The Least Expensive Cars You Can Buy Right Now

Want the benefits of a brand-new car, but don’t want to pay too much? Carsforsale.com has some of the most affordable new cars out right now!

Affordable New Cars You Can Buy Now

Not very keen on shopping used but don’t want to front too much cash? Well, have we got the list for you! Carsforsale.com compiled some of the most affordable new cars out there to purchase based on their starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). Most of these vehicles are going to be pretty small and have the bare minimum in terms of features, but it’s still a brand-new car. You get the benefit of having basically no miles on the odometer, active manufacturer warranty coverage, and there’s no previous history to worry about since you’re the only owner. Here are your top ten new cars that won’t break the bank!

10. Volkswagen Jetta – $20,655

Let’s kick things off with the “most expensive” new car we have on the list, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta S starting at $20,655. For that price you get a compact sedan that comes standard with a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission sending power to the front wheels. That setup is good enough to achieve a 34-mpg combined rating. Inside you have seating for five, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, a 6.5-inch infotainment system, and an 8-inch digital instrument display. Volkswagen also includes a decent list of safety and driver assistance tech like Forward Collision Warning and a rear-view camera.

9. Hyundai Elantra – $20,500

For $20,500 you can get yourself a new 2023 Hyundai Elantra SE that comes with a nice assortment of standard features. Hyundai packs in a good-sized list of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard fare in the Elantra. Customers also get cloth seating for five passengers, air conditioning, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 4.2-inch color gauge cluster, remote keyless entry, and one of the best warranty coverages in the business. Powering this compact sedan is a naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmision (IVT) that sends power to the front wheels. You can expect 37 mpg combined when driving the 2023 Hyundai Elantra SE.

8. Nissan Sentra – $19,950

Nissan’s affordable compact car offering comes in the form of the Nissan Sentra S that’s available starting at $19,950. At the base trim level, Nissan give you a front-wheel drive (FWD) Sentra carrying a naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder engine that’s connect to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fuel economy comes in at 33 mpg combined with this base trim configuration. The Sentra also provides standard features like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 4.2-inch Advanced Drive-Assist display, cloth seating for up to five passengers, remote keyless entry with push button start, and a number of driver assistance aids like a rear-view monitor and blind spot warning.

7. Subaru Impreza – $19,795

The 2023 Subaru Impreza offers something none of the other brands do at these low-price points, all-wheel drive. For $19,795, the base model Impreza sedan features a 2.0L flat-four engine routing power through a 5-speed manual to all four wheels. Fuel economy takes a hit compared to other competitors at 26 mpg combined, but you gain a little more acceleration and a more capable ride when the pavement ends. Other standard amenities in the Impreza include cloth seating for five, a multifunction gauge display, air conditioning, and a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. You also get a rear-view monitor, but the Subaru Eyesight Driver Assist Technology suite is optional equipment here. The base model Impreza is also available as a hatchback for an extra $500.

6. Kia Forte – $19,490

The cheapest compact car you can get right now brand new is the base model 2023 Kia Forte LX at $19,490. The slightly more affordable cousin to Elantra comes with the same 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with an IVT sending power to the front wheels exclusively. While it’s a nearly identical powertrain, fuel economy comes in slightly lower with a 34-mpg combined rating. Kia provides standard features like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 4.2-inch digital instrument display, rear-view monitor, and cloth seating for five passengers. The Forte also gains a great standard list of ADAS along with a long running warranty that’s only really out done by Kia’s parent company, Hyundai.

5. Hyundai Accent – $16,645

Now we’re on to the subcompact options starting with the 2022 Hyundai Accent. For $16,645, the Accent comes with a 1.6L four-cylinder engine mated to an IVT and FWD drivetrain that’s capable of 36 mpg combined. Hyundai also includes passenger room for five (four comfortably), cloth upholstery, air conditioning, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, rear-view camera, and Hyundai’s substantial warranty coverage.

4. Kia Rio – $16,550

For about $95 less, you can get the 2023 Kia Rio which is essentially the same car as the Accent. The Rio carries the same 1.6L four-cylinder engine/IVT/FWD setup as the Accent and is able to achieve the same 36 mpg combined rating. Being a slightly newer year, the Rio carries a little better equipment. With the Rio you’ll find an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cloth seating, rear-view camera, air conditioning, and some great warranty coverage. You can also have the 2023 Kia Rio as a hatchback for a $940 price bump.

3. Mitsubishi Mirage – $16,245

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage - media.mitsubishi.com

If you told someone 20 years ago that the Mitsubishi Mirage would be the last non-SUV in Mitsubishi’s lineup, they’d call you crazy. Here it is though, and it’s one of the cheapest cars you can find new. The 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage ES CVT hatchback starts at $16,245 and comes with one of the best fuel economy ratings in its class at 39 mpg combined. Achieving that low fuel consumption is a 1.2L three-cylinder engine connected to a CVT sending power to the front wheels. The Mirage also comes standard with a rear-view camera, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, and a warranty that’s only second to Hyundai/Kia. For an extra $1,000 you can get the Mirage G4 which is a slightly larger sedan version.

2. Nissan Versa – $15,580

The 2022 Nissan Versa is the runner up for being the cheapest new car available at $15,580. The base model Versa S comes with a 1.6L four-cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission that’s working with a FWD drivetrain. Fuel economy comes in at an alright 30 mpg combined, but it’s definitely behind in comparison to its competition. Nissan includes air conditioning, cloth upholstery, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a rear-view camera as standard equipment. Nissan also includes a couple ADAS items like Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning.

1. Chevrolet Spark – $13,600

Finally, we have the most affordable new car that won’t break the bank, the 2022 Chevrolet Spark. Chevy’s subcompact hatch is actually the most affordable vehicle in general from a major auto manufacturer at a starting MSRP of just $13,600. For that low price point, the Spark 2LT comes with a 1.4L four-cylinder engine connected to a 5-speed manual transmission running the front wheels. Fuel economy comes in at a middling 33 mpg combined. Other standard features include cloth upholstery, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, OnStar service capability, rear-view camera, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. There isn’t much to this little Chevrolet Spark, but it’s the lowest priced new car you’ll find out at the dealership lots.