With new car prices soaring to record levels near $50,000, car buyers who have been holding onto older models for longer than they initially anticipated may be now looking for deals on durable new models in the new year.
With that in mind, the USA TODAY Cars team surveyed our internal experts and took at look at some of the most popular autos-sites on the internet to create our list of the best, most-affordable cars on the market to start the year.
Here are five of the top rated models that have starting prices under $40,000:
Base price: $$22,600
Nissan’s compact Sentra was rated second place in the Detroit Free Press’ Car of the Year awards. The Sentra comes equipped with two 12.3-inch screens — one for the instrument cluster, the other a touch screen. It features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights and available surround view cameras. Standard safety and assist systems include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot alert and automatic high beams.
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Base price: $28,395
The mid-size Honda Accord made Car and Driver’s 10Best list for the 40th time this year. The Accord comes equipped with a 9-inch color touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a wireless phone charger, according to Honda. The vehicle is also available in a hybrid-electric model, which Honda says accounted for 50% of all Accord sales in 2025.
Base price: $24,595
The hybrid version of the Civic was named the National Automobile Dealer Association’s 2025 North American Car of the Year.
The hybrid Civic has a 50 city/47 highway mpg rating and 200-horsepower, according to Honda. It comes equipped with built-in Google connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and it has an available Bose Premium Sound System.
Base price: $28,550
The Toyota Prius was named one of Edmunds.com’s 2025 Best Hybrids Under $40,000.
The 2026 model comes equipped with a top-mount Multi-Information Display with indicators and 7-in. LCD display, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and an 8.0-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia display. It’s base model LE trim achieves an estimated 57 miles-per-gallon in city driving and 56 miles-per-gallon on highways. The Prius is available in 4 trims that having starting prices under $40,000.
Base price: $39,095
Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 electric sedan was the top rated car on Motor Trend’s Sedans Under $40,000 list.
The Ioniq 6 is Hyundai’s second all-electric model. Hyundai says the 2026 N model is capable of achieving 641 horsepower (when N Grin Boost is engaged) and has race-tested driving dynamics.

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