Kia is among some major industry manufacturers that have expressed concern over new sourcing and assembly requirements in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Signed by President Biden last year, the IRA is a massive climate, energy, healthcare, and tax law that also unveiled a revamped electric vehicle tax credit.

To spur domestic EV production,” the Inflation Reduction Act requires that final assembly of so called “clean vehicles” occur in North America, for those EVs to qualify for the EV tax credit. The final assembly requirement became effective August 16, 2022. There is a similar requirement in the Inflation Reduction Act, that minerals and other key components (i.e., battery components), which are used to manufacture electric vehicles, also be primarily sourced in North America—by 2026.

Kia and Hyundai EV Assembly

South Korea has been vocal in its belief that the new EV tax credit requirements mean that many EVs, including those made by Hyundai and Kia, won’t qualify for the electric vehicle tax credit. To address those concerns, South Korean President, Yoon Suk-yeol, has met with President Biden to discuss the impact of the new EV manufacturing and sourcing requirements.

In September 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris also met with South Korea’s prime minister, Han Duck-soo. Both sides expressed a desire to work together throughout the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Acts’ electric vehicle tax credit provisions, which is ongoing at Treasury and the IRS.

The Affordable Electric Vehicles for America Act

Meanwhile, at the end of 2022, U.S. Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) encouraged the Biden administration to consider flexibility in the implementation of EV tax credit reforms. The Georgia senator proposed the Affordable Electric Vehicles for America Act, which would create a phase-in-period for the Inflation Reduction Act’s electric vehicle sourcing and manufacturing requirements.

The idea is that if automakers have more time to meet the new EV requirements, more buyers who purchase electric vehicles, will qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit.

Hyundai is set to begin construction this year on an EV auto manufacturing plant in Georgia. The multi-billion-dollar investment, which was announced in May 2022, is significant and could be directly impacted by the new electric vehicle tax credit requirements in the Inflation Reduction Act.

In proposing the Affordable Electric Vehicles for America Act, Warnock said that in addition to needing more time to meet onshoring requirements, Georgia automakers need more time to bring planned domestic EV facilities online. The Hyundai facility is scheduled to open in 2025 in Bryan County, GA.

Vehicles That Qualify for the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit

At this time, what, if anything will ever happen with Warnock’s bill. In the meantime, the Inflation Reduction Act’s requirements for sourcing and manufacturing electric vehicles in North America will be implemented in accordance with the law as enacted. The IRS expects to release that guidance in March.

Meanwhile, major EV industry automakers whose electric vehicles aren’t currently primarily sourced in North America, are likely to shift some manufacturing to the U.S., so that their vehicles might qualify for the new EV tax credit.

So, what can you do? Well, if you’re in the market for popular Kia Niro, Kia EV6, or Hyundai IONIQ5 electric vehicles for example, see if anything changes with the sourcing and manufacturing of Kia or Hyundai EVs. Also, keep an eye on the Department of Energy’s current listing of which vehicles are eligible for the new EV tax credit.

And, for more detailed information about the new EV tax credit and the Inflation Reduction Act, see EV Tax Credit Explained: What’s Changed and What's Ahead.

Shopping for a used car? Want it to be as safe as possible? Here’s the hitch: The absolute safest vehicle is almost always a brand-new model.

Each year, the latest cars boast more-effective active safety systems (such as automatic braking) as carmakers look to match evolving testing standards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Newer models also often have invisible structural improvements to aid performance in tests meant to closely simulate real-world collisions (such as hitting a utility pole). Headlight technology is advancing as well. So newer, and thus more expensive, generally means safer.

Don’t despair, though. Many of these features are available on vehicles selling for $10,000 to $20,000. We worked with IIHS’s annual rankings and value data from CarGurus.com to identify the safest models in that price range. Our quest was safety first, but not safety only: We looked for cars that enjoy good reputations for reliability and are popular choices in their segments. Take a look.

