The number of different vehicles on sale today can seem mind-numbingly high. That’s why narrowing your search by price is smarter now than ever. Though the average MSRP for a car hovers around $38,000 these days, we raised our price ceiling to add in some of the wonderful cars just above that median price — and pulled together the best cars on sale today for less than $50,000 for those of us who really love cars, be it for backroad fun or off-roading joy. Believe us: No matter what style you’re shopping for, you can’t go wrong with any choice on this list.
The Best New Cars Under $50,000 for People Who Love Driving
The new car market is crammed with vehicles these days. Instead of wasting your time, trust us: these are the best ones you’ll find for less than $50K for driving enthusiasts.
Ford
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Volkswagen
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Toyota
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Audi
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Tyler Duffy
Audi A4
Drivers with a DUI: 31.1 per 1,000
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Lexus
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Subaru
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Audi
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Lexus
Best Coupes Under $50,000: BMW M240i
Since the BMW M2 casts a very large shadow, you could be forgiven for forgetting about the M240i, but it would be a mistake to dismiss it altogether. The M2’s price point puts it out of reach for this list, but the M240i isn’t exactly a letdown; it offers more approachable performance, thanks to a beefier torque curve, as well as a more forgiving suspension for everyday driving on roads that aren’t racetrack-smooth.
BMW
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Mazda
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BMW
These Are the 16 Best Cars to Buy in 2021
Kelley Blue Book has released their best cars to buy awards for 2021. The results may surprise you.
Mercedes-Benz
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Mazda
Best Trucks Under $50,000: Ram 1500
Given the giant budgets the Big Three allocate to developing their full-size pickup trucks, it’s hard to find a truly bad one these days. But the king of the hill right now remains the Ram 1500, still riding high off its 2019 model year redesign. Combining car-like convenience and comfort with truck capability, it better than anything makes clear why Americans buy big rigs by the hundreds of thousands every year. The luxury car-spec Limited may be out of your price range at the $50K mark, but you can still score a great one for less than that.
Ram
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Ford
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Gear Patrol
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Audi
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Ford