For many of the decades in which Toyota has been around, they've absolutely dominated the affordable car market. They have the outstanding ability to make economical/fuel-efficient vehicle whilst simultaneously producing the greatest sports cars known to man (i.e. Toyota Supra Mark IV).
To this day, Toyota remains to be a powerhouse in the worldwide automotive industry, however, their grip has been slowly slipping over time. As such, many of their competitors have jumped at the opportunity and either met or exceeded Toyota's standards. Thanks to the diversity of the market and a free-economy, more and more cars have resurged as budget-friendly and alternatives to Toyota (More so now than ever before).
To illustrate this point, and show-off some options, here are fifteen cheap cars you should buy instead of a Toyota...
15 15. 2019 Dodge Charger
Dodge, and Fiat Chrysler more broadly, haven't always had the smoothest track-record in terms of reliability and sturdy vehicles. Yet, this has begun to change with Dodge's latest versions of their various models, especially the 2019 Charger. Beforehand, the Charger was just a poor attempt at a reboot, but, now, it's a good-looking car and can be either fuel-efficient or fast (Depending on what package the customer chooses).
14 14. Ford Fusion Hybrid
Just like with Dodge, Ford has also had their spotlight as a poorly set up manufacturing company. Unlike Dodge, however, Ford's still persists today with many of their models seen as 'sub-par.' There are, though, sometimes diamonds in the rough; that is what the Ford Fusion Hybrid is. Finally, Ford managed to make a good hybrid that's accessible and won't break down after 10,000 miles!
13 13. 2019 Dodge Challenger
As mentioned above, Dodge is one a, sort of, winning streak with their cars, particularly their muscle/sports cars. Sitting up their with the Charger is its bigger brother: The 2019 Dodge Challenger. These vehicles can both put out an extreme amount of power, yet, don't cost a fortune to repair or maintain. To concede, though, fuel-efficiency was never the Challenger's strong suit.
12 12. Buick Regal
Buick may be seen as an "old person's car," however, they've begun to break away from that stereotype. Examples include the new Regal, which is a Chevrolet Malibu-like sedan that offers acceptable safety standards and repair costs. Buick's do, usually, cost a lot, but can be found for much less used (If that's your style).
11 11. Lexus GS-Series
Before you say anything, yes, we're aware that Lexus is owned (In part) by Toyota. In this case, though, Lexus has distinguished itself as an entirely successful brand on their own and made good cars in the process. The new Lexus GS-series follows the trend of sharp looks that could cut a diamond and a high build-quality. To add to that, since there's still a bit of Toyota in there somewhere, Lexus' reliability is as good/better than Toyota's!
10 10. Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet hasn't just been killing it in the supercar department with the C8 Corvette, they've also cornered an important part of the American vehicle market: Ecologically-conscious urban commuters. The smaller alternative in their lineup is the Cruze; available in sedan and hatchback form. These vehicles are everything you'd want from a small new car: High M.P.G., low price-tag, cheap repairs, and an above-average aesthetic.
9 9. Kia Forte
A brand that too many consumers and enthusiasts appear to forget all too often is Kia. Sure, not every one of their tries have yielded results, but when they do, they're a forced to be reckoned with. Observe the Kia Forte, a sleek and surprisingly quick sedan built to rival the likes of Honda and Toyota. For racers, the Forte is of extra interest for the tests on-track and boosted GT version.
8 8. Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 is what happens when a company like Mazda feels the fire of competition underneath them. Using the technology and knowledge from their racing department and other models, Mazda unveiled their revised Mazda 6. The difference between the standard one and the new one is (Obviously) better fuel-economy, more power, extra features, and (Most importantly) looks that follow the rest of Mazda's current lineup. Here's hoping that they keep up the style...
7 7. Nissan Altima
Nissan has made some great cars throughout their history, however, one thing has plagued almost all of their newer vehicles: C.V.T. transmissions. Thankfully, Nissan has begun to break away from that chain by making transmissions and components that don't deteriorate after a few years, as evidenced by cars like their luxurious Altima.
6 6. Hyundai Elantra Eco
Coming up from the background is a carmaker some neglect to mention: Hyundai. Lately, they've done a pretty good job at keeping up with Toyota and Honda in terms of fuel-economy and low price-points. Their Elantra Eco embodies all of these characteristics, however, has received some criticism for a lack of features. If that doesn't bother you, then Hyundai may just be the route to go.
5 5. Kia Soul
As stated beforehand, Kia has had a lot of momentum in recent years with their new (And improved) lineup of cars. Their best, arguably, is the compact Kia Soul. At the moment, it sits up with the big-hitters for fuel-efficiency and reliability. The best part, though, is the savings!
4 4. Honda Fit
If you're not going to go for a Toyota, but still want something as good and as recognizable, then Honda is the perfect choice. To combat vehicles like the Toyota Yaris, Prius, and Kia Soul, Honda has made their own version called the Fit. It's, basically, everything you could want from an urban compact hatchback; including Civic-like aesthetics.
3 3. Hyundai Accent
When comfort, luxury, and excess features are important to the driver, Hyundai's Elantra Eco may be a turn-off. Their counter to that is the new Accent: A vehicle that looks like the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, and Nissan Versa had a child. It's better than the Elantra, yet, a little behind some of the others. Nevertheless, the Accent is still a suitable daily driver.
2 2. Honda Civic
What's the obvious choice that millions of consumers have gone for when they don't want a Toyota? If you didn't say Honda and their Civic, then you may be shocked to find that the Civic is one of the best, most affordable and well-built, economic cars on the market. They rarely suffer from break-downs, their components are strong, and are great for modifications and cruising around town!
1 1. Chevrolet Malibu
G.M. (General Motors) doesn't have the track-record for making good cars over their may decades in business. That's begun to change recently, with new management and a better understanding of both the market and customer desires. The Chevy Malibu is a prime example of their recovery; showcasing good looks, mind-blowing M.P.G. and a car that spends more time on the road than in a mechanic's garage.