Average car prices continue to rise. Even to buy a budget model you will have to shell out a considerable amount and the quality of such cars could be better. Compact cars such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 offer good value for money.
If you're looking for an affordable new car, you've probably considered models like the Nissan Versa or Mitsubishi Mirage, which cost around $16,680 and $16,695, respectively. These prices seem quite affordable in developed countries, but in emerging markets, purchasing power is much lower. This is where models designed specifically for such regions come in. In this article, we will talk about the cheapest cars that you can buy in 2024.
20 Cheapest Cars by 2024
Average car prices continue to rise around the world and even the cheapest vehicles are getting more expensive. But it is still possible to find good value-for-money options in the compact cheapest new car segment, albeit with some reservations. Manufacturers are trying to constantly improve models, using modern technology, but all this affects the cost. Next, we discuss the list of the best cheap cars of 2024. If you are on a tight budget, choose an option from the list below.
2024 Mazda 3
The overall driving experience of the Mazda 3 is pretty good, with a 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder atmospheric engine providing enough power for a quality and comfortable ride. Although the rear seats are quite cramped, the overall performance and available all-wheel drive make the Mazda 3 a serious contender in the segment. Stylish and dynamic, the Mazda 3, with prices starting at $25,355, offers a balance between fuel efficiency and attractive design.
2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
The compact Mitsubishi Mirage is the Japanese company's least expensive model in the United States. Despite its age, the least expensive new car proved popular in 2024 and caused quite a stir. With prices starting at $18,000, the Mitsubishi Mirage stands out for its compactness and efficiency, ideal for city life.
2024 Nissan Versa
The 2024 Nissan Versa comes with a full list of standard features, including air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen color infotainment interface. As for safety, you'll get automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic rear brake assist, and high beam assist - standard for a modern car. Concessions will have to be made on performance and comfort. The American Nissan Versa is very affordable, as its price will be only $16,130 in the base configuration. With this money, you will get a decent auto that will not require any additional costs for a long period.
2024 Kia Forte
The base Forte has a somewhat unrefined CVT and low safety scores. The Forte makes up for this in important areas, namely in astounding fuel economy thanks to its 2.0-liter engine with 147 hp. The Forte GT has a powerful powertrain and plenty of features at a lower price than the competition offers. The Kia Forte, with prices starting at $21,000, is eye-catching for its combination of style and modern technology.
2024 Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona is a compact electric crossover with elegant design, ergonomic interior, and rich equipment. The large arches feature a contrasting design and the closed grille forms a unique exterior. Thanks to the air curtains that are integrated into the front bumper excellent aerodynamic performance is achieved. The dynamic profile of the Hyundai Kona reveals its impetuous character and athleticism. The short rear overhangs effectively emphasize the dynamic nature of the parklet. Silver-colored side sills, two-tone body/roof design, and 17-inch alloy wheels add lightness and uniqueness to the exterior appearance. The ultra-precise parking sensors ensure safe and comfortable parking in tight spaces. Hyundai Kona combines economy, environmental friendliness, a high level of comfort and safety, as well as many modern electronic systems.
Hyundai claims the top spot with its redesigned Kona Electric. The Kona is priced at $34,010. The Kona has front-wheel drive only. If you want the traction that all-wheel drive provides, you'll have to look at other vehicles.
2024 Kia Soul
The Kia Soul extends its life with minimal changes for the 2024 model year. Yes - a slight price increase, but that doesn't change the model's philosophy of affordability and practicality. There's also a new styling package, giving visual enhancements to an already extraordinary vehicle.
Owners of the new Kia Soul should know that these best affordable cars can be surprised by the quality of their engines. New technologies have been used here that have maximized driving comfort. When moving on urban roads, this is immediately felt. The car allows the driver to maximize orientation and warns of dangers. The exterior of the new generation Kia Soul is given special characteristics by body-colored side mirrors and door handles, and front and rear mudguards. The lower part of the bumper is painted black, as is the front pillar, which has a spectacular gloss finish. Starting with the new price, the base 2024 Soul LX starts at $21,315 in the US.
2024 Honda Civic
More mature than previous-generation models, the 2024 Honda Civic offers significant value, especially in terms of safety, though many of the Civic's best features are reserved for higher-end models. Even so, the base Civic delivers excellent performance with a 2.0-liter atmospheric four-cylinder engine rated at 158 horsepower. With a history of reliability and high praise from experts, the Honda Civic, starting at $25,000, remains a popular choice for frugal drivers.
