If it feels like cars are more expensive than ever, well, that’s because they are. The average transaction price in the U.S.—that is, the average amount someone actually pays for a new vehicle—is currently hovering just under $50,000. That is, to me, a ridiculous amount of money for a car.
Depending on what you consider “affordable,” you may think the concept of a cheap new car is disappearing before our eyes. The Mitsubishi Mirage, once the cheapest car on sale, died earlier this year, spelling the end for the bare-bones, sub-$20,000 hatchback in America.
Today, only a small handful of vehicles carry an MSRP under $25,000 – specifically, just ten as of this writing. That’s despite an incredible craving for vehicles in this price bracket. Why? Well, many automakers don’t bother with cheap, entry-level cars because the profit margins are crazy thin. If they can sell more premium cars for more money, why bother with cheap cars at all?
Thankfully, not all hope is lost. If you don’t want to drop $50,000 on a new car, you don’t have to. All the cars that follow are priced at less than half of that. Here they are, in descending price order.
10. 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer – $24,995
The first-generation Trailblazer was a proper SUV. You could get it with three different types of V8, and it even came with a low-range transfer case for proper off-roading cred. The current Trailblazer, which is a subcompact crossover with no real off-roading equipment, is decidedly less interesting. But it’s also very affordable, coming in at just a few bucks under $25,000.
For someone who simply needs A Vehicle, the Trailblazer checks all the boxes. It seats five people, comes available with all-wheel drive, makes enough horsepower, and does over 30 mpg on the highway. This relative mediocrity will be commonplace on this list—if you want something interesting these days, you’ll have to spend more money.
Perusing Cars.com, it looks like about 6,600 Trailblazers are sitting on dealer lots right now. Importantly, only 549 of them are priced under that magical $25,000 mark. If you don’t mind buying a Trailblazer that’s been sitting for a couple of years, you can buy this base 2024 LS model for just $19,390 from a dealer in Homestead, Florida.
9. 2026 Nissan Kicks – $23,925
While the Kicks is perfectly average to drive, it’s definitely the most interesting-looking vehicle on this list to my eye. Its monolithic slatted fascia and two-tone color schemes make it genuinely interesting, even if it rides worse than the competition.
The 2.0-liter inline-four making 141 horsepower won’t blow anyone away, nor will the mandatory continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Importantly, all-wheel drive is available as an option for those in tougher climates who feel like they need it (personally, I think a set of snow tires would do the job just fine).
The base S models are pretty bare-bones, but you do get all the necessities. If you want to save the most money possible, you’ll have to look for that trim at your local dealer. There are over 1,100 of them on U.S. soil now, some discounted thousands below MSRP.
8. 2026 Toyota Corolla – $23,920
Though the Corolla is one of the most expensive (or “least cheap”) cars on this list, it’s the first one I’d recommend. Toyota’s entry-level sedan is charming to look at, pleasant to drive, and cheap to run. If you’d rather be more practical, you can even get it as a hatchback (though the hatch is about $3,000 more expensive).
I’d argue the $28,210 hybrid model is the gem of the range, as it’s able to squeeze out nearly 50 mpg with a conservative driver behind the wheel. I am definitely not a conservative driver, but I was able to get 47 mpg when I tested one last year.
If upfront cost is your concern, the base car and its naturally aspirated inline-four and its 169 horsepower will do just fine. There are thousands for sale sitting at dealers across the country right now under $25,000, and even a few discounted under $20,000. For a car that’ll likely never die with proper maintenance, that’s pretty reasonable.
7. 2026 Hyundai Elantra – $23,870
Like the Corolla, the Elantra is a pleasant thing to drive and gets great fuel economy. The Hyundai might even drive a little bit better, but Hyundai generally doesn’t have the same legendary reliability reputation as Toyota, and there’s no hatchback body style available. So I’d rather the Toyota.
What the Elantra does have are some distinctive looks, a better interior, and Hyundai’s damn impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. So even if it does break more often, the big stuff is covered.
Best of all, there’s absolutely no shortage of cheap new Elantras on dealer lots right now. According to Cars.com, there are over 7,000 of them available, all under $25,000. The 2025 models are heavily discounted, too, with some priced in the $17,000 range.
