These Are The Best Driver's Sedans For Less Than $50,000

If you have a kid (or two), but still want something fun to drive, buy one of these.

It's starting to become more expensive than ever to buy a new car. In fact, the average price of a car in 2016 was $34,077, the highest that it has ever been. $50,000 really doesn't buy you as much as it used to. Back in the 1990s, an E36 M3 started at under $40,000. Today, it's hard to find a new M3 for under $70,000. Plenty of used cars offer a ton of driving pleasure, but some people want a brand-new sedan to haul their family around in. And it is with these buyers in mind, we have chosen our favorite new driver's sedans for under $50,000.

Even though it didn't make our top five, we wanted to start this list with an honorable mention for the Chevy SS. The SS didn't make our list because GM has already stopped building this car, and we didn't want to include a discontinued model on a list of brand-new cars. We wanted to take this opportunity to mourn the loss of an incredible car that would have easily topped our list if it had lived on for another year. The SS is powered by a 415 hp 6.2-liter V8, which would have easily made it the most powerful on the list. It is sad that cars like this don't seem to have a future in the automotive industry, but we would highly suggest going out to find one of the last of these cars still sitting on a dealer lot.

The M3 may cost well over $50,000 today, but the mid-level 340i is available starting at $47,900 with a no-cost manual transmission and RWD. The 340i comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 320 hp, which is far more than a E36 M3. We'd order a 340i with the stick to make it the best driver's package, but there won't be much room left to make it a great luxury daily driver. BMW charges a lot for options that don't come standard. A base 340i doesn't even come with real leather on the interior. The 340i is still a nice driver's sedan with the six-speed manual transmission, but the competition has grown over the years and there are some less expensive options out there with plenty of power and plenty of luxury.

The Jaguar XE is a direct competitor to the BMW 3 Series. The XE is a huge improvement over Jaguar's last attempt at an affordable sedan, the X-Type. For true driving pleasure, we'd recommend the most powerful 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with 340hp. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic and starts at $41,700. For those who like to row their own gears, Jaguar does offer a six-speed manual on the 2.0-liter turbocharged car with 240 hp starting at just $34,900. Either engine is a great option for a well-balanced driving sedan with elegant British style and charm.

The Audi S3 is the smallest sedan on this list. The S3's small size makes it great at handling back roads, but it may be too small to pull family duty for some people. In other markets, the S3 is available as a hatchback or convertible, but the US only receives the sedan with the six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The S3 shares its 2.0-liter 292 hp four-cylinder engine with the Volkswagen Golf R, but comes in a more executive-looking package with a nicer interior. The base S3 starts at $42,900, which is a bit more than the Golf R with the same transmission. This is the only sub-compact sedan on this list, but its small size doesn't stop it from being huge fun on a back road.

The Subaru WRX is the least expensive model on this list with a starting price of $26,695. The base WRX comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four with 268 hp and a six-speed manual. There is an optional CVT, but we don't have to tell you which we'd recommend. The WRX STI brings the power up to 305 hp and the price up to $35,195. We like the added power of the STI, but the 2.5-liter flat-four is actually older and more outdated than the 2.0-liter unit in the base car. We expect to see an updated WRX and WRX STI soon, but these rally cars for the road are still some of the best driver's sedans on the market.

Our final choice is the mind-blowing Alfa Romeo Giulia. The base Giulia comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder with 280 hp. In the US, the Giulia is not available with a manual transmission, but this doesn't stop it from being extremely fun. The Giulia really has to be driven to be believed. After driving the Giulia, we can tell you the it feels more like a sports car than just a "fun sedan." Alfa Romeo has really managed to build something special here, and we'd gladly sacrifice reliability for the opportunity to drive this amazing sedan.

10 Best Interiors Of 2018: $50,000 To $100,000

The luxury segment keeps getting nicer.

