America’s 25 Cheapest Cars

The Toyota C-HR is one of 25 cars for the 2021 model year that cost under $23,000. The crossover has a starting price of $22,620, though upgraded trims and packages can up the price to over $27,000.

Of the 25 cheapest new cars, the Chevrolet Trax is one of just four to sell more than 100,000 vehicles in 2020. Though it sold well, expert reviewers in KBB and Car and Driver magazine gave it relatively low marks because of the crossover’s somewhat less spacious interior and lack of some features.

Like most vehicles in the $20,000-$23,000 price range, the Honda HR-V fits into the crossover/subcompact SUV category. It is one of the least expensive vehicles in this increasingly-crowded segment, starting at $22,140. The HR-V received positive reviews from Motor Trend and automotive research company Kelley Blue Book, which praised the crossover’s handling, interior space, and fuel economy.

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport starts at just over $22,000, making it one of the least expensive cars on the market. Adding to its value, it offers an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile warranty as well as a wide array of features.

The Honda Civic is the best selling of the least expensive cars, with over a quarter million vehicles sold throughout 2020. The 2021 Civic received a 4.7 out of 5 score from both expert reviewers and consumers on KBB, making it one of the best reviewed vehicles on this list. It also earned KBB’s Best Buy award.

The Mazda CX-3 is one of just 20 cars from the 2021 model year with a starting price under $22,000. Though some critics dislike its snug interior, the CX-3 received high marks for its performance and its safety features.

The Kona is one of five Hyundai vehicles to rank among the least expensive cars in America, the most of any auto manufacturer. The Kona is one of the best-reviewed vehicles in the 2021 model year, earning a 9 out of 10 from Car and Driver, an 8.4 out of 10 from US News & World Report, and a 4.2 out of 5 from KBB’s expert reviewers.

Though it starts at $21,445, the Mazda3 offers seven different package options that can drive the price up to nearly $34,000. The sedan option is less expensive, though it is also available in a hatchback. The Mazda3 is in its fourth generation, refreshed for the 2019 model year.

The EcoSport is the only Ford vehicle to rank among the least expensive new cars, with a starting price of $21,240. First introduced into the U.S. market in 2018, it is one of the smaller subcompact crossovers on the market. The EcoSport is based on the Ford Fiesta platform.

The Toyota Corolla’s sub $21,000 starting price tag makes it one of the cheapest cars available. This relatively low cost, along with fairly positive reviews from both experts and consumers have helped make the Corolla one of the most popular vehicles in America. It sold more models than all but 10 other different vehicles in 2020, with nearly a quarter million units sold.

With its starting price of $20,650, the Nissan Kicks is one of a handful of crossover SUVs to rank among the cheapest new cars in America for the 2021 model year. First introduced to the U.S. market in 2018, the Kicks received a facelift for 2021.

Among the 25 cars with a starting price of less than $23,000, none has a better fuel economy than the Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle gets 37 miles per gallon between the highway and city. Though the base model is $20,645, there are six different model options, which can drive the price up to over $28,100.

The Nissan Sentra is one of America’s least expensive cars, with a starting price of $20,335. It is also one of the longest selling cars in America, dating all the way back to 1982. Now in its eighth generation, the Sentra is still selling well, despite many Americans now preferring SUVs and crossovers to compact sedans. Nissan sold nearly 95,000 Sentras in 2020.

The Chevy Trailblazer is one of just a dozen cars in America with a starting price of less than $20,000. On KBB, it earned a 4.1 out of 5 score from experts. Car and Driver gave it a positive score of 7.5 out of 10. The Trailblazer was redesigned for the 2021 model year, and it is now more of a crossover than the 4×4 SUV of years past.

The 2021 Jetta is the only Volkswagen to rank among the cheapest cars in America, with a starting price of just under $20,000. The Jetta earned mostly positive reviews from Car and Driver, US News & World Report, and Edmunds. The 2021 Jetta comes in seven different package options, ranging in price from the introductory cost of $19,990 all the way to over $30,000.

The Hyundai Venue is one of the 10 cheapest new cars for the 2021 model year, with a starting price of $19,925. This low price does not mean the vehicle is low on quality, though. KBB ranked the 2021 Venue as the best small SUV of the year and said it has the lowest cost to own among all subcompact SUVs.

The Hyundai Veloster has a starting price of $19,895. Though it is among the cheapest cars in America, the Hyundai Veloster had the lowest sales among vehicles on this list in 2020, at 6,785. Most vehicles on this list sold over 40,000 vehicles that year. The Veloster is an unorthodox hatchback — it has three doors instead of four, and it seats only four.

The Subaru Impreza is the eighth-least expensive car for the 2021 model year, with a $19,720 starting price. It is the least expensive vehicle to offer all-wheel drive standard. It also has some of the top safety scores in its class.

The Kia Forte is one of just seven 2021 model year cars with a starting price under $19,000. There are five different Forte models — the FE, LXS, GT Line, EX, and GT — that range in price from $18,855 to $23,655.

The Kia Soul is the least expensive 2021 model year car that is not a subcompact sedan. The subcompact crossover starts at $18,610, though upgraded trims and package options can raise the price by $10,000. The Kia Soul earned a 4.5 out of 5 star score from both consumers and experts on KBB.

Smaller cars like the Kia Rio have fallen out of favor with American drivers, as many opt for SUVs and crossovers. Yet the Rio won over reviewers with its sleek design and tight handling at a starting price of just over $17,000. The vehicle earned an editor’s choice award from Car and Driver.

The Accent is the cheapest of Hyundai’s five models with starting prices under $23,000. Only three vehicles cost less than the Accent’s $16,390 price tag. The subcompact sedan earned positive reviews from outlets like KBB and Car and Driver for its roomy interior, good handling, and numerous features.

The 2021 Nissan Versa is one of just three new cars with a starting price under $16,000, and it is the only one of that group that is a sedan and not a subcompact hatchback. The car received positive feedback from drivers and expert reviewers alike on KBB. They gave the car a 4.1 and 4.2 out of 5 score, respectively.

The Mitsubishi Mirage is the second least expensive new vehicle for 2021, with a starting price of $15,565. The Mirage received abysmal reviews, including a 3.1 out of 5 from KBB and a 2.5 out of 10 from Car and Driver. Expert reviewers said the handling and acceleration were very poor and noted the vehicle’s low crash test safety scores.

With a starting price of $14,395, the Chevrolet Spark is the least expensive car for the 2021 model year by a wide margin. While the small subcompact hatchback lacks significant cargo space and does not have much room in the back seat, it gets 38 mpg on the highway, and Car and Driver described its ride as “surprisingly refined” and praised its handling.