5 Best Japanese Cars for Budget-Conscious Drivers
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Japanese cars have earned a reputation for their reliability, longevity and affordability. Some of the top Japanese car brands are favorites among budget-conscious drivers thanks to their low starting prices, low maintenance costs and gas mileage.
For those who are in the market for a new car, here are the best expert-recommended Japanese cars for those on a budget.
Honda Civic
- Starting MSRP: $24,250
“The Civic is one of the most reliable vehicles on the market,” Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org, wrote in an email. “It’s an excellent vehicle for someone on a budget because it doesn’t require a lot of upkeep.”
Regular oil changes, brake service and fluid flushes will keep it on the road longer and help owners avoid expensive repairs. “Civics depreciate slower than most other vehicles, so when you buy one, it retains its value,” Musson said.
Alex Black, chief marketing officer of EpicVIN and an auto industry expert with over 15 years of experience, also pointed out that the Civic has excellent gas mileage and it’s easy to work on. “And the older models can easily be purchased for affordable prices when in good condition,” Black explained.
Mazda3
- Starting MSRP: $23,950
The Mazda3, available as both a sedan and a hatchback, has quick acceleration with a turbocharged engine for a low cost. It also uses higher-quality materials than you’d expect.
“[They’re] fun to drive, great gas mileage and overall less costly than a Civic or Corolla,” Black said. “Mazda’s Skyactiv engines are durable, and the maintenance is cheap.”
Toyota Corolla
- Starting MSRP: $22,325
“The Corolla is dependable. It’s not finicky, and it will often serve owners for over 200,000 miles,” Musson explained. “Insurance premiums are also affordable with the Corolla thanks to the budget-friendly MSRP and loaded safety features.”
Black also highly recommended the Toyota Corolla due to its cheap parts, good gas mileage and durability.
“These cars will run forever if you keep them regularly maintained,” Black said. “Excellent choice if you need something that will not aggravate you.”
Subaru Crosstrek
- Starting MSRP: $25,810
Another Japanese car that retains its value and rarely has mechanical problems if maintained is the Subaru Crosstrek, an all-wheel drive compact SUV.
“The Crosstrek is perfect for drivers looking for something that has AWD and performs well in adverse road conditions,” Musson said.
Nissan Versa
- Starting MSRP: $17,190
“If you need something extremely affordable, the Versa is one of the cheapest cars you can buy new,” according to Black. “Great gas mileage and simple to maintain.”
Even the pricier SR trim is only about $22,000. But no matter which trim you choose, automotive resource website Edmunds claims that you can still expect a good amount of features for an affordable price tag.
Editor’s note: All starting MSRP figures were sourced from Edmunds.
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