Kelly Blue Book has unveiled its latest Top 10 lists for 2017, showcasing one of its most anticipated rankings: “10 Coolest Cars under $18,000.” With many contemporary premium vehicles starting above the $20,000 mark, finding an exciting new car on a limited budget can prove challenging. To address this issue, Kelly Blue Book has published a selection of cars within this price range for several years. The standout winner this year is the Mazda3, which has received this honor for four consecutive years.
The Mazda3 aligns well with other vehicles on the list, most of which are also entry-level hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf and Honda Civic. While it shares common traits with these popular models, there must be a compelling reason for its consistent dominance in these awards over the years.
Mazda takes great pride in the Mazda3’s achievements and highlights several factors contributing to its success on the brand’s website. Both Mazda and Kelly Blue Book acknowledge that the term “coolest” can be subjective and somewhat ambiguous. As a result, KBB has established various criteria focused on driving enjoyment, visual appeal, ownership experience, and safety. The Mazda3 seems to excel in all these areas, with Mazda attributing its victory to the car’s impressive combination of power and handling, quality interior, and attractive design.
The Mazda3 just meets the threshold for this recognition, with a starting price of $17,845.
Will this spirited little hatchback maintain its winning streak in 2018? We will have to wait and see.
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