The listing of low-cost automobiles in America is shrinking quick. Granted, “low-cost” means various things to completely different patrons, and we’re setting our personal bar at a good $20,000 as a result of that is the lowest spherical quantity we will discover new automobiles beneath. In case you’ve received 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 12 months 2024, and there are certainly nonetheless three new automobiles on supplier tons with window stickers displaying an asking worth that is lower than $20,000.
So, what’s the least expensive new automobile in America carrying a 2024 mannequin 12 months?
Finest new automobile below $20,000: 2024 Nissan Versa
2024 Nissan Versa
Why it stands out: Very low-cost; first rate styling; environment friendly with the CVT; refined driving expertise
Might be higher: Sedan-only; disappointing gasoline economic system with the handbook
Learn our most up-to-date Nissan Versa evaluation
The Nissan Versa is a particularly sturdy price range providing. First off, it’s formally the most cost effective new automobile you should buy with a beginning worth of $17,405. It makes 122 horsepower, which in a automobile this dimension retains it perky sufficient in site visitors, and it is obtainable with both a five-speed handbook or CVT. The handbook is a bit inefficient with a mixed gasoline economic 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 stage is available in below $20,000, so you’ve gotten room so as to add choices. It is solely obtainable as a sedan, although, and the closest hatchback providing from Nissan, the Kicks, begins above $20,000.
Different new automobiles below $20,000
2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
Why it stands out: Very low-cost; very environment friendly
Might be higher: Terribly sluggish; disagreeable to drive
With an asking worth of $18,110 (together with a required “Welcome Package” that features ground mats and, oddly, a tonneau cowl that is listed below equipment however apparently can be required), the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is the second-cheapest new automobile we all know for certain is badged as a 2024 mannequin. Eager cheap-car observers will observe that this worth is sort of a bit larger than it was (it was $15,690 in 2022, which is as a result of the beforehand normal five-speed handbook has been supplanted by a now-standard repeatedly variable computerized, and nearly a grand cheaper in 2023). However for those who’re on the lookout for a hatchback, the Mitsubishi Mirage is your least expensive possibility.
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan is barely costlier than its hatchback sibling with a beginning worth of $19,055, equally now outfitted solely with an computerized transmission and together with the Welcome Package.
Gas economic system from the Mirage is sort 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 does not make up for it with dealing with, which is sloppy and disconnected. We might not suggest this automobile, particularly because the Nissan Versa is now barely cheaper.
2023 Kia Rio
Why it stands out: Reasonably priced; alternative of physique kinds; good dealing with; very environment friendly
Might be higher: A bit sluggish; journey is a bit stiff
The Kia Rio — which continues to be listed on Kia’s web site and stock listing as a 2023 mannequin — is principally the Kia model of the Hyundai Accent that’s not obtainable, and it begins at $17,905. It comes normal with a CVT. And, sure, which means there isn’t any handbook transmission obtainable. Nevertheless, you may get the Rio in hatchback type (dubbed the Rio 5-Door), which does internet you a little bit additional area together with the hatchback versatility. It isn’t a quick automobile with its 121-horsepower engine, nevertheless it has nimble dealing with courtesy of it is reasonably stiff, however managed suspension. The optionally available S trim for the sedan can be obtainable 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.
And that is it. There are solely anticipated to be three new automobiles in 2024 obtainable to buy for lower than $20,000. However there are different choices for those who’re prepared to take a look at the used market.
Finest Used Automobiles Buys to Purchase Underneath $20,000
Whereas the typical worth for used automobiles in America has been rising proper together with new automobiles, there are nonetheless a variety of good, gently used choices price contemplating. Listed here are just a few of our favorites (together with some that lately have been obtainable new below our $20,000 worth cap):
2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt
Our high choose is the second-generation Chevy Volt. It is a plug-in hybrid, which implies the primary 50-plus miles can be on electrical energy (assuming it was plugged within the night time earlier than). Put merely, it is essentially the most environment friendly technique to journey for lower than $20,000. It is also fairly good to drive, with good dealing with, a snug journey, quiet operation and many of the fashionable 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 expensive potential repairs like full battery replacements are a possible fear though they’re fairly unusual.
