Last summer, the average cost of a new car reached $40,000. By December, that figure had risen to a jaw-dropping $47,077. The industry was rocked by a perfect storm of supply shortages and pandemic-related disruptions, sending prices skyrocketing.
Nissan Sentra – $20,635
The Nissan Sentra will not blow you away with excitement, but it is loaded with standard safety features. The engine is a 149-hp inline-four with a CVT. The last Sentra we tested reached 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is slightly faster than the others on this list. It's not as exciting to drive as the Honda Civic, but even the most expensive Sentra SR trim starts below the Civic's starting price.
The starting price is $20,635
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 33/29/39 mpg
Powertrain warranty is 5-years/60,000 miles, and the limited warranty is 3-years/36,000 miles.
Kia Soul – $20,505
The Kia Soul is the only vehicle on this list to have received not one, but two 10Best awards. It has a low starting price, plenty of cargo space, and its 147-hp inline-four with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) isn't underpowered.
The starting price is $20,505.
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 27/25/31 mpg (2.0L)
Powertrain warranty is 10 years/100,000-miles, and the limited warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles.
Hyundai Venue – $20,245
Entries are stacked in the subcompact segment. Some are good, but many are sleep-inducing. At the very least, the Hyundai Venue is affordable. The engine is a 121-hp inline-four with a CVT. It's pointless to compete with micro machines, but the Venue is 1.1 seconds faster to 60 than the more expensive Nissan Kicks and 2.4 seconds faster than the Toyota C-HR.
The starting price is $20,245
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 31/30/33 mpg
10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, and 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance
Kia Forte – $20,115
The Kia Forte is the Korean automaker's best-selling model. The base engine is a 147-horsepower inline-four, and the Forte gets excellent gas mileage, with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg on the highway. It also has a larger gas tank than the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf, giving the Forte an EPA-estimated 490 miles between fill-ups.
The starting price is $20,115.
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 35/31/41 mpg
Powertrain warranty is 10 years/100,000-miles, and the limited warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles.
Subaru Impreza – $19,790
The Subaru Impreza is the most affordable AWD vehicle on the market today. A 152-hp flat-four engine with a five-speed manual transmission provides power. Its lack of urgency results in better fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 31 mpg.
The starting price is $19,790.
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 26/23/31 mpg (Manual)
Powertrain warranty is 5-years/60,000 miles, and the limited warranty is 3-years/36,000 miles.
Hyundai Accent – $17,690
The starting price is $17,690.
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 33/29/39 mpg
10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, and 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance
Kia Rio – $17,275
The Kia Rio is available in two body styles. The sedan is $940 less expensive than the five-door hatchback. The Rio's only powertrain is a 120-hp inline-four with a CVT, and it is only front-wheel drive. Its subcompact size makes it enjoyable to drive through corners, but its dull steering is an immediate reminder of its low price. Gas stations despise them because the Rio gets an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.
The starting price is $17,275.
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 36/33/41 mpg
Powertrain warranty is 10 years/100,000-miles, and the limited warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles.
Nissan Versa – $16,205
The Nissan Versa comes standard with a slew of safety features, including front- and rear-automated emergency braking, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The front wheels are powered by a 122-hp inline-four with a five-speed manual transmission on the base S model. If it helps, people who spend close to $20,000 on a Versa SR or SV get the same amount of horsepower but with a boring CVT. The manual transmission, on the other hand, is noticeably worse for fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 35 mpg highway versus the CVT's 40 mpg.
The starting price is $16,205.
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 30/27/35 mpg
Powertrain warranty is 5-years/60,000 miles, and the limited warranty is 3-years/36,000 miles.
Mitsubishi Mirage – $16,125
The Mitsubishi Mirage is nearly the cheapest new car in America. The Mirage hatchback and G4 sedan are powered by the same 78-hp three-cylinder engine. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual. The previous Mirage we tested had a CVT and reached 60 mph in 12.8 seconds. To reach 90 mph, you must flatten the right pedal for 35.6 seconds. It takes more than a quarter-mile for the Mirage to reach 75 mph. The savings, on the other hand, are immediate.
The starting price is $16,125.
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 36/33/41 mpg
Warranty: 10-year/100,000-mile and 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranties are available.
Chevrolet Spark – $14,595
Chevy will lose its Spark in 2023, as the model is being phased out with no direct replacement. The Spark, America's cheapest new car since 2020, is, however, an excellent buy. The engine is a tiny 98-hp inline-four with a five-speed manual as standard in the base model. The Spark gets 38 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA, and its nine-gallon fuel tank is inexpensive to refill. Unfortunately, the Spark is severely lacking in standard safety features. Unless you pay extra, there is no forward-collision warning or automated emergency braking. Cruise control is also available as an option.
The starting price is $14,595.
EPA combined/city/highway fuel economy: 33/29/38 mpg
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, and one complimentary maintenance visit for the first year
