- 2023 Nissan Kicks – $20,440
- 2023 Chevrolet Trax – $20,400
- 2023 Nissan Sentra – $20,050
- 2023 Kia Soul – $19,890
- 2023 Subaru Impreza – $19,795
- 2023 Kia Forte – $19,690
- 2023 Hyundai Venue – $19,650
- 2023 Kia Rio – $16,750
- 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage – $16,245
- 2023 Nissan Versa – $15,830
Cars are becoming increasingly expensive; here are some excellent cheapies.
Cars are undoubtedly a necessity in today's busy world, especially if you want independence and an easy way to get around.
Unfortunately, thanks to ever-improving technologies, regulations, fluctuating currencies, and import costs, cars are becoming extremely expensive, especially for the younger generations. Buying second-hand is usually the go-to option nowadays, but that comes with the risk of unknown issues, prior wear and tear, and reduced warranties.
Thankfully, some cheapies are still on the market to give you the peace of mind that comes with a brand-new car. You'll know everything works, nothing is worn down, and most components are covered if an issue occurs within the warranty period. Here are the cheapest new cars you can currently buy in the USA based on their suggested MSRP.
2023 Nissan Kicks – $20,440
Compact crossovers have slowly taken over the market for the last few years. They're relatively cheap, offer near-hatchback fuel economy, and have plenty of space for a small family. The Nissan Kicks is a good crossover, with Nissan focusing on long-distance comfort and ease of use on tight, congested roads.
At the front, you'll find a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT (continuously variable transmission). Although enthusiasts often criticize these transmissions, they make sense for city driving and shorter trips. As for fuel consumption, the little Kicks manages 31 MPG in town and 36 on the highway, allowing you to save a few bucks on fuel.
As standard, the crossover gets Hill Start Assist, Active Ride Control, which allows automatic braking over bumps for a smoother ride, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more standard features such as air-conditioning and high beam assist.
2023 Chevrolet Trax – $20,400
You can get Chevy's compact crossover for a massive saving of $40.
Whereas the Kicks has a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter, the Chevrolet Trax has a 1.2-liter turbocharger three-cylinder. Oddly enough, the fuel economy takes a slight knock compared to the Nissan, managing only 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. You get more power with the Trax's 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, beating the Kicks' 122 hp and 114 lb-ft. The tiny three-pot is mated to a more traditional six-speed automatic transmission, which makes it more attractive from a driving perspective.
Every Trax gets Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and assist, and forward collision assist.
2023 Nissan Sentra – $20,050
Moving away from the crossovers, the Nissan Sentra has proven to be an excellent sedan option for generations and certainly looks the part in its 2023 guise. Right off the bat, the Sentra produces outstanding fuel economy figures, with 29 MPG in town and an incredible 39 MPG on the highway. As with the Kicks, the Sentra gets a suite of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features, including hill start assist, active ride control, and intelligent engine braking.
Nissan has focused chiefly on fuel economy with the Sentra, giving it unique features such as active grille shutters and a Sentra Eco Mode. If you're on the market for a little more punch from your budget car, the Sentra is powered by a 2.0-liter naturally aspirate four-pot producing a respectable 149 horsepower, even from the standard S model.
It's also practical, with outstanding legroom in the rear and the option to fold down the rear seats to fit extra cargo in the back.
2023 Kia Soul – $19,890
A starting price of $19,890 is great for a compact crossover, but you'll, unfortunately, have the risk of coming out of the shops to find your car is no longer there. Certain Hyundais and Kias have become highly susceptible to theft, but if you can get your head around that, the Soul is still a great car.
The Kia Soul is a bit punchier than previously mentioned crossovers, making 147 horsepower thanks to its 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant. As standard, you get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic emergency braking, and remote keyless entry, which is usually an optional extra within this price bracket.
Few budget cars on this list offer as much standard equipment. The Soul is excellent value for money. Still waiting to be impressed? The Soul only consumes 35 MPG on the highway and comes with a class-leading warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles, ensuring peace of mind for a whole decade.
2023 Subaru Impreza – $19,795
Not too long ago, the Impreza was the go-to car if you wanted to do some spirited driving. Now the Impreza is a shadow of its former self, but at least it's cheap.
For just $19,795 (or $20,295 for the Subaru Impreza hatchback), you'll not only get all the safety features and creature comforts we've become so accustomed to on this list, but you'll also get the safety that comes with a standard all-wheel-drive system.
The Impreza also scored a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is also the most powerful car on this list, producing 152 horsepower from its unique Boxer engine. Don't expect any fireworks, however. At least it's frugal, consuming 36 MPG on the highway and 28 MPG in town.
2023 Kia Forte – $19,690
If you find the Soul rather strange looking, maybe the Forte will be more your style.
The Forte makes for a great daily driver boasting an extremely impressive 41 MPG on the highway. It also grabbed the title of Most Dependable Compact car in the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, ensuring you get from A to B with no hassles. Kia knows the vehicle is dependable and sells it with a standard 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, making a respectable 147 hp. The power goes to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.
It has the same standard features as the Soul, resulting in comfortable, if somewhat dull, journeys.
2023 Hyundai Venue – $19,650
As with the Kia Soul, you'll have to overlook Hyundai's susceptibility to theft and its somewhat questionable exterior design.
As standard, you'll only get 121 horsepower and a rating of 33 MPG on the highway. These are by no means bad figures, but it's tough to see the value compared to a Forte, which is a measly $40 more expensive.
Standard items include lane-keep assist, driver attention warning, forward-collision avoidance, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, high beam assist, and a rear seat reminder. Besides that, the Venue has nothing inspiring to offer.
Its value lies in the fact it's a crossover, just like the Trax and Kicks.
2023 Kia Rio – $16,750
The Kia Rio is a spectacular little car and is the closest we'll get to having a Volkswagen Polo in the US.
It's small but makes up for that with its pricing, being arguably the first real cheap car on this list. In its standard sedan form, the Rio starts at $16,750, with the Kia Rio hatchback coming in at $17,690. It may be cheap, but it's surprisingly well-equipped. As standard, you'll get a rather large 8.0-inch touchscreen, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Highway driving will be cheap, with a claimed consumption of just 41 MPG.
Once again, you'll get the peace of mind that comes with Kia's famous 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
2023 Mitsubishi Mirage – $16,245
If you thought the Rio was compact, get a look at this. The Mirage is one of the smallest cars on the market today, and to most, that may mean it's not built for longevity. Mitsubishi will sell you the Mirage with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, however.
The Mirage takes the term affordable and turns it up to an 11. It is the second-cheapest car in the US and offers the best fuel consumption we've seen thus far on the list. With the CVT gearbox, the Mirage manages 43 MPG on the highway and 39 MPG in the city.
But, honestly, we wouldn't bother. The Mirage is a sad little car that has little else going for it apart from the things mentioned above. If you love cars, this is one you should stay away from.
2023 Nissan Versa – $15,830
And finally, the cheapest brand-new car in the US today is the Nissan Versa. Nissan obviously focused significantly on affordability, having three of the 10 cheapest cars on sale today. The Versa may be the most affordable car on this list, but it certainly doesn't look it. The Versa also manages 32 MPG on the highway and 40 MPG in the city. Not quite as impressive as the Mirage, but at least the Nissan makes an effort to be semi-interesting.
The Versa is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing a respectable 122 hp. The base S model Versa has a five-speed manual transmission, while higher trim models have a CVT. We'll stick with the cheapest, thank you very much.
Even at this price point, Nissan gives you automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic forward and reverse braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-alertness monitor.
Keyword: Cheapest New Cars: 10 Most Affordable Models On The Market