2024 Toyota Corolla
The cheapest car in USA is available in sedan or hatchback body and combines impressive interior space with solid safety indicators. Drawbacks include interior materials and driving dynamics. Although the base Corolla, which comes with a 169-horsepower 2-liter I-4 engine and CVT, is noticeably quicker than class rivals. With prices starting at $22,900, the Toyota Corolla continues to maintain its reputation as a reliable and fuel-efficient sedan.
2024 Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue debuted in 2020 and has earned praise for its overall value. When you buy it you get a ton of features for a modest amount of money, as well as a very generous warranty from the manufacturer. Its main disadvantages are its rather weak engine and very small size. Right now, the cost in America starts at $21,135.
2024 Nissan Sentra
The car has an attractive appearance, good fuel consumption figures, and a large interior space. Available from $22,000, the Nissan Sentra offers comfort and efficiency in handling, making it a good choice for city driving.
2024 Subaru Impreza
The auto has excellent handling, all-wheel drive is standard, and the Impreza's 2-liter, 152-horsepower flat-four atmospheric engine is still slow but reasonably reliable. The Subaru Impreza, starting at $24,000, offers all-wheel drive and a spacious interior, making it an attractive option in its class.
2024 Chevrolet Trax
Chevrolet is positioning the new Trax for customers who want the practicality of a compact car and the utility of an SUV. It shares components with the existing Trailblazer but is larger than that crossover. The wheelbase of the Trax is now 2.7 meters versus the Trailblazer's 2.66 meters. The overall length is 4.54 meters compared to 4.41 meters for the Trailblazer. Although larger than its predecessor, the Chevrolet Trax 2024 will cost just $21,500.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta
Reliability and economy are the main features of the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. Volkswagen's compact sedan is inexpensive, but the ride and handling are far from ideal, the interior looks cheap and any interaction gained from the Jetta's available manual transmission is lost thanks to its uncommunicative steering. The base 1.5-liter engine keeps it moving fairly quickly and agilely. Starting at $22,500, the Volkswagen Jetta combines German quality and style at an affordable price.
2024 Hyundai Elantra
The updated Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that has received a new shark-style face. This model is offered in four trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited, and N Line, as well as the Elantra Blue hybrid version. The exterior of the facelifted version of the Elantra differs from the previous model with thinner headlights, which are connected by a thin chrome overlay with the Hyundai logo. The lower part of the front bumper has a body-colored element that separates the upper and lower grilles. The rear end has also changed, with a new diffuser with a silver overlay and a full-size LED light. New wheel designs with diameters ranging from 15 to 18 inches are available, as well as new body colors such as Amazon Gray, Exotic Green, Ultimate Red, and Ecotronic Gray.
It’s probably one of the best cars for its price. Spacious, fuel-efficient, and recognized as a top safety pick by the IIHS for 2022, the 2024 model year Elantra gets good design while remaining the best budget choice in the compact car segment. The Hyundai Elantra, with prices starting at $22,000, offers modern styling and an extensive feature set for reasonable money.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Three-row SUVs are the choice for larger families. If you have two or three kids, the third row comes in handy. The Kia Telluride has dominated this class in recent years. Mitsubishi's two-liter engine, equipped with an electronic timing control system, combines high performance, stability of operation in difficult modes, and economy due to the light weight of the power unit. Thanks to the use of continuous Jatco transmission, the tandem shows decent speed results. The engine is specially adapted for cold climates and AI-92 fuel. It costs about $7,000 more than the most affordable SUV in the class.
2024 Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks crossover has changed dramatically - the design is in a new corporate style. Its main feature is a wide grille with integrated optics. The car has a high hood and curved window line, and the roof has become more sloping. Narrow L-shaped lights are installed at the rear. In addition, the model has grown and replaced the Nissan Qashqai/Rogue Sport on the American market. The low-cost compact crossover went on sale for less than $25,000.
2024 Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu Premier is an upscale sedan from Chevrolet that combines sleek design, advanced technology, and luxurious comfort. The interior of the vehicle is characterized by luxurious design and quality materials. Comfortable seats, electric adjustment, and advanced features add luxury and coziness to the ride. The powerful engine and sophisticated suspension provide high performance and comfortable handling. The Chevrolet Malibu Premier is a car for those looking for a combination of luxury, style, and technology in one package. The price for such a car will be approximately $15,000.
2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer 2024 has been changed externally and received a new interior and a more powerful turbo diesel engine, which is paired with an 8-speed automatic. The exterior of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer 2024 has been updated in the spirit of the Chevrolet S10. The SUV received a wide grille and new headlights, a high hood, and extended fenders. The interior features a new steering wheel, front fascia, and shift lever. The front panel features an 8-inch screen in front of the driver and an 11-inch touchscreen multimedia display. The car will be available with a choice of 5 and 7 seats. The base price has increased by $1,000 over the previous version to $24,395, while the top RS and Activ models now start at $28,395.
