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Behind the Scenes of Hollywood Movie CarsThe Best Entry Level Car for Each Brand
Interested in a specific brand of car? Here’s the entry level car offering for each major manufacturer for an introduction.
Just for Starters
Entry level cars have to both be affordable and make a strong impression on what are often either first time car buyers or buyers new to the brand. With some brands, like FIAT and Mitsubishi, it’s easy to identify the entry-level car because their lineups are so sparse. But other brands, like Mercedes-Benz for instance, offer a dizzying number of nameplates and it can be hard to know where to begin. To help, we’re listing the best entry-level vehicle for each manufacturer. That means not simply the cheapest thing in a given lineup but perhaps the best introduction to a given brand.
Acura
Acura’s entry level sedan, the ILX, starts at just $26,100. For that price you’ll find a stylish cabin full of modern features and great fuel economy.
Alfa Romeo
You can buy into the Alfa Romeo life with the Giulia which starts at $39,400. It’s got power and style in equal measure and offers scalpel sharp handling for a great introduction to the brand.
Aston Martin
Aston Martins don’t come cheap. Their entry level car is the Aston Martin Vantage which starts at $139,000. For that money you get one of the most beautiful sports cars in the world. That and a 503 horsepower V8 and a new convertible option for 2021.
Audi
Like it’s German competitors, Audi runs a vague alphanumeric naming convention so you’re not at fault for not knowing its entry level vehicle is the Audi A3, a respectable small luxury sedan starting at $33,300. If you’re more into crossovers there’s also the Audi Q3 starting at $34,000.
Cadillac
“Small” and “affordable” aren’t historically how one describes Cadillacs, but the Cadillac CT4, starting at $33,395, is both of those things and yet retains what makes the brand special, classic American luxury.
Chevrolet
Most of the cars on this list are small, practical, and affordable. The Chevrolet Spark takes that last part to the extreme with an initial price of just $13,400. The tiny two-door hatch offers perks like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard features.
Chrysler
While the Chrysler 300, at $30,445 is the company’s most affordable model we’d recommend their impressive minivan, the Pacifica as the better introduction to the brand. It starts at $35,195.
Dodge
Similar to the Chrysler example, the Dodge Journey, starting at $23,675, is the most affordable Dodge out there. But the better introduction to the Dodge brand is certainly the muscle-bound Challenger at $28,095.
Ferrari
“Affordable” isn’t in the Ferrari vocabulary and the Ferrari Roma, starting at $222,620, won’t be affordable for most, but it is the lowest price point for getting into a brand-new Ferrari.
FIAT
The FIAT 500L starts at $22,500, which is good but not great compared to other compact crossovers and hatchbacks. We recommend the 124 Spider at $25,390 as a much more unique and fun alternative.
Ford
Ford ditched the likes of the feisty Fiesta in favor of the bland EcoSport, which starts at $19,995. And while the Escape starts at $24,900, it too is unremarkable. For a taste of the Ford of old, consider the new Bronco Sport which starts at $26,820.
Genesis
The Genesis G70 starts at $36,000. Not only is it affordable, it’s a great introduction to the brand and on the short list for best small luxury cars on the market.
Honda
For as often as automotive writers joke that “the answer is always a Miata,” the actual answer is usually a Honda Civic. Long a champion of quality and affordability. the Civic starts at just $21,250. But for a real value there are still 2020 Honda Fit models on lots for only $16,190.
Hyundai
Hyundai has done well replicating the Toyota/Honda formula of affordability and durability, and recently they’ve been upping their game with fashion-forward styling and flashy interiors. The Hyundai Accent is a great representation of the brand with generous options, good looks, and efficient powertrains. It starts at $15,395.
Infiniti
The Infiniti Q50 comes with a punchy V6, sleek styling, and a comfortable ride. The Q50 starts at $36,700.
Jeep
Yes, the Jeep lineup’s most affordable option is the Jeep Renegade, starting at $22,850. However, the Renegade is a run-of-the-mill compact crossover, and there are plenty of great alternatives at that price. For a real taste of what Jeep is all about look toward the classic Wrangler which starts at $28,475.
Kia
Similarly, Kia’s compact car, the Rio, starting at $16,050, might be the most affordable model on the lot, but the Kia Soul, starting at $17,590, is even more compelling. The Soul offers tight handling, loads of unique style, and the most cargo and passenger room in the subcompact segment.
Lamborghini
If you’ve recently made a fortune Bitcoin farming or become the latest viral video sensation, there’s the Lamborghini Huracán, starting at $214,866, to help ease your transition into the fast lane lifestyle. For your first supercar, we recommend the Arancio Xanto (orange) paint job.
Land Rover
Land Rover has been making luxury SUVs long before they were cool. Now that global tastes have caught up with them, there’s the Land Rover Discovery Sport at $37,800 to whet your palate.
Lexus
Subcompact crossovers have largely supplanted small cars, but with the likes of the Lexus UX, starting at $33,000, we hardly missed them. The UX is an excellent introduction to the Lexus brand with unique styling, gleaming interior, and impressive reliability.
Maserati
As Maserati says on its website, the Ghibli ($74,740), is for those who “aren’t like everybody else”. Sure, it’s fast and has a properly aggressive exhaust note, but it’s the flashy Italian design that really sets it apart from other luxury sports cars.
Mercedes-Benz
Great things can come in small packages, so proves the Mercedes-Benz A-Class starting at $33,650. It’s all the refinement and class of the rest of the Mercedes lineup in a bitesize package.
MINI
Fun and affordable had been MINI’s MO from the beginning. And that still holds true today with the Mini Hardtop 2-door starting at just $19,750.
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Mirage, starting at just $14,295, is one of the most affordable compact cars on the market.
Nissan
The Nissan Versa, starting at $14,980, is a neat little compact that packs a ton of value into its diminutive frame with great fuel economy and loads of safety tech.
Porsche
It was the Porsche Cayenne that proved the theory that you could build a crossover that didn’t drive like a crossover. The smaller Porsche Macan, starting at $52,100, offers that signature Porsche handling in a neat, compact crossover package.
Subaru
In hatch or sedan, the AWD Subaru Impreza offers great value and plenty of fun for just $18,795 starting out.
Tesla
Your inauguration into an all-electric future can begin with the Tesla Model 3 for just $38,490. The minimalist interior design contrasts with a blistering 0-60 time in the 3 second range.
Toyota
The Toyota Corolla is a classic of the affordable, entry-level car genre for a reason. For just $20,025 starting out, the Corolla pack on style, safety, and that signature Toyota reliability. Few cars can match the value proposition of the stalwart Corolla.
Volkswagen
No stranger to small, fun, affordable cars, Volkswagen is still at it with the Jetta, starting at $18,995.
Volvo
Scandinavian simplicity never felt so right as from behind the wheel of the Volvo XC40, starting at $33,700. This compact crossover maybe at the low end their lineup it’s also a big seller and a great representation of the brand thanks to it’s refined ride and regal interior.
