Buy This Not That: When You Need a New Car But Your Dream Car is Out of Reach
Car shopping can be so frustrating. You decide what you need, what will make you happy when you hop into it every day, what will fulfill your family’s needs and then… you can’t get it. Or it’s out of reach. Or it simply won’t work.
That doesn’t mean you have to settle for less than what you want or need and it doesn’t mean you need to over pay. Just shift your thinking a bit and widen your field of consideration. You can have everything you want and need in a car; here are our tips for narrowing the field and some great alternatives to popular models.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Get the Right New Car: Identify Your Needs and Wants
Decide exactly what you need in a new car—all wheel drive? Seating for 6? Leather (or leather alternative) seating? Rear seat vents and USB ports?
Then decide what you’d like in your new car: Premium sound system? Wireless Apple CarPlay? A design that makes you heart beat a little faster?
And separate these lists into ‘wants’ and ‘needs.’ From there, set a budget, get your financing in line and find a relaxing place to sit and research your next car. To inspire you a bit, keep reading for our favorite alternatives to hot or hard to get cars and SUVs.
Watch: We Drove Every Toyota 4 Wheeler Off Road And This is What We Think
Toyota 4Runner: This Fave Is Redesigned and Hotter Than Ever
We love this classic Toyota 4Runner for its rugged good looks, reliability and 4 wheel drive that gives it the ability to conquer any terrain. Recently redesigned, it remains one of the most popular SUVs on the road so it often commands a premium price or forces buyers to accept a bland color.
Related: Why Car Dealers Won’t Take Your New Car Order—And How to Find the Car You Want
Buy This Instead: Honda Passport
Also recently redesigned, the 2026 Honda Passport is a great alternative: it has fantastic off-roading capability, can easily be modified to do more and has great interior space. And, its new look is sharp and clean; it makes us do a double-take every time.
The Modern Icon On the Off-Road Trail: Ford Bronco
Ford brought the Bronco back in a big way a few years ago and changed the game of adventure driving. Not only are there various iterations of the Bronco—Everglads, Badlands, Raptor—that allow it to go different places and conquer different landscapes, but it can do it all carrying gear, passengers and towing a trailer. But, it can be hard to find equipped the way you’d like it and often, expensive when you do.
Buy This Instead: Jeep Wrangler Is Still Our Dream Car
Also an iconic off-road capable SUV, the Jeep Wrangler is known as a winner of countless rallies, races and hill climbs; it is designed to do it all. And with Ford Bronco and other off-roaders coming to the trail ready to compete, Jeep has stepped up. The company has lowered the price and doubled down on its commitment to its customer. These do tend to keep resale prices high—great for you if you’re buying new but not so great if you’re looking at a used model. Either way, though, Wrangler delivers on the promise and now, for a better price.
Related: Land Rover Doubles Down On More Seating With The 2023 Defender 130
The OG EV: Tesla Model Y
Oh, the poor, embattled Tesla. This brand has been through the wringer, loved, hated, praised, criticized. Still, it’s a great car for its stellar exterior design and top tech (but a boring interior) and an vocal CEO who for many, makes the Tesla Y a no-go. Luckily, there are some great options out there.
The New Car to Buy Instead: Mustang Mach-E
Detail for detail the Mustang Mach-E delivers many of the same things the Tesla Y does: an SUV shape that sparks emotion, one-pedal driving, a long range option and a cult-like fan base that’ll give you plenty of people to chat with about your new car.
Is This Modern SUV a Little Too Popular? Kia Telluride
Oh, how we love the elegant, adventurous Kia Telluride. It’s become the go-to 3-row SUV for families and drivers who want its Range Rover vibes with a Kia price and reliability. At the top of the line it boasts premium features, comfortable seating for 6 or 7, top drawer technology and all wheel drive capability. But it’s been so hot that there seems to be one in every driveway these days.
Buy This Instead: Hyundai Palisade XRT
The Hyundai Palisade was redesigned for 2025 and the company added an XRT version suited for mildly challenging off-roading. We took it out and it impresses: comfortable inside with 3 spacious rows of seating, great technology and a rugged exterior that can take anything your weekend can throw at it. It has its own vibe, not mimicking the Telluride or Land Rover, and we like that too; it stands out in a crowd.
