How We'd Spec It: $20K New Cars the Way Car and Driver Editors Would Get Them – Car and Driver

At Automobile and Driver, we wish to hop on automakers’ configurators and wildly spec a few of our dream vehicles with no concern about how a lot cash they’re going to (theoretically) price us. That is why, more often than not, the vehicles we’re constructing find yourself costing greater than $100,000—vehicles just like the Porsche 911 Turbo S, McLaren GT, and Aston Martin DBX. Nevertheless, we wish to spice issues up a bit, so we determined to deliver all our experience and configurator expertise to bear in selecting a spec for a automotive at a way more common value stage.

Listed here are the principles: with a $20,000 restrict, select any automotive and make it fascinating for that sum of money. Easy, proper? This is what C/D editors would park of their driveways for 20 giant:

Sharon Silke Carty’s $17,570 Hyundai Venue

So right here’s the factor. I kinda actually like little SUVs. I do know they’re not all that horny and could be underpowered and not likely good at a variety of issues, however I’ve youngsters and a canine and a stiff again generally. So sitting excessive up in a little bit SUV makes me completely happy. Generally. With that stated, I picked the Hyundai Venue, which has a base sticker value of $17,350, which admittedly has poor acceleration and might bounce round on the freeway, but it surely’s fairly inexpensive and is fairly roomy for its dimension.

There aren’t many choices (test the configurator) that include the bottom Venue, which comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in all trim ranges. I might go for an automated transmission as a substitute of the six-speed guide. Will I? In fact not. I’ll toss in some carpeted flooring mats for $155 and a rear-seat cupholder for $65 (though I’m certain I might discover cheaper aftermarket choices for each) and shut out at $17,570 earlier than taxes and supply. — Sharon Silke Carty

Joey Capparella’s $17,800 2020 Toyota Yaris LE Sedan

The Toyota Yaris, which is definitely a Mazda 2, is a really enjoyable automotive to drive. Sure, you heard me proper. This 106-hp, light-weight financial system automotive with a six-speed guide transmission is vigorous and entertaining from behind the wheel. It proves that driving a gradual automotive quick is extra enjoyable than driving a quick automotive gradual. Plus, it is available in effectively underneath $20,000 even in its well-equipped LE trim stage, which comes with options similar to proximity-key entry, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 16-inch wheels. Take a look at the configurator for your self. I added the $195 middle armrest as a splurge and nonetheless got here in underneath $18,000. — Joey Capparella

Connor Hoffman’s $18,610 2020 Kia Soul LX

One of the best half in regards to the Kia Soul is what number of coloration selections there are. (See them on the configurator.) However, wait, Kia teases you with the colour selections. The colours you’d actually need are solely obtainable on the upper, costlier trims ranges. So, I am going with the LX trim in Glowing Silver with a black woven material inside. Right here, I can not get any of the higher-end choices, and I am caught with a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, however guess what? I get a six-speed guide transmission. #SavetheManuals.

Now I can reveal why I went with such a boring coloration: you’ll be able to solely get a 2020 Kia Soul with a guide transmission in silver, white, or black. I am additionally not going to tick any choices, so my Soul is available in at $18,610 minus the hamsters. — Connor Hoffman

Tony Quiroga’s $19,815 Volkswagen Jetta S

I thought of dishonest the funds by a couple of hundred {dollars} and deciding on a Nissan Frontier. A pickup, even one as dated because the Frontier, would seemingly last more, have higher resale worth, and be extra helpful than the little vehicles beneath $20Okay. However I am going to honor the parameters as a result of there’s an nearly 10Finest winner I might purchase. With $20,000 to spend, I might get a Volkswagen Jetta S. (This is its configurator.) Not like the opposite autos beneath the worth threshold, the Jetta comes from the category above. It is extra stable, refined, and also you get extra automotive—94 cubic ft of inside area. Attempt to discover a 105.8-inch wheelbase for much less; simply attempt.

Certain, you aren’t getting a variety of tools in your $19,815, however you additionally do not get a variety of the annoying crap that I discover myself turning off—lane-keep help, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning. What you do get is a guide gearbox coupled to a 147-hp 1.4-liter turbo engine and a 7.6-second run to 60. It isn’t simply fast both. The 1.Four returns 30 metropolis and 40 on the freeway, and in our regular 75-mph freeway take a look at the Jetta returned an actual 45 mpg. You additionally get metallic paint without cost (Pyrite Silver Metallic), energy home windows, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise management, six-way seats, LED headlights and taillights, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. So the Jetta won’t have the dealing with and pace of the 10Finest-winning Jetta GLI, however it’s largely the identical automotive. No different sub-$20Okay selection can declare to be even remotely associated to a 10Finest winner. — Tony Quiroga

Drew Dorian’s $20,355 Hyundai Accent Restricted

Simply since you’re buying on a funds does not imply you’ll be able to’t break the principles and deal with your self to a couple luxuries—that is precisely what I made a decision to do right here. Think about the 2020 Hyundai Accent. Sure, it is smaller than among the different autos right here, however its low base value (test the configurator) means there’s loads of room so as to add choices earlier than maxing out your $20,000 ceiling. Splurging may additionally be a clever choice, as fascinating options can assist enhance the automotive’s worth down the highway. The highest-spec Accent Restricted busts the funds—though solely simply—at $20,355, but it surely comes with fog lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated exterior mirrors, an influence sunroof, heated entrance seats, automated local weather management, keyless entry with push-button begin, and a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Accent Restricted comes with a 120-hp four-cylinder engine and a constantly variable automated transmission (CVT), which can hassle some drivers; a six-speed guide is on the market on the bottom SE mannequin, which carries an much more inexpensive price ticket. — Drew Dorian

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