The Best 2016 Cars to Buy This Labor Day

Labor Day weekend is an excellent time to buy a new automobile, as vehicle manufacturers offer enticing incentives to move older cars off showroom floors. The new-year’s cars are the actual stars, though. And, luckily for buyers, a number of these 2016 vehicles make excellent buys. Whether you are looking for an efficient sedan, a speedy coupe or a spacious SUV, AxleGeeks compiled a list of the best 2016 vehicles to purchase this Labor Day.

AxleGeeks rounded up the best 2016 sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks and SUVs by size and class to help buyers know the best investment at the dealership this weekend. Cars included in this buyer’s guide share a few characteristics: they’re better priced, offer better fuel economy, more horsepower, more cargo space (and in the case of SUVs, more towing capacity) than the averages for their classes. Bonus points were given to cars with top safety ratings.

Note: Information regarding pickup trucks was excluded due to lack of data.

Best Non-Luxury Subcompact Sedan: 2016 Kia Rio

The 2016 Kia Rio LX is $1,645 cheaper than other subcompact sedans. It delivers 32 combined mpg, generates 138 horsepower—18 more horsepower than the average of its competition—and has 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, making it an affordable and spacious option.

Best Non-Luxury Compact Sedan: 2016 Ford Focus

With an original price of $17,710, this sedan touts affordability, as it is $3,925 less expensive than other models in its class. Adding to its appeal is its 160 horsepower output and 13.20 cubic feet of trunk space, both of which are better than its competition.

Best Non-Luxury Midsize Sedan: 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

When comparing this midsize sedan hybrid to its competition, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata has much in its favor. It delivers an impressive 42 combined mpg, which is 11.5 more mpg than others in its class. This sedan also has better horsepower and is more affordable, making it an alluring buy.

Best Compact Luxury Sedan: 2016 Volvo S60

Volvo’s newest luxury sedan earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Along with its excellent safety ratings, it’s an affordable option. With its original price of $33,950, it is $5,750 cheaper than other luxury models in its class.

Best Midsize Luxury Sedan: 2016 Audi A6

This sedan earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick award and has a five-star overall crash-test rating. Additionally, it is an astounding $16,900 cheaper than others in its class, making this model a smart buy.

Best Full-Size Luxury Sedan: 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

This is an exceptional model because it is less expensive, generates more horsepower and houses more trunk space than others in its class. This luxury sedan also comes equipped with proactive safety features such as Parking Assist and the Pre-Collision Safety System, both of which can help you drive safer.

Best Non-Luxury Coupe: 2016 Ford Mustang

The Mustang V6 is $8,500 less expensive than other non-luxury coupes. Its combined 22 mpg is right in line, with its competition while its 28 highway mpg is 7.7 percent more efficient than the average 2016 coupe.

Best Luxury Coupe: 2016 BMW 4 Series

This new coupe from BMW generates a combined 27 mpg—two mpg more than its class average. If you are looking for an affordable luxury coupe, this is your model. At a price of $41,850, it’s $7,300 cheaper than the average for its class.

Best Performance Coupe: 2016 Nissan GT-R

This performance machine generates 545 horsepower to provide you with endless hours of driving bliss. Along with awesome power, it’s most enticing selling point is its price. With an original price of $101,700, it is 23 percent cheaper than other performance coupes.

Best Non-Luxury Convertible: 2016 Nissan 370Z

Affordability is where the 2016 Nissan 370Z excels because it is $22,035 cheaper than other non-luxury convertibles. Moreover, equipped with a 3.7L V-6 engine, it provides 332 horsepower, which is sure to deliver the exhilarating drives you desire.

Best Luxury/Sport Convertible: 2016 BMW 2 Series

This convertible boasts incredible performance. Equipped with a 2.0L V-4 Turbo 8A engine, it delivers 20 more horsepower than its class average. This convertible also touts great fuel efficiency with its 28 combined mpg, giving it a better than average output when compared to its competitors.

Best Subcompact Hatchback: 2016 Honda Fit

This subcompact hatchback delivers excellent fuel efficiency and has a spacious interior. It earns a combined 33 mpg and has a maximum cargo capacity of 52.7 cubic feet, making it 11 percent more spacious than its competition.

Best Compact Hatchback: 2016 Ford Focus

The 2016 Ford Focus offers many appealing features. It is $4,312 cheaper than its class average, delivers better fuel efficiency and has 54 percent more trunk space than its competition.

Best Non-Luxury Small SUV: 2016 Fiat 500X

For a smaller SUV, the 2016 Fiat 500X houses plenty of power, as its 1.4L V-4 turbo engine cranks out 160 horsepower, making it more powerful than other models in its class. Another factor in its favor is its $20,000 original price, thereby making this SUV $3,210 less expensive than its competitors.

Best Non-Luxury Compact SUV: 2016 Mazda CX-5

This compact SUV received the IIHS Top Safety Pick award for its excellent array of safety features. Along with its safety equipment, this SUV boasts incredible fuel efficiency earning a combined 30 mpg to make it five mpg more efficient than other models in its class.

Best Non-Luxury Midsize SUV (Tie): 2016 Honda Pilot and 2016 Chevrolet Traverse

Equipped with a 3.5L V-6 engine, the 2016 Honda Pilots generates good horsepower and towing capacity for its class while delivering better than average fuel efficiency. Where this model stands out is in price. With an original price of $29,995, it is $2,705 cheaper, making this an affordable option for you to consider.

However, if towing capacity and cargo room are priorities for you, the Traverse might be the better buy. With a cargo capacity of 1,764 pounds, it can haul 363 pounds more than its competition. In addition, it can tow 5,200 pounds, an increase of 1,700 pounds when compared to similar-size SUVs.

Best Non-Luxury Full-Size SUV: 2016 GMC Acadia

Capability is where the 2016 GMC Acadia SL shines. It has 30 percent more trunk space than its competitors and can haul 146 more pounds of cargo. Add to this a low price of $30,975 and this SUV is an excellent option to consider.

Best Compact Luxury SUV: 2016 Volvo XC60

The 2016 Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E epitomizes family-friendly. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It also has 8.6 percent more trunk space and generates 3.5 more mpg than its competitors.

Best Midsize Luxury SUV: 2016 Acura MDX

The 2016 Acura MDX offers impressive safety performance and affordability for a luxury model. Its original price of $42,865 is $9,025 cheaper than the starting price of others in its class. Moreover, this model earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

Best Full-Size Luxury SUV: 2016 Lincoln Navigator

This full-size luxury SUV can tow up to 9,000 pounds, giving it a 600-pound edge on its competitors. It is also less expensive by $9,255, earns two more mpg and can haul an additional 10 pounds of cargo. This makes it a versatile model that can handle your varied demands.