---
title: Money's Best Autos of 2023, From Sports Cars to SUVs
description: Money's 100-plus picks in 25 auto categories for the best vehicles for value, safety, features, and handling, based on expert judgments.
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    role: Senior Editor, Special Projects
    url: https://money.com/author/paul-reynolds/
    bio: Paul Reynolds is the Special Projects Editor at Money.com, with responsibilities that have included launching franchises in best autos and best airlines. Prior to his current role, he joined Money in 2020 as its insurance editor, overseeing life and auto insurance content as well as the site’s coverage of policies for pets, autos, businesses, travel and more.
    education: BA, Psychology, Queen's University (Canada), Bachelor of Journalism, Carleton University (Canada)
    at_money_since: 2020
    articles: 95
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      - Shopping
      - Banking
      - Business
      - Debt
      - Economy and Politics
      - Health and Wellness
      - Housing
      - Identity Theft
      - Insurance
      - Investing
      - Lifestyle
      - Loans
      - Personal Finance
      - Pets
      - Professional Services
      - Retirement
      - Taxes
    social:
      - https://linkedin.com/in/paulreynoldsed/
    former_staff: true
editors:
  - name: Brad Tuttle
    role: Senior Editor
    url: https://money.com/author/brad-tuttle/
    bio: Brad Tuttle is a former senior editor at Money with over 10 years’ experience covering a vast number of personal finance topics, including careers, cars, travel, budgeting, investing, insurance, credit cards, consumer psychology, real estate, banking, and shopping and deals.
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      - Business
      - Career Advice
      - Credit
      - Credit Cards
      - Economy and Politics
      - Education
      - Health and Wellness
      - Housing
      - Identity Theft
      - Insurance
      - Investing
      - Lifestyle
      - Loans
      - Mortgages
      - Personal Finance
      - Pets
      - Professional Services
      - Retirement
      - Taxes
      - Technology
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published: '2023-05-09T13:46:12.000Z'
modified: '2024-01-16T18:50:01.000Z'
section: Shopping
word_count: 941
canonical: https://money.com/best-autos/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
---

> **Disclosure:** Money may earn a commission when you click on the products and services below. Opinions are our own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how they appear. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/) about how we make money.

![Illustration of many cars looking for the spotlight](https://img.money.com/2023/05/Best-Autos-2023-landing-page.jpg)

Shopping for a car? Your choices have never been more diverse. New vehicle categories are hitting the market even as the old ones remain — albeit with a declining number of models for some fading formats (think minivans, convertibles and big sedans).

Leading the additions are more shapes and sizes than ever of sport-utility vehicles, by far the biggest-selling car type in the U.S. And electric power — whether from batteries or a hybrid of gas and electrical energy — is zapping [more areas of the market](https://money.com/electric-vehicle-sales-rising-market-share/), creating such once-unthinkable options as battery-powered pickup trucks.

Award-winning automotive writer Jaclyn Trop had no trouble, then, in coming up with more than 100 recommended vehicles in the 25 categories listed below. Even so, not every car type is represented. We skipped convertibles, judging them to be a bit too specialized. For luxury vehicles and sports cars, we skipped Bentleys, Lamborghinis and their ilk to focus on affordable choices — and found satisfying picks at surprisingly low prices.

Appropriate to Money’s mission, value was a key consideration for choosing the best cars. So, of course, were their respective features and specifications, especially those related to safety. Finally, Jaclyn — who spends her life at the wheels of new vehicles — applied her experience in driving all of the cars. The observations from those test drives add depth and insight to make the recommendations all the more useful.

We list our top value in each category first, followed by the other picks in alphabetical order. Click on the category name for reviews of the vehicles.

## Table of Contents

[Best SUVs](#suvs)  
[Best Sedans and Hatchbacks](#sedans)  
[Best Pickup Trucks](#pickups)  
[Best Sports Cars](#sportscars)  
[Best Minivans](#minivans)  
[How We Chose the Best Autos](#methodology)

## The Best Sport-Utility Vehicles (SUVs)

![Illustration of an SUV in the spotlight](https://img.money.com/2023/04/Best-Autos-2023-SUV-subcompact.jpg)

Representing around half of all vehicles sold, the SUV has become America’s leading family car. The vehicles now come in a panoply of sizes and power sources. Some models still retain the attributes that put the S (for “sport”) into SUV, including all-wheel drive, high ground clearance and powerful V8 engines.

### [Subcompact SUVs](https://money.com/best-subcompact-suvs/)

Nissan Kicks **Best Value**  
Buick Encore GX  
Hyundai Kona  
Mazda CX-30  
Volkswagen Taos

### [2 Row SUVs](https://money.com/best-2-row-suvs/)

Kia Soul **Best Value**  
Ford Bronco Sport  
Honda Passport  
Subaru Forester  
Toyota RAV4

### [Compact SUVs](https://money.com/best-compact-suvs/)

Kia Sportage **Best Value**  
Ford Escape  
Hyundai Tucson  
Mazda CX-5  
Nissan Rogue

### [Midsize SUVs](https://money.com/best-midsize-suvs/)

Hyundai Santa Fe **Best Value**  
Buick Enclave  
Chevrolet Traverse  
Honda Pilot  
Jeep Grand Cherokee

### [3 Row SUVs](https://money.com/best-3-row-suvs/)

Kia Telluride **Best Value**  
Chevrolet Suburban  
Hyundai Palisade  
Jeep Wagoneer  
Mazda CX-9

### [Large SUVs](https://money.com/best-large-suvs/)

Chevrolet Tahoe **Best Value**  
Ford Expedition  
GMC Yukon  
Nissan Armada  
Toyota Sequoia