Last week, we brought out a list of the 10 best interiors of 2018 for less than $50,000. Our list included the Kia Stinger, Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Ram 1500, Volkswagen Golf GTI/R, Ford Mustang, Volvo S60/V60, Mercedes C-Class, Audi TT, and Lexus ES350. For the sake of fairness, we wanted to divide this list into price categories. This way the Accord wouldn't be judged the same way as a $100,000 car. Now we have chosen our 10 favorite interiors of the year in the $50,000 to $100,000 price bracket (based on starting MSRP).

2018 Range Rover Velar

SUVs are taking over the market, but surprisingly represent just three of the 10 cars on our list. Without a doubt, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar is one of the best interiors on the market today. The upmarket materials are indicative of a Range Rover, and the new dual-screen layout looks elegant and high tech.

2018 Jaguar I-Pace

We thought about including a Tesla on this list, but instead opted for a new EV on the market: the Jaguar I-Pace. The electric Jag borrows some DNA from its Range Rover Velar corporate cousin, but brings its own unique style. We love the design of the HVAC screen, and would give Jaguar the edge in interior design over Tesla. The Tesla interior is just a tad bland for the price.

2018 Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator was an automotive afterthought just a few short years ago, maligned for being little more than a gussied up Ford Expedition. Now Lincoln is struggling to keep up with demand because the redesigned SUV is just so nice. We love the layout of the new interior, as well as the unique color schemes that Lincoln offers. The Navigator is the new benchmark in the full-size SUV category.

2018 Lexus LC500

Sports cars are dying off in favor of SUVs, which may explain why only two performance models cracked this top 10 list. The LC500 came out of left field, and shocked us with what Lexus was capable of designing. Both inside and out, the LC is one of the most unique cars on the road. The interior looks like it was plucked from a space ship in the year 2218. Too bad the infotainment system feels three years out of date.

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV

There are many performance sedans for less than $100,000 that we could have chosen for this list, but only one with beautiful Italian flare. The Alfa Romeo Giulia may not have the most technically advanced interior in the segment, but we love the metal paddle shifters and carbon fiber bucket seats in Quadrifoglio version.

2018 Porsche Panamera

The remaining five cars on our list are premium four-door sedans, though one is also available as a wagon. The original Porsche Panamera was criticized for having too many buttons on the dashboard, but the second generation has replaced those with touch-sensitive controls. Touch controls can sometimes be annoying to operate, like in many Cadillac models, but Porsche has found a way to make them work well in the Panamera.

2018 Mercedes E-Class

The Mercedes E-Class is the only mid-size sedan to crack our list. While the more expensive S-Class is slightly nicer, the recently redesigned E-Class blows away the rest of its competitive set, enough to make this list. The new E-Class coupe, which has a slightly different interior, takes the Mercedes design level up a notch. We love the dual-screen layout and the string of pearl air vents on the dash. Mercedes also makes the best speaker grilles, which other automakers have been quick to copy.

2018 Kia K900

Among this impressive list, only one car comes from a non-luxury marque. The Kia K900 is a flagship sedan, which offers S-Class levels of luxury for half the price. Though the materials are slightly less impressive than the most expensive luxury cars on the market, the K900 makes up for it with an extremely impressive price tag relative to its competitors.

2018 Lexus LS500

Lexus holds the distinction of being the only automaker to have two cars on our list. The LS500 is the company's flagship sedan, and has a very different interior than its LC sibling. Unfortunately, the LS suffers from the same lackluster infotainment system as the LC, but makes up for it with one of the best looking interiors on the market.

2018 Audi A8

The Audi A8 has always been one of the most understated cars in the premium sedan segment. Now, it's one of the most technology-latent car in its segment thanks to a new interior design. The climate controls are now handled by a touch screen, as is the main infotainment system. These two screens combine with the excellent virtual cockpit display to offer an insanely customizable interior.

10 Best Interiors Of 2018: Less Than $50,000

You don't need to spend a huge sum to get a lovely interior.