6. 2026 Nissan Sentra – $23,645
The Sentra used to be farther down this list, but thanks to a big refresh that dropped last month for 2026, it’s a bit pricier. Considering the changes to the exterior and the big step up in interior quality, I’d say the extra change is worth it.
My colleague Sam Abuelsamid already got the chance to drive the new Sentra and admired its simplicity, solid list of standard features, and updated design. The 149-horsepower four-cylinder engine is unchanged, paired with Nissan’s CVT (the manual was dropped for 2026).
It’s tough to say how these cars will actually be priced at dealers, considering deliveries have yet to begin. If you don’t mind owning the previous-gen Sentra, there are thousands of 2025 models sitting on lots right now with deep discounts.
5. 2026 Kia K4 – $23,385
I drove a Kia K4 press car briefly last year after driving a series of sub-$5,000, high-mileage shitboxes for a few months. I’m well aware of just how much stuff comes in a new car these days, but the K4 was a nice reminder of just how nice even the cheapest new cars can be.
The interior of the K4 is modern and fun, and while the styling might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s at least interesting. For some reason, Kia is even planning to import the hatchback version into the United States next year, which makes me incredibly happy.
If you want a K4 right now, though, you’ll have to settle for the sedan. There are thousands upon thousands of new ones for sale under $25,000 right now (nearly 10,000 as of this writing, according to Cars.com), with some 2025 models priced in the $19,000 range. That is a lot of car for the money, believe me.
4. 2026 Chevrolet Trax – $22,995
The Chevy Trax is the cheapest vehicle you can buy from a domestic brand right now. While that might not mean much to you, it does mean something to Chevy and the swaths of buyers out there who refuse to buy anything without a bowtie, Ford oval, or Dodge badge attached to its nose.
The Trax is also just … a good car. Like its bigger Trailblazer sibling, it does the fundamentals well, and doesn’t look like a featureless blob (which can’t be said of the last-gen Trax). The 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine sounds puny, but thanks to a turbocharger, it delivers 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, which is perfectly fine for a car of this size.
The Trax is one of the more popular cars on this list, so while there are a few thousand models available under $25,000 from dealers right now, they’re not as heavily discounted as some of the other cars on this list. In fact, there isn’t one example on Cars.com that’s at or below MSRP. So don’t expect any big discounts in the negotiating process.
3. 2025 Nissan Kicks Play – $22,910
One funny thing about automakers is that sometimes when they replace a car with an entirely new model, they simply keep building the old one, too. That’s exactly what Nissan’s done with the Kicks. It replaced the old Kicks with the model you see a few spots back on this list, but it also still sells that outgoing model, which is now called the Kicks Play.
The only real benefit of going for the Kicks Play over the normal Kicks is the price. It’s cheaper, sure, but you’re missing out on the new design, more powerful engine, and much-improved interior. Still, $1,000 is $1,000, so I don’t blame anyone who goes the cheaper route.
Because the Kicks Play is only offered in one base trim, it’s the rarest of the cars on this list, with fewer than 600 new examples for sale right now nationwide, according to Cars.com. But some are heavily discounted to as low as $17,994. That feels like a much fairer price.
2. 2026 Hyundai Venue – $22,150
People tend to forget about the Hyundai Venue, despite it being the cheapest crossover in the United States. That’s because the Venue is, at this point in its lifecycle, a pretty forgettable vehicle. It came out in 2019 and hasn’t ever received a substantial update.
The four-cylinder engine makes just 121 horsepower, getting power to the front wheels only via a CVT automatic. Amazingly, Hyundai used to sell the base Venue with a standard six-speed manual transmission, but it was discontinued in 2021 due to slow sales. Manual versions are, as a result, pretty rare.
If you want a new Venue, there are plenty available under the $25,000 mark, with discounts below MSRP ranging between $2,000 and $3,000, depending on how far you’re willing to travel.
1. 2025 Nissan Versa – $18,585
Following the death of the Mirage, the Nissan Versa has taken the crown of the cheapest new passenger car in America. The tiny sedan has occupied the bottom of Nissan’s lineup for years now, and up until this year, even offered a five-speed manual (the last car in the country to offer a five-speed).
Like its bigger Sentra sibling, the Versa is set to get a pretty big refresh for 2026, which will likely mean a step up in price. For now, though, it remains the only vehicle you can buy in America with an MSRP under 20 grand.