• Model year: 2016
• Used price: $18,283 (Limited AWD)

Small SUVs get all the attention (and sales) these days as Americans abandon sedans for a few inches of ride height and the convenience of a hatchback. That popularity means they don’t tend to depreciate as quickly in the used market; our top choice flirts with our price limit, and while we also would have liked to include the popular (and safe!) Honda CR-V, it’s just too pricey.

A used 2016 Hyundai Tucson is probably the most crashworthy small SUV you can put yourself in with up to $20,000 to spend. The Tucson passes the IIHS’s demanding small-offset test, which forces a much smaller part of the car’s structure to dissipate crash energy (imagine hitting a wall with just the corner of your car), for both driver and passenger. Among the category competitors the Tucson surpasses in this test are the 2016 Toyota RAV4 and the 2016 Subaru Forester.

We’re talking crashworthiness here: how well the car’s structure, air bags and seatbelts work together to protect the occupants in a collision. Any Tucson from 2016 forward meets that standard, and many are available for well under $20,000. The same goes for the Kia Sportage, built on the same platform, for models starting in 2017.

But as we mentioned, the IIHS also considers collision avoidance (systems that can slow or even stop a car if there’s an obstruction ahead) and headlight performance. You’ll find Hyundai’s automatic emergency braking on Tucsons with the Ultimate trim level, and the best headlights on Limited or higher trim.

• Model years: 2016-2018
• Used price: $18,315 (2017 Grand Touring AWD)

The smallest of Mazda’s SUV line, the CX-3 scores impressively for crashworthiness and collision avoidance and rates “acceptable” for headlights (if you get the i-ACTIVSENSE package). You can buy one fully loaded for less than $20,000. However, it’s tiny--roughly 600 pounds lighter than the Tucson. As the IIHS notes, “Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones.” Since the laws of physics still apply, that’s something to keep in mind.

• Model years: 2003-2014
• Used price: $13,740 (2013 3.2 FWD), $17,086 (2013 3.2 R-Design Platinum AWD)

The IIHS has separate categories for midsize SUVs, midsize luxury SUVs and large SUVs. We searched all of these with our own standard: only models with three rows. Finding one of these big boys under $20,000 wasn’t easy. Models that feature the collision-avoidance technology and fancy headlights that the IIHS gives weight to in recent years usually cost substantially more.

Pulling up in a 2013 Volvo XC90 will reassure the other parents in the soccer carpool that you’re putting safety first; crash tests still support the Swedish brand’s reputation. It was rated “good” for the driver’s side small-overlap test (the passenger wasn’t tested). Notably, this test rating extends all the way back to this model’s introduction in 2003, so you can shop way back if you want to save some money without sacrificing any crashworthiness. On the other hand, newer, high-trim models are more likely to feature projector headlights. While the IIHS didn’t actually test XC90 headlight performance, we think it’s a fair bet to extrapolate from other results that the projectors are likely to be better than the old-fashioned halogen reflector beams. We provided a price range for 2013 models, from the cheapest trim to the fanciest.

• Honorable mention: The 2014 Ford Flex. This huge, retro-styled SUV actually shares some DNA with the XC90, as it dates from the era when Ford owned Volvo. But it scored only an “acceptable” on the driver’s side small-overlap test. Also, it’s far scarcer on the used market.

• Model years: 2016-2017
• Used price: $15,934 (2017 LX with Honda Sensing Package)

As the popularity of SUVs of all sizes has surged, sedan sales have suffered – to the point that the domestic manufacturers are scaling back production, or in Ford’s case, dropping them altogether. But if you can stomach the social opprobrium of a sedan (we’re joking, mostly), you can get yourself into a number of cars with excellent IIHS safety ratings for well under $20,000.

The eternally crowd-pleasing Honda Accord earns the IIHS’s highest ranking, Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+), for model years 2016 and 2017. Accords of these years scored “good” in small-overlap testing for both sides. A plus if you’re shopping for one now: Honda made its collision avoidance system, called Honda Sensing, available across trim lines, so even an LX model with cloth seats can have the latest tech (though on the used market, Sensing will still be more common on the pricier EX and Touring trims). You could also consider the previous generation, 2013-2015. Crashworthiness is a match, but the collision system is more primitive.