Every year,Wards Auto picks its 10 favorite new car interiors. For 2018, we had a few issues with the list, so we decided it would be a good idea to make our own. Since we didn't think it would be fair to put cars from Honda and Rolls-Royce in the same competition for best interior, we're limiting the list to models with a base price lower than $50,000 that don't require any additional pricey options.

Kia Stinger

The Kia Stinger was one of two models on our sub-$50,000 list to make the Wards Auto list, and for good reason. Not only does the Stinger live up to the hype to drive, it has a well-appointed interior with design elements plucked from more expensive luxury cars. We particularly love the three floating air vents, which look like they were taken right out of a Mercedes-Benz product.

Mazda6

The Mazda6 just received a facelift for 2018, and the big story was the addition of a new turbocharged engine option. Mazda didn't just give its midsize sedan more power, it improved upon its already wonderful interior. New Mazda models have a way of punching well above their price class, with Audi-like design and premium materials throughout. The Mazda6 has even been improved with never-before-offered options like ventilated front seats.

Honda Accord

The midsize sedan category is extremely crowded, so it is hard to stand out among the other options. This hasn't stopped two midsize sedans, the Mazda6 and Honda Accord, from making the list. The old Accord featured a confusing two-screen layout, but Honda went back to the drawing board on the recently updated Accord. It is now one of the most premium feeling cars in its segment, and thank goodness it has a volume knob unlike the Civic.

Ram 1500

The 2019 Ram 1500 is the second car that was also featured on the Wards Auto list, so clearly we didn't disagree completely. At the center of the Ram's dashboard is FCA's excellent UConnect infotainment system. A 12-inch Tesla-like tablet is also available on pricier Ram models. Even without the massive touchscreen, the new Ram's interior is our current favorite in the full-size pickup truck segment.

Volkswagen Golf GTI/R

No list of the best interiors would be complete without the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R. We love the upscale feel of both of these hot hatchbacks, especially the plaid cloth seats found in the GTI. The Golf R has one big advantage: a digital display that replaces the traditional analogue gauges. We also wanted to mention the new Jetta, which features a digital display. We gave the nod to the sportier Golf GTI and Golf R, but a Jetta GLI could appear on next year's list if VW decides to build it.

Ford Mustang

The final non-luxury model on our list is the Ford Mustang. The 2018 Mustang combines old school muscle car form, with new car function. We especial loved the new configurable digital dashboard and ability to light up the cabin in an endless variety of colors. Throw in some aggressive Recaro seats, and the Mustang's interior looks properly aggressive.

Volvo S60/V60

Volvo has been knocking it out of the park with its interior design lately. While some people complain that all Volvo models look too similar on the inside, we just see it as a good thing. The simplistic Swedish design is minimalistic, and extremely luxurious at the same time. We loved the massaging seats found in the XC60 SUV, though we are eager to try the sportier seats in the Polestar-tuned S60 sedan.

Mercedes C-Class

In our opinion, the Mercedes C-Class already had the best interior in its segment. Still, Mercedes improved it even further with an enlarged infotainment screen, new steering wheel, and digital gauge cluster for 2019. The C-Class is still the most elegant car in its segment, and now has the added technology to stay dominant.

Audi TT

If you haven't already sensed a theme here, we really enjoy digital displays that replace traditional gauges. One of the first cars to introduce this concept was the Audi TT, and it is still one of our favorite interiors. We love how Audi's virtual cockpit can show map information, and basically any other important information. Add in clever looking climate controls and a driver-focused cockpit, and the TT is still a winner.

Lexus ES350

Lexus has has a bit of a problem when it comes to infotainment. The Lexus Enform system is cumbersome to use, and lacks Android Auto or Apple CarPlay integration. While the company hasn't been great with technology, it hasn't had any trouble designing interiors. The new ES350 has an interior that would make an S-Class blush, especially in the sportier F-Sport trim. Lexus has taken beautiful design elements from its flagship LS, and brought them down to an affordable price.