Tips for cars

For plenty of everyday practicality coupled with a hint of luxury, the  Acura RDX  is hard to beat. The RDX has two comfortable rows of seats in an upscale interior, as well as excellent safety scores. It’s not as sporty as some competitors, but it has a V6 with plenty of power for daily driving. The RDX not only has a low starting price for its class, but it also has excellent long-term ownership costs, so you’ll save for as long as you own your RDX.  Find more at www.oktilli.com

Subcompact car  shoppers tend to care more about budget than shoppers in other classes, and the  Honda Fit  is proof that you don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot. The Fit has won six Best Car for the Money Awards overall and this latest win puts it on a four-year winning streak. So, what makes the Fit such a winner? That’s easy: a roomy and versatile interior with cargo space that rivals some  small SUVs’ , strong performance, good fuel economy, and an impressive list of available tech and safety features. The Fit doesn’t have the lowest starting price in the class, but this is another case in which spending a bit more upfront makes for a better overall deal. The Fit has the lowest ownership costs in the class.  Read more at www.oktilli.com

The  Acura MDX  might catch your attention with its lower-than-average starting price, but there’s so much more to like about this three-row SUV. The MDX has composed handling, and though it isn’t as sporty as other SUVs, it’s easier to maneuver than its size would suggest. It gets good fuel economy and has a comfortable ride. While the MDX has more to offer than just a low price, its overall value proposition makes it all the more attractive. It has some of the lowest five-year ownership costs in the class. Chek www.oktilli.com for more

With its boxy, upright profile, the  Kia Soul  is a small car that’s not afraid to stand out. That standout exterior has plenty of interior benefits, though, proving that the Soul’s beauty is more than skin deep. More height than the typical  small car  makes for a roomy interior; the Soul is one of the few small cars in which people won’t gripe about missing out on riding shotgun. It also has tech features like  Apple CarPlay , as well as an engine that makes short work of daily driving. In addition to giving you space on its inside, the Soul also gives you space in your budget. It has one of the lowest starting prices in its class, and some of the best ownership costs.  Read more at www.oktilli.com

After looking at the  Honda Odyssey , you might be tempted to grouse that kids have it too easy these days. With available features like a Wi-Fi hot spot and a rear-seat entertainment system with a massive screen, the Odyssey does treat the kids well – but it takes care of drivers, too. The Odyssey has a peppy six-cylinder engine and handling that blows other  minivans  out of the water. It also has things that make life easier, like flexible seating configurations and plenty of cargo space. Something else that makes the Odyssey easy to live with: its ownership costs, which are the best in the class. The Odyssey is one vehicle that keeps kids, parents, and the family budget happy.  Read more at www.oktilli.com

Let’s get this out of the way upfront: the  Lexus ES  is not the most fun-to-drive sedan you can buy (look at the  Audi A3  for a car that’s a good value and fun to drive). The thing is, most of us don’t spend the majority of our time behind the wheel attacking curves and mashing the accelerator. We spend our time in the car commuting or running errands – and that’s where the Lexus ES really shines. It’s a competent and comfortable partner for daily life. The ES features a cabin that’s upscale and an engine with plenty of power for daily driving. It doesn’t have sporty handling, but it has the kind of ride the quiets road noise and smooths potholes, so you don’t get beaten down by your daily drive to work. The ES also has one of the lowest starting prices in the class and excellent ownership costs, so your wallet won’t get beaten down by the ES either. For about $3,000 more, you can get a  hybrid version of the ES  that gets 40 mpg.