• Honorable mention: The Honda Civic does just as well in crash testing. However, it is smaller than the Accord, so draw your own conclusions about which is really safer. This video -- see what happens when a Smart car hits a Mercedes C-class sedan – might help.
• Honorable mention: Another Honda product, the hybrid Honda Insight, has been reintroduced for 2019. Its crash scores match its stable mates. It’s 200 pounds heavier than the Civic, and its headlights (rated “good”) beat the Civic’s (“poor”). But you’d be buying this new, and it’s right on the $20,000 threshold.

• Model years: 2016-2017
• Used price: $16,663 (Grand Touring with Technology Package, 2016)

Mazda scaled back the “Zoom-Zoom” ad campaign ages ago, but the design ethos continues to this day. The Mazda6 both looks and drives a bit sportier than most of its sedan competitors here.

The model we’re looking at here was launched in 2014, but the 2016 (and later) models benefit from some airbag reprogramming to get “good” ratings for the IIHS small-overlap test. The headlights are rated “acceptable,” the same as the Honda Accord. A distinction, though: That rating only applies to the higher-trim models that have LED projector beams and other advanced features. Lower-trim halogen reflector beams are just “marginal.”

The brand’s smaller sedan, the Mazda3, is also worth a look. However, only the 2019 model gets the critical small-overlap tests right, and it sits right on the $20,000 bubble.

• Model years: 2016-2018
• Used price: $14,988 (SL with Technology Package, 2016)

No zoom-zoom from the Nissan Altima, but plenty of value. According to the IIHS, Nissan made changes in 2016 to the front-end structure and reinforced the junction of the door sill, hinge pillar, and footwell to get this model through the small-overlap tests. So even though this redesign dates back to 2013 (part of the reason its price is cheap), you shouldn’t go older than 2016.

To get the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating, you’ll need to look for an SL trim level (the highest) equipped with the Technology Package (to get crash prevention and better headlights). That will push the price up, but the Altima is still on the cheaper side of this category, so you could also pick out a 2017 or maybe even a 2018 model.

• Model year: 2017
• Used price: $18,743 (2.0i Limited with EyeSight package)

The Impreza is Subaru’s smaller sedan offering, about 400 pounds lighter than its big brother, the Legacy. So why does it come first here when we put the Honda Accord ahead of the smaller Civic? Crash-test results. A 2017 redesign put the Impreza through the small-overlap testing that’s the latest challenge for carmakers. The Legacy didn’t pass that until a 2018 redesign. With our $20,000 price cap, that year of depreciation matters. With Subarus holding residual value well, the Legacy is north of the price limit and the Impreza squeezes under, when equipped at a level that includes the LED projector headlights and the EyeSight collision prevention system needed to earn TSP+.

The crashworthiness applies to a family of smaller Subarus: both the sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza from 2017 forward, as well as the higher-riding Crosstek wagon from 2018 forward.

• Honorable mentions: Having opened the door to smaller vehicles with the Impreza, we should also mention a range of small-but-safe options from Hyundai Motor Company: the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT (not the regular Elantra, the GT – this one is a hatchback), the 2017 Hyundai Ionique Hybrid and the 2017 or 2018 Kia Niro. All are TSP+ vehicles.

• Model years: 2010-2013
• Used price: $17,902 (2013, Grade 4.6L)

One thing’s for sure with a pickup truck: You’ve got size on your side. But not many pickup trucks get good marks from the IIHS. Plus, they’re expensive. To stay under our price cap, we had to reach back to 2013, when the Toyota Tundra Double Cab was named a Top Safety Pick. But remember that as you go older, testing standards weren’t as rigorous. The Tundra got a good rating for the IIHS’s moderate-overlap test but wasn’t subjected to the small-overlap test on either side. In 2013, collision-prevention systems were not available on a Tundra, and headlights weren’t tested by IIHS.

If you’d like to spend less and get more features, you can go back to 2010, when the driver and passenger front air bags and front seat belts were modified, and knee air bags for the driver and front passenger were added.

