Did you know these top rated affordable cars are luxury cars that you can easily get for yourself?
When it comes to cars, the term top rated affordable cars does not come up as often as one would like it to! This is because a lot of the top cars on the market that also offer an amazing driving experience are, more often than not, luxury cars that most of us will never even get to see in person but nevertheless be able to drive ourselves.
It is often the case that a lot of car enthusiasts do not get to see or drive the cars that interest them due to the fact that they are thought of as luxury cars. Yet, have you ever thought about the top-rated, affordable cars you could drive instead? These amazing vehicles are going to give you the experience of driving a luxury car without costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If you have always wanted to be able to have a perfect driving experience in your favorite brand of car, then these cars offer that experience at a more acceptable price than the top-of-the-line ones. It is not about having the top of the line, but rather about getting an amazing driving experience without having to break the bank for it!
If you are curious about which top-rated, affordable cars are on the market now, and if you have been thinking of getting your dream car, make sure you keep on reading to discover them!
Have you always dreamt about getting your favorite brand of car? Which is your dream car? Let us know in the comments which one of these cars is the one for you!
1. Dodge Charger
- Reference starting price: $33,200
One of the most beloved car brands out there, the Dodge is one of the best American cars out there. We all remember just how amazing and legendary the Dodge Hemi V8 has been, and we do believe that what brought this brand on the map for a lot of people was that powerful engine.
The Dodge cars have long since fascinated a lot of us, but the price tag on this luxury vehicle line is not easy to attain. This is why we have turned our attention to their affordable cars, and the Dodge Charger is definitely one that will offer us the best of both worlds.
The Charger has the same signature Dodge powerful engine, with robust acceleration that supports it, making it an aesthetic and powerful car that is bound to turn some heads. This car is perfect if you have always wanted the comfortable experience that a sedan offers but wanted the excitement of a powerful car like the Dodge.
The Dodge Charger is definitely one of the most affordable options when it comes to this brand, and if you do not want to opt for the sedan options and you want a race car experience, you can always choose the Scat Pack version of this model.
Your MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) is going to go up but still be under $60,000, which is less than some other thrilling driving experience cars go for!
2. Genesis G70
- Reference starting price: $39,400
If you are not familiar with the Genesis brand, you may be more familiar with their affordable brand, Hyundai!
Known as the luxury version of the Hyundai, Genesis has been making moves in the luxury drive realm for a couple of years, and they have been managing to do so without carting around a huge price tag behind them.
The Genesis, especially the G70 model, which we are going to be discussing today, offers the best of the luxury line with the sleek design that Hyundai has been pushing out no matter the type of car they come out with.
The G70 comes in two versions, equipped with two powerful V-60 engines, the 2.0T and the 3.3T. It is a compact sports car, but still has a sedan outline, making it a powerful car that is going to stand out from others of its kind due to its handling and sleek design. This premium vehicle offers a seamless driving experience that you are not going to forget, while also not breaking the bank!
The G70 starts under $40,000 when you look at the manufacturer recommendations, and depending on where you are getting it, you may be scoring an even lower price for it!
3. Tesla Model 3
- Reference starting price: $40,240
You did not think that we would not be including a Tesla model on the list? While Teslas have gotten more and more popular with people, the hefty price still makes them a luxury car, even if more and more people end up getting one.
While the big SUV models are the most recognizable ones, if you want a sleek, seamless driving experience at a price tag that is not going to make your wallet cry, you should definitely be looking at the Tesla Model 3.
Not only is the Model 3 eco-friendly since it is an electric car, but you are definitely not missing out on the luxury experience. The driving experience is seamless, as, despite the EV motor, the acceleration does not fall behind other models in the price range.
With a 3.1-second acceleration and an estimated driving time of 333 miles before you need to charge the car again, the Model 3 can definitely hold itself against other giants.
Not to mention, the car is also equipped with a powerful sound system and has a low center of gravity along with electric torque, making it an engineering marvel with the cutting-edge technology and sleek exterior it has!
If you are looking for a smooth ride and an amazing drive, make sure to try out the Tesla Model 3!
4. Volvo S60
- Reference starting price: $41,300
When most of us think about Volvo, we think about practicality, comfort, and safety—not really luxury and top-rated. However, when it comes to the S60, Volvo has decided to bring up another element of excitement and smooth driving, in addition to all the other perks they have been known to bring to the table.
Combining the Scandinavian elegance and amazing dynamics of this model, we end up with a driving marvel that is elegant and equipped with some of the most advanced driving aid technology on the market.
The Volvo S60 continues to be an amazing car, with multiple engine options depending on what you would like and how powerful you want your affordable car to be! However, if you have been looking for a top-rated, affordable car that is also going to be more eco-friendly, the S60 also offers a plug-in hybrid option with its T8 engine!
The hybrid option is going to cost you more than the other full gas options, without about $10,000, but you may be able to recoup the losses through fuel savings if you have fallen in love with this option!
Volvo as a brand has always been looking towards offering an amazing safe driving experience, so with the S60, you will be getting the excitement of a powerful car with added safety—an amazing combination of all the best things all in a stylish package!
5. Lexus IS 300
- Reference starting price: $40,085
When it comes to luxury brands, Lexus is one of the ones that is always on people’s lips. The brand has made a name for itself, being synonymous at this point with high praise such as comfortability, style, and reliability, especially when it comes to being compared with other luxury cars. Yet, did you know that you can get an affordable car from Lexus?