2019-2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Any Toyota Corolla is prone to be a solidly dependable car. We like the marginally smaller hatchback, which we expect appears to be like higher than its sedan sibling. We additionally just like the six-speed handbook transmission, however actually, the CVT on this utility is fairly good. Being a Toyota, the Corolla should have sturdy resale worth, which is a bonus for those who assume you would possibly need to promote it and improve inside just a few years.
2019 Ford Fusion
Ford pulled out of the sedan section solely, nevertheless it bought the mid-size Fusion up till the 2020 mannequin 12 months. They weren’t in sturdy demand towards the top of its run as a brand new automobile, and the ensuing low transaction costs imply they’re moderately priced on the used market, too. A Fusion goes to be a lot bigger and sure extra comfy than any of the brand-new small economic system automobiles that it could evaluate with on a pricing stage. It did not change a lot during the last a number of years of its life, so the precise mannequin 12 months could not matter as a lot because the mileage and choices.
2019-2020 Honda Match
Honda dropped the spunky little Match hatchback in America after the 2020 mannequin 12 months. We miss its helpful and roomy inside, which was cleverly designed to supply much more utility than you’d assume primarily based on the Match’s small exterior dimensions. Its 1.5-liter four-cylinder spun out 130 horsepower, which is not loads, nevertheless it’s higher and extra refined than something you may expertise at its worth off the new-car lot. The Match can be fairly enjoyable to drive for individuals who, you realize, wish to drive, particularly with its optionally available six-speed handbook transmission.
2019-2020 VW Jetta 1.4T
We have supplied just a few American and Japanese choices, but when your preferences lean European, there’s one low-cost German automobile that you must check out. The Volkswagen Jetta will be discovered on the used market with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and both an computerized or handbook transmission. Both means, it is a spacious bundle and supremely gasoline environment friendly with rankings of 30 mpg within the metropolis, 40 on the freeway and 34 mixed.
2018-2019 Kia Sportage
Crossovers are all the fad nowadays, nevertheless it’s not very straightforward to discover a good one below our $20,000 worth restrict. The fourth era of the Kia Sportage debuted in 2017, and also you may need to solid a large internet to seek out one with the choices you need and the mileage you are prepared to just accept, however offers are on the market.
2020-2021 Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is funky and enjoyable, and it was fairly darn low-cost, too. As of late it does not fairly qualify as an economic system automobile, however latest mannequin years have fallen sufficient that it is a viable under-$20,000 possibility. The Soul has an agreeable persona, and whereas it is probably not essentially the most environment friendly automobile in your listing, it could be one of the vital versatile and sensible. In its most-efficient type, the front-wheel-drive Soul returns 30 miles per gallon, and in its sportiest type presents 201 horsepower and fast acceleration. It is also very completely different from different automobiles; it is a distinctive form that straddles the road between hatchback and crossover, and it does not appear to be anything on the highway. In case you worth quirkiness, the Kia Soul needs to be in your listing.
2020-2021 Hyundai Venue
New Venues nearly qualify to be on this listing, which implies gently used ones are comfortably within the combine. It is a tall, boxy little machine that is chock full of favor, in all probability greater than anything 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 completely to a CVT, the Venue feels spunky, if not really quick. Gas economic system is first rate if not extraordinary at 31 mpg mixed. The draw back to the Venue is that it is very small, with cramped rear seats and considerably small cargo area, 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.
2020-2021 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza presents a good bit for the cash, and we’re not simply speaking about its gear. Being a compact sedan, reasonably than a subcompact, makes it one of many roomier automobiles on this listing. It additionally contains a vivid and ethereal cabin. And it comes normal with all-wheel drive. In base type, the Impreza presents a handbook transmission, however since so few individuals desire a handbook nowadays and few sellers carry them, they don’t seem to be straightforward to seek out. It is also supplied in each sedan and hatchback type. The handbook 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.
Let the financial savings proceed: Least expensive Automobiles to Insure
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