• Model years: 2009-2013
• Used price: $19,643 (XLT SuperCrew 4WD, 2013)

The Ford F-150 SuperCrew is an even bigger beast than the Tundra, with test scores just as good. Again, this older testing doesn’t include small overlap, collision prevention or headlights. Since you can shop back to 2009 and enjoy the same crashworthiness, you can probably find yourself a fancy trim level such as Platinum and still stay under $20,000.

We should note that if you’re willing to spend a bit over $20,000 (and settle for a bare-bones truck), a 2015 Ford SuperCrew is the only recent pickup truck to get “good” ratings for both driver and passenger side small-overlap testing. Prices start at $21,850 (for the XL trim, 2WD) and rise steeply as you add goodies.

When buying or leasing a new car, Kiplinger readers know to consider depreciation and residual value. In a purchase, the better your new ride holds its value, the more resale dollars you’ll eventually capture. With leases, the higher the residual value, the lower the monthly payment. But when it comes to buying used, depreciation can be your friend. For a variety of reasons, some used cars have depreciated faster than their peers but are still great values.

You have to be willing to look past the blue-chip brands in each class of cars—usually the Toyotas, Hondas and Subarus—to the unsung and overlooked Fords, Chevys and Hyundais. American and Korean brands are turning out some high-quality vehicles lately that have slipped under the radar of the used car market. The high residual values and costs of the blue chips, while well deserved, are due largely to their popularity, notes Ronald Montoya, senior consumer editor for Edmunds.com.

The hidden values, by comparison, might mean "buying from a brand you're not familiar with, or not comfortable with," Montoya explains.

And note that a used car with a rock-bottom price isn’t necessarily a steal. Some fetch a fraction of their original price because, well, they're not very good. But working with Edmunds, and with an eye to reliability (as measured by Consumer Reports), we looked at a range of two-year-old vehicles (an age representing a "sweet spot" on the depreciation curve) and lined up eight models that are the hidden values of the used car market. Have a look.

The Honda CR-V is the blue chip in this popular segment. The 2015 model is the fourth generation of this popular sport-utility, and it commands a considerable premium in the market, holding 83% of its value two years on.Consider the Ford Escape as an alternative. It has depreciated to about 66% of its initial price. And Consumer Reports gave the 2015 Escape the exact same reliability and owner-satisfaction rankings as the CR-V.

Given the discount, you could opt for a fancy trim level, such as Titanium, which gets you leather seats with power adjustment for both driver and passenger, and spring for the Escape’s biggest, most powerful engine, the four-cylinder EcoBoost 2.0. With that engine, the Escape can tow 3,500 pounds, far more than the CR-V's 1,500 pounds.

One caveat: For 2015 models, the Escape lags the CR-V in safety, as measured by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It did not perform as well on the demanding "small-overlap" frontal crash test, meant to simulate hitting a utility pole or similar object.

The crossover craze has come at the expense of sedan sales, but that just means opportunity for the value shopper. This roost is ruled by the Honda Accord, which typically retains 75% of its original value after two years, and the Toyota Camry, which has seen its residual value eroded to about 67% of what it sold for new.

While fashion may have turned away from the sedan class, manufacturers have spent years fiercely competing in this segment, and the progress they made in engineering and quality hasn't gone away. It's yours to enjoy at an even greater discount if you'll give consideration to the Ford Fusion (60% of original value) and Hyundai Sonata (63%).

Comparing those two, the Fusion edges the Sonata on Consumer Reports' reliability rating, though both lag the Camry and Accord. But keep in mind that Hyundai continues to offer the longest warranty out there. If you buy a two-year-old Sonata, you still have three years of comprehensive coverage left.

The loyalties of truck people are deeply held—just look at the stickers on the owners’ back windows. A few observations from a car reviewer aren’t going to turn a Chevrolet guy into a Ford guy (or vice versa).