I’d personally recommend waiting for the new model to drop, but if you’re the impatient type (and on a budget), 2025 models are plentiful across the country, with some dealers offering thousands in discounts. Here’s one for under $15,000!
Honorable Mentions
The Jetta was a sub-$25,000 car last year, but thanks to a slight price bump in 2025, it now carries an MSRP of $25,270. That’s still pretty cheap for anything German, and proof that if you want to be a little bit different with your purchase, you don’t have to spend much more.
Then there’s the Mirage. While production ended this year, there are still a few left on dealer lots in case you want to snag a good deal on a tiny hatchback with a warranty. The only downside is you’ll have to be close to one of the 28 examples left for sale nationwide, going by Cars.com inventory. The cheapest is this one in Miami, which is listed for $13,350.
Cheap cars are a dying breed, but if you know where to look (and you’re willing to put up with something boring), you should have no trouble finding one that suits your needs. How long this’ll last, well, who really knows.
Top graphic images: Nissan; Hyundai; Chevrolet; DepositPhotos.com
Late to the discussion here, but (as I’ve mentioned before) I am one of the weirdos who bought a first-year Hyundai Venue with the 6-speed manual transmission. Five years and 30,000 miles on, and it’s never given me the slightest issue. The stick shift makes it fun to drive, the audio system is much better than my spouse’s Subaru, and it gets well over 40 mpg on the highway.
Calling it a crossover is just silly, though: it’s a small hatchback, and Hyundai thought using that description would spook buyers.
That blue Chevy Trailblazer at the top looks (to me) like a slightly-scaled-up Hyundai Venue. Not a criticism… just an observation. Also, a 1.2 liter, 3 cylinder engine could be OK, but I believe this is the same engine used in Chevy’s Trax as of 2024, and it’s not projected to be that reliable or long-lived: https://cararac.com/blog/chevy-trax-1-2-turbo-engine-problems-durability.html It’s direct injection and more worryingly, wet belt, so despite the relatively low price, no thank you. Both the Trax and Trailblazer (and the Buick Envista, and whatever else this engine is in) would be much more appealing with a non wet belt engine.
The Nissan Kicks isn’t awful, if what you want is a cheap hatchback dressed up as an SUV with the running gear from a now discontinued Nissan Versa. I gather Nissan’s ubiquitous CVT isn’t quite as awful or trouble-prone as it once was, but it’s still a deal-breaker for me. This exact car, with a traditional automatic (or stick, but that’s just fantasy) would be more appealing by far.
The Toyota Corolla is WORTH IT, though it’s a bit mean that they charge $3,000. more to get it in the more desirable hatchback form.
The Hyundai Elantra is also WORTH IT, though like Brian, I’d prefer the Corolla.
The Nissan Sentra WOULD be worth getting, but for the mandatory CVT.
The Kia K4 is also WORTH IT, though I’m still waiting to get used to that weird C pillar thing it’s got going on. I saw the wagon version of this at the car show downtown the other week, and it looked WAY better, but I expect it’ll be closer to $30K in base form when it’s available.
The Chevy Trax (and Buick Envista) WOULD be good options, if it weren’t for their engine, most of which probably won’t make it over six figures of mileage IMO. See Chevy Trailblazer for a link to an article about why.
The Nissan Kicks Play is a pass. $1,000. is more than worth it for the new version, though as mentioned, I’d be hard pressed to willing buy any Nissan CVT-equipped car at all.
The Hyundai Venue is WORTH IT IMO. I know it hasn’t changed since it came out six years ago, but I drove both the automatic and manual versions and neither was bad at all. Of course, the manual was better and more fun, but as long as you’re not in a rush, the automatic was fine too. It didn’t have a ton of room for cargo, but if you want a slightly higher seating position and faux SUV looks, you could do a lot worse.
The Nissan Versa is discontinued after this year. Again: the CVT makes it a no-go for me personally, and TBH, I’d rather spend a bit more for the Sentra if I HAD to drive a CVT.
The VW Jetta seems like a lot of car for just OVER $25K, and if you only plan to keep it for a few years, it’s probably fine. But having owned multiple water-cooled VWs, I’d avoid it if you wanted a car that is still cheap to run year after year.
