The dream garage has always been about aspiration—exotic names, eye-watering price tags, and cars most of us will never own. But what if the real challenge is building a great garage on a budget that actually makes sense? On Episode 42 of The Driveway Podcast, Elliot, Natalie, David, and Matt put their money where their mouths are, drafting three-car garages under $90,000 MSRP—with a catch: every garage must include at least one crossover and at least one alternative-fuel vehicle.
Building Our Dream VALUE Garage! | The Driveway Podcast #42
The Driveway Podcast
Episode 42
Published: February 2026
The Rules
Before the picks fly, Matt walks the crew through the draft format. The budget is $90,000 MSRP across three cars—not $100,000—because MSRP is the starting point, and real-world out-the-door prices often climb higher with destination fees, taxes, and documentation charges. Shaving $10K off the ceiling acknowledges reality without making the game impossible.
Two hard requirements shape every garage:
- At least one crossover
- At least one alternative-fuel vehicle—EV, PHEV, or hybrid all qualify
Everything else is fair game. The draft follows a snake order determined by random draw, with the turn giving the fourth pick two consecutive choices in the middle of the draft. A vote at the end—no self-voting allowed—crowns the winner.
A quick note on MSRP vs. out-the-door pricing: MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) is the automaker's set starting point—a useful comparison tool, but not what most buyers actually pay. Destination fees are essentially universal, taxes vary by state, and dealer fees can range from reasonable to eyebrow-raising. CarGurus has resources helping shoppers negotiate.
The Draft
Pick 1 — Natalie: Ford Maverick XL Hybrid | $28,145
Natalie leads the draft by snagging the car practically everyone had on their list. The Maverick hybrid checks every efficiency and practicality box. It's a real pickup truck (compact, but a truck), and it arrives with hybrid fuel economy built into the base XL trim.
Pick 2 — Dave: Chevy Equinox EV LT (base) | $35,000
Dave plants his flag early in the EV space, arguing that the Chevy Equinox EV proves affordable electric vehicles don't require compromise. At $35K for the base LT trim, it's a good-looking, well-sized crossover with respectable range—and it checks both the crossover and alt-fuel boxes in one shot. Dave notes the gas version of the Equinox actually looks far less interesting, making the EV an easy visual upgrade. With both requirements handled, Dave's remaining picks have maximum freedom.
Pick 3 — Elliot: Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE | $24,775
The most economical pick of the draft. The Corolla Hybrid LE returns an estimated 53 MPG combined—extraordinary efficiency for a sub-$25,000 car. Elliot frames it as the ideal urban commuter: inexpensive, reliable, and cheap to operate. It satisfies the hybrid requirement and leaves significant budget for two more fun picks.
Pick 4 — Matt: Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport | $30,430
Matt uses his first of two consecutive picks to grab the sports car he had his eye on all along. 2026 marks the first year the Miata's MSRP has crossed the $30,000 threshold, a bittersweet milestone for fans of the nameplate's legendary affordability. Manual transmission included. No apologies offered.
Pick 5 — Matt: Hyundai Venue SE | $20,550
Matt's second pick is the Hyundai Venue. The cheapest new vehicle on the market (technically a crossover, it checks that required box for the draft). Matt defends the Venue as "basic transportation" and points to its 10-year powertrain warranty as an invitation to drive it hard. His colleagues are less convinced of its charms. With these two picks, Matt has spent just over $51,000,leaving nearly $38,000 for one final vehicle.
Pick 6 — Elliot: Kia Sorento LX | $32,390
The only third-row vehicle in the entire draft. Elliot recognizes that variety matters in a three-car garage and that the Sorento's size, which is manageable enough for city driving but flexible enough for family use, fills a gap no one else is addressing. The third row isn't designed for adults, but it handles carpool duty and unexpected passengers without complaint.
Pick 7 — Dave: Nissan Kicks S | $22,430
Dave calls this his anti-Venue pick: a sub-$23,000 crossover that was fully redesigned for the current generation and, crucially, looks like it costs considerably more. Dave argues the Kicks represents the best accomplishment an automaker can pull off with an inexpensive car: making it look expensive. The interior fits tall occupants far better than the previous generation, and practicality improves substantially with the rear seats folded.
Pick 8 — Natalie: Mazda CX-30 2.5S Select Sport | $27,660
Natalie uses her second pick to fulfill the crossover requirement (and to get the leatherette heated seats she's been quietly angling for all episode). The CX-30 Select Sport delivers refined styling, solid tech, and a level of interior quality that routinely punches above its price point. Base trim starts at $25,975; Natalie pays a modest premium for the upgrades she actually wants.
Pick 9 — Natalie: Toyota GR86 Premium | $33,800
Natalie closes her garage with arguably the most purely enthusiast pick of the draft. The GR86 Premium adds heated front seats to an already compelling sports car package. Combined with the Maverick and CX-30, it creates a garage that covers every use case: work truck, refined daily driver, and weekend sports car.
Pick 10 — Dave: Honda Civic Si | $31,495
Dave's final pick brings the fun without abandoning practicality. The Civic Si is a four-door sedan with a rev-happy engine, one of the best manual transmissions in the segment, sublime handling, and a trunk. It fits a family, lasts forever, and makes every commute at least a little more interesting.
Pick 11 — Elliot: Ford Mustang EcoBoost | $32,640
Elliot wraps his garage with a classic. The EcoBoost Mustang is frequently cited as one of the overlooked greats: excellent chassis balance, legitimate performance, and a proper sports car experience at a price that doesn't demand three-car-garage math to justify.
Pick 12 — Matt: Ford Mustang Mach-E Select | $37,795
Matt closes with the Mustang Mach-E, completing his requirement for an EV crossover. The Select trim is the base, but Matt argues the Mach-E remains one of the better-looking EVs in its class. His garage totals out at the lowest price of anyone in the draft, though it does contain the Venue, which his co-hosts have opinions about.
The Garages
Natalie's Garage | Total: $89,605
- Ford Maverick XL Hybrid — $28,145
- Mazda CX-30 2.5S Select Sport — $27,660
- Toyota GR86 Premium — $33,800
Dave's Garage | Total: $88,920
- Chevy Equinox EV LT — $35,000
- Nissan Kicks S — $22,430
- Honda Civic Si — $31,495
Elliot's Garage | Total: $89,805
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE — $24,775
- Kia Sorento LX — $32,390
- Ford Mustang EcoBoost — $32,640
Matt's Garage | Total: $88,775
- Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport — $30,430
- Hyundai Venue SE — $20,550
- Ford Mustang Mach-E Select — $37,795
Speed Round: What Car Do You Wish You'd Picked?
Matt — Ford Maverick. He knew someone would grab it early and preemptively took it off his own list. He was right and he still regrets it.
Dave — Ford Maverick or Kia Sorento. The Sorento's utility is ultimately what pushed his vote toward Elliot.
Natalie — Honda Civic Si. She voted for Dave and the Civic Si was a big reason why. She hadn't thought of it as a fun affordable option going in.
Elliot — Mazda MX-5 Miata. It was nearly his first pick, and watching Matt grab it stung. He points out that between the GR86 (from $31,200), the Civic Si ($31,495), and the Miata ($30,430), there's a genuine embarrassment of riches in the $30K sports car space.
How to Listen
Have a question for the team? Send an email to editorial@cargurus.com
The Hosts
Elliot Haney
Senior Video Producer, Host
Natalie Harrington
Lead Staff Writer
David Undercoffler
Editor-in-Chief, Autolist
Matt Smith
Head of Content, CarGurus US