Car shopping is about investing in a long-lasting vehicle, not just choosing one that looks good or fits your budget. Japanese cars are reliable, inexpensive, and long-lasting, sometimes beating the 10-year mark with few faults, delivering great value for their price.
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If you’re shopping for a reliable ride under $35,000, these five Japanese models stand out. From budget-friendly sedans to versatile SUVs, they’ve earned top marks for durability and owner satisfaction. Here’s a closer look at these vehicles and why they’re worth considering for the long haul.
2024 Mazda 3
- Starting Price: $25,355
The 2024 Mazda 3 is a stylish compact car that perfectly blends performance and reliability. With a solid 4.0 out of 5.0 rating from RepairPal, it ranks ninth among compact cars, and its average annual repair cost is just $433 — pretty wallet-friendly! The Mazda 3 offers both naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, giving you up to 250 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency of 23-36 mpg.
Inside, you’ll find a high-quality interior packed with advanced safety tech. According to Gretchen Seidel, Principal at Seidel & Co, “The Mazda3 is a great car … with solid safety features and good tech.”
Plus, with 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, it’s a smart choice for everyday adventures.
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Toyota Corolla 2024
- Starting Price: $22,050
For a very, very long time, the Toyota Corolla has stood for a reliable small car. J.D. Power gives it a 78/100 reliability rating in 2024, indicating that it has the engine of two of Japan’s best reliable vehicles under $35K. Standard models have great fuel economy; the combined numbers are 31 mp, and hybrids can get up to 50 mpg.
The Corolla is easy to control and has safety features, as well as a good firmness and softness ratio that many owners like. It comes with Toyota Safety Sense — including pre-collision braking and lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking. Furthermore, CarEdge finds that this car is an economical one to maintain, estimated at $4,229 over the 10-year lifespan.
2024 Nissan Altima
- Starting Price: Approximately $26,370
Seidel recommends the 2024 Nissan Altima for its exceptional comfort, efficiency, and safety. She highlights that the Altima ‘gives a comfortable ride and has high reliability scores for the last five years. With an available VC-Turbo engine producing up to 248 horsepower and achieving an impressive fuel economy of 34 mpg, it’s a standout choice under $35,000.
Nissan Safety Shield 360 and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA is included with the Altima. The modern tech includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus 15.4 cubic feet of spacious trunk space. The Altima is a good long-term ownership candidate with expected maintenance costs of over $5,600 over ten years.
2024 Honda Civic
- Starting Price: $23,950
Honda Civic always had extra bits of sporty appeal, which they always have in their DNA, and have also been known to have durability along with excellent resale value. With a reliability score of 8.4/10, the vehicle was one of the most reliable compact cars for the 2024 model year. Many of the Civics are still running over 200,000 miles, and regular servicing, according to the car owners, is one of the most reliable vehicles on the road.
The new generation of the Honda Civic offers impressive fuel efficiency, achieving a mileage of 30 to 36 mpg. Furthermore, the sale value of the car is quite high, according to CarEdge. The large cabin is finished with high-quality materials. With most trims having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included for practicality and performance, it’s a pretty perfect option.
2024 Subaru Impreza
Starting Price: $22,995
As Seidel points out, “Subaru is a great example of Japanese innovation, but it’s often ‘overlooked’ for brands like Toyota and Honda. Yet its all-wheel drive systems and safety features have earned it top spots in dependability studies.” This car is especially helpful for drivers in places with severe weather, like snow and rain.
The Subaru Impreza delivers fuel efficiency of approximately 28 to 36 mpg, making it a solid and economical choice for daily driving. Its spacious interior and cargo capacity are appreciated by owners who are families or outdoor enthusiasts. An estimated $6,200 in low maintenance costs are predicted over a ten-year period for this car.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Japanese Cars Under $35K That Can Last More Than a Decade
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