When you need a new car, it is tempting to buy the cheapest one you can. As long as a car gets you from point A to point B, the thinking goes, it is good enough. Though there is some truth to that argument, it doesnt take the full picture of owning and living with a car into account. That car with the super-low price tag might be a bear to insure. It might leave you with hefty repair bills, or it might guzzle gas. That car might not meet your daily needs either. Your family may hate being crammed in its small back seat, it might not have all the cargo space you need, or its harsh ride or underpowered engine might turn your commute into a slog. That cheap car may also lack the latest safety equipment, and while it is true that you can drive without a suite of in-car connectivity apps, they do make finding your way a lot easier and the trip more pleasant. Finding the balance between a good car and a cheap car is where the Best Cars for the Money awards come in. The winners have the best combination of quality and value in their respective classes, so they are all good cars that are also good long-term deals. U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we never accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an outside firm manages the ads on our site. Every CR-V comes standard with automatic climate control and the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver safety aids. The well-equipped EX gets you a lot of extras including a sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, push-button start with keyless entry, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a 7-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The EX-L brings luxury into the equation. It has leather upholstery, an eight-speaker audio system and a power liftgate.
