The checklist of low cost vehicles in America is shrinking quick. Granted, “low cost” means various things to completely different consumers, and we’re setting our personal bar at an excellent $20,000 as a result of that is the lowest spherical quantity we are able to discover new vehicles beneath. In case you’ve acquired only a few extra cash to pinch collectively every month, setting the restrict at $23,000 would enable the addition of a number of stable choices, together with the Kia Forte, Kia Soul, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Jetta.
However right here we’re within the yr 2024, and there are certainly nonetheless three new vehicles on seller tons with window stickers exhibiting an asking value that is lower than $20,000.
So, what’s the least expensive new automobile in America carrying a 2024 mannequin yr?
Finest new automobile beneath $20,000: 2024 Nissan Versa
2024 Nissan Versa
Why it stands out: Very low cost; respectable styling; environment friendly with the CVT; refined driving experienceCould be higher: Sedan-only; disappointing gas financial system with the guide
Learn our most up-to-date Nissan Versa overview
The Nissan Versa is an especially sturdy finances providing. First off, it’s formally the most affordable new automobile you should purchase with a beginning value of $17,405. It makes 122 horsepower, which in a automobile this dimension retains it perky sufficient in site visitors, and it is out there with both a five-speed guide or CVT. The guide is a bit inefficient with a mixed gas financial system of 30 mpg, however the CVT is sweet with 35 mpg. The Versa is impressively quiet and cozy with out diminishing dealing with functionality an excessive amount of. The outside and inside styling are sharp and really feel a bit extra polished than different subcompacts. Each trim degree is available in beneath $20,000, so you might have room so as to add choices. It is solely out there as a sedan, although, and the closest hatchback providing from Nissan, the Kicks, begins above $20,000.
Different new vehicles beneath $20,000
2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
Why it stands out: Very low cost; very efficientCould be higher: Terribly sluggish; disagreeable to drive
With an asking value of $18,110 (together with a required “Welcome Package” that features ground mats and, oddly, a tonneau cowl that is listed beneath equipment however apparently can also be required), the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is the second-cheapest new automobile we all know for positive is badged as a 2024 mannequin. Eager cheap-car observers will word that this value is kind of a bit larger than it was (it was $15,690 in 2022, which is as a result of the beforehand commonplace five-speed guide has been supplanted by a now-standard constantly variable automated, and nearly a grand cheaper in 2023). However should you’re searching for a hatchback, the Mitsubishi Mirage is your least expensive choice.
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan is barely costlier than its hatchback sibling with a beginning value of $19,055, equally now geared up solely with an automated transmission and together with the Welcome Package.
Gas financial system from the Mirage is kind of good, incomes as much as 39 miles per gallon mixed relying on trim. Sadly, the Mirage is painfully sluggish, because it solely makes 76 horsepower. It would not make up for it with dealing with, which is sloppy and disconnected. We’d not advocate this automobile, particularly for the reason that Nissan Versa is now barely cheaper.
Â
2023 Kia Rio
Why it stands out: Inexpensive; alternative of physique types; good dealing with; very efficientCould be higher: A bit sluggish; journey is a bit stiff
The Kia Rio — which remains to be listed on Kia’s web site and stock checklist as a 2023 mannequin — is principally the Kia model of the Hyundai Accent that’s now not out there, and it begins at $17,905. It comes commonplace with a CVT. And, sure, meaning there isn’t any guide transmission out there. Nonetheless, you may get the Rio in hatchback type (dubbed the Rio 5-Door), which does web you just a little further house together with the hatchback versatility. It isn’t a quick automobile with its 121-horsepower engine, but it surely has nimble dealing with courtesy of it is moderately stiff, however managed suspension. The elective S trim for the sedan can also be out there for beneath $20,000, in case you need just a few extra options. It is also environment friendly with 36 mpg mixed for each physique types.
And that is it. There are solely anticipated to be three new autos in 2024 out there to buy for lower than $20,000. However there are different choices should you’re prepared to have a look at the used market.
Finest Used Vehicles Buys to Purchase Beneath $20,000
Whereas the typical value for used autos in America has been rising proper together with new vehicles, there are nonetheless quite a lot of good, gently used choices price contemplating. Listed below are just a few of our favorites (together with some that not too long ago have been out there new beneath our $20,000 value cap):
2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt
Our prime decide is the second-generation Chevy Volt. It is a plug-in hybrid, which suggests the primary 50-plus miles can be on electrical energy (assuming it was plugged within the night time earlier than). Put merely, it is probably the most environment friendly approach to journey for lower than $20,000. It is also fairly good to drive, with good dealing with, a snug journey, quiet operation and a lot of the trendy know-how you’d count on in a reasonably new automobile. It is confirmed dependable through the years, although having separate gasoline and electrical powertrains means dear potential repairs like full battery replacements are a possible fear though they’re fairly unusual.
