Cars are designed to fit into specific categories – whether it be for the budget side of the spectrum with small city cars, or the more high-end side with big, expensive, diamond-encrusted supercars. Most consumers want the styling, quality, and refinement of the latter, but with the purchase price and running costs of the former.
Manufacturers have seen this trend and have adjusted their line-ups accordingly, with varying success. Some cars, such as the Chrysler 300, are often mistaken for a car triple or even quadruple its price, whilst potential buyers are amazed that it costs about the same price as the Toyota Avalon. This is true with many new cars as automakers decide to use better quality materials and mechanical components to ensure their vehicles are better than the competition.
The German automakers do not particularly subscribe to this philosophy, as their products are of better quality in general than their competitors from other countries, prompting a higher initial purchase price. Here is a list of some new cars currently for sale, which looks like they are much more expensive than they actually are.
10 Hyundai Elantra N ($33,000)
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra is a world away from the model it replaces. The angular styling, the pointed face and the sharp rear-end all contribute to a car that looks angry. This is accentuated in the Elantra N, the high-performance version, which is aimed at competing with the VW Jetta GLi.
The Elantra N is fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged i4, producing 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque going to the front wheels only via a choice of a 6-speed manual or 8-speed DCT. For the styling, quality, and performance, many would think the Elantra N would be an expensive car, but it has an MSRP of around $33,000. Not bad for a sporty sedan.
9 Genesis G70 ($38,000)
The Genesis G70 is designed to be a worthy alternative to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class. The new G70 surely has the right features to do the job and has adopted Genesis’ new design language which had really paid off as the car looks fantastic!
The G70 is available with two engine choices in the US – a 2.0-liter turbocharged i4 and a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, the same one found in the Kia Stinger GT. For an MSRP of around $38,000 for the 4-cylinder and just over $42,000 for the V6, it is definitely a car that looks much more expensive than it really is.
8 Lexus IS ($39,000)
The Lexus IS is a beautiful car. It is a few years old by now, but Lexus has updated it with the new IS 500 F-Performance trim level, breathing some V8 life into the model. That being said, the standard IS 300 is just as much of a looker than its V8-powered sibling.
The IS 300 is fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 and produces 255 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, going to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The IS 300 has a starting MSRP of about $39,000, but this figure can easily climb with options.
7 Infiniti Q60 ($42,000)
The Infiniti Q60 is a gorgeous Japanese coupé, with flowing body contours and a striking front end. Unlike many of its competitors, the Q60 comes as standard with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, producing 300 hp. The Japanese horses make their way to the road via a 7-speed automatic transmission.
The Q60 is available as standard with rear-wheel-drive, however optional all-wheel drive can be fitted for some extra money. The vehicle looks more premium than the $42,000 MSRP, which makes this quite a good way to look better off on a budget.
6 Toyota GR86 ($32,000)
The new Toyota GR86 is much improved over the previous GT86. For starters, it looks more premium and in line with the competition – with a sportier body and better-looking interior. The mechanical upgrades include a bigger engine – a non-turbocharged version of the Subaru FA 2.4-liter in fact – producing 230 hp, with drive going to the rear wheels only via a choice of a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.
The GR86 is designed to compete with the likes of the Ford Mustang, Honda Civic Si, and Hyundai Veloster – all wildly different types of cars. Unlike some of those rivals, the GR86 looks better than the $32,000 MSRP suggests, making it a brilliant budget sports car for some spirited driving down a back road.
5 Jeep Grand Cherokee ($40,000)
The Grand Cherokee is Jeep’s way of competing in the more luxurious SUV segment, specifically against the likes of the BMW X5, the Mercedes GLE, and the Audi Q7. Unlike those SUVs, the Grand Cherokee does not command a grand price, with the suggested MSRP starting at $40,000 – more than $15,000 cheaper than the nearest German rival.
For this, the Jeep comes with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, going to the rear wheels (all-wheel drive is optional) via a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jeep definitely has the appearance to compete with the Germans, making it look even better than the Mercedes GLE – just with more chrome trim.
4 Hyundai Santa Fé ($29,000)
The Santa Fé is the second-largest SUV Hyundai makes, just behind the Palisade. The Santa Fé follows Hyundai’s current design language of angles, grilles, and putting the headlights in weird places. Strangely enough, it actually works.
The Santa Fé starts at $28,000 and comes as standard with a 190 hp 2.5-liter inline-4, mated to an 8-speed automatic, powering the front wheels only. Pay a bit more, and Hyundai will add an all-wheel-drive and a turbo, boosting the power to 277 hp. The Santa Fé is even available with a hybrid setup, increasing the fuel economy to a claimed 76 mpg.
3 Toyota Supra 2.0t ($44,000)
The Toyota Supra made a lot of waves when it was launched in 2020. Toyota realized it could make itself more popular, so they pulled a Ford and added a 4-cylinder to the Supra line-up and lowered the price. As a result, the Supra 2.0t is available from around $44,000 and is fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 – also from BMW.
The car produces 255 hp and is much less expensive than the BMW equivalent, the Z4 sDrive30i. The great thing about the Supra 2.0t, is that it is almost indistinguishable from the 3.0t, which costs $8,000 more. This makes it a great sports car, and definitely one that looks more expensive than it really is.
2 Cadillac CT5 ($37,000)
The Cadillac CT5, like the CTS it replaced, is a car that looks like it costs as much as a Mercedes C-class – all the while being $6,000 less. The base CT5 features a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo, producing 237 hp, but the engine can be upgraded to a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, producing 335 hp.
The only transmission option is the GM 10-speed automatic, going to the rear wheels in standard trim, or all four wheels when optioned. The Cadillac is a great-looking car – better than the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4, and on par with the BMW 3-Series. For the price, the Cadillac CT5 is definitely a good choice for a car, regardless of the reason.
1 Chrysler 300 ($32,000)
Probably the best way to look better off without spending a fortune is the Chrysler 300. Starting at just under $32,000, the 300 is fitted with a 3.6-liter V6, producing 292 hp. For just under $43,000, the 300S is fitted with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 363 hp, going to the rear wheels only via an 8-speed automatic.
The Chrysler 300 is a car that has been mistaken for Bentleys and Rolls-Royces (by non-gearheads). It looks more expensive than it actually is – by tens of thousands of dollars. It is sad then that nobody is really buying the 300 anymore and there are rumors that it will be discontinued in 2023, in favor of an electric crossover. An un-ceremonial end to a titan of a car which is still one of the best-looking sedans on the market – even if it is nearly 12 years old.