Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy Updated List 2022

The days of buying a new car under $10,000 are lost forever. When you consider the extra safety and convenience features of today’s cars, however, they may be a better deal than ever before.

For example, practically every item on this list of the cheapest new cars for sale contains features such as air conditioning, stability control, anti-lock brakes, backup cameras, and touchscreen infotainment systems.

Sure, some of these features are now required, but for the most part, they make new automobiles safer and easier to live with. It also helps to have the assurance that comes with a warranty.

Even the most costly vehicle on this list, including destination, costs little over $20,000. Are you looking for a good deal on a new car that won’t break the bank?Continue reading for our list of the Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the United States.

Here Are The Top 10 Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy Right Now

01. 2021 Chevrolet Spark LS: $14,395

Engine: 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder, 98 hp / 94 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 29/38/33 mpg (MT), 30/38/33 mpg (AT)

Base Price: $14,395

With an MSRP of $14,395 including destination, the Chevrolet Spark remains the cheapest new car in America in the Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy list (but not whatever discounts your local dealer might be offering). The Spark is six inches shorter than the Mirage and comes with a 1.4-liter, 98-horsepower engine and a five-speed manual transmission.

Both the manual and automatic gearboxes get about the same fuel economy: 38 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined, according to Chevrolet. In the city, the car gets 30 mpg, but the stick gets only 1 mpg.

The Spark now comes standard with a 7.0-inch infotainment screen (with Android and Apple compatibility), two USB ports, a built-in WiFi hotspot, integrated daytime running lamps, tyre pressure monitoring, and 15-inch wheels, thanks to a recent redesign. Passenger space is about what you’d expect from a car that’s 143 inches long; that is, it’s adequate, while trunk capacity is limited.

02. 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage ES: $15,290

Engine: 1.2-liter inline three-cylinder, 78 hp / 74 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 33/41/36 mpg (MT), 36/43/39 mpg (CVT)

Base Price: $15,290

The Mitsubishi Mirage had a redesign in 2021 that added more standard safety features. All trims now get forward collision avoidance, with the ES getting lane departure warning and auto high beams.

The Mirage is one of the shortest new automobiles on the market, measuring just 149.2 inches from nose to stern. With a 1.2-liter engine and only 78 horsepower, it’s also the slowest. However, you don’t buy an economy automobile for speed; rather, you buy it for, well, economy.

The Mirage gets 41 mpg on the freeway and 43 mpg with the CVT option. Hybrids are the only vehicles that outperform it. Automatic climate control, a 7.0-inch central display, keyless entry, and Bluetooth are among the standard equipment, which is substantial given the sticker price. This car is the second on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.

03. 2021 Nissan Versa Sedan S: $15,930

Engine: 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder, 122 hp / 114 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 27/35/30 mpg (MT), 32/40/35 mpg (CVT)

Base Price: $15,930

Nissan is betting that the SUV trend will fizzle out, as millennials who grew up in the backseat avoid SUVs in the same way that their parents avoided minivans.

That’s why, for 2021, it’s revamping both the Sentra and the Versa. Both include technology and convenience features that were only available on larger models a decade ago. Emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high lights, hill start aid, motorized side mirrors, and voice recognition are among the features available.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Versa S, which is mated to a 1.6-liter engine. This combination gets a respectable 35 mpg combined, but if you go for the $17,600 CVT variant, that figure increases to 40 mpg. The 7.0-inch touchscreen is standard on all versions, but you’ll need to upgrade to the $18,740 SV to have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto instead of basic Bluetooth. This car is the Third on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.

04. 2021 Hyundai Accent Sedan SE: $16,029

Engine: 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder, 120 hp / 113 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 29/39/33 mpg (MT), 33/41/36 mpg (CVT)

Base Price: $16,029

The Accent, Hyundai’s smallest sedan, is the second inclusion on the list. Because the Accent is built on the same platform as the Venue, it offers many of the same characteristics, such as a basic 1.6-liter, 120-horsepower engine, and six-speed manual transmission. A CVT transmission is an extra $1,055 investment.

The Accent has a significant edge over its crossover-styled sister when it comes to gas stations. It gets 39 mpg on the interstate and 33 mpg combined with the six-speed manual transmission. The CVT performs even better, with 41 and 36 points, respectively.

According to the EPA, the Venue gets 35 mpg highway (manual) and 32 mpg combined (CVT). However, in order to achieve its low price, the Accent foregoes active safety features and opts for a 5.0-inch touchscreen with limited mobile pairing capabilities. This car is the Forth on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.

