This year’s spike in gas prices did what historically it has always done—it got people focused on the fuel economy of their next car. Hybrid sales have spiked, and EVs, whose sales dropped after last year’s end of the federal tax credit, are showing upward sales momentum.
But gas prices are only part of the picture. Anyone who hasn’t been in the new car market this decade is in for a surprise when looking at current price tags. The average cost of a new car is hovering around $50,000, which to us means affordable should be well below that.
Here’s our picks—three choices that hit both sides of the affordable equation with reasonable starting prices and fuel economy that keeps operating costs (gas or electricity) down. These are cars for our time (with a hint of déjà vu):
Honda Prelude Hybrid
This is a surprising place to find affordability—a sporty 2+2 hatchback with paddle shifters, Brembo brakes and a Bose stereo, all standard. The Honda Prelude Hybrid is affordable-fun. The revived Prelude (its predecessors date back to 1978) offers a full package with minimal options at a $42,000 sticker price (destination and handling charges add $1,195; our test car’s Boost Blue paint job was a $455 bump).
The Prelude also nails the second affordability metric—delivering a real-world 44 mpg combined. All this while its 200 horsepower in a 3,261-pound package provides spirited and grippy near-sports car performance.
When was the last time you were standing next to your Honda and had passersby ask if it was a Porsche? Happened to me twice! The car has the styling chops inside and out to back up sporty coupe demeanor.
Photos by Michael Coates
Photos by Michael Coates
Toyota Prius PHEV
Suppose a functional back seat is on the affordability check list. Drop the Honda Prelude dreams and slip over to a familiar name with almost as long of a history—the Toyota Prius. The Prius owns the operating affordability crown with its history of solid hybrid technology, now in its third generation.
We drove the latest generation Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which combines a slick, aerodynamic exterior with a small (13.6 kWh) battery to give you 44 miles of all-electric range and the potential of avoiding gas price spikes most of the time. Even when you run out of battery, it defaults to its 50 mpg hybrid mode.
The combined electric motor and gas engine provides 220 horsepower, enough to move this 3,516-pound car briskly. And adults can fit into the back seat (which has doors for easy access). It also is a hatchback with generous rear storage space. The kicker is that the lowest cost Prius PHEV starts at $35,175 delivered. Our spiffy Karashi Yellow Nightshade model had options that took it over $41,000.
Chevrolet Bolt
Okay, you’re so mad at the Strait of Hormuz that you don’t want a drop of gas in your next car. Enter the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, a new generation carrying the name and look of the EV from earlier this decade. It hits all of the affordability marks—starting at $28,995 delivered. Our RS model with its Marina Blue Metallic paint job was $4,000 more.
Even at the base price the 3,800-pound Bolt has a single electric motor delivering the equivalent of 210 horsepower. Its 65 kWh battery will take it 262 miles between charges. Those charges have gotten easier as this generation Bolt charges two and a half times faster than the older Bolt. Beyond that, it also can charge at both CCS DC fast chargers and the ubiquitous Tesla Superchargers.
The new generation looks similar on the outside, but inside the dash layout has been updated and the technology has been given a major upgrade, including hands-free Super Cruise driving.
Those are three paths with cars that are affordable to buy and own. Take your pick.
