I’m a Car Expert: 4 Most Improved Sedans That Are Now Worth Your Money
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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The price of a new car isn’t cheap, but you can find some decent sedans starting at around $18,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. Considering the average new car price is nearly $49,000 as of May 2025, per CarEdge, that’s practically a steal.
You don’t have to go with the cheapest car, but quality is important. Some sedans that were considered cheap when they came out were also unreliable or prone to maintenance issues. Fortunately, many of these early sedans have improved over the years and are now worth your money.
GOBankingRates spoke with two car experts — Melanie Musson at CarInsurance.org and Alan Gelfand, owner of German Car Depot — to find out what sedans are most improved and worth the money.
Hyundai Sonata
- 2025 starting MSRP: $26,900
- Original release date: 1985
Musson said that the original Sonata was cheap, which drew people in, but also unreliable. Now, though, it stacks up much more with other vehicles in its class.
“It’s no longer a low-budget car where you have to give up comfort for a low MSRP,” Musson said. “Now it’s dependable, loaded with safety features and comfortable while still competitively, if not cheaply, priced.”
Genesis G90
- 2025 starting MSRP: $89,700
- Original release date: 2015
The Genesis G90 isn’t a cheap car by any stretch of the word, but it is a luxury sedan that delivers more value for its admittedly hefty price.
“A decade ago I would have never recommended a Hyundai luxury product, but the G90 is now delivering S Class luxury at $20,000 to $30,000 less,” Gelfand said. “The build quality is comparable to the German sedans I work on daily, the warranty is top of the line, and the depreciation curve is more favorable than the German competitors.”
A big reason for this change, according to Gelfand, is that Hyundai hired former engineers from Mercedes and BMW.
Toyota Camry
- 2025 starting MSRP: $28,700
- Original release date: 1983
You probably see a lot of Toyota Camrys on the road. The reasonable price tag is definitely one reason for that, but so is the overall improvements made over the past decade or so.
“The current Camry is totally different from what it was 10 years ago,” Gelfand said. “It’ll run 200,000+ miles with basic maintenance, holds its value better than almost any sedan and the interior quality finally matches the price point. I see these in my shop mainly for routine service, not expensive repairs.”
Honda Accord
- 2025 starting MSRP: $28,295
- Original release date: 1976
The Honda Accord has been on the market for decades now, and it’s improved over the years.
“Honda fixed everything that was wrong with previous generations,” Gelfand said. “The CVT transmission that used to frustrate me is gone… The 2.0-liter turbo engine delivers real performance, and the hybrid system is genuinely sophisticated.”
Gelfand also noted that these cars are not just more reliable, but they’re also better in terms of materials and driving dynamics.
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