A lot of people want to get the most car for their money, so where do you start? Cheaper doesn’t always mean value, so we’re going to break down the top Asian car brands and decide which is best (luxury brands not included).
Honda
Favorite Model: Honda CRV
Safety: 8
Power: 7
Efficiency: 7
Style: 8
Luxury: 6
Overall Ranking:7.2
We’re pretty big fans of Honda. They have a great lineup of practical vehicles with many great features standard. They might be a little pricier than other brands, but you’re getting more value, so give them a shot.
Hyundai
Favorite Model: Hyundai Sonata
Safety: 7
Power: 7
Efficiency: 7
Style: 7
Luxury: 6
Overall Ranking:6.8
Hyundai is another brand that provides solid value. The creator of the 10-year, 100,000 warranty builds their name for a reason and it’s because they make quality and affordable products. The one potential issue? Many of the features are no longer standard, so the price doesn’t always fit the end-line.
Kia
Favorite Model: Kia Optima
Safety: 7
Power: 6
Efficiency: 7
Style: 7
Luxury: 5
Overall Ranking:6.4
From the same makers of Hyundai, Kia offers a similar product. There are ups and downs, relative to their manufacturing counterpart and overall we agree that they’re worth looking into. They’re starting to get more into electric cars, so check that out for an affordable alternative to other brands.
Nissan
Favorite Model: Nissan Maxima
Safety: 6
Power: 6
Efficiency: 7
Style: 6
Luxury: 7
Overall Ranking:6.4
For a solid balance of nice features and good mileage, Nissan might be the best choice for you. We see Nissan as hit or miss, depending on which sales are going on, for whatever reason, it seems like they have some of the best promotions that go on.
Toyota
Favorite Model: Toyota Rav4
Safety: 7
Power: 7
Efficiency: 6
Style: 5
Luxury: 6
Overall Ranking:6.2
We believe the strength of Toyota is in their crossovers and SUVs. While their sedans are solid, we don’t think they match up to the others, so if you find a good deal, great, but otherwise suggest going with the larger models. Maybe stay away from the trucks.
Mazda
Favorite Model: Mazda6
Safety: 6
Power: 7
Efficiency: 6
Style: 8
Luxury: 7
Overall Ranking:6.8
For a few more bucks, you can size up to a more sporty look in a Mazda. They’re not as strong in varying conditions but can be great for warmer climates and have some fun features that might pique your interest. Interiors might take the cake on this list, if not, top 3.
Subaru
Favorite Model: Subaru Impreza
Safety: 8
Power: 7
Efficiency: 7
Style: 8
Luxury: 8
Overall Ranking:7.6
Subaru is a little pricier, but worth it in our opinion. You get great packages with award-winning safety features, plus the cars are known to last a long time, relative to its competition. Some of their crossovers can do pretty well offroading, just don’t get too ahead of yourself.