The Newest New Car Redesign Is Sure to Be Hot: Toyota RAV4
Redesigned for all hybrid performance as well as sport or off-road performance, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 is sure to be a hot ticket—when it hits dealerships. At this writing Toyota has yet to release pricing or ship any of these new models. Which means that this hot ticket will command a hot price. Don’t get us wrong, we love this compact SUV, but if you need one now, you’re timing is off. Luckily, there are choices. this is one of the most popular compact SUVs on the road. And that means it’s almost never a bargain. But you don’t have compromise; get the versatile seating, premium details and great fuel economy, possibly at a lower price maybe even a faster delivery date:
Buy This: The Kia Sportage Will Capture Your Heart
The Kia Sportage just underwent a huge makeover (not a full redesign but almost). It has a new face, a new interior and is offered in all gas, hybrid or plug-in hybrid. We love its new face that gives it a sort of mini-me Telluride look. Inside there’s a new tech interface with a flat screen and “Hey Kia” voice assistance, a roomy rear seat and good cargo space. And, it’s available in off-road ready X-Pro editions if that’s where your heart is.
Related: I Traded My Hyundai Santa Fe for a Week to Drive the 2022 Hyundai Tucson
Is the Ford F-150 Raptor Your Obsession?
You might think we’re in the era of super bad-ass pickup trucks, and you’d be right. Nearly every truck brand has their version and for good reason: they are just fun. The Ford F-150 Raptor takes that fun even further with more power, more features and is a head-turner of a truck. You’ll get attention everywhere you go in this baby. Maybe too much?
Buy This: The Ram RHO Delivers Thrills in the Hills
The Ram RHO is the brand’s super truck, replacing the V8-powered Ram TRX known for its powerful engine and accommodatingly reinforced suspension,with a more efficient and sportier version, the RHO. And it’s the sportiness that is this truck’s superpower: it’s known for blasting over rocks and across sand dunes like it’s nothing more than an afternoon jaunt. It’s powerful, fun to drive and yet, won’t empty the entire gas tank in a single gulp.
Pining for Chevrolet Suburban (Or Tahoe)? You’re Not Alone
I’ll be the first to say, I get it! After spending a week driving the Chevy Suburban, as well as a week in its slightly smaller sibling the Tahoe, I can relate: These are badass family SUVs. You feel as if you own the road. You have muscle and confidence. Your passengers feel spoiled. And there’s a great place to put your purse. While I don’t love the Suburban’s fold-and-flip second row seats that are the only way to access the 3rd row in the bench model, if you can live with captains chairs this is a great SUV for 6 people. If you can live with those seats, that is.
Buy This: Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Jeep just gave the Grand Wagoneer a makeover, officially adding the Jeep name and giving it a new face to welcome it to the family. It’s still one of the best full-size SUVs on the road and now, it has a lower base price but still offers all the goodies, from power seats to a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, passenger screens and more. In the early Spring we’ll see a plug-in hybrid version that promises 150 miles of all electric driving. That detail alone has me excited for all the families who will finally discover the magic of charging your car in your garage each night. It’s simply liberating.
Is the Toyota Land Cruiser On Your Wish List?
We get you: it’s heritage good looks, sharp lines and promise of being able to conquer anything is a lure. We love how almost any off-road equipment can be added, from roof top tents to extra lights, a winch, you name it and the Land Cruiser is ready and able. And pricey. Sooooo pricey.
Buy This: Lexus GX
This is sort of a shocker, right? But it’s true: You’ll get more for your money in the Lexus GX, including a 3rd row if you’d like, as well as a more comfortable ride and luxury features. The GX shares many of the same underpinnings as the Land Cruiser but boasts more power, and at the entry level can actually cost less than the top of the line Land Cruiser. And, the Lexus GX is a keeper; people buy these and drive them for decades.
There are so many great new car options out there right now and every buyer can score the car she wants with the features she needs at a price that fits her budget. As long as she’s clear in her thinking and willing to buy this, not that.
More About:Car Buying