Fortunately, looking at the numbers, we can steer clear of the Ford-Chevy fissure altogether. A Toyota, the Tundra, is at the top of the retained-value charts again, holding 84% of its value. At the other end of the spectrum is the Ram 1500 (yes, just Ram, not Dodge Ram—that change happened in 2009). It retains 68% of its value, the lowest in this class, below large trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC and Nissan. That puts the price of an average 2015 Ram under $30,000. "Really solid, comfortable trucks," says Edmunds' Montoya. Consumer Reports' testers gave special praise to its 8-speed transmission and suspension.

So, what gives? Reliability. One potential patch for that vulnerability is to consider an extended warranty, but, as ever, be careful with these insurance products, Montoya warns. Get it from the manufacturer, and don't let the price of the warranty wipe out the savings of a less-expensive vehicle.

The compact car in our comparison with the lowest depreciation is the Subaru Impreza, holding a rather astonishing 84% of its value. A better benchmark here is the Honda Civic, at 79%, because a good part of Subaru's high retained value is due to its standard all-wheel drive, which is uncommon among its peers.

But even as the Honda holds its place with a well-deserved reputation for reliability, the value shopper here should take a look at the Chevrolet Cruze. Depreciated to 68% of its new price, the small Chevy sedan offers an impressively quiet ride, nice handling and a dashboard that's much better laid out than the Civic's polarizing two-level arrangement—all for thousands less than the Honda.

In terms of reliability, the Cruze isn't on par with the Civic, but it’s better than the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Jetta, which you’ll also find down in the discount bin.

Another dark-horse contender to consider: the 2015 Hyundai Elantra GT. A sporty hatchback version of the Elantra, its sharp handling and zoomy styling are noteworthy. The Elantra GT is heavily discounted (58% of sale price) and has excellent reliability to boot. But it sold poorly, so you might have a hard time finding one.

• Honda’s Odyssey and Toyota’s Sienna have traded the mantle of blue-chip minivan for years, depending usually on which one has had the fresher redesign. Meanwhile, Kia has been steadily improving its minivan offering, the Kia Sedona. It’s worth a look.

Considered an overweight also-ran when it debuted over a decade ago, the Sedona’s 2015 redesign has made it a real contender. The design could almost be considered minivan disguise: a stepped-up third side window and long, low nose evoke a large crossover.

And despite the attractive styling, it’s still the value contender in this category. While the 2015 Odyssey sells for about 78% of its new list price, the 2015 Sedona has depreciated to 60%. Because these cars cost between $30,000 and $40,000 new, that’s many thousands in potential savings. What’s more, the Kia gives up nothing to the Odyssey in safety: Both scored Top Safety Pick designations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Lexus RX has long held sway in this category (first the RX300, then the RX330 and now, a few redesigns in, the RX 350). Top-notch fit and finish, luxury appointments on top of the bones, and the reliability of the Camry platform help it hold onto 74% of its value two years in. If there's a criticism, it's that the car is too quiet, which some find boring.

Cue Cadillac's SRX to shake things up a bit. With the 2015 model, you'll get a direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 that delivers more power than the RX 350’s engine. The SRX's styling, in our humble opinion, delivers a much sharper look. The Cadillac has depreciated to 72% of its sales price, as opposed to the Lexus' 74%. But a warning: Spend some time with the car's screen-based user system, dubbed CUE (for Cadillac User Experience), and make sure you can live with it. The flush touch surfaces are not everyone's cup of tea.

You might also look for the Lincoln MKX. Its layout is very similar to the other two, and according to Consumer Reports, the MKX is every bit as reliable as the Lexus. With a residual value of 66%, the Lincoln goes for thousands less than the Lexus, though you might find it a bit scarce.

We don’t think we’re likely to make die-hard driving enthusiasts stray from their devotion to the BMW 3 Series. Its reputation as a driver’s car is well earned and a big reason the car retains 76% of its value two years after sale. Furthermore, the 3 Series has an exceptionally wide range of engines and trim levels, so making good apples-to-apples comparisons with other cars can be tough. But if you’re one of the many people who want a nice-looking car that says “I have arrived,” you should give the Cadillac CTS a look.

