If there’s one true thing about the new cars, trucks, and SUVs that were introduced in 2025, it’s this: They are expensive. In fact, the average new car carries a price of just under $50,000, a fact that 2025 had the honor of ushering in. But the best new cars carry a distinct advantage: New technology, new features, more conveniences, and a design that should look fresh for the next few years (at least, maybe longer). It’s why they are such a hot commodity.
So when we sat down to review the year and all the new cars we drove, it was a delight to find that so many of the cars we drove have a starting price under $35,000, and a lot of them sell nicely equipped for a lot less.
Here, in alpha order, are the 10 best cars redesigned in 2025 that carry an affordable price tag, as well as all the goodies that a newly redesigned car can boast.
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.
The Luxe Acura ADX Is Also Budget-Friendly
Isn’t it great to know that if you want a luxury car, there’s a brand new option from Acura? The Luxury arm of Honda added the Acura ADX, a mini-me version of the RDX, to the lineup in 2025 and gave it a very demure $35,000 price tag to start.
We love the ADX for its sporty design and smaller scope that still has a massive cargo space (relatively; this is a compact SUV) and nice ground clearance for good visibility. It’s the hottest new SUV for value shoppers and inspired Natalie’s mom to take the plunge back into luxury car ownership.
The Got-Your-Back Chevy Equinox Will Take Care of You
This is what I love about the Chevy Equinox: It’s there to do what you need and not demand too much in return. It’s affordable, reliable, and has all the features you need, from wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the option of AWD, which is on-demand (with the press of a button) to ensure it’s not using up your gas too fast. The redesigned 2025 Equinox offers an appointed trim selection, all in a sharp new design with a boxier SUV appeal.
The Uber-Cute, Ever-Affordable Ford Maverick
If you’re dreaming of a pickup truck—impulsive tag sale shopping, planned bike-hauling, weekend DIY’ing—and you want to stay under budget and achieve great MPG, the Ford Maverick has your name on it.
The Ford Maverick is a cutie-pie perfect for someone who likes the scale of a car or small SUV but wants all the muscle of a pickup truck. Its cleverly designed interior gives you all the features you need without overdoing it or overdoing the price. And now, you can go for both AWD and hybrid performance, though it’ll add to the price.
This Modern SUV Upgrade Still Comes In Under Budget: Kia Sportage
Kia is on a mission to not just redesign all its models, but to redesign its entire company and image. That means that every model in the lineup is slated for a redesign if it hasn’t already—including the Kia Sportage. The 2025 makeover added sharp new exterior details to give it Kia’s distinct new look, and inside it has some nice details, including a flat-screen multimedia system, “Hey Kia” voice assistance, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hybrid fuel economy is also available in the Kia Sportage, starting at about $30K, for even more ways to save and still ride in style.
Cute and Fun Doesn’t Need to Be Pricey, Too: Mini Cooper
We are huge fans of Mini’s 2025 redesign, elevating the Cooper, JCW, and Countryman with modern heritage details. Altogether, it allows more of what it’s always been: Fun, inventive, the zig in our zag, zag, zag world. And the great news is that this BMW-engineered car is completely fun to drive in the Cooper version, even more fun in the JCW, or John Cooper Works, edition. Even the Countryman, with its larger proportions and room for the whole family, delivers a fun experience for everyone.
The Redesigned Nissan Leaf Is Seriously Great. And Seriously Affordable
The Nissan Leaf, the first EV to be sold globally and for a while, the most-sold EV on the planet, got a huge makeover, and honestly, I’m purely smitten. I love so many things they did to this car: A modern, new interior that looks and feels posh. A minimalist design approach with an open cabin design and a large flat multimedia screen. The Leaf’s coupe-like silhouette is now more SUV-like EV. Dual charge ports, including a Tesla-style NACS port, and Tesla-compatible charging. A 303-mile driving range. And for under $35K, you can get leatherette, Google Built-in, heated front seats, and a wireless phone charger. Under $35K. See why I’m smitten?
The Nissan Sentra is Fully Loaded Under $30K
This news is just too good to keep out of the headline. Yes, the all-new, redesigned Nissan Sentra is under $30,000 for the top-of-the-line model. That includes a wide flat-screen multimedia system, Google Built-in, quilted seating, and this beautiful new design. You can go for lower-priced Sentra models and still keep Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a ton of driver assist and safety features, and that delicious new design. But if you want to splurge, it won’t be all that painful.
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Delivers All That Matters Most
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is one of our faves of all time and for good reason: Even in its base models across the lineup, Subaru includes all-wheel drive; this is because AWD capability is core to Subaru’s DNA. And now, getting where you need to go with better fuel economy is too. But the fact that the Crosstrek Hybrid is priced under $35K at the top of the line makes this one of our favorite SUVs.
That means you get all the goodies like the large multimedia screen, leatherette seating, and a great driver assistance and safety system to keep you safe on the road. Add to that the Crosstrek’s smaller size, that’s easy for city driving and maneuverability on the trail (or, in snow), and it’s an all-around win.
The Much-Awaited Toyota RAV4 Redesign Is Here—and it’s Spectacular
Toyota doesn’t like to remake its models often; the company prefers to get it right once, then build on that success. So when they redesign a popular model like the RAV4, it better be good; that design has to last for a while.
And that’s the idea here: The Toyota RAV4, the brand’s best-selling compact SUV, got a full top-to-bottom makeover with a reorganized lineup, more power, more options, and more capability, all in a hybrid or plug-in hybrid electric package. Priced from about $28K, it’s also very affordable and accessible, which we appreciate, though heading to the top of the line for something just north of $35K will put you in a very nice, very lovely SUV that will make you feel very good.
Why the VW Taos Surprised Us, and Will Surprise You
When VW first introduced the Taos, we thought, first car/college car/downsize SUV. We distinctly didn’t think ‘family car.’ But the redesigned 2025 VW Taos changed our minds; it’s slightly roomier, has more premium features, and has rear seat details that’ll keep a tween or teen happy. Plus, you can hear that tiny little toddler voice easily from the front seat, no frustration needed to be heard (isn’t that nice?).
But we also loved the new look and feel, and the fun drive experience, which we expected and VW didn’t disappoint. This is a great city car, but it’s also great for anywhere else you might go.
There are many other good choices among cars that were redesigned in 2025, including the Hyundai Tucson, Chevy Equinox EV, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Toyota Corolla Cross, and VW Jetta. If there’s one thing 2025 didn’t skimp on, it’s great choices that are well-priced. Now, go get shopping before they’re gone.
