X

Year's Best: 5 of our favorite economy cars of 2016

Despite the overwhelming preponderance of crossovers, economical sedans and hatchbacks are still an excellent value, and they're pretty good to drive, too. Here are some of our favorites.

Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
2016chevycruze-2.jpg
1 of 15 Nick Miotke/Roadshow

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is a vast improvement over the previous generation.

2016chevycruze-23.jpg
2 of 15 Nick Miotke/Roadshow

With solid handling, a complement of in-car tech and some decent looks to boot, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is a solid contender in the thick segment of affordable cars.

2016_ChevyCruze-3
2016_ChevyCruze-3
3:51
3 of 15 Nick Miotke/Roadshow

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze sports a complete makeover, giving it an appearance that dances between anonymous and handsome.

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback
4 of 15 Honda

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback

Need to put some junk in the trunk? The new Honda Civic Hatchback will help.

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback
5 of 15 Honda

The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback packs everything we love about the new Civic -- which is, well, just about everything -- but with some extra storage capacity.

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback
6 of 15 Honda

The new Civic Hatchback also happens to be one of the most handsome affordable cars you can get your hands on.

2016-volkswagen-golf-tsi-s-10.jpg
7 of 15 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

2016 Volkswagen Golf

They're not all diesels, folks, and it would be a shame to throw out the baby with the bathwater, because the gas-powered 2016 Volkswagen Golf is still a very good car.

2016-volkswagen-golf-tsi-s-27.jpg
8 of 15 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf is sensible and straightforward, and it provides solid driving dynamics without breaking the bank, as German cars are typically wont to do.

2016 Volkswagen Golf TSI S 18
2016 Volkswagen Golf TSI S 18
8:13
9 of 15 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

2016 Mazda Mazda6
10 of 15 Jon Wong/Roadshow

2016 Mazda Mazda6

It's a little bigger than the other ones on this list, but the Mazda6 is still one of the best affordable cars you can buy -- if you care about the driving experience.

2016 Mazda Mazda6
11 of 15 Jon Wong/Roadshow

The 2016 Mazda6 drives well, it looks good and it's not going to tear your wallet asunder. What's not to like?

2016 Mazda Mazda6
12 of 15 Jon Wong/Roadshow

The Mazda6 is the most highly rated affordable car that we reviewed in 2016, and for good reason.

2017hyundaielantralimited-03137.jpg
13 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

2017 Hyundai Elantra

Do you want a car that might be more technologically capable than you are? The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is the one for you, then.

2017hyundaielantralimited-03149.jpg
14 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Hyundai's great at providing an obscene amount of value for the equipment received, and the 2017 Elantra keeps that alive with a whole host of cabin tech at a pretty sensible price.

2017 Hyundai Elantra
2017 Hyundai Elantra
13:47
15 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos