Best Cars Under $40,000

Models whose entry trim lists below $40,000, ranked by fuel economy. This band is where most well-equipped family cars and mid-size SUVs land.

Best Cars Under $40,000, ranked
#ModelFromPrice rangeYears
1BMW 3 SeriesReliability 6.8 / 10$33,150 · 45 mpg$33,150–$60,2002015–2026
2Toyota Crown$39,050 · 41 mpg$39,050–$41,4502023–2026
3Lexus ES$37,550 · 39 mpg$37,550–$45,2002015–2026
4Chevrolet Volt$33,170 · 38 mpg$33,170–$38,9452015–2019
5Acura Integra$32,495 · 37 mpg$32,495–$55,1502023–2026
6BMW 2 Series$32,850 · 35 mpg$32,850–$49,3002015–2026
7Toyota Highlander$30,450 · 35 mpg$30,450–$56,0002015–2026
8Acura TLX$32,965 · 35 mpg$32,965–$54,7952015–2025
9Audi A4Reliability 7.2 / 10$35,500 · 34 mpg$35,500–$57,4002015–2026
10Cadillac CT4$33,395 · 34 mpg$33,395–$37,7952020–2026
11BMW X1$31,200 · 34 mpg$31,200–$47,9002015–2026
12BMW X3$38,950 · 34 mpg$38,950–$66,5002015–2026
13Lexus IS$36,550 · 33 mpg$36,550–$43,1002015–2026
14BMW X2$36,400 · 33 mpg$36,400–$46,4502018–2026
15Volvo XC40$34,795 · 33 mpg$34,795–$53,9902019–2026
16Cadillac CT5$36,895 · 32 mpg$36,895–$49,2002020–2026
17Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid$39,995 · 32 mpg$39,995–$62,4602017–2026
18Lexus RC$39,995 · 32 mpg$39,995–$71,1002015–2026
19Chrysler 300$30,390 · 31 mpg$30,390–$55,0002015–2026
20Cadillac ATS$33,215 · 31 mpg$33,215–$67,7952015–2019

Figures are the best quoted across each model's trims and years, taken from the Cars4Real catalog. Prices are original sticker prices, so used examples list for less.

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