Regardless of the physique type, automobiles, vehicles and SUVs simply preserve getting increasingly costly. However should you’re on a good funds and need some new steel, there are nonetheless a handful of automobiles for below $20,000 that may be purchased new, and that is with vacation spot charges included. In actual fact, a few of them are fairly good, and there are just a few sizes and styles from which to select.
We have highlighted three of our favorites, however we’ll really spotlight every automobile in the marketplace for lower than that $20,000 cap. The explanation? Nicely, there are literally solely 9 automobiles in that value bracket. And whereas the others won’t be our favorites (or rapidly transcend $20,000 when you add even a single choice), they every have their very own distinctive traits that may make them the precise selections for some area of interest patrons.
Greatest automobiles for below $20,000
Kia Forte
Why it stands out: Wonderful worth, CVT out there for the value, very environment friendly, commonplace security options, spacious
Could possibly be higher: Gradual, a bit stiff
Learn our most up-to-date Kia Forte assessment
Probably the greatest of the very best funds entries right here is the Kia Forte just because it is such a powerful worth. It is a compact sedan, which implies it is considerably extra spacious than the same old subcompact automobiles out there on this value bracket. And also you get that area for a low $18,885. It comes commonplace with a six-speed guide, however you will get a CVT for an additional $900, and it nonetheless suits the funds at $19,785. You may have to stay to the bottom FE trim to remain below $20,000, however the FE trim occurs to be probably the most environment friendly. It will get a terrific 35 mpg mixed, and the guide does effectively, too, with 33 mpg. It additionally comes commonplace with options equivalent to lane-keep help, computerized emergency braking and driver consideration warning. It handles effectively, although it has a barely agency trip. Additionally, though the engine is environment friendly, its 147 horsepower makes the Forte fairly sluggish.
Nissan Versa
Why it stands out: Very low-cost, respectable styling, environment friendly with the CVT, refined driving expertise
Could possibly be higher: Sedan-only, disappointing gasoline financial system with the guide
Learn our most up-to-date Nissan Versa assessment
The Nissan Versa is a particularly robust funds providing. First off, it is one of many most cost-effective automobiles you should purchase, third most cost-effective within the nation with a base value of $15,995. It makes 122 horsepower, which in a automobile this dimension retains it perky sufficient in visitors, and it is out there with both a five-speed guide or CVT. The guide is a bit inefficient with a mixed gasoline financial system of 30 mpg, however the CVT is sweet with 35 mpg. The Versa is impressively quiet and comfy 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 below $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.
Hyundai Venue
Why it stands out: A great deal of type, crossover form and driving place, nice to drive
Could possibly be higher: No AWD out there, small inside and cargo area
Learn our most up-to-date Hyundai Venue assessment
The Hyundai Venue, beginning at $19,935, is the one automobile below our value cap that may be thought-about a crossover. It is a tall, boxy little machine that is chock full of favor, in all probability greater than the rest within the class. Good particulars are in all places 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 may 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 really 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 area, although the latter is helped by the pliability of the excessive roof and folding seats. Additionally, regardless of being a tiny crossover, the Venue can solely be had with front-wheel drive. Solely the bottom SE trim squeezes in below $20,000, with the mid-range SEL reaching almost $21,000.
The remainder of the automobiles for below $20,000
Chevrolet Spark
Why it stands out: Extremely reasonably priced, environment friendly, low-cost sufficient you may add choices
Could possibly be higher: Extraordinarily sluggish, very cramped
The Chevy Spark, with a base value of $14,595, is the most affordable automobile you should purchase in america. And since it is so low-cost, even the top-spec 2LT with an computerized transmission could be had for below the $20,000 value cap, and which means you may in all probability choice it simply the way in which you want. There is a trim known as Activ that offers it some rugged-looking plastic cladding in order for you a little bit of a crossover look, and gasoline financial system is kind of good no matter transmission. The guide mannequin will get 32 mpg mixed, and the automated will get 33 mpg. The bottom mannequin actually is naked, although, it would not even get energy home windows or a telescoping steering wheel. It is also extraordinarily small inside, so the rear seats are barely usable, and cargo area is tight. And with simply 98 horsepower on faucet from the naturally aspirated 1.4-liter engine, it is from fast.
