifications
Engine
1.2-liter inline three-cylinder turbo
Power
137 hp @ 5,000 RPM
Torque
162 lb-ft @ 2,500 RPM
Drive
FWD
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Buick launched the Envista for 2024 to attract migrating sedan owners, young professionals, and small families to Buick showrooms. At its core, this is an affordable entry point to the Buick brand, with the Preferred trim grade starting the bidding at $24,600 with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Buick’s Quiet-Tuning tech, and a full suite of modern safety must-haves on board.
Sources: Caredge, Buick, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Your comment has not been saved
This thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
