No matter where you live, you need a reliable car that fits your budget. But if you live in a big city with lots of other people and small parking spaces, you probably want to avoid anything too big. After all, it’s much harder to parallel park a Jeep Wrangler than a Toyota Corolla. And even though you have plenty of gas stations nearby, you probably don’t want to fill up at the pump every week.
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So which cars are the best for driving around big cities and still be affordable? Here are just a few options.
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2023 Hyundai Tucson
You may not be able to find a 2024 Kia Rio, as Kia has announced that it will replace the Rio with another vehicle – possibly the Kia K3. But a 2023 model isn’t bad, especially if you can find one with low miles.
Affordable and compact, making it ideal for city driving and budget-conscious customers, the 2023 Kia Rio features a 1.6-liter inline-four engine with 120 horsepower, meaning it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.6 seconds—handy for highway cruising.
As a subcompact car, the Kia Rio fits easily into the tightest parking spaces. Although it is relatively small, it still offers ample cargo space so you can transport as many groceries or other household items as you need.
And if that wasn’t enough of an incentive, it also has decent gas mileage – 32 mpg in the city. All in all, it’s ideal for both long and short trips.
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Honda Civic (model year 2024)
The Honda Civic is a compact car, but it is also considered one of the more reliable vehicles on the market. It is practical and efficient, which is important for driving in the big city.
The entry-level model comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 158 horsepower. If you want something more powerful, there’s also the 1.5-liter turbo engine that makes 180 horsepower. These vehicles get about 33 mpg in city driving.
Kelley Blue Book ranked the 2024 Honda Civic as one of the highest-rated compact cars currently on the market.
Toyota Corolla (2024)
Another highly rated and reliable vehicle is the Toyota Corolla. This compact car is available in two styles: a four-door sedan or a hatchback. It is a safe and predictable vehicle, so you don’t have to worry about getting to your destination – no matter how long your commute is.
As for the engine, it has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 169 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive hybrid model can reach 60 mph in 9 seconds. Although it doesn’t have the fastest high-torque engine, it boasts excellent fuel efficiency. The front-wheel-drive hybrid model gets about 50 miles per gallon in the city.
One potential downside that’s common with small cars is that there isn’t much legroom in the back. The trunk also doesn’t have enough room for large items – like furniture. But if you need an all-around solid everyday vehicle, this model is worth considering.
Hyundai Elantra (2024)
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that’s great for both novice and experienced drivers. It fits into small parking spaces, gets good gas mileage, and is affordable—especially if you opt for a 2023 or 2022 model.
The Elantra has a sharp exterior design. It is also a bit larger than other compact cars, but this shouldn’t affect your driving experience. However, it does offer your passengers more legroom in the rear seats and you more storage space.
You can get an Elantra in either a hybrid or non-hybrid model. The first gets 49 mpg in city driving, while the second gets about 33 mpg. Both are even more fuel efficient on the highway, making this a great vehicle for long drives or road trips as well.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 4 Best Cars for Driving Around Big Cities That Cost Under $26,000