2024 Honda Accord
Despite everything, the Honda Accord is getting better every year - the latest update made the foreign car stable, spacious, reliable, and ergonomic. The 11th-generation Honda Accord received a more aggressive front-end design with squinted headlights and a wide grille. The taillights have become thinner and are connected by a diode strip almost reaching the logo. The lighting is fully LED, with an adaptive high beam (ADB), light sensor, turn sector lighting (ACL), and automatic headlight corrector. Experts consider this car as the best family car. The car "behaves well" both in the city and on the highway. If the buyer has enough money, the foreign car deserves his attention. The novelty is offered in the market for $35000. There are five body colors to choose from: Platinum White Pearl (white pearlescent), Ignite Red Metallic (rich cherry metallic), Canyon River Blue Metallic (deep blue metallic), Meteoroid Grey Metallic (gray metallic), and Crystal Black Pearl (black metallic).
2024 Ford Maverick
The 2024 Ford Maverick is a pickup truck for people who didn't even realize they needed a pickup truck. The Maverick offers either a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine with a total output of 191 hp, or a gasoline version with a two-liter EcoBoost engine with 250 hp and 376 Nm of torque. Also, there is an exclusive cargo platform FLEXBED, and a full set of modern technologies in the interior of the novelty. The 2024 Ford Maverick with gas-only engine and AWD starts at $32,600.
Main Features of Cheapest New Cars
An inexpensive car is a relative concept. Each motorist calls different cheap car brands depending on their financial capabilities. Different people can include the same model among the most affordable cars and quite expensive ones. Nevertheless, the analysis of proposals on the car market allows you to draw a clear boundary between the first and the second. With a similar mileage, year of release and technical condition, cheap cars today can be attributed to vehicles, the price of which does not exceed $11 000.
Experts and motorists evaluated the cheapest cars 2024 by three important criteria. Here are the characteristics by which the cars are chosen:
- exterior and interior design, which creates a first impression of the car;
- technical features (engine power, suspension adjustment, safety level, wealth of options);
- practicality, which means the convenience of using and maintaining the car, the size of the trunk and interior, and the availability of a dealer network.
When choosing budget cars in 2024, you should usually pay attention to the following characteristics:
- The most distinctive feature is the low price, which makes them affordable for budget-conscious buyers.
- Many cheap cars are compact, which makes parking and maneuvering easier.
- These cars are usually equipped with basic safety features such as airbags, stability control, and anti-lock brakes.
- Cheap cars often prioritize fuel economy, helping owners save money on gas.
- Back seats and cargo space may be smaller than in larger cars. Some models may include universal storage solutions.
- Many manufacturers offer competitive warranties on their budget models, providing peace of mind to buyers. Reliability is often a key benefit for delivering long-term value.
- Most of the best cheap new cars rely on standard petrol engines, and while some may offer hybrid options, the focus tends to be on conventional engines designed for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
While the features of the cheapest new cars can vary by model and manufacturer, these features generally reflect the priorities of frugal consumers looking for value and reliability.
FAQ
- How much do the cheapest cars cost?
Car prices may vary depending on the region, model range, and other factors. However, the cheapest cars on the market can usually cost between USD 10,000 and 15,000. Possible options for budget cars in 2024 may include models from such manufacturers as Dacia, Chevrolet, Kia, and Hyundai.
2. What is the cheapest new car?
The 2024 Nissan Versa is the cheapest new car in America. But its features can hardly be called cheap. In the base configuration, the Versa S comes with a 5-speed manual transmission. This car costs $16,390.
3. Which cars are best for the money?
Choosing the best cars for the money usually involves considering factors such as price, reliability, fuel economy, and overall value. Cars with a low price for high quality are the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and others. The best car for your money will depend on your specific needs and preferences, including your budget, lifestyle, and whether you prioritize fuel efficiency, technology, or space.
4. Which cheap cars have the best fuel economy?
In the subcompact car category, the most economical cars were the Mitsubishi Mirage with 6.36 liters per 100 km and the Nissan Versa with 7.35 liters per 100 km. In the compact car segment, the Toyota Prius is the leader with 4.6 liters per 100 km, followed by the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla Hybrid, both with 4.9 liters per 100 km.
5. Which new car is the most reliable?
According to surveys, the most reliable car brands in the world are Japanese automakers such as Toyota, Mazda, Lexus, and Honda. This is not surprising as Japanese cars have a reputation for being extremely reliable. Buying a reliable car results in lower ownership and maintenance costs. Such cars tend to retain their value over time, which means you can get more money from selling your car.