Â
2019-2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Any Toyota Corolla is more likely to be a solidly dependable automobile. We like the marginally smaller hatchback, which we predict appears higher than its sedan sibling. We additionally just like the six-speed guide transmission, however actually, the CVT on this software is fairly good. Being a Toyota, the Corolla should have sturdy resale worth, which is a bonus should you assume you would possibly need to promote it and improve inside just a few years.
Â
2019 Ford Fusion
Ford pulled out of the sedan phase totally, but it surely bought the mid-size Fusion up till the 2020 mannequin yr. They weren’t in sturdy demand towards the tip of its run as a brand new automobile, and the ensuing low transaction costs imply they’re fairly priced on the used market, too. A Fusion goes to be a lot bigger and sure extra snug than any of the brand-new small financial system vehicles that it might examine with on a pricing degree. It did not change a lot during the last a number of years of its life, so the precise mannequin yr could not matter as a lot because the mileage and choices.
Â
2019-2020 Honda Match
Honda dropped the spunky little Match hatchback in America after the 2020 mannequin yr. We miss its helpful and roomy inside, which was cleverly designed to supply much more utility than you’d assume based mostly on the Match’s small exterior dimensions. Its 1.5-liter four-cylinder spun out 130 horsepower, which is not lots, but it surely’s higher and extra refined than something you will expertise at its value off the new-car lot. The Match can also be fairly enjoyable to drive for many who, you realize, prefer to drive, particularly with its elective six-speed guide transmission.
Â
2019-2020 VW Jetta 1.4T
We have provided just a few American and Japanese choices, but when your preferences lean European, there’s one low-cost German automobile that it’s best to check out. The Volkswagen Jetta may be discovered on the used market with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and both an automated or guide transmission. Both approach, it is a spacious package deal and supremely gas environment friendly with scores of 30 mpg within the metropolis, 40 on the freeway and 34 mixed.
Â
2018-2019 Kia Sportage
Crossovers are all the fad lately, but it surely’s not very straightforward to discover a good one beneath our $20,000 value restrict. The fourth technology of the Kia Sportage debuted in 2017, and also you may need to forged a large web to search out one with the choices you need and the mileage you are prepared to just accept, however offers are on the market.
Â
2020-2021 Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is funky and enjoyable, and it was fairly darn low cost, too. Today it would not fairly qualify as an financial system automobile, however current mannequin years have fallen sufficient that it is a viable under-$20,000 choice. The Soul has an agreeable character, and whereas it might not be probably the most environment friendly automobile in your checklist, it could be one of the versatile and sensible. In its most-efficient type, the front-wheel-drive Soul returns 30 miles per gallon, and in its sportiest type affords 201 horsepower and fast acceleration. It is also very completely different from different vehicles; it is a distinctive form that straddles the road between hatchback and crossover, and it would not appear to be the rest on the street. In case you worth quirkiness, the Kia Soul needs to be in your checklist.
Â
2020-2021 Hyundai Venue
New Venues nearly qualify to be on this checklist, which suggests gently used ones are comfortably within the combine. It is a tall, boxy little machine that is chock full of favor, most likely greater than the rest within the class. Good particulars are all over the place, together with the distinctive headlights, the basket-weave grille and the angular particulars within the taillights. The inside is a bit much less daring, however is properly assembled, and the driving place could be very crossover-like: up excessive with wonderful visibility. Regardless of solely having 121 horsepower and mated solely to a CVT, the Venue feels spunky, if not actually quick. Gas financial system is respectable if not extraordinary at 31 mpg mixed. The draw back to the Venue is that it’s totally small, with cramped rear seats and considerably small cargo house, although the latter is helped by the flexibleness of the excessive roof and folding seats. Additionally, regardless of being a tiny crossover, the Venue can solely be had with front-wheel drive.
Â
2020-2021 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza affords a good bit for the cash, and we’re not simply speaking about its tools. Being a compact sedan, moderately than a subcompact, makes it one of many roomier autos on this checklist. It additionally includes a shiny and ethereal cabin. And it comes commonplace with all-wheel drive. In base type, the Impreza affords a guide transmission, however since so few individuals need a guide lately and few sellers carry them, they are not straightforward to search out. It is also provided in each sedan and hatchback type. The guide Impreza is not particularly gas environment friendly with a mixed mpg of 26 mpg (the CVT manages 32 mpg), and the 152 horsepower feels fairly pokey.
Let the financial savings proceed: Least expensive Vehicles to Insure
Associated video:
