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Car shoppers want the best possible value out of their vehicle choices. However, no two sedans, hatchbacks, crossovers, or SUVs offer the same experience. Still, there are plenty of options for vehicles that promise some of the best bang for your buck. CarEdge rated some of their picks for the best cars by value, and they aren’t what you might expect; the Chevrolet Corvette, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and GMC Sierra 1500 snagged top spots. 

  • Chevrolet Corvette
  • Toyota 4Runner
  • GMC Sierra 1500
  • Mazda MX-5 Miata
  • Toyota Prius
  • Kia Stinger
  • GMC Canyon 

Which car offers the best value for money?

Believe it or not, CarEdge says the Chevrolet Corvette is the best car in terms of value. While that might be difficult to reconcile if you’re not a sports car enthusiast, the Corvette retains value well and offers supercar-esque performance in an affordable option. 

The C8 Chevrolet Corvette, like the GMC Sierra, is one of the best cars by value, according to CarEdge.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray | General Motors

According to CarEdge, the five-year cost of ownership for a Chevrolet Corvette is around $56,015. Moreover, while a C8 Corvette is subject to depreciation like the vast majority of cars, it depreciates less than comparable sports cars. In terms of insurance, the C8 Corvette has an average annual rate of around $2,369. Insure.com says the Chevrolet model costs less than half the average nationwide rate for a Maserati Quattroporte. 

What cars offer the best value?

In addition to the Chevrolet Corvette, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota Prius, and Kia Stinger snag top spots on the list of the best cars by value. While that may seem like an eclectic grouping, each car retains value and promises a manageable cost of ownership. 

For instance, CarEdge gives the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the other cars in the top seven an A+ rating. If you would be as happy with a Mazda MX-5 as you would be with a Corvette, the Miata is a cheap, fun way to own a sports car. For instance, the Miata costs an average of $26,803 to own over five years. That’s the better part of half the ownership costs of a C8 Corvette. Of course, the two aren’t really comparable. 

Which SUVs made the list of the best cars by value?

In addition to the Chevrolet Corvette and other cars, several SUVs made the list of the best vehicles by value. For instance, the GMC Sierra 1500, Toyota 4Runner, and GMC Canyon got A+ ratings from CarEdge for value and decent ownership costs. 

The Toyota 4Runner has a five-year cost of ownership of around $36,769, most of which is fuel and depreciation. The 4Runner’s five-year fuel costs are about $10,560, or a little more than three times the fuel costs for a Toyota Prius. On the other hand, the GMC Sierra 1500 has a five-year cost of $41,762. Most of that amount is depreciation, which accounts for about 31% of the overall ownership cost. 

Do you have one of these picks for the best cars by value? Tell us about them in the comments below!

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