Like Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti and others, Cadillac has been gunning for the 3 Series benchmark for years, and the 2015 CTS has the sharp handling and quick acceleration you’d expect from BMW, along with appointments to satisfy the “luxury” part of this class of vehicle. But with two-year depreciation dropping the price to about 67%, you can get into one cheaper than you can a BMW, and the CTS gets similar reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. Like the Cadillac SRX, it has the CUE dash system, which has controls that some find off-putting.

Quiz: Car Insurance: Are You Covered?

The smallest and cheapest of cars tend to lose the most value. A Daimler-Benz Smart Fortwo is worth barely half of its sticker price two years out; the same is true of the Fiat 500. These cars provide a reminder that heavy depreciation can also be a warning sign. Both have iffy reliability records and many dissatisfied buyers.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Honda Fit, which has been wowing car reviewers and flying off dealership floors (with minimal discounts) since its 2001 debut. A 2015 model holds 84% of its new value today.

In between those two extremes lies one of Kiplinger's all-time favorites, the Kia Soul. This high-roofed, boxy compact impressed us at its debut, and a 2014 redesign gave it greater refinement. It’s now quieter, with a smoother ride, and the redesigned model earns a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS.

It's a good car for both young drivers (it included Bluetooth and USB integration back when those were rare on an inexpensive car) and older drivers (upright seating position, decent visibility). Highway mileage is only so-so, partly as a consequence of having to push that brick-like shape through the air. But the Soul holds 74% of its new value, letting it slot in at about $1,000 less than the Fit.

Bargains in used cars are tougher to find. A dip in new-car sales and leases during the Great Recession means fewer three- and four-year-old used cars are entering the market. Plus, in the wake of the recession, buyers turned to used cars in a big way, tightening supply even more.

We picked ten vehicles -- five sedans, three crossovers, a wagon and a minivan -- that received top scores in Kiplinger\'s rankings for performance, value and safety, plus got high marks for reliability. We didn\'t pick super-fuel-efficient models, such as the Toyota Prius, because prices have soared to stratospheric levels. If you\'re in the market for a small car with high fuel-economy numbers, do the math and see whether a new model is a better value. For tips on finding bargains, check out our article on how to get the best deal on a used car.

Dealer and private-party prices are based on actual transactions reported by Edmunds.com for previously owned vehicles considered to be in \"clean\" condition and driven an average of 12,000 miles a year. We also include the certified used price of each vehicle, based on actual sales. Certified vehicles pass a rigorous inspection and include a warranty that goes beyond the car\'s original warranty.

Price when new: $19,545 (automatic)

Dealer used price: $9,902

Private-party price: $8,731

Certified used price: $11,480

MPG (city/hwy): 21/30

Hyundai\'s Sonata offers a thrifty 2.4-liter engine, standard stability control and six airbags. Plus, it keeps ownership costs low -- the brand\'s 5-year/60,000-miles new-car warranty and five-year no-charge roadside assistance transfer to new owners (they get the remainder of both). The famed 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, however, doesn\'t transfer.

Price when new: $18,190

Dealer used price: $12,191

Private-party price: $10,967

Certified used price: $12,859

MPG (city/hwy): 20/27

Engaging driving dynamics and Subaru\'s always-standard all-wheel drive are only part of the Impreza\'s appeal. It garnered a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and has side and side-curtain airbags. If a collision causes the front airbags to deploy, smart technology protects the driver and front-seat passenger. Sensors measure the driver\'s proximity to the steering wheel, as well as the passenger\'s weight (to determine whether a child or an adult is occupying the seat), and adjust the airbags\' force accordingly.

Price when new: $23,225

Dealer used price: $13,114

Private-party price: $11,937

Certified used price: $14,141

MPG (city/hwy): 22/33

With its 2008 redesign, the Malibu garnered a lot of accolades: Kiplinger\'s Best New Car and Best in Class awards were just a cherry topping to the industry\'s prestigious North American Car of the Year award. But to play it safe, we recommend buying a redesigned vehicle in the second year of production -- the first year\'s examples often have kinks to work out. For 2009, stability control became standard across the trim lineup, along with side and side-curtain airbags.