A good list! Thanks Brian. 🙂
Edited to note that at least three other new cars (MSRP w/o destination) ought to be on this sub-$25K list: the base versions of the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Kia Seltos are all in the $23-24,XXX range).
With that said, the Mazda 3 or Honda Civic (even the base sedans) would be my choice over any of the vehicles listed above. The Mazda is even attractive and drives well! https://www.mazdausa.com/shopping-tools/build-and-price#/26M3S/26M3S25S
Unfortunately, the only car on this list that I could recommend to a friend or family member with a semi-clean conscience is the Corolla. It’s CVT seems to be holding better than other CVT’s, at least so far.
Toyota built in a mechanical launch gear, presumably for better off-the-line feel but probably as much to enhance belt durability by relieving the strain of low-ratio takeoff from it.
Yes, this is worth noting… thanks Nlpnt. The physical first gear also relieves SOME of the high-RPM drone on a launch, but it switches over to the belt/pulley pretty quickly for a ‘regular’ CVT experience. Still, it’s got to be more durable/easier to live with than a Nissan CVT.
why is the jetta missing from this list?
It’s over $25K now, per Brian’s article.
thank you 🙂 didn’t realize destination was included in his numbers
Actually, I thought that destination charges weren’t included. And in that case, at $23,995. MSRP for a new base Jetta, it should be on the list too.
You can get a Corolla Hybrid, you can get a Corolla Hatchback, but you can’t get a Corolla Hybrid Hatchback. What will I buy used in ten years? Madness!
Agreed. A hybrid hatchack would be ideal. There’s even a handsome Corolla wagon in other markets. Why can’t we have that too?
They sell the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which is like the wagon. It may have less cargo room and a higher price than the wagon, but it gets much worse gas milage!
Don’t forget, it’s not as pretty either! 😉
Wow, there’s a new 2025 Sentra being listed for ~10K apparently:
https://www.almnissannewnan.com/inventory/new-2025-nissan-sentra-sv-fwd-car-3n1ab8cv2sy269729/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=cars.com&utm_campaign=cars.com_VDP_referral
There’s also a historically significant bridge available for purchase at an amazing price. It connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. 😉
The people that also don’t know their ‘Merica cars were built in Mexico or Canada.
Or in the case of the Trax/Trailblazer, South Korea.
Why is the ford Maverick not 7 different models all under $25,000? 7 may be a stretch, but come on, how many vehicles could that platform underpin. Why is it not the next model T. WSJ just had an article about a ford skunkworks team developing EVs. As David has mentioned numerous time hyrbrids are the answer, and probably for the next 20-50 years. Ford has the opportunity. They are currently missing it.
Best we can do is a bunch of trim levels in $10k increments.
Because why would they sell you a $25000 hybrid vehicle a lot of people would actually want, when they can sell you a $70,000 full size truck?
I do wonder how many Mavericks they have to sell to get the same gross profit on the current average trim level F150.
There is NO new Ford Maverick for sale with a MSRP of under $25,000. let alone seven different models. The cheapest Maverick now retails for $26,000. thus it’s not on Brian’s list.
The Maverick USED to cost less than $25K (the base hybrid was $21,600. IIRC, but most dealers charged at least $5K on top of that as a ‘premium.’ I agree it should still cost that (in real life, not fictional press releases) especially since Ford buyers have to put up with an awful lot of recalls, but Ford doesn’t care what I think.
Brian, WTF are you talking about?
https://www.theautopian.com/nissan-reportedly-killed-americas-cheapest-car-months-ago-and-nobody-even-noticed/comment-page-1/
Your own website reported the death of the Versa and you’re talking about a non-existent “new version.!!
That’s J@lop level reporting!
The discontinuation is still discussed as a maybe, not confirmed officially yet, everywhere online.
Another reason the Trax has no discounts is it’s built in Korea so it has some extra tariff weight. Over the summer I helped a friend (not interested in cars at all) look for the cheapest new cars possible. They wanted a hatchback, wanted Park assist. That basically left the Trax, as even the Corolla and civic force you into the highest trims or don’t even even offer park assist! Meanwhile the Trax can be optioned decently for under $25k, it’s hard to beat from that perspective. Otherwise it’s just a decent little raised hatchback. Honestly it’s the next gen of the Cruze, similar interior dimensions, similar chassis, just raised a couple inches. Personally I would still save my pennies for something like the civic hybrid (or really I would buy a nice used fun car), but for a brand new car the Trax is decent. I largely avoid Hyundai, Kia, Nissan so it’s slim pickings at this price range, but I honestly dont doubt they are solid options as well.
