CarEdge Insights
While everyone’s lining up for the same RAV4s, CR-Vs, and F-150s, there are plenty of excellent vehicles that offer similar value, without the markups or slim inventory. These 10 cars fly under the radar, and that’s actually good news for you. Less demand means better negotiating power, bigger discounts, and often, better manufacturer incentives.
We’ve focused this list on two things that matter most when playing it smart: reliability and affordability.
All vehicles start under $40,000. All offer legitimate value. If you disagree with any cars you see here, drop us a note on the CarEdge Community Forum. Maybe you’ll even change our minds!
Without further ado, these are the cars that we think are worth the test drive before you settle for the best-seller in your neighbor’s driveway.
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Starting Price: $30,745 MSRP with destination fees
Why It’s Underrated: Everyone wants the RAV4 Hybrid, so they overlook its smaller, cheaper sibling. Before you get in line for a 2026 RAV4, we think the less popular Corolla Cross Hybrid is worth a look.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid sits on Toyota’s proven platform, gets 42 mpg combined, and costs thousands less than a comparable RAV4 Hybrid. Consider this: the Corolla Cross XSE costs $8,000 less than the 2026 RAV4 XSE. It has nearly identical reliability credentials—because both models share Toyota’s 5th generation hybrid powertrain.
The interior is nicer than you’d expect at this price point, but it’s still a budget model. Plus, you can actually find these on dealer lots without a markup, unlike their RAV4 cousins.
Toyota sold just 100,000 copies of the Corolla Cross in 2025, despite tallying 478,000 sales for the very similar RAV4.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Starting Price: $28,445 MSRP with destination fees
Why It’s Underrated: People think it’s too small and too slow. They’re missing the point.
The Crosstrek is consistently in the top tier of Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings. It comes standard with all-wheel drive (most competitors charge $1,500-2,000 for that), gets excellent safety scores, and has one of the lowest cost-of-ownership figures in its class.
Yes, the base engine is underwhelming. But if you’re buying a Crosstrek for drag racing, you’ve already made a mistake. This is a get-to-work-in-a-snowstorm, haul-camping-gear type of compact crossover.
Subaru often brings low-APR incentives to the Crosstrek.
2026 Mazda CX-5
Starting Price: $31,485 MSRP with destination fees
Why It’s Underrated: The CX-5 has been around for over a decade with minimal issues. It has a borderline premium interior that rivals luxury brands, handles better than anything in its class, and has a low overall cost of ownership.
Better yet, Mazda routinely offers better manufacturer incentives than you’ll find for the RAV4 or CR-V. See the best offers of the month.
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Starting Price: $31,985 MSRP with destination fees
Why It’s Underrated: To many, Kia’s reputation is stuck in 2005. That’s unfortunate, because their vehicles aren’t.
The Sportage Hybrid won U.S. News’ “Best Cars for the Money” award. It comes loaded with features that cost extra on Toyota and Honda. Worried about reliability? Kia is winning over skeptics with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Kia’s reliability has genuinely improved. They’re not Toyota-level yet, but they’re solid mid-tier, and that warranty gives you coverage longer than most people keep their vehicles anyway. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel economy without the Toyota markup.
According to EPA testing, the 2026 Sportage Hybrid is good for 43 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving. That’s a few MPGs better than most RAV4 trim options!
2026 Honda Civic
Starting Price: $25,890 MSRP with destination fees
Why It’s Underrated: Are you sure you want to join the compact crossover club? The Civic is a legendary car full of value and character. In fact, along with the Toyota Camry, it’s one of the only sedans that still ranks in the top 10 sellers by volume. Looking to keep your car budget in check? That’s another reason to love the Civic: it starts at $25,890.
Unless you regularly haul a big family or go off-road, SUV drivers are paying extra for ride height you don’t need. The Civic gets better gas mileage, costs less to insure, is easier to park, and will last just as long as any crossover.
After peaking at 377,000 sales back in 2017, Honda sold just 238,000 Civics in 2025.
2026 Lexus UX
Starting Price: $38,250 MSRP with destination fees
Why It’s Underrated: People assume luxury means expensive repairs. With Lexus, that assumption is wrong.
The UX is the most reliable luxury subcompact SUV according to Consumer Reports. Lexus has topped J.D. Power’s dependability rankings three years running. What’s behind their success? To be frank, a Lexus is Toyota engineering with a nicer interior.
In 2026, the UX comes standard with a hybrid powertrain good for over 40 miles per gallon. This means hundreds of dollars in annual fuel savings for the average driver.
Yes, it’s smaller than German competitors. But it’s also more reliable than German competitors, cheaper to maintain, and will probably still feel premium in 10 years when others are nickel-and-diming you for sensors and software updates.
Browse Lexus UX listings near you
2026 Honda HR-V
Starting Price: $27,950 MSRP with destination fees
Why It’s Underrated: People think bigger is always better. In urban environments, a large SUV can be a headache.
The HR-V brings Honda’s legendary reliability to the subcompact crossover segment. Consumer Reports gives it above-average reliability ratings, and Honda’s track record for affordable maintenance speaks for itself.
The real magic is the interior space. Honda’s engineers are wizards at maximizing every inch. The cargo area is impressive for a vehicle of this size, and the rear seat is more spacious than many midsize SUVs. Pair that with decent fuel economy (28 mpg combined) and Honda’s reputation for going 200,000+ miles on an engine, and you have a smart choice for anyone who doesn’t need to tow a boat.
Last year, Honda sold 148,000 copies of the HR-V. That’s one-third of the sales that the CR-V achieved.
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