It’s become more difficult to find affordable, good cars. Since the sub-$20,000 new automobile market is no longer viable and average transaction prices remain high, more consumers are searching for ways to save costs on their next purchases. Luckily, there are still plenty of affordable, high-quality options available.
Consumer Reports has listed the top ten affordable vehicles available for purchase through the first half of 2024. All of the possibilities are priced at slightly less than $25,000, and they vary from affordable premium options to entry-level sedans and crossovers.
Consumer Reports provides an in-depth review of every car, including with information like typical transaction costs and the reasons behind these 10 Best Cheap Cars’ exceptional rankings. In any case, if you’re looking for an inexpensive car, any of these choices are good ones.
Table of contents
Buick Envista
Price: $23,995
If Buick can be classified as a “luxury” carmaker, then the Envista is your only choice. With a sleek exterior, a high-end cabin, and a powerful drivetrain, the Buick crossover achieves up to 30 miles per gallon combined while producing 137 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine. For 2025, the starting price of a new Buick Envista is $23,995.
Hyundai Elantra
Price: $22,775
The Hyundai Elantra is still a fantastic small sedan, despite not being as well-liked as the Honda Civic or as dependable historically as the Toyota Corolla. With a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower, it starts at just $22,775 for the 2024 model year. In contrast, the Elantra Hybrid starts at $27,400 and can achieve up to 54 miles per gallon combined.
Hyundai Venue
Price: $21,295
The Hyundai Venue, one of just three SUVs on this list, is still among the most reasonably priced crossovers available in the United States. It starts at just $21,295 for the 2024 model year and has a basic 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 121 horsepower and can go up to 31 miles per gallon combined. The Venue is a good, reasonably priced SUV with lots of capacity, but there isn’t currently a hybrid version available.
Kia Forte
Price: $21,145
Alongside the world’s Hondas and Toyotas, Kia’s tiny car frequently gets lost in the chaos. However, don’t discount the Forte. The smallest car from Kia will cost $21,145 in 2024 and get up to 41 combined miles per gallon. However according to reports, the present Forte won’t last much longer; within the next few years, it might be replaced or given a new name.
Mazda3
Price: $25,135
The compact Mazda offers an abundance of goodies and a strong personality. The Mazda3 has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower as standard, and it costs just $25,135 for the sedan and $26,135 for the hatchback. A 250-hp four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive are also available when you upgrade to the Turbo variant, which is available in both body types.
Nissan Kicks
$21,340
The 2024 models of the Nissan Kicks will shortly go off the lot as the 2025 model just received a significant redesign. But if you can get your hands on a new 2024 Kicks before they sell out, it’s a good little SUV with great standard safety equipment and a starting price of under $21,340. All-wheel drive and a more upscale interior are two new features of the Kicks.
Nissan Sentra
Price: $21,725
The Nissan Versa is the most affordable new car in America, and it’s a great vehicle. Although its larger sibling, the Sentra, costs a little more, it’s still a good little car that can compete with the Civic, Corolla, and other models. With a starting price of $21,725, the redesigned 2024 Sentra boasts additional safety features and better looks.
Subaru Impreza
Price: $24,085
The 2024 Subaru Impreza only comes with five doors. In 2023, Subaru discontinued the car. Nonetheless, for those seeking a little extra room, the Impreza hatch remains a great choice. Its base price is $24,085 and its 2.0-litre flat-four produces 152 horsepower. An optional RS model with a larger engine producing 182 horsepower is also offered.
Toyota Corolla
Price: $23,145
The ever-dependable Toyota Corolla makes it into the top 10 on CR’s list of the best affordable vehicles of the year, coming in second only to the Honda Civic on the list of best-selling compact cars. And with good cause. With a regular four-cylinder engine, the base Corolla LE costs only $23,145. Hybrid vehicles, on the other hand, can achieve up to 50 miles per gallon combined and are still reasonably priced at $24,760.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Price: $24,725
Toyota now provides a five-door Corolla Hatchback if you need space in the trunk for additional items but still want the same dependability and cost as the Corolla. The base SE model of the Corolla Hatchback, which has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, is priced at $24,725. A combined mileage of up to 33 mpg is achieved by the Corolla Hatchback.
