2019 CarBuzz Awards: People's Car

We had trouble faulting the2020 Kia Soulwhen we tested it. It's that good. We agree that the styling won't be to everyone's tastes but with a starting MSRP of just$17,490, few sub-compact crossovers offer as much interior space as the Soul. Not only is it spacious, but it's also the most powerful vehicle in its segment. For$27,490, the Soul GT-Line packs a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out 201 hp. Compared to all of the other sub-compacts we drove this year, the Soul is a rocket ship.

It also packs some of the best interior technology at any price. Kia's infotainment system is large and easy-to-use and the safety features wouldn't feel out of place in a luxury car. The lane keep system, for example, kept us in our lane for almost five minutes before telling us to put our hands back on the wheel. This is incredible for a sub-$30,000 car.

Side Note: If you liked everything we said about the Soul but just can't get over the looks, the Kia Forte offers the same astounding drivetrains wrapped up in a prettier sedan body.

The vehicle we found ourselves recommending the most this year was the2019 Mazda CX-5.People have gone crossover crazy and of all the SUVs we tested this year, the CX-5 offers the best combination of value and driving enjoyment. Mazda knows how to make a fun vehicle with the MX-5 Miata and some of that joy is palpable in the CX-5. The 2.5-liter four-pot with 187 hp found in the base$24,350Sport Trim is fine but it's the 227-hp turbocharged four-pot used in the$34,870Grand Touring Reserve trim that we fell in love with.

It offers a whopping 310 lb-ft of torque and willhave even more for the 2020 model year.Combine this with great steering and a well-sorted chassis, and it's easy to understand why we love the CX-5. Not only does the CX-5 look beautiful with its Kodo design language, but the higher trim levels have an interior that wouldn't offend even the most loyal luxury car buyer. In fact, we've witnessed a few buyers trade in their luxury vehicles for a CX-5, saving thousands over a comparable luxury model.

The Mazda CX-5 is not just affordable, it is also the most enjoyable SUV we've driven this year. It is our go-to recommendation for an affordable car, which is why it comfortably wins People's Car of the Year.