05. 2021 Kia Rio Sedan LX: $17,045

 

Engine: 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder, 120 hp / 112 lb-fuel 

Economy: 33/41/36 mpg based 

Price: $17,045The Kia Rio, like a few other cars on this list, is available in sedan and hatchback versions.

The sedan, like the Sonic, is the less expensive alternative, coming in just under a thousand cheaper than the Rio 5-Door S. Both variants have a 1.6-liter engine that produces 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. The Rio receives an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth, for 2021.

The rear-view camera has dynamic guidelines, which isn’t a given at this price point, but that’s it for electronic safety features.

However, the 5-Door S adds front collision prevention. Choosing the hatch trims an entire foot off the Rio’s length and adds a 60/40 folding rear seat to maximize that practical design.

This car is the Fifth on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.

06. 2021 Kia Soul LX: $18,765

Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, 147 hp / 132 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 25/31/27 mpg (MT), 28/33/30 mpg (CVT)

Base Price: $18,765

For compact car shoppers, Kia’s boxy SUV Soul compact remains fun and economical option. The term “compact” is a misnomer, as the Soul’s upright design provides ample inside space.

The Soul, now in its third generation, comes standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and remote keyless entry for the 2021 model year.

The LX has rear child-safety door locks, four-corner disc brakes, hill-start assist, rear occupant warning, and tire pressure monitoring as standard features. The next grade level up, the $21,865 Kia Soul S, adds features like emergency braking and lane-keep assist. The LX also comes with a manual transmission; the CVT is a $1,500 option.

This car is the sixth on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.

07. 2021 Kia Forte FE: $18,885

Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, 147 hp / 132 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 27/37/31 mpg (MT), 31/41/35 mpg (CVT)

Base Price: $18,885

The Kia Forte is the first of three cars from the Korean manufacturer on this list. This compact sedan costs only a little more than its upright Soul brother (the Forte5 hatchback is only available in Canada).

The Forte FE, like that rolling box, has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. For an additional $900, a CVT is available.

In the middle of the dash, there’s an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Lane departure warning and lane-keep assist are also included, as are keyless entry and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights are available on higher trim levels. This car is the seventh on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.

08. 2021 Veloster 2.0: $19,905

Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, 147 hp / 132 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 25/33/28 mpg (MT), 27/34/30 (AT)

Base Price: $19,905

The Veloster is $30 cheaper than the Venue, and it has a whole different profile to boot. The unique three-door arrangement of the sporty hatchback—one on the driver’s side and two on the passenger’s—makes it more practical than you may assume.

The Veloster comes with a six-speed manual transmission and a 2.0-liter inline-four engine (which you’ll find in the following few entries on this list) for under $20,000. A six-speed automatic costs a few thousand dollars extras.

Automated emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attentiveness warning are all standard features. A 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, as well as dynamic backup camera guidelines.

It costs $4,550 to get into the fun-loving R-Spec turbocharged model. We’re not sure how much longer the Veloster will be available in Canada, which has already reduced its lineup to just the Veloster N hot hatch. This car is the Eighth on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.

09. 2021 Hyundai Venue SE: $19,935

Engine: 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder, 122 hp / 113 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 27/35/30 mpg (MT), 30/34/32 mpg (CVT)

Base Price: $19,935

The Hyundai Venue, the newest addition to this list, is technically a crossover, but we don’t think so. Don’t be fooled by the quirky styling: with only front-wheel drive, this is more of an urban adventurer than a rocks-and-mud adventurer. The Venue, on the other hand, is a fun small car with all the built-in value that Hyundai is known for.

The 1.6-liter, 121-horsepower four-cylinder is the only engine option, so even the base SE gets it. It used to come with a six-speed manual transmission, but the SE now comes standard with a CVT (which explains the $1,500 price increase over 2020).

With two common phone pairing choices, an 8.0-inch touchscreen is also standard. On all models, the Venue prioritizes safety features such as emergency front braking, lane keeps assisting, automated headlamps, and driver attentiveness alert. Of course, Hyundai’s 10-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty is included. This car is the ninth on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.

10. 2021 Nissan Sentra S: $20,410

Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, 149 hp / 146 lb-ft

Fuel Economy: 29/39/33 mpg

Base Price: $20,410

Nissan’s compact Sentra joins this list for 2021, as manufacturers continue to abandon small cars. The Sentra has recovered its driving characteristics with a stylish redesign in 2020, giving the smooth, pleasant highway ride you’d expect from a larger car.

For the Sentra, Nissan keeps it simple by using the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque throughout the board. Sure, it has more horsepower than anything else on the list, but for value-conscious consumers, the Nissan Safety Shield 360 array of driver aids comes standard.

Automated emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking are among the features available. This car is the last on the list of Top 10 Cheapest New Cars to Buy in the USA.