Price when new: $21,020

Dealer used price: $14,971

Private-party price: $13,435

Certified used price: $16,123

MPG (city/hwy): 22/27

After a 2008 redesign, when we named it Best New Small Crossover, the Rogue ascended to Kiplinger\'s Best in Class award for 2009. Its stylish exterior complements the value it holds inside -- including a peppy 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, stability and traction control, and six airbags. Plus, it was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

Price when new: $21,370

Dealer used price: $15,135

Private-party price: $14,089

Certified used price: $16,402

MPG (city/hwy): 20/27

A perennial Kiplinger\'s Best New and Best Used pick, the Honda CR-V keeps its value throughout its lifespan. It boasts fuel economy on par with a midsize sedan, but it has more than twice the cargo capacity (36 cubic feet behind the rear seats). Its standard stability control and six airbags helped win it a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

Price when new: $25,240 (automatic)

Dealer used price: $15,218

Private-party price: $14,068

Certified used price: $16,256

MPG (city/hwy): 20/26

The Outback offers the best of both worlds: car-like construction to aid in maneuverability and fuel economy, plus the utility of all-wheel drive, copious amounts of cargo room (34 cubic feet) and a higher stance that improves visibility. Six airbags are standard, and it was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, too.

Price when new: $31,495

Dealer used price: $16,634

Private-party price: $15,271

Certified used price: $17,653

MPG (city/hwy): 18/28

Just a year after Ford revived the Taurus nameplate, it added standard stability control and earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Limited trim comes with Ford\'s voice-activated SYNC system, which allows you to connect music devices with USB and phones via Bluetooth, making them easier to use safely.

Price when new: $30,035

Dealer used price: $18,315

Private-party price: $16,689

Certified used price: $20,424

MPG (city/hwy): 16/22

It seats seven and has 17 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third-row seats (48 cubic feet with the third row folded down), which helped the CX-9 win Kiplinger\'s Best in Class award for this model year. Safety bragging rights include an optional blind-spot monitoring system -- which will alert you if there’s something in your blind spot when you attempt to change lanes -- and standard stability control.

Price when new: $26,865 (7-passenger)

Dealer used price: $18,463

Private-party price: $16,692

Certified used price: $19,882

MPG (city/hwy): 17/23

Multiple seating configurations make this minivan family- and cargo-friendly. In the seven-passenger LE, the removable second row captain\'s chairs can be spaced out to give your brood elbow room, or arranged as a bench for easier access to the third row. The third row is split 60/40, and the sections fold over or completely flat. Even the front passenger seat folds down, should you have serious cargo needs.

Price when new: $36,615

Dealer used price: $23,889

Private-party price: $22,308

Certified used price: $26,174

MPG (city/hwy): 18/25

The Infiniti G gives German sedans like the BMW 3-series and Audi A4 a run for their money, but it costs thousands less. The 2009 model got a larger, 3.7-liter V6 engine that puts out 328 horsepower, as well as a seven-speed automatic transmission -- plus, it packs in essential safety features, such as head and side airbags and stability control.

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QUIZ: How to Get the Best Deal on a Used Car

QUIZ: 10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance

First, the bad news: the prices of crude oil -- and gasoline at the pump -- are through the roof again. Pundits talk grimly about the nation's overdependence on oil from nations in turmoil in the Middle East and north Africa -- and the potential for even more price spikes ahead.

But here's a bright spot: Americans are using less oil -- a trend that’s sure to continue. U.S. oil consumption peaked in 2005, at about 21 million barrels per day, and the trend is expected to continue for the rest of the decade. What's going on? Here are eight reasons America will keep reducing its thirst for oil.

By Jim Patterson, Associate Editor, The Kiplinger Letter

March 2011

By the 2016 model year, automakers will have to achieve average fuel economy for their passenger cars and light trucks of 34.1 miles per gallon, up from 27.3 mpg in the 2011 model year. The rule change means auto companies will have to improve their models’ fuel efficiency by 4.3% each year between now and 2016.

