10 Best Sedans for 2019 under $25,000

2019 Chevrolet Malibu front three quarter red ・ Photo by General Motors

First, here's the upside. These 10 best sedans for 2019 under $25,000 include several all-new generations. For anyone who’s still resisting the idea of buying a crossover, there are plenty of excellent alternatives. Considering they all start under $25,000 (including destination charges), that also means reasonably affordable new midsize sedans.

There is a downside, but it’s no biggie. Some choices just squeak in under $25,000, with higher trims breaking that barrier. While most buyers want as much car as they can get for their money, there’s an argument for going one size down and selecting more options (choosing a Mazda3 over a Mazda6, for example). That would be every individual’s call. But here are the best sedans available for the price.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu -- from $22,965

Revised for this model year, the midsize Chevrolet Malibu sports fresh styling to complement its comfortable front seats, spacious area for the rear passengers, easygoing ride quality, and average of 32 mpg (a new continuously variable transmission improves on last year’s 30 mpg). Chevy also should be commended for including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration in its basic L trim.

Less impressive is how far up the levels a buyer has to go (more than $25,000) to get all the advanced driver safety features, some of which are standard in many rivals. Since the competition is so tough, some hard negotiation might result in an unbeatable bargain. The range starts with a 163-hp engine.

Photo by General Motors

2019 Honda Accord -- from $24,615

This generation of Accord debuted last year and really is one of the best of the best. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, LED headlights and taillights, dual-zone climate control, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The basic engine makes a healthy 192 hp and returns an impressive average of 33 mpg.

In addition, the new Accord is a pleasure to drive and a pleasure to sit in, even for adults in the back seats. It only just qualifies as starting under $25,000 and buyers undoubtedly will find the higher trims more attractive if they have the budget. If they wanted more equipment while keeping outlay below $25,000, there’s always the excellent Civic.

Photo by Honda

2019 Honda Insight -- from $23,725

Please forgive another Honda contender, but the Insight is a special case. This is an all-new generation, a re-imagining of the Insight name, and it’s a hybrid. Don’t bother looking for a hybrid version of any midsize sedan contenders below $25,000. Although it looks somewhat different (and arguably agreeable), the new Insight is based on the Civic sedan, which is still relatively roomy.

This hybrid also is exceptionally refined, approaching the ride quality and cabin tranquility of a luxury car, yet it’s capable of 55 mpg in the city. Equipment levels are high, including some modern driver aids and alloy wheels. This is the third different car to wear the Insight badge, and it really is the charm this time around.

Photo by Honda

2019 Hyundai Sonata -- from $23,185

Admittedly, our list is called 10 best sedans for 2019 under $25,000 and this generation of Sonata has been around since 2015. But it remains a great choice, with a lot of standard equipment even at its base SE trim level. A 185-hp/29-mpg engine joins smartphone integration, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and an airbag for the driver’s knees as part of the SE’s inventory.

The Sonata also is capacious for passengers and cargo alike, with a well-thought-out cabin, and a suspension tuned for comfort tempered with a degree of precision. And no one can argue with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Kia Optima -- from $23,820

The Optima receives a mid-cycle spruce-up for 2019. This brings minor styling revisions to the nose and tail that most people should find more than acceptable. It’s beneath those tweaked looks, however, where the extra value lies. Every 2019 Optima midsize sedan receives forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver fatigue monitoring. The infotainment system, already quite highly regarded, also has been updated and improved, with smartphone integration included as standard.

The entry level engine delivers 185 hp while achieving an average of 29 mpg. The Optima can accommodate four adults and their luggage with ease, and it has impeccable driving manners. The cabin is quiet and comfortable; the ride is controlled yet calm.

Photo by Ron Sessions

2019 Mazda6 -- from $N/A

The revised version of the Mazda6 for the new model year goes on sale in early 2019. At the time of compiling this list, pricing had not yet been announced. But the 2018 model begins at $22,845, so it wouldn’t be too optimistic to expect a starting price just below our $25,000 mark for the 2019 models.

The interior receives an extensive overhaul, while the exterior keeps the same arguably good-looking approach but brings in some subtle changes. The Mazda6 in general is one of those cars that reviewers love, because it’s simultaneously practical, comfortable, well-equipped, and fun. With those attributes in mind, we can (at the moment) only assume that the new Mazda6 will continue with its extraordinary ways and perhaps impress even more.

Photo by Mazda

2019 Nissan Altima -- from $24,645

Nissan debuts an all-new Altima generation for 2019. If the previous generation was a bit of a shrinking violet in the midsize sedan scene, this new model should make more of an impact when it goes on sale in fall 2018. The styling is much sharper, the cabin is more accommodating, and the equipment inventory incorporates automatic emergency braking, rear door alert, driver attention monitor, smartphone integration, and remote start.

Other advanced safety features also are available, as well as all-wheel drive, which is not common in this class. The range starts with a 188-hp 2.5-liter engine that manages 32 mpg (front-wheel drive). Anyone pondering a midsize sedan would be well-advised to put the new Altima on their list.

Photo by Nissan

2019 Subaru Legacy -- from $23,520

Automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control are all standard, joining the one particular feature for which Subarus are renowned: all-wheel drive. The basic engine for the Legacy midsize sedan provides a so-so 175 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, but is still estimated to average 29 mpg, which is pretty good when all four wheels are driven.

Space for people and their baggage is plentiful, build quality is excellent, safety scores are high, and the starting price is especially keen since all-wheel drive is included. It won’t win any design awards, but it will get a family home on a rough, snow-blown night.

Photo by Subaru

2019 Toyota Camry -- from $24,765

The Camry has been a best-selling midsize sedan for years. Now there are more reasons to embrace a new generation (which debuted for 2018), exhibiting some design attitude and driving enjoyment to complement its generous space and long list of standard features. That list includes Apple CarPlay, but the Android crowd are still out in the cold. Many rivals offer automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance as standard. The Camry augments those with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control.

A 203-hp engine propels the base car to the tune of 34 mpg. The L trim is only just under $25,000, and we would advise spending another $500 for the better-equipped LE version.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Volkswagen Jetta -- from $19,440

We conclude these 10 best sedans for 2019 under $25,000 with another all-new generation. Classified as a compact sedan (it’s built on the current Golf platform) but with dimensions more akin to a midsize (rear legroom: 37.4 inches; trunk area: 14.1 cubic feet), the new Jetta is priced so reasonably that buyers can afford the automatic transmission (a 6-speed manual is standard in the base S trim) and perhaps stretch to the mid-range R-Line trim (from $23,890).

We’d recommend going for at least the SE model ($23,050) to have blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. In any version, the Jetta is an enjoyable and refined drive, with interior quality close to an Audi.

Photo by Volkswagen