7 Reliable Car Brands The Middle Class Should Consider to Save Money in the Long Term

The average transaction price for a new car is around $47,000 and will likely remain stable for some time to come, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB). However, the number of cars that middle-class Americans can afford is decreasing every year.

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American consumers in the nation’s largest income group are being excluded from purchasing new cars.

Of the approximately 275 new models available in the U.S. market today, “only eight had average transaction prices below $25,000 and only two under $20,000,” according to KBB.

The median household income in the United States in 2022 was $74,580, according to the Census Bureau. So, using Pew Research’s definition of “middle class,” that is, those earning between two-thirds and two times the median U.S. household income, the middle class earns between $49,720 and $149,160. .

Depending on how much of your income you want to spend on buying a car, you might have trouble finding one that fits your budget; However, there are options you should consider in the market. Many affordable brands are also some of the most reliable car manufacturers, meaning you have the opportunity to save money in the long run.

Here are seven affordable and reliable car brands that the middle class should consider buying.

Also check out these four affordable car brands that you won’t regret buying in 2024.

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1.Toyota

Lexus leads Consumers Report’s (CR) predicted reliability rankings for this year, but Toyota is close in second place. In its separate list of the “10 Most Reliable Cars,” CR included no less than seven Toyota models: the 4Runner, Camry and Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and RAV4 Prime, Corolla and Highlander Hybrid.

2. Mini

CR class Mini ranked third for predicted reliability. Most Mini models are also affordable, with a hardtop costing around $27,000 and Clubman, Countryman and Convertible starting prices for 2023/2024 models ranging from $28,413 to $33,461 per KBB.

3.Honda

New car deals can now reach prices from $50,000 to $60,000, but Honda offers many models that fall into the comfortable $25,000 and $35,000 price range, according to KBB. This includes the popular Accord and Accord Hybrid, Civic and Civic Si, HR-V, CR-V and CR-V Hybrid.

Used Hondas are numerous and at reasonable prices.

4.Subaru

With an average MSRP of $27,095 to $37,395 depending on trim level, the Forester is still a good choice to consider for a middle-class buyer. The 2024 Crosstrek is among the most reliable vehicles on the market and has a base price of $26,540 on KBB.

5.Mazda

Mazdas have higher-than-average ownership expenses, according to RepairPal. With an average annual repair cost of $462, compared to $652 for all models, that’s an average annual savings of almost $200. The brand’s reputation for building durable, economical cars has grown stronger over the years, prompting Car Edge to question whether Mazda is the new Honda due to its growing reliability and popularity.

6.Kia

Fresh off winning World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle at the 2024 World Car Finals in March, the Kia EV9 might be a little too expensive for the average middle-class American household to afford ( Starting MSRP of $56,395 on KBB); However, the Soul, Seltos, Niro and Sportage all have prices starting under $30,000.

7.Hyundai

Hyundai is another brand that continues to improve the quality of its model lineup. Owning a Hyundai can also save you about $200 in repair costs per year, according to RepairPal, which ranks it fourth out of 32 car brands in reliability. For 2024, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has ranked six Hyundai models as Top Safety Picks and three models as Top Safety Picks+.

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