Chance has it that the IS 300 is that exact car, and it offers a lot more than some of its German competitors. The Lexus IS line is a luxury sedan with certain unique features that make it a certified attention-attracting car. The signature grill of the line and special lines make it stand out no matter where you are driving it.
The Lexus IS 300 will be able to give you a truly unique experience of smooth and responsive rides while also making it a quiet one, which is not something a lot of these top-rated cars can give you. What’s more, you can choose between a rear-wheel or an all-wheel drive, yet whichever you choose, it is still going to be a marvel to drive.
With a sharp exterior and interior, the IS 300 is going to give you a performance that is worthy of a higher price tag, bringing in all the excellence that makes the Lexus brand what it is known for, all at an affordable price! Skip the premium that comes with other models and get yourself a Lexus that delivers performance and excellence.
6. Ford Mustang
- Reference starting price: $27,770
If you are looking for another American sample when it comes to muscle cars, the Ford Mustang is one of the biggest symbols for them. The Mustang has been a popular car for decades, and if you have been a fan of the car or of the brand, you should be excited to know that it can offer you an amazing, thrilling driving experience without making a big dent in your finances.
If anything, it is the most affordable car on our list so far, and it can be as expensive or affordable as you let it be. The Mustang has been on the market for a while, so depending on what you desire from your affordable luxury vehicle, you can get it for a bigger or lower price.
The Mustang comes with a range of options when it comes to engines, including a potent V8 one, making it a car that will be able to give you a truly powerful and engaging ride. If you are looking for American excellence and performance in a sleek and iconic model car, this is the car for you.
You can choose from the classic Mustang with its base model, or you can go up the ladder towards the more current and premium options, like the Mustang GT Premium, which is the most popular trim package Ford offers.
If this one is the one you would desire, you need to keep in mind a few things: the MSRP for this package is $44,760, and it is close to the racing pedigree of the brand, as it goes up to 460 horsepower. The GT Premium opinion is more akin to a race car than a luxurious drive, so make sure you know what you are getting!
The Ford Mustang may be a nostalgic car for some of us, but it has also been one of the cars that has been used on track by various famous American racers. An impressive one is the story of one of the most amazing American racers, Carroll Shelby, and his history with all the cars he has ever driven, including the Mustang. Get the book from Amazon here!
7. Volkswagen Golf GTI
- Reference starting price: $30,530
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the top-rated affordable cars in Europe, mainly for its sporty drive and especially for its fuel economy. The Volkswagen brand has managed to pioneer the hatchback for the luxury category, and it still remains at the top of the list of sporty yet compact cars that are versatile, and a lot of drivers gravitate towards them.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is known to be a comfortable drive that responds easily to steering, and it boasts a turbocharged engine, which makes it closer to a sports car than just a normal everyday drive. It is not the most luxurious drive on our list, but it still makes for one impressive car that you could easily park anywhere you would want to.
What makes this top-rated car a catch for a lot of people, despite the affordability factor when it comes to what is hiding under the hood, is the size and the practicality, along with an impressive interior and the quality of the overall build.
This car is definitely the best choice if you are looking for a day-to-day car that hides its true power under the hood and in its compact size. It is also a great choice if you know you will be in the metro area of a town more often than not, and an SUV will be really hard to park!
8. Kia Stinger
- Reference starting price: $36,690
Another unforgettable luxury sedan driving experience comes from the Kia Stinger. This amazing car is one that comes with a competitive price, which is still low for a luxury model despite being on the high-end side of our list, along with a smooth driving experience.
The Stinger is a sports car through and through, despite being a four-door car, and it comes with strong and impressive capabilities, along with an aesthetic and style-forward interior and exterior design.
When it comes to the engine, you can expect the choice between a normal one or a turbocharged version, while the drive can also be customized between all-wheel and rear-wheel, depending on which one you prefer. Kia has a long history of putting out amazing products, and this entry into the luxury lineup is not surprising, especially if you want an unassuming yet powerful vehicle.
If you are interested in the GT version, for which you will have to add a little bit more out of pocket (about $1,500 according to the manufacturer), know that this is the one that a lot of people gravitate to due to the practicality, performance, and amazing value when compared with other cars that have a GT version.
9. Mazda MX-5
- Reference starting price: $40,085
Our last but certainly not least entry on our list of the top-rated affordable cars is the Mazda MX-5, which is also known as the Miata. And when you look at the history of this brand, it is not surprising. Mazda has become an icon when it comes to affordable sports cars, as the price is great when compared to other brands, and the quality of these
The MX-5 has amazing precise steering, which comes along with a snappy six-speed manual transmission (which is only an option and not a requirement for this model), along with one of the best-balance chassis on the market for this price range. If you are looking for thrilling, unadulterated, and adrenaline-inducing driving experiences, then this is the car for you.
You will not end up with the most powerful model on the market, and maybe this is for the best. The MX-5 proves that you can get the sportscar experience and quality while still having a nimble and reliable driving experience. If you plan to use this car every day, then this model is going to be amazing at providing the experience and power you desire.
There are a lot of us who have been thinking about changing our cars and trying to find out which ones we should avoid and which cars are truly reliable! If you want to get an insider’s perspective, make sure you read our article on the matter here: a mechanic tells you everything you want to hear!
