Millions of car shoppers turn to Kelley Blue Book to get an estimate of how much a used car is worth. But the publication has also released a list of “Best Buys” for those looking to purchase a brand-new vehicle instead.
The 11th annual Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards highlight some of the best 2025 cars, SUVs and trucks. The rankings are based on a year of testing nearly every new and redesigned vehicle currently available in the United States.
Kelley Blue Book says its reviewers “put the latest vehicles through their paces” in determining which cars rise to the top of each category list.
Some of the factors that are included in the rankings are:
- Build quality
- Pricing against the competition
- Cabin materials
- Seating comfort
- Ease of entry and exit
- Luggage space
- Amenities
- Infotainment systems
The publication also looks at resale value and its “five-year cost to own” data in determining the rankings.
Based on that work, these are the new cars that Kelley Blue Book has named as “Best Buys” for those hunting for a new vehicle.
‘Best Buy’ trucks
Trucks appeal to drivers who need to tow or haul things or who want extra cargo space. These vehicles are known for both their durability and their ability to remain on the road for many years. The top-selling vehicles of 2024 in America — the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado — were trucks.
The latest truck models that Kelley Blue Book named “Best Buy” are:
- Best compact truck: 2025 Ford Maverick
- Best midsize truck: 2025 Toyota Tacoma
- Best full-size truck: 2025 Ford F-150
- Best electric truck: 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning
‘Best Buy’ SUVs
SUVs offer drivers the safety of a bigger vehicle and the higher driving position that many people crave. The popularity of these vehicles has soared nearly tenfold since 2010.
The latest SUV models that Kelley Blue Book named “Best Buy” are:
- Best subcompact SUV: 2025 Hyundai Kona
- Best compact SUV: 2025 Honda CR-V
- Best midsize SUV: 2025 Kia Telluride
- Best electric vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best 3-row electric vehicle: 2025 Kia EV9
‘Best Buy’ cars and minivan
Those who want a smaller — and often cheaper — vehicle tend to gravitate toward sedans and other vehicles. The popularity of smaller cars is fading fast, but they remain the top choice for some drivers.
The latest car and minivan models that Kelley Blue Book named “Best Buy” are:
- Best new model and best midsize car: 2025 Toyota Camry
- Best compact car: 2025 Honda Civic
- Best minivan: 2025 Toyota Sienna
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