Budget Car Buying Guide

If you want the most affordable new car out there, then the 2012 Versa Sedan's sub-$11k starting price simply can't be beat. The Versa received all-new styling for 2012, with more interior room and better fuel efficiency. Not only will you save money because of its low MSRP, you'll also save every time you visit the gas station due to its hybrid-like 30/38 mpg. If you're single or have a very small family, the revised interior provides a surprisingly spacious backseat and trunk. It's realistic to think that you could pay-off the 2012 Nissan in a couple of years without maxing-out your finances.

Formerly the Aveo, the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan is 100% American through and through. The five-door Sonic provides ample pop with a 138-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 148 pounds-feet of torque. That's the most torque, and the only turbocharged engine, in the subcompact class. Awesome fuel ratings of 29/40 mpg make your daily commute an inexpensive one. The interior is fun and spacious as well, which is bound to leave you wondering if it's really a subcompact. The Sonic is the first and only car in its class with 10 airbags, earning Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Not bad for less-than $14k.

The second-most affordable car on this list is bigger and more fuel-efficient, while still retaining its top-notch 10- year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The newly redesigned Accent is a great bargain for families looking to fit children of all ages in the spacious back seat. You won't go broke taking your kids to practice, and commuting long distances, because the Accent has best-in-class fuel economy ratings of 30/40 mpg.

Get ready for a lot of 'best-in-class' references because the 2012 Hyundai Sonata sets the bar in several categories. Let's go down the list, shall we? Heated power side mirrors, Blue Link telematics system, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, six-speaker sound system and daytime running lights are all standard. Throw in 24/35 mpg and a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty and you have a sedan that practically pays for itself. The Sonata has a larger trunk and more interior volume than the Passat and Camry. It also has a sleek, futuristic design that once again makes the Sonata look more expensive than it really is.

You heard that right. In addition to being the most affordable car in this segment, the 2012 Cruze Eco GM achieves 42 mpg on the highway, making it the most-efficient gas engine on the market. If you're looking for a modestly-priced car with an emphasis on safety, then look no further. The Cruze aced crash tests with its sound structure and numerous safety features. It also earned a five-star rating for overall safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and a top score of "Good" from the IIHS. We assume having best-in-class 10 standard airbags helps. And to back up our claim that the Cruze is a top option for budget-conscious drivers, the U.S. News and World Report named the 2012 Cruze "Best Compact Car for the Money."

The 2012 Nissan Juke is a sporty, frog-like crossover that injects fun into everyday driving. Just because a car is inexpensive doesn't mean it has to be boring. A sport-tuned suspension and all-wheel drive provide responsive handling for all of those urban jungle commandos out there. The Juke's engine generates 188 horsepower and gets 27/32 mpg. The Integrated Control (I-CON) system offers Eco mode, which allows you to adjust the driving setting for fuel- sipping efficiency. The unique center console and tight cockpit-esque feel are unlike anything you've seen before, and add to the Juke's sporty persona.

One thing that budget-conscious drivers need to realize is that value is not always just about the sticker price, it's also about how much a car costs to own. Not only is the 2012 Honda Accord a bargain, it will cost less in the long run than other vehicles. That's because of the Accord's low maintenance costs, high fuel efficiency, and laundry list of features. The Accord has made Car and Driver's "10 Best" list for a record 26 times, so you know the folks at Honda are doing something right. J.D. Power and Associates named the Accord the "Highest Ranked Midsize Car in Initial Quality" – another feather in the Accord's crowded cap. Excellent fuel economy of 23/34 mpg allows you to roam freely without worrying about spending your last dime on gas.

If you can afford to spend a few more dollars, then you should consider the well-rounded 2012 Camry. The Accord might hold a slight advantage with a lower MSRP, but the Camry is more physically appealing because of its redesigned interior/exterior. According to MotorIntelligence, the Camry is the best-selling car in America for 13 of the last 14 years. KBB has given the Camry the 2012 Best Resale Value Award, which is a testament to the Camry's pedigree. The Camry comfortably seats five passengers, receives 25/35 mpg, and has a starting price around $21k, making it perfect for the commute or the carpool.

Not everyone confines their driving to city streets and daily commutes. Some drivers like to open up the playbook and venture out where the trails start and the snow falls. That's where the cost-effective, all-new 2012 Mazda CX-5 small crossover comes in handy. Unlike the previous two entries, the CX-5 offers more interior flexibility and Mazda's sporty handling (think Zoom Zoom). The CX-5's modest 26/35 mpg estimates help make the trip to the beach cheaper than a day at the beach.

In terms of overall quality, there's no denying the Acura TSX. On the border between being an all-out luxury sedan and a high-end midlevel car, the 2012 Acura TSX gives you features of the former for the price of the latter. Actually, with the TSX, you can get the trifecta of luxury, performance, and excellent fuel economy. Automatic xenon headlights, heated outside mirrors, a sunroof, eight-way power driver seat, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a seven- speaker sound system are just some of the standard features. The standard four-cylinder automatic engine gets an efficient 22/31 mpg. The 2012 Acura TSX allows you to step up to the big leagues while paying minor league prices.

Don't be afraid of the diesel – it won't hurt you. In fact, the all-new 2012 Passat and its TDI engine will help you save money on gas, even if the price of diesel fuel is higher than petrol. The base SE model gets 31/43 mpg and has a maximum cruising range of almost 800 miles. That combination of sticker price and fuel efficiency/range will definitely save you money over the long haul. Speaking of long hauls, the Passat added more rear legroom so you can fit a family of five comfortably. If all that doesn't convince you that the Passat Diesel is a killer ride, perhaps the fact that it was named the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year will.

The 2013 Ford Edge crossover is proof that you don't have to sacrifice power, roominess, and an attractive cabin in order to save a buck. The great thing with Ford is that they're always offering some sort of rebate or incentive that could drive the MSRP below its listed $27.5k. Drivers that like to sit higher and summon more power than the other two models in this segment (four-cylinders) will enjoy the standard 285-horsepower V6. Fuel estimates for the V6 are above average at 19/27 mpg, but not nearly as impressive as the optional EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder that gets an impressive 21/30 mpg. The 2012 Edge fits right in the sweet spot between a midsize SUV and a small crossover, giving you more maneuverability around town. There is 32 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats for all of your family's gear.