Yahoo Autos Top 10 best base models
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An ode to the base model.
Black door handles and a seat that can't move up and down /
Paying monthly for not a lot has me feeling like a clown.
Just because you might not be able to afford more than the very least in a car doesn't mean you have to sing the base-model blues. Automakers are adding more features to their lowliest trim levels to entice shoppers even if some are stuck in the stone ages before the USB port became a necessity.
Here are 10 models that we consider to be solid picks, even in their base-model version.
2013 Chevrolet Spark LS
Base price (MSRP + destination): $12,995
Standout Standard Features: 10 airbags, four-speaker stereo, power windows, 15-inch aluminum wheels, body-color mirrors, air conditioning
One of the least expensive new cars comes surprisingly well-equipped. Chevy's new Spark is small, inexpensive and bare in most respects such as upholstery quality; it certainly won't wow a first date. But you get essentials like air conditioning and power windows, which hasn't always been the case for bargain-basement models. Ten airbags are another standard feature that should help some buyers get over the small size of the Spark.
2013 Scion xB
Base price: $17,555
Standout Standard Features: two years of free service, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, six-speaker stereo with USB port
Need some cargo space but don't want to pay for a pricey crossover? Scion's xB remains one of the best cargo-for-the-dollar deals despite some misleading specs. Rated at 11.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, the xB falls behind the Kia Soul at 23.7 cubic feet with a wider floor. Scion only provides unofficial numbers for the amount of space with the second row folded, reporting 69.9 cubic feet, which trumps the Kia's 53.4 cubic feet number handily. The base version of the Scion hauler comes with standard USB integration and a six-speaker stereo. Cruise control is also included, helpful on those long cargo-hauling trips. That makes the xB a good pick for college students.
2013 Honda Civic LX Sedan
Base price: $18,995
Standout Standard Features: rearview camera, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, USB, Pandora compatibility
The 2013 version of the Civic received a number of upgrades that we've talked about (at length) with the addition of an LX model to Cars.com's long-term fleet. The inclusion of a rearview camera and Pandora compatibility make it stand out from a crowd of once-sparse compact sedans that are now getting a surprising amount of content. Even the automatic transmission isn't a huge hit to the wallet at an additional $800. Standard body-color mirrors and door handles also add a touch of class, even if the wheel covers are turnoffs.
