The idea of anything new being cheap is laughable to most of the country right now, as rising inflation and interest rates are seemingly conspiring to make everything more expensive. Lucky for us, the car industry doesn’t appear to have gotten the memo — or at least not entirely, as there is still a handful of new cars priced below $20,000 and more than a handful of new cars available for less than $25,000. Prices quoted below do not include delivery fees, tax, title, license, or other fees incident to purchase. Prices may also vary by region, so be sure to check with your local dealership to see what’s available in your neck of the woods.
Here are the 10 cheapest new cars of 2024, along with more than a dozen honorable mentions that all start below the $25,000 mark.
1. 2024 Nissan Versa: $16,390
The 2024 Nissan Versa is America’s least-expensive new car, but it’s hardly cheap in terms of features. In base form, the Versa S comes with a 5-speed manual transmission, but starting with the $17,800 Versa S CVT, all other models come with a continuously variable automatic transmission. If you do go for the base model, the S+ package is a great value, adding smartphone integration, a split-folding rear seat, and aluminum alloy wheels. See 2024 Nissan Versa models for sale
2. 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage: $16,695
In its default hatchback form, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage has seating for five, 39 mpg combined, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. If you’d prefer the G4 sedan, the MSRP jumps to a still very reasonable $17,795, and it offers more rear-seat legroom than the Nissan Versa. See 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage models for sale near you
3. 2024 Hyundai Venue: $19,900
The 2024 Hyundai Venue is the first small SUV on our list, meaning it’s the most affordable SUV in America for 2024. With a strong standard feature set, a combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg, and Hyundai’s excellent powertrain warranty, the Venue’s only shortcoming is that it’s not available with all-wheel drive (AWD). See 2024 Hyundai Venue models for sale near you
4. 2024 Kia Forte: $19,990
Doing battle with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, the 2024 Kia Forte undercuts both by several thousand dollars while remaining competitive on features and quality. The base LX model is the most affordable, but for just $500 more, you can get the better-equipped LXS, which adds alloy wheels, more exterior color choices, and the ability to upgrade the safety systems. See 2024 Kia Forte models for sale near you
5. 2024 Kia Soul: $20,190
Sitting somewhere between an SUV, a hatchback, and a wagon is the iconic 2024 Kia Soul. As recognizable as ever and still extremely budget-friendly, the latest Soul is roomy for its exterior footprint, reasonably well-equipped in base form, and capable of up to 31 mpg combined. Like the Venue, the Soul is front-wheel drive only. See 2024 Kia Soul models for sale near you
6. 2024 Chevrolet Trax: $20,400
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax has a sharp new look, a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, and a roomy interior. As yet, there are no AWD offerings for the Trax, but there are five trim levels to choose from, from the base LS to the top-spec Activ. At the entry level, you’ll get standard Chevy Safety Assist tech, including lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, automatic braking with pedestrian detection, and more, as well as wireless smartphone integration. See 2024 Chevrolet Trax models for sale near you
7. 2024 Nissan Sentra: $20,890
Comfort and affordability are at the top of the 2024 Nissan Sentra‘s priority list, so if that matches your priorities, you’re all set. It’s efficient, too, at 34 mpg combined in base form, including the magic 40 mpg highway figure, making the Sentra an economical choice for those with longer commutes. See 2024 Nissan Sentra models for sale near you
8. 2024 Nissan Kicks: $21,050
Funky style and solid fuel economy are the 2024 Nissan Kicks‘ headliners, although it also offers a fair amount of cabin space for such a small SUV. Like the other SUVs on this list, the Kicks doesn’t offer AWD, but it does offer a fair amount of cargo space, at 53.1 cubic feet behind the front row. Smartphone integration, rear parking assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic braking with pedestrian detection are all standard. See 2024 Nissan Kicks models for sale near you
9. 2024 Volkswagen Jetta $21,435
The 2024 Volkswagen Jetta represents the only European brand on our list, so if that’s important to you, you’ve found your value buy. The Jetta is also spacious, comfortable, and roomy. It’s even fun to drive in GLI form, but for those looking to save money, the base Jetta S or the next tier up, the Jetta Sport ($22,585), are the strongest values. See 2024 Volkswagen Jetta models for sale near you
10. 2024 Hyundai Elantra: $21,625
A roomy interior, a stylish look, and lots of safety features all help the 2024 Hyundai Elantra stand out from the crowd. On top of that, it also comes with wireless smartphone integration in the base model, and it’s good for 41 mpg on the highway or 36 mpg combined. You also get a 3-year subscription to Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services, allowing you to remotely unlock your car, receive collision alerts, and even track a stolen vehicle. See 2024 Hyundai Elantra models for sale near you
The Cheapest New Cars of 2024
- 2024 Nissan Versa: $16,390
- 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage: $16,695
- 2024 Hyundai Venue: $19,900
- 2024 Kia Forte: $19,990
- 2024 Kia Soul: $20,190
- 2024 Chevrolet Trax: $20,400
- 2024 Nissan Sentra: $20,890
- 2024 Nissan Kicks: $21,050
- 2024 Volkswagen Jetta: $21,435
- 2024 Hyundai Elantra: $21,625
Honorable Mentions: Cars Under $25,000 for 2024
- 2024 Toyota Corolla: $22,050
- 2024 Buick Envista: $22,400
- 2024 Subaru Impreza: $22,995
- 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer: $23,100
- 2024 Ford Maverick: $23,815
- 2024 Honda Civic: $23,950
- 2024 Volkswagen Taos: $23,995
- 2024 Mazda3: $24,170
- 2024 Hyundai Kona: $24,250
- 2024 Kia Seltos: $24,490
- 2024 Honda HR-V: $24,600
- 2024 Subaru Legacy: $24,895
- 2024 Mazda CX-30: $24,995