Ps:
Don’t buy the trailblazer, it’s an older platform that somehow has no more useable space or capability than the Trax and it costs more. The Trax is rightfully cannibalizing Trailblazer sales.
That Mirage is NOT listed for $13,350. There are $1,497 in mandatory fees cited in the fine print. The actual price they’re offering is $14,847 before tax, title and plates.
I beg Autopian writers: Don’t help dealers screw people over with hidden fees by repeating their deceptions in their asking prices. It takes a little extra work, but please put the effort into citing actual offer prices.
It’s in Florida, so you know going in that there will be thousands in “mandatory” fees added on.
Some say Florida is shaped like an armpit for a reason. I don’t, but some people do.
That’s not the part of anatomy I tend to think of when I see Florida on a map but ok.
Yes, I thought it was known by all as “America’s wang.”
Sigh. Not a single pickup. Shame on you Ford and Hyundai.
It wasn’t much more than 10 years ago that you could buy a basic-ass Ranger for like 10-12k.
Hell, I remember specing out one in 2010. It was an extended cab 2wd Sport trim, with the 4L and a stick. No other options. Not even A/C cause I wasn’t willing to pay the upcharge. Was going to be 16k taxes-in, in Canadian dollars.
Unfortunately, the old Ranger stopped production in 2011 as a 2012. That’s 14 years ago.
You should’ve jumped on that Sport for $16,000. My 2011 Sport was stickered at the mid $24,000s. Here’s the Monroney for a 2010 XLT ext cab. ($27,205 before destination.)
Window Sticker for 2010 Ford Ranger
Here’s the sticker for a 2010 Ranger XL regular cab that was auctioned on Bring A Trailer. ($17,660 before destination)
2010_ford_ranger_mg_9181-86966.jpg (620×413)
This is the truck Ford needs to bring back.
Kicks, K4, Elantra, Sentra could find a home with me. I just don’t care for the looks of the others but that’s just my taste. Trax is easily the best looking. I’m just afraid of the oil bath timing belt. Someone tell me I’m over reacting.
My daughter has a Kicks S (currently Play) and it has been a stellar car for her needs. She travels about 4-500 miles per week for her job. she averages mid to high 30mpg. The engine is proven (and naturally aspirated)and she religiously gets her CVT fluid changed every 30K. It is like the spiritual successor of the the Vibe/Matrix.
I like the new Trax but wary of the oil bath timing belt as well. I’m waiting to see how if there is nothing to worry about or if this is Ford 1.0L disaster
As somebody who runs their cars forever and worries about oil getting on the timing belts and ruining them, I am on board wet timing belt concept…
Are GM using the PSA/Stellantis 1.2 3cyl wet belt engine, or do they have their own version of this terrible idea?
I believe it’s a Daewoo design but that’s as far as my knowledge goes. I test drove the Buick version and it performed better than I feared.
So, you want us to lie to you about the wet belt? 😉
there was just a post on reddit today about a dealer charging about 6k in fees/ add ons for just a dumb elantra. It’s not the manufacturers making prices too high it’s the damn dealers!
With all due respect to those who own or lease the Korean twins, I get it.
But not what I’d want, our dealers here suck the big one.
And in my area Big Altima Energy has been replaced by these brands.
And the resale values seem to suck as well. YMMV as usual.
I have multiple coworkers who have bought a Trax this year, so far good reviews! I test drove an Envista last year when I was shopping for a new car for my wife. It wasn’t the right car for us, but we were both impressed by it. I see a lot of Venues around these days. There’s a dorky honesty to the way that car looks that endears it to me for some reason. I feel bad for it but appreciate it at the same time! The Toyota is the answer here though.
i drove a Venue when it still had the 8 speed auto and that transmission made the absolute best of that little engine! it’s a shame they have a cvt now. If you can live with it’s diminutive proportions it seems like a solid car.