Washington isn’t stopping there -- regulators are working on even stricter rules for model years 2017 through 2025, with final targets expected to range from 47 to 62 mpg for cars and light trucks. These conservation moves spell a huge reduction in oil use.

Battery power promises to take fuel efficiency to the max, as automakers expand their offerings of conventional hybrid cars and roll out models that can run purely on electricity. The 50-mpg Toyota Prius, the most recognizable hybrid on the road, faces increasing competition from Honda, Ford, Hyundai and other manufacturers making their own hybrids.

Meanwhile, Nissan’s all-electric Leaf and Chevy’s plug-in hybrid Volt run on electrons and never or seldom need gas. Look for more manufacturers to join the electric-car rollout in the next few years, particularly as battery costs decline.

In response to rising consumer demand, automakers are designing downsized engines that keep horsepower up while cutting fuel consumption. How? They're using turbochargers, direct fuel injection and advanced transmissions with more gears. Result: Ford, Hyundai, Chevrolet and Honda have all recently introduced conventional gas-powered cars that achieve at least 40 mpg on EPA’s highway test cycle. These cars include models of Ford’s Fiesta and Focus, Chevrolet’s Cruze, Honda’s Civic and the Hyundai Elantra.

Until a year ago, the only gas-powered, nonhybrid car in the U.S. that could manage that trick was Daimler’s smart fortwo, a tiny two-seater. Meanwhile, lots of older gas guzzlers were retired as part of Uncle Sam’s recent cash-for-clunkers program.

The number of miles driven by U.S. drivers grew every year from 1991 until 2005. But the trend reversed in 2006, as the number of miles driven dropped slightly from 2005’s 1.7 trillion.

The trend continued into 2007 and accelerated dramatically in 2008 -- down to just over 1.6 million -- when expensive oil pushed gas prices over $4 per gallon. The consensus among analysts is that the trend will continue. As the age-old axiom puts it: The cure for high prices is...high prices.

The rapid spread and widespread use of global positioning systems for finding the fastest, least-congested routes to work and other destinations is making travel more efficient. Truckers are leading the way. The price of diesel fuel is their biggest cost, and with diesel fuel now more costly than gasoline, trucking firms are doing all they can to wring more miles out of each gallon. GPS is playing a big role, helping drivers drive smarter and conserve fuel.

Meanwhile, railroads -- also a user of diesel fuel -- are switching to lighter rail cars, more-efficient locomotives and friction-reducing rails to cut their consumption.

More than half of all states now employ some form of electronic toll collection, which allows drivers to pay road tolls without having to stop and fumble for change to hand an attendant while wasting fuel and, in turn, causing fuel-wasting backups.

E-ZPass and other such electronic systems will grow more prevalent as cash-strapped states look for ways to cut toll collecting expenses, including salaries for toll collectors. It’s a small change that can save millions of gallons of fuel each year.

Abundant supplies of natural gas in the U.S. spell a viable and growing alternative to oil. Today, there are about 110,000 vehicles running on natural gas in the U.S. Most are in light-duty commercial roles -- city buses, for example.

But vehicle use of natural gas is poised to soar in coming years as new fields are tapped, driving the price of natural gas to rock bottom. It’s cheap, too -- engines burning compressed natural gas cost less to operate than oil-powered models. Truckers are eying a switch to liquefied natural gas that produces the same power as big diesel engines at about $1.50 less per gallon.

Ethanol distilled from corn has already displaced about 10% of U.S. oil demand. That’s sure to go up, courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency’s thumbs-up to a 50% increase in the amount of ethanol that refiners can blend into regular gasoline. Also helping the cause: Growing acceptance and use of E85 -- 85% ethanol and 15% gas -- in vehicles equipped with "flex fuel" engines.

Though cars running on E85 get fewer miles per fill-up, the cost of a gallon of E85 is now about 50¢ cheaper than a gallon of gasoline. That’s getting people’s attention. Biofuels will make even greater inroads as production expands from grains to nonfood materials such as algae, switchgrass and, yes, even household trash that’s now thrown into landfills.

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