Americans are driving less, canceling vacations, and tightening budgets. And it isn't me who is saying this. A survey conducted in March by Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos found that rising gas prices have taken a psychological toll on motorists in the country. With average gas prices at around $4.54 per gallon, up from $3.50 per gallon a year ago, 44 percent of the 2,500 respondents admitted they are driving less, and 34 percent have changed their travel or vacation plans. Around 42 percent said they have reduced household expenses to afford gas. At a time when average new-car transaction prices were already on an upward surge, this has come as a double whammy.While comfort, features, and performance have played a huge role in automobile sales in the country, running costs are now more relevant than ever before. Purchasing a vehicle isn't the only dent in the bank account. Driving it is bleeding pockets, too. Hybrids offer great mileage, but initial acquisition prices aren't for everyone. And most fully-electric vehicles (EVs) have lost tax credits and continue to suffer from a lack of infrastructure support. So, what are your best options if you want an affordable ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle that is also (relatively) easy on your budget?The list below covers non-hybrid trims and non-electric models priced under $30,000 only. This is to ensure purchase affordability while still covering the important aspect of running costs. Models are listed in ascending order based on MSRP, from the lowest to the highest. 2026 Nissan Sentra MSRP: $22,600 NissanIt isn't the best-selling model in its segment. It isn't the sportiest either. But the Nissan Sentra has been on American roads for over four decades because it plays to its one strength well: practicality. It is one of the most affordable sedans money can buy and is fairly stylish to look at as well. Coupled with a cabin that is relatively spacious, the Sentra targets budget buyers who don't want to show they are budget buyers.Nissan Critics may rightly point to its underpowered engine and rather dull drive dynamics. But with a combined EPA-rated mileage of 33 mpg, a respectable list of features, and a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0 as per RepairPal, the 2026 Sentra is a no-nonsense option to navigate through current troubled times. 2026 Sentra Sedan SV Ownership Costs 2026 Hyundai Elantra MSRP: $22,625 TopSpeed | Michael Frank The Koreans offer plenty of premium models that are built to impress. But they aren't exactly priced to please. The Elantra, though, belongs to a different branch of the Hyundai family tree. Launched in the US in the early 1990s, the compact sedan was always competing in a tough field dominated by the Japanese.TopSpeed | Michael Frank A best-in-class powertrain warranty valid for 10 years or 100,000 miles alone makes the 2026 Elantra punch hard, while a long feature list, comfortable cabin, and a combined EPA-rated mileage of 35 mpg are some of its other strengths. The sedan is also available with a hybrid powertrain for even better fuel efficiency, and an N Line trim for better drive dynamics, but these drive up the purchase price. The lower trims, although plagued by hard plastics in the cabin and underwhelming drive dynamics, are value-for-money options. 2026 Elantra Sedan SEL Sport Ownership Costs 2026 Toyota Corolla MSRP: $23,125 Toyota The best-selling Toyota in the world, the Corolla, is an exceptionally good value proposition and is the default buying option for Americans on a budget. There are plenty of reasons why. Reliable (4.5 out of 5.0, as per RepairPal), low maintenance cost, comfortable to be in, and features that aren't catering to Gen Zs alone, the Corolla appeals to buyers across diverse demographies.Toyota The EPA-rated combined mileage of 35 mpg is respectable on the non-hybrid trims, and a comparatively slow depreciation rate makes the 2026 Corolla the perfect car for long-term ownership. Of course, it isn't very refined on the move, and neither is it eager when merging onto the freeway. But that's a small price to pay for a car that is easy to buy, easy to drive, and easy to own. 2026 Corolla Sedan LE Ownership Costs 2026 Honda Civic MSRP: $24,695 Honda Another bang for the buck option comes from yet another Japanese stable. Toyotas are way too common, and while Hondas aren't exclusive by any stretch of imagination, the 2026 Civic is a smart option for anyone not willing to compromise drive dynamics at the altar of pricing. A near-perfect assimilation of performance, practicality, and fuel economy, over 12.3 million units of the model have been sold to Americans since its 1973 debut. Let go of the hybrid, hatchback, and Type R, which are significantly more expensive, and you still get a Civic that is stylish to look at, big enough for small families, and comparatively more fun to drive than most segment rivals.Honda With an EPA-rated fuel economy of 36 mpg, this here can also be a mile muncher minus the need for frequent fuel pump breaks. RepairPal gives it 4.5 out of 5.0 for reliability, which also means fewer out-of-schedule trips to the service center. It may not hold value as well as a Corolla, but if you aren't comparing, the depreciating pattern over a five-year period is quite impressive. 2026 Civic Sedan Sport Ownership Costs Toyota Corolla Cross MSRP: $25,235 Amee Reehal | TopSpeed Do you want everything a Corolla has to offer but not in a sedan form factor? Why not the Corolla Cross then? Sure, it is more expensive than the Corolla, but it does benefit from all its strengths while offering a few of its own.Toyota Even the non-hybrid trims offer decent fuel economy of (EPA-rated, combined) 32 mpg, have a high driving position for good visibility, are easier to get in and out of compared to its sedan twin, and have a much larger cargo area (21.5 cubic feet against 13.1 cubic feet inside the sedan). While not very refined or enthusiastic either, the 2026 Corolla Cross manages to hold value almost as well while offering near-same levels of reliability — 4.0 out of 5.0, as per RepairPal. 2026 Corolla Cross L Ownership Costs A car purchase is one of life's biggest decisions anywhere in the world. And while a plethora of factors play a role in deciding which one to bring home, pricing and running costs remain crucial considerations in the mass-market segments. With headwinds in the current global economic scenario, though, choosing right, paying right, and driving right are perhaps not just crucial but absolutely critical.Source: Edmunds, Ipsos, CarEdge, RepairPal