Hyundai Accent
Why it stands out: Very reasonably priced, environment friendly, low-cost sufficient you may add choices, nice to drive
Could possibly be higher: Boring wanting
The Hyundai Accent begins at $16,400, and it is carefully associated to the aforementioned Venue that includes the identical engine and platform. Nevertheless it’s clearly a sedan, and it is fairly a bit extra reasonably priced. In actual fact, each the bottom and mid-level trims can be found below our value cap, and the highest degree solely breaks the restrict by a little bit over $500. Additionally, not like the Venue, you may nonetheless get a guide transmission within the Accent, which makes it much more participating to drive. Gas financial system can also be higher than the Venue, with the guide mannequin getting 33 mpg mixed, and the CVT mannequin getting 36. The cabin is a bit roomier, too, although the trunk is not as versatile because the Venue’s hatch. The primary tradeoff is that the Accent, whereas inoffensive, is a bit bland wanting in and out.
Kia Rio
Why it stands out: Reasonably priced, alternative of physique kinds, good dealing with, very environment friendly
Could possibly be higher: A bit sluggish, a bit stiff
The Kia Rio is principally the Kia model of the Accent. A lot of what we have stated in regards to the Hyundai applies, right here. It is a bit costlier, beginning at $17,145, however a part of that’s as a result of it comes commonplace with a CVT. And, sure, which means there is not any guide transmission out there. Nevertheless, you will get the Rio in hatchback kind, beginning at $17,955. Whereas not fairly as fashionable because the Venue, the Kia Rio hatch does web you a little bit additional area together with the hatchback versatility. It is not a quick automobile with the identical 121-horsepower engine, but it surely has nimble dealing with courtesy of it is quite stiff, however managed suspension. The non-compulsory S trim for the sedan can also be out there for below $20,000, in case you need just a few extra options. It is also environment friendly with 36 mpg mixed for each physique kinds.
Mitsubishi Mirage
Why it stands out: Very low-cost, very environment friendly
Could possibly be higher: Terribly sluggish, disagreeable to drive
Just like the Kia Rio, the Mirage is on the market in each sedan and hatchback kinds, but it surely’s priced a bit cheaper. In actual fact, in hatchback kind, it is the second-cheapest automobile in the marketplace, beginning at $15,290. The sedan prices a bit extra with a base value of $16,435, which is just $35 costlier than the Hyundai Accent. Gas financial system is kind of good starting from 35 mpg mixed to 39 relying on transmission and physique type picks. It comes commonplace with a five-speed guide, however is optionally out there with a CVT. 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 might not suggest this.
Subaru Impreza
Why it stands out: Spacious, commonplace all-wheel-drive, good driving dynamics
Could possibly be higher: Handbook-only for the value, sluggish, mediocre gasoline financial system
The Subaru Impreza was almost in our prime selections regardless of being a bit dear for the group at $19,755 to begin. That is as a result of it gives a good bit for the cash, and we’re not simply speaking about its gear. Being a compact sedan, quite than a subcompact, makes it one of many roomier automobiles on this listing. It additionally incorporates a vivid and ethereal cabin. And naturally, being a Subaru that is not a BRZ, it comes commonplace with all-wheel drive. That is distinctive among the many automobiles on this listing. It is also a kind of uncommon cars that is out there with a guide transmission. Sadly, should you’re making an attempt to remain below $20,000, you will have to have a guide transmission, for the reason that non-compulsory CVT bumps the value to simply over $21,000. Since so few individuals need a guide as of late and few sellers carry them, this does restrict the Impreza’s attraction for below $20,000. The hatchback model additionally slips simply barely above the $20,000 line, so that you would possibly have the ability to stretch to that if wanted. The guide Impreza is not particularly gasoline environment friendly with a mixed mpg of 26 mpg (the CVT manages 32 mpg), and the 152 horsepower feels fairly pokey.
Volkswagen Jetta
Why it stands out: Torquey and refined engine, nice gasoline financial system, very spacious, snug
Could possibly be higher: Handbook-only for the value, sacrifices driving enjoyable for comfortable suspension
Just like the Subaru Impreza, the VW Jetta is a compact sedan that gives spectacular quantities of area for this value level. It begins at $19,990. In actual fact, the Jetta is without doubt one of the most spacious fashions within the compact sedan section, no matter value. Additionally, though it solely makes 142 horsepower, the Jetta’s turbocharged four-cylinder makes 184 pound-feet of torque, making it in regards to the quickest-feeling automobile within the value vary. It is a refined engine, too, and with the usual guide transmission, it will get a superb 34 mpg in mixed driving. It is not a very nice dealing with automobile, however it’s quiet and comfortable. The draw back to the Jetta, just like the Impreza, is that the automated transmission choice kicks the value up past $20,000 to simply below $21,000. And like different fashions on this listing, solely the bottom trim meets our pricing standards.
Let the financial savings proceed: Least expensive Vehicles to Insure
