Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A silver 2020 Toyota Camry is shown parked near a city bridge at night.

7 Popular And Affordable Cars To Consider Buying

If you’re in the market for a new or used car, there are a number of ways to go about getting one. Whether you visit a local dealer, a private seller, or opt to check online car sales for an affordable ride, you probably want to make sure you’re buying something appropriate for your driving needs. Fortunately, whichever route you take, there are plenty of cars, trucks, and SUVs designed for a range of drivers that are well worth considering.

Whether you’re a car-owning neophyte or a veteran driver looking for a new set of wheels, there are some vehicles that are quite popular among drivers everywhere and for very obvious reasons. Some people might be shocked at some of the vehicles that make the cut or maybe not, but most drivers probably won’t be too surprised at what most people are buying or what others consider to be worth buying. If you’re in the market for something to drive, then definitely check out these vehicles.

Toyota Camry

It probably makes every best-selling list on every website, but it makes sense why. The Toyota Camry is a long-time reliable sedan that a large portion of Americans feel is the perfect vehicle that fits just about all of their needs. It comes in a four-door format that seats up to five people and has consistently improved over the years with every single generation it’s been on the market. The Camry has always sported the latest in safety and infotainment, so you’re safe and entertained any time you step foot into a newer generation of the sedan. You also have the benefit of the Camry being very cost-effective, especially if you opt to buy used. For the highways and city driving, the Camry is a perfect option, as it nets you great gas mileage and enough room for a small family.

Chevy Malibu

Much like the Toyota Camry, the Chevy Malibu is another mid-size sedan that has captured the hearts of Americans. While it may not be as popular as the Camry, it has proven to be a dependable vehicle with a solid powertrain offering and economical fuel usage. While the Malibu isn’t quite as spiffy looking as the newer generation Camry, it does still provide all of the basic amenities you could want out of a sedan, and for a price that makes it hard to argue with. In fact, a used Chevy Malibu is probably an even safer bet than a used Camry. Why? Because you can grab a newer model for less money if you know where to shop, especially if you know your way around the local car market or online car sales.

Honda CR-V

Compact crossovers have proven to be some of the most popular vehicles on the road today, including the CR-V. It makes total sense. Crossovers offer most of the utility you get from larger vehicles, including higher ground clearance and all-wheel drive functionality, along with the drivability and efficiency of a car. It’s like an all-in-one package. The Honda CR-V is not only a popular vehicle across the entire nation, but it makes for a prime pick for anyone in need of an affordable compact SUV that delivers great fuel economy to tackle their daily commute or long road trips. Even in busier environments with stop-and-go traffic, the consistently improving fuel economy for each new model year of Honda’s CR-V makes it well worth the purchase. Add the bonus of a low entry price and consistently-dropping figures for used models, and it’s easy to see why the CR-V is both popular and well worth owning.

A popular vehicle for online cars sales, a green 2020 Toyota RAV4, is shown with hikers and a dog.

Toyota RAV4

Another popular compact crossover is the Toyota RAV4. What makes it stand out more than the Rogue, Cherokee, Sportage, or others? Well, it’s a combination of things. Trends tend to show that most people aim for reliable vehicles that last a while, can get a lot of travel distance out of the fuel economy, and are also affordable. What really helps make the RAV4 stand out from the competition, though, is the fact that it’s not only fuel-efficient (especially with its hybrid builds), but you also get some really great dependability from the fact that it’s an all-wheel drive vehicle. So the RAV4 targets two essential elements of driving: the back roads and the highways. This makes it a great choice for those looking for an affordable crossover to tackle various types of terrain across the nation.

Ram Pickup

The Ram 1500 and 2500 continue to be top picks in the consumer truck category. There’s usually always something new being added to the line-up that makes it stand out completely and entirely from the competition. The Ram 1500 TRX is a good example, as is the Ram 2500 Power Wagon. These incredibly good off-road models can tackle the highways just as well as the dirt roads, work sites, and backwoods trails. However, even the tamer Ram models have plenty of muscle and come loaded with luxury features. If you want a high-end, light-duty or heavy-duty pickup truck, the Ram 1500 and 2500 series are a good way to go. Pricing-wise, the Ram pickups are typically more expensive than their Chevy and Ford rivals, but if you buy from a used car dealer, you can get a Ram 1500 or 2500 for much cheaper than usual.

Chevy Silverado

Wherever you’ll find people driving pickups, you’ll find a healthy helping of Chevy Silverados. They’re top-selling pickup trucks because they represent a solid middle-ground for people who want a reliable light or heavy-duty truck that lives up to its payload ratings and trailering capacity. The Silverado is a nice choice for anyone in need of an affordable pickup to handle the day-in and day-out tasks that many outdoor jobs have to offer. As far as costs are concerned, the Silverado, much like the Ford F-150, can be acquired for quite the catch if you purchase it used, especially if you’re looking for online car sales in your region. What makes the Silverado a great pick is that not only can you acquire it for a great price from various online outlets, but it’s also a great vehicle to have for families, thanks to its available crew cab format and spacious interior. So it checks all the boxes rather effortlessly.

A black 2019 Ford F-150 Limited is shown parked at a marina.

Ford F-150

For years, the most popular vehicle across the nation has been the Ford F-150. America’s favorite pickup truck is popular for a number of reasons, but just because a vehicle is popular doesn’t always mean that it’s right for you. In this case, however, the F-150 makes for a perfect choice for a wide swath of drivers because it has everything you need to traverse both the urban and rural areas of the nation. The towing and trailering make it excellent for all manner of farm work, and the range of available powertrains (including EcoBoost and PowerBoost options) help elevate it even further. It’s no wonder it’s ranked as the top-selling vehicle in America. If you’re looking for a proper used truck to buy, no one can really go wrong with the Ford F-150.