The release comes as the Biden administration prepares to enact a 25 percent tariff on all vehicles assembled outside the United States, along with additional levies on automotive materials and parts sourced from Mexico, Canada, and China. While current dealer inventories remain insulated from the effects, industry analysts anticipate that new-vehicle prices—now holding steady at an average of $49,000—could climb by late spring or early summer should the tariffs take effect as scheduled on April 3.
“With the potential for vehicle prices to rise between $3,000 and $10,000 due to pending tariffs, shoppers are increasingly feeling pressure to act now,” said Jenni Newman, Cars.com’s editor-in-chief. “While it may take months for the full impact to be felt, consumers should keep three key factors in mind: There is still a diverse selection of affordable models on dealer lots; tariffs will not affect vehicles already in inventory; and for those looking to mitigate potential cost increases, choosing a U.S.-assembled model is a strategic option.”
Currently, imported vehicles represent roughly half of all U.S. auto sales, including some models from traditionally American brands. Chevrolet’s Silverado and Ford’s Bronco Sport, for instance, are among those assembled outside the country. Automakers, recognizing the potential disruption, are moving swiftly to expand domestic production, with Ford, Hyundai, and Kia increasing U.S.-based inventory by more than 25 percent year over year.
Against this backdrop, Cars.com has identified the best value vehicles for 2025, evaluating key segments based on affordability, standard safety and technology features, fuel economy, and projected one-year fuel costs. The report also highlights which models are produced domestically, offering potential insulation from impending tariff-related price hikes.
Best Value Model-Year 2025 Vehicles by Segment
- Subcompact Car: Nissan Versa (SV)
- Compact Car: Nissan Sentra (S)
- Subcompact SUV: Chevrolet Trax (LS with Driver Confidence Package)
- Compact SUV: Ford Escape (Active)
- Mid-Size SUV: Kia Sorento (LX)
- Compact Pickup Truck: Ford Maverick (XL with 2.5-liter hybrid engine, front-wheel drive, Co-Pilot 360 extras package)
- Mid-Size Pickup Truck: Nissan Frontier (S 4×2 King Cab with 6-foot box)
- Full-Size Pickup Truck: Ford F-150 (XL 4×2 SuperCab with base 2.7-liter V-6 and 6-foot-5-inch box)
- Electric Vehicle: Hyundai Ioniq 6 (SE Long Range rear-wheel drive)
How Cars.com Determined the Best Value Vehicles
To select the Best Value winners, Cars.com’s editorial team examined hundreds of mass-market vehicles, prioritizing models equipped with essential safety and technology features, including automatic transmission, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, brake assist, and lane departure warning. For electric vehicles, a minimum estimated range of 280 miles was required. The team then identified the lowest-cost trim level or package that met these criteria while remaining at or below the average price for its segment.
Additional factors, such as warranty coverage, fuel-grade requirements, and truck seating capacity, were not included in rankings but noted as key considerations for long-term ownership.
As auto buyers navigate an increasingly complex landscape, the Cars.com report serves as a timely resource, equipping consumers with data-driven insights at a moment when affordability and strategic decision-making are paramount.