10 Affordable Cars with Nice Interiors

2017 Mazda6 in front of house front view ・ Photo by Mazda

As automakers strive to offer the best cars in their respective segments, each car model has stepped up the game when it comes to building a quality interior space. Some automakers, especially Mazda, are right on the cusp of even going head to head with luxury automakers. Of course, that may be hard for some of you to believe, and if you don’t, just take a look at the interior of the new Mazda6 and the new Mazda CX-5.

With that in mind, we decided to put together a list of 10 affordable cars with nice interiors. To earn a position on our list, we made sure that each model has an MSRP of well below $30,000 and in some cases, below $25,000. Let’s get started.

2017 Mazda Mazda6

Mazda’s are known for being the premium brand when it comes to mass automakers like itself, Honda, and Toyota. One of the best interiors in Mazda’s lineup comes from the midsize 2017 Mazda6 sedan that has a starting price of $21,945.

Going head-to-head with the likes of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the Mazda6 stays in front of the crowd with extensive use of high-quality materials and a sophisticated design. Depending on the trim-level, the 2017 Mazda6 can be equipped with Nappa leather-trimmed Sport seats, a material which is usually reserved for high-end luxury vehicles. Also depending on the model, the Mazda6 comes wrapped in leather throughout the interior or a high-quality soft-touch material. Of course, the optional heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel are also a nice addition to this luxurious cabin.

Photo by Mazda

2017 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord has always been known for its high-quality interior. The 2017 Honda Accord carries on that legacy with optional 10-way adjustable power seats, dual-zone climate control, and a wide use of leather and soft-touch quality materials throughout the cabin. All starting at a price of $22,455.

The interior has a premium feel with features like wood-grain trim level, lumbar support, and some of the best interior driver assist technologies in the segment with the Honda Sensing safety suite. The optional driver assist package will make you feel like you are wrapped in safety with features like blind-spot monitoring, radar-guided cruise control, and lane keep assist. Overall, it is definitely one of the best interiors in the midsize sedan segment.

Photo by Honda

2017 MINI Cooper Hardtop

MINI consistently proves that good things come in small packages. Besides being one of the most fun to drive hatchbacks on the market, the 2017 MINI Cooper Hardtop carries an affordable price tag (beginning at $20,950) with an interior that dances on the line of premium. Throughout the cabin of the 2017 MINI Cooper, you’ll notice a sense of stylish British craftsmanship wrapped in high-quality materials. The interior is highlighted by the giant circle in the center, which has graduated from being the speedometer to a vibrant digital infotainment system that offers all the latest technology. In our opinion, the interior of the 2017 MINI Cooper is one of the most ergonomically designed interiors in the segment.

Photo by MINI

2017 Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 recently went under the knife and received a full redesign to its exterior and interior. While the outgoing model was praised for its high-quality material, the 2017 model takes it to the next level with a more elegant design and additional use of leather and soft-touch materials throughout various trims in the cabin.

Starting with the 2017 Mazda CX-5 Touring, you’ll see the use of premium materials like leatherette seats with Lux Suede inserts, leather-wrapped gear selector, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, rear air conditioning vents, and much more. The Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring takes it to the next level with the use of high-quality materials that almost make it feel like an entry-level luxury crossover. All this for a beginning price of $24,045.

Photo by Mazda

2017 Volkswagen Golf

There is no doubt that German automakers make some of the most stylish and quality-built interiors on the market and Volkswagen leads the pack for some of the best interiors at an affordable price-tag.

Not only is the interior of the brand’s 2017 Volkswagen Golf made with high-quality soft-touch materials, but it is also very functional with 60/40 split folding rear seats, and an MSRP beginning at $19,895. This vehicle lets you maximize your cargo space for any situation while still enjoying one of the best interiors in the segment. Tech wise, the new Volkswagen car-Net App Connect allows the perfect integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf, in our opinion, is one of the perfect examples of affordable quality and functionality.

Photo by Volkswagen

2017 Honda Civic

While being one of the best-selling compact sedans on the market, the Honda Civic has been plagued with negative reviews of its subpar interior. Well, all that has changed with the 2016/2017 model year Civic as Honda decided to go above and beyond when redoing its best-selling model.

The interior of the new 2017 Honda Civic has now grown up and features the most comfortable and sophisticated interior we’ve seen in this segment. There is extensive use of high-quality materials throughout the cabin, and for the first time, leather seats and leather trim is available at many price points in the lineup. Tech wise, you can get remote start, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto on the 2017 Honda Civic EX, which starts at just $21,140. Impressive right? We think so.

Photo by Honda

2018 Toyota Camry

There is a reason that Toyota is continuously outranking its competition when it comes to quality and reliability. The Japanese automaker seems to be obsessed with perfection, and the interior of the all-new 2018 Toyota Camry is the perfect example of that.

Completely redesigned inside and out for the 2018 model year, the new Toyota Camry features an interior that is above and beyond what we've seen from previous model years and has a starting MSRP of $23,495. Depending on the model, the 2018 Toyota Camry comes with red leather-trimmed seats with contrast stitching, a beautiful panoramic roof, paddle shifters, an 80-inch multimedia touchscreen display, a heads-up display, and much more. It is one of the best interiors in the midsize sedan segment and one of the best we’ve seen from the Toyota Camry in a long time.

Photo by Toyota

2018 Hyundai Elantra

Forget everything you knew about the Hyundai Elantra because it has completely changed for the 2018 model year. More grown-up than ever before, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra features a redesigned interior that is more sophisticated, more comfortable, and packed with technology. Depending on the trim level, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra starts as low as $16,950 and can come with an 8-inch touchscreen display with navigation, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. You can also equip it with an 8-speaker Infinity sound system, power sunroof, heated front and heated rear leather seats, and a range of driver assist technologies. It takes the best of the Hyundai Sonata and wraps it up in a smaller package for compact sedan shoppers all beginning at $16,950.

Photo by Hyundai

2018 Kia Optima

The 2018 Kia Optima (also available in a 2017 model year) offers one of the best interiors in its segment. Packed with luxury materials like Nappa leather seats and a soft-touch dash, the Kia Optima provides a lot of bang for your buck as it starts at $22,500. No matter which trim level you pick, the 2018 Kia Optima comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display with the UVO infotainment system that features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other standard features include a rearview camera, USB connectivity, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, remote keyless entry and much more. The 2018 Kia Optima’s driver-oriented and comfortable interior is one of our personal favorites on this list and deserves more recognition than it receives.

Photo by Kia

2017 Dodge Challenger

American made muscle car manufacturers have realized that drivers want more than simply a powerful sports car to take to the dragstrip. They want a comfortable and quality built muscle car that they can use as their daily driver, and while all have stepped up their game in recent years, the new Dodge Challenger leads the pack when it comes to quality and comfort.

The 2017 Dodge Challenger makes this list by beginning at $26,995 and offering one of the most comfortable interiors in the segment with plush Nappa leather heated and ventilated seats (depending on the model.) Tech wise, the Challenger takes things to the next level with the UConnect infotainment system, optional adaptive cruise control, optional rain-sensing wipers, standard keyless entry with push-button start, and much more. However, the best part about the interior of the 2017 Dodge Challenger is the insanely comfortable ride quality and the ability of the muscle car to soak up road imperfections.

Photo by Dodge