There are some usual suspects when car shoppers think about buying a car that's reliable and affordable. You probably immediately think of the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, or the Mazda3. This biased tunnel vision has led some buyers to completely overlook Subaru. Subaru is not one to overlook, as they've built a substantial following because of their long-standing reliability, capability, and durability.Practically speaking, this oversight is costing car buyers real money. One of the biggest critiques of Honda today is that its cars are slightly overpriced compared to usual. If you're not looking to overpay for a Civic or Civic hybrid (even though they're hard to pass up), there's one Subaru that checks nearly every box that the Civic does, as well as exceeds some proverbial boxes. Why The Honda Civic Still Dominates The Conversation HondaCan you believe the Civic has been around since 1972? They even have a bit of a cult following. Equally unbelievable was the original amount of power it came with: a whopping 36 horsepower. It has currently been dubbed one of Honda's best-selling cars of all time, with nearly 30 million units sold to date. Here's what you can expect from the current sedan model: The Civic's Reputation Honda Civic's reputation isn't built on word of mouth alone; it's also backed by statistical facts and sensible engineering. RepairPal has awarded the Civic a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, making it third out of 36 compact cars on the same list. The annual average cost of repair comes in at only $368 as well. The 2025 Civic, according to JD Power, has an 85 out of 100 overall. Why Buyers Keep Choosing it New Isaac Atienza | TopSpeed The data in the previous section explains the loyalty, but the experience of owning a new Civic really puts it into perspective. Kelley Blue Book ranks the Civic number one, making it the best compact sedan you can buy currently. While the two other powertrains sip fuel, there's also a hybrid version that has achieved one of the highest MPG's available in a modern car. Not to mention, every trim comes standard with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure mitigation, and much more at no extra cost. The Hidden Cost Of Buying New In Today's Market Hyundai As we all well know by now, the average cost of a new car in the continental United States is around $50,000. It also doesn't look like it's going down any time soon. This price tag doesn't just affect luxury cars either; it is for all cars across the board, no matter what the market. In terms of monthly payments, you're looking at an average of $756, easy. Some dealerships are even reporting that their average monthly car payment is at $1,000 and above! How New Car Prices Have Priced Out Practical Buyers Hyundai Everyone always talks about the monthly payment, but the real killer is the APR. Good luck finding something with an APR of around two percent, because, as of 2025, the average interest rate on a new car is looking somewhere between nine percent and 14 percent, depending on your credit. There are some out there with apparently zero percent. An automotive analyst from Cox Automotive, Erin Keating, put it simply: "Today's auto market is being driven by wealthier households who have access to capital, good loan rates, and are propping up the higher end of the market." What You Actually Get for A Civic's Sticker Price Honda While the rest of Honda's lineup might be a tad pricey, and people try to look elsewhere, the Civic does have a reasonable starting MSRP and does deliver a new buyer genuine value for the vehicle. The base model LX comes with LED headlights, automatic climate control, a rear-view camera, and a seven-inch touchscreen display featuring Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 2023 Subaru Impreza: The Used Car Most Shoppers Overlook Subaru While the Civic and the Corolla (also with a tenured history) are gobbling up all the compact segment's attention with their affordability, bells and whistles, and reliability, the Impreza sits quietly in the background waving its metaphorical hand, saying, "Hey guys, don't forget about me!" The 2023 Subaru Impreza offers exactly what buyers in this segment are looking for with an affordable price tag that could only be matched by the price of cars 10 to 15 years prior. Standard AWD And Incredible Safety Subaru Most vehicles would be lucky to have an all-wheel drive drivetrain in this segment. Some, like the aforementioned Civic, don't even have it as an option! The Impreza comes with it standard, and it's cheaper than a Mazda Miata. Not that everyone necessarily needs an all-wheel-drive drivetrain, but it's good to have. How The Impreza Quietly Matches The Civic Where It Counts Subaru Although the Impreza might not have the same pizzazz (meanwhile, the Kia K4 out-pizzazzes all of them) that the Civic does, it still covers the same amount of ground that the Civic does. It comes in either sedan or hatchback form, is roomy, and has a comfortable ride, according to Consumer Reports. It also comes with a host of safety features, thanks to its patented EyeSight safety features. While the Civic does have more power and a refined interior, the Impreza is for those who don't need all the frills to achieve their daily A to B. Making The Switch: Is the Impreza Right For You?Subaru Even though this car is literally trying to "impress" you with its fancy name, this car isn't necessarily for everyone, but that's what makes it so unique. While everyone is focused on the Civic, you can reach the same potential with the Impreza, and no one would bat an eye. The one major thing the Impreza has over the Civic is the standard all-wheel drive, making it one of the most affordable cars in the US with an AWD drivetrain. Even though they recently cut their most reasonably priced trim. Who Should Buy It, And Who Should Stick With The Civic A shot of the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS's interiors with the steering wheel and the infotainment touch panel.At the end of the day, each car is going to serve a different buyer. The Civic's sleek styling and more refined interior offer buyers practicality dressed up in a slightly nicer suit. The Civic will also fare better in more temperate climates, unlike the Impreza, which can offer a compact nature with an "off-road" capability that might suit a northern buyer better. Not to mention, if the Civic is too big for you, the Impreza is a few inches shorter. That does sacrifice about four cubic feet to the Civic's 24.5 cubic feet of storage if we're talking hatchback-versus-hatchback, but it makes for an easier time parking. You Can Find One For As Low As $17,500 Subaru The moment you've been waiting for, how much is the 2023 Impreza? According to KBB's Fair Purchase Pricing, the 2023 Subaru Impreza is asking for $17,500 to $21,800, depending on a lot of factors, from mileage to overall condition. By comparison, although we've already mentioned the newer asking price for the Civic, a 2023 actually starts around $21,500. Thus, the Subaru Impreza beats out the Honda in terms of pricing overall. Which one are you going to go for?Sources: Subaru, Honda, KBB, RepairPal, J.D. Power.