2014 was a good year for cars and car fanatics. Whether you're interested in great bargains or impressive new tech features, auto manufacturers had something ready for you in 2014.

Best 2014 Cars Under $25 Grand


Image via Flickr by order_242

Several car manufacturers released excellent vehicles in 2014 with fair purchase prices under $25,000. Some of the best options for budget­conscious buyers include:
  • Hyundai Accent
  • Toyota Prius c
  • Scion xD
  • Chevrolet Spark EV
All of these cars get excellent reviews from consumers. Many of them even offer luxury features that used to cost quite a bit of money. The Toyota Prius C and Chevrolet Spark EV, for instance, have electric motors. Hybrid and electric technology used to cost a lot of money. In 2014, manufacturers proved that they could create eco­friendly vehicles for average consumers.

Explore these and other models to find an affordable new car from KBB.com that has high-tech features.

Coolest Features of 2014 Cars

If you want a car with the coolest features possible, you have to look to luxury models that often cost more than the average person can afford. That's okay, however, since some of these features will eventually become standard. Even if you can't afford to buy one of these cars now, you'll likely see their features included in cheaper models by the end of the decade.

Some of the coolest features include:
  • Retractable door handles: The 2014 Jaguar F­Type has handles that remain flush with the door until the owner unlocks it. They retract again when the car is turned on.
  • Built­in vacuum cleaner: The 2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite comes with a new features called HondaVac. It's a vacuum cleaner built into the minivan's rear cargo area. Cleaning up after your kids just got a lot easier.
  • Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with Full Auto Brake: Volvo's 2014 XC60 and S60 come with a feature that advances safety technology. As the long name suggests,these vehicles come with a system that identifies pedestrians and cyclists so they can automatically brake and avoid impacts.
While you may not want to purchase these high­priced features now, give it some time and they will become affordable.

Most Expensive Cars of 2014

Let's forget practicality for a moment and focus on cars that only the wealthiest people can afford. These high­performance vehicles aren't always the most comfortable cars, but they can outcompete anything else on the road.

If you happen to have several million dollars just sitting around, consider buying:
  • Lamborghini Veneno Roadster: This 12­cylinder car has a top speed of 221 mph. It can go from zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. And it costs $4.5 million. Lamborghini only made nine of them in 2014, so it's unlikely that you'll find one for sale.
  • Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse: Compared to the Veneno, this 16­cylinder car with a top speed of 255.5 mph is practically a steal at just $2.5 million. Bugatti claims it's currently the fastest production roadster in the world.
  • Koenigsegg Agera A: The Agera A, which sells for just over $1.5 million, manages to get 1,030 horsepower out of a V8 engine. $1.5 million is just the starting price. By the time you're done customizing your purchase, you'll probably spend closer to $2.85 million.

2014 Improvements in Self­Driving Cars

You can't buy a self­driving car, yet, but several companies made impressive advances in self­driving technology during 2014. Audi demonstrated its RS7, a driverless car that reached 149 mph during a demonstration. Tesla Motors also introduced a driverless prototype. Perhaps most importantly, California granted Google and several other companies permits to test their self­driving cars on public roads.

If you're the type of driver who already reads, eats, or texts during your commute, self-driving cars may actually save your life someday. Also, they're extremely cool. It's difficult not to get excited about such a major change in driving technology.

What was 2014's most exciting automotive moment for you? Was it learning about new technology, or was it simply finding a great deal on a new car?