New cars get better every year, especially less expensive vehicles. In the past, if you wanted to save money, it meant sacrificing comfort, performance, and utility, but that’s no longer the case. For proof of that, look to the contenders for the Motor1.com 2021 Star Award for Best Value: the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, and Volkswagen Taos.

All three have a starting price in the low-to-mid $20,000 range, each offering a long list of standard and available safety and driver-assist technology. They’re reasonably comfortable and spacious, too, with fuel economy that keeps costs down even after you’ve paid off that loan.