Best vehicles under $25,000.(up front: News / Trends / Advice)

In 2005, the average new car sold for more than $28,000, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. But plenty of excellent cars cost less than that. If a low price is a high priority for you, look to these vehicles for the best value in the marketplace.

All the vehicles listed below scored well in our tests, have average or better reliability, and performed acceptably if crash-tested or rollover-tested by the federal government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Prices include manufacturer's suggested retail price and destination charge, plus desirable features such as air conditioning; antilock brakes; power windows, locks, and mirrors; automatic transmission; CD player; and cruise control. Prices don't reflect rebates or other incentives.

 
CARS 
 
Acura RSX (base, manual)         $20,940 
Ford Five Hundred SEL (FWD)       24,930 
Ford Focus ZX4 SES                17,485 
Honda Accord EX (4-cyl.)          23,800 
Honda Civic EX                    19,610 
Honda Civic Hybrid                22,400 
Hyundai Elantra GT                16,945 
Hyundai Tiburon GT                20,845 
  (V6, manual) 
Mazda3 i                          16,945 
Mazda6 i (4-cyl.)                 23,620 
Mini Cooper (base, manual)        20,750 
Mitsubishi Galant ES (4-cyl.)    ...