### [Luxury Crossover SUVs](https://money.com/best-luxury-crossover-suvs/)

BMW X1 **Best Value**  
Audi Q5  
Genesis GV70  
Mercedes-Benz GLC  
Volvo XC60

### [Hybrid SUVs](https://money.com/best-hybrid-suvs/)

Kia Sportage Hybrid **Best Value**  
Honda CRV Hybrid EX  
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid  
Kia Sorento Hybrid  
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

### [Electric SUVs](https://money.com/best-electric-suvs/)

Kia Niro **Best Value**  
Ford Mustang Mach-E  
Kia EV6  
Toyota bZ4X  
Volkswagen iD.4

### [Plug-in (PHEV) Hybrid SUVs](https://money.com/best-plug-in-hybrid-suvs/)

Kia Niro Hybrid **Best Value**  
Ford Escape Hybrid  
Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid  
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV  
Toyota RAV4 Prime

## The Best Sedans and Hatchbacks

![Illustration of an automobile in the spotlight](https://img.money.com/2023/04/Best-Autos-2023-PHEV-Car.jpg)

Edged out by the various flavors of SUV, sedans and hatchbacks occupy a lot less of the road than they once did. An ample selection remains, though, including choices for those who seek a luxurious ride or a reduced environmental impact.

### [Subcompact Cars](https://money.com/best-subcompact-cars/)

Mitsubishi Mirage **Best Value**  
Kia Rio  
MINI Hardtop  
Nissan Versa

### [Compact Cars](https://money.com/best-compact-cars/)

Kia Forte **Best Value**  
MINI Clubman Cooper S  
Volkswagen GTI

### [Small Cars](https://money.com/best-small-cars/)

Hyundai Elantra **Best Value**  
Acura Integra  
Honda Civic  
Mazda Mazda3  
Toyota Corolla

### [Midsize Cars](https://money.com/best-midsize-cars/)

Kia K5 **Best Value**  
Chevrolet Malibu  
Honda Accord  
Hyundai Sonata  
Toyota Camry

### [Large Cars](https://money.com/search/?q=large+cars)

Dodge Charger **Best Value**  
Chrysler 300  
Nissan Maxima  
Toyota Crown  
Volkswagen Arteon

### [Luxury Electric Cars](https://money.com/best-luxury-electric-cars/)

BMW i7 **Best Value**  
Audi e-tron GT  
Lucid Air  
Mercedes-Benz EQS  
Porsche Taycan

### [Luxury Cars](https://money.com/best-luxury-cars/)

Genesis G70 **Best Value**  
Audi A5  
Genesis G80  
Kia Stinger  
Mercedes-Benz C300

### [Hybrid Cars](https://money.com/best-hybrid-cars/)

Toyota Corolla Hybrid **Best Value**  
Toyota Prius Hybrid  
Honda Accord Hybrid  
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid  
Toyota Camry Hybrid

### [Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Cars](https://money.com/the-best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/)

Toyota Prius Prime **Best Value**  
Volvo S60 Recharge  
BMW 530e  
BMW 330e

### [Electric Cars](https://money.com/best-electric-cars/)

Chevrolet Bolt **Best Value**  
BMW i4  
Nissan Leaf  
Polestar 2  
Tesla Model 3

## The Best Pickup Trucks

![Illustration of an automobile in the spotlight](https://img.money.com/2023/04/Best-Autos-2023-pickup-electric.jpg)

Though this vehicle class has traditionally been prized for utility and ruggedness, the pickup truck now offers entries that are plusher and more planet-friendly.

### [Compact Pickup Trucks](https://money.com/best-compact-pickup-trucks/)

Ford Maverick **Best Value**  
Chevrolet Colorado  
GMC Canyon  
Honda Ridgeline  
Toyota Tacoma

### [Large Pickup Trucks](https://money.com/best-large-pickup-trucks/)

Ford F-150 **Best Value**  
Toyota Tundra  
Ram 1500  
Chevrolet Silverado  
GMC Sierra 1500

### [Electric Pickup Trucks](https://money.com/best-electric-pickup-trucks/)

Ford F-150 Lightning **Best Value**  
Rivian R1T  
GMC Hummer EV

## The Best Sports Cars

![Illustration of an automobile in the spotlight](https://img.money.com/2023/04/Best-Autos-2023-Affordable-Sports-Car.jpg)

The fanciest nameplates in this class come with price tags that rival those for homes in many places. We passed over the fancy brands in search of vehicles that delivered speed and style for less – and found five [affordable sports cars](https://money.com/best-sports-cars/):

Toyota GR86 **Best Value**  
Chevrolet Camaro  
Dodge Challenger  
Nissan Z  
Subaru BRZ

## The Best Minivans

![Illustration of a minivan in the spotlight](https://img.money.com/2023/04/Best-Autos-2023-SUV-minivan.jpg)

The once-ubiquitous minivan arguably tops the list of America’s most endangered vehicles. But these people-and-cargo carriers can cost less than an SUV with similar capacity. Here are our [picks for the best minivans](https://money.com/best-minivans/):

Kia Carnival **Best Value**  
Chrysler Pacifica  
Honda OdysseyToyota Sienna

## How We Chose the Best Autos

We picked the recommended cars through a step-by-step process that involved writer Jaclyn Trop combining data analysis and personal insights. Key distinctions were assigned to the finalists — which numbered between three to five, depending on the category — with accolades typically awarded for best value, best for features, best handling, best for safety and best for technological sophistication. Here's more on [our methodology](https://money.com/best-autos-methodology/).

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