The average price of a new car in 2022 was just over $48,000. That number itself represents an increase of about $5,000 over last year. But even as the market skyrockets, there’s still a healthy amount of new cars coming in under the $25,000 mark for 2023 — and even some bare-bones models that start under $20,000. are We should note that all prices below include the inevitable destination fees.
Manufacturers like Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai still make up most of the brands that offer the most affordable cars on the market, but there are some surprises. Rounding out the top 20 are a pint-sized pickup truck, a few SUVs, and even some hybrids.
Price: $24,100
2023 Top 20 Most Expensive Toyota Corolla Hatchback It features a standard 2.0-liter engine and 169 horsepower, plus an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver assistance and safety technologies.
Price: $23,690
Not only is the Ford Maverick the cheapest truck in the country, it’s also one of the 20 most affordable vehicles in America for 2023. Starting at $23,690, the base XL model’s 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder engine gives the Maverick 191 horsepower. And up to 37 miles per gallon combined. Buyers looking for a bit more capability can always step up to the turbocharged option and/or off-road Trimmer trim.
Price: $23,615
The Mazda 3 sedan undercuts the hatchback by a few thousand dollars with a starting price of $23,615. It has the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and 191 horsepower as the CX-30 crossover, with much of the same equipment inside — including an 8.8-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mazda 3 sedan also gets up to 31 miles per gallon combined.
Price: $23,395
Chevy’s smallest SUV is also the cheapest vehicle in the range, considering the company killed off the Spark in 2022. The 2023 Trailblazer starts at just $23,395 and comes with standard equipment such as an 8.0-inch touchscreen and 17-inch wheels.
Price: $23,285
The Hyundai Kona will have a completely new look and will certainly have a slightly larger price for 2024. But buyers interested in the 2023 Kona can pick up the compact crossover for just $23,285, and it comes with a standard 2.0-liter engine. 147 horsepower and an eight-way power-adjustable seat for the driver.
Price: $22,645
The Corolla is one of the cheapest cars in the class for 2023 with a starting price of $22,645. Standard equipment on the base LE model includes things like a 169-horsepower four-cylinder engine, an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
Price: $21,760
The Volkswagen Jetta launches in 2023 without too many updates. But with a starting price of $21,760 and standard equipment like an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic emergency braking, and LED headlights and taillights, it’s a solid value in the compact space.
Price: $21,585
The Nissan Kicks is still one of the most affordable SUVs in the country with a starting price of $21,585. Updates for 2021 give the Kicks a new look and some additional tech, like a fresh 8.0-inch touchscreen display with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Price: $21,545
The Elantra undercuts the Corolla and Jetta by a few hundred bucks for 2023. It brings with it 37 mpg highway, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, among other features.
Price: $21,315
One of the most affordable five-door vehicles on this list, the 2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback, is priced at $21,315 for 2023. Granted, you’ll have to pay an extra $1,300 for the continuously variable transmission—as opposed to the standard manual—which the Subaru Eyesight brings. Plus active safety – but you get all-wheel drive at no extra cost.
Price: $21,215
The Kia Soul gets a sharp redesign for 2023 that includes new headlights, updates to the bumpers, and even some new safety technology across the range. Notably, every Soul now features lane keeping assist with lane tracing, driver attention warning, and high beam assist. The base price of the 2023 Kia Soul is a cool $21,215 including destination fees.
Price: $21,045
Just ahead of the Kicks is the Sentra, Nissan’s competitor to the Honda Civic. The 2023 Sentra undercuts most of the competition with a starting price of $21,045, and it comes with standard equipment like Nissan Safety Shield 360, automatic emergency braking, and up to 33 miles per gallon.
Price: $20,815
The Subaru Impreza sedan drops the hatchback by $500 for 2023. It also gets a standard manual transmission and an all-wheel drive system like its five-door counterpart.
Price: $20,815
Kia’s compact, the Forte, is one of the most affordable options in the class. In fact, it undercuts the Corolla by more than $3,000 with its $20,815 starting price. Standard equipment includes a 2.0-liter engine with 147 horsepower and up to 34 miles per gallon with technology like an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Price: $20,795
More affordable than the Kicks and Soul, the Hyundai Venue is the most affordable SUV in America. The base SE model starts at just $20,795 in the U.S. for 2023 and includes standard automatic emergency braking, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and a 121-horsepower engine that gets up to 31 miles per gallon.
Price: $18,815
The Rio 5-Door is second only to the Mitsubishi Mirage as far as affordable hatchbacks go in the US. Starting at $18,815, the Rio is a no-frills hatchback with very few standard features – but the $1,800 Technology Package adds things like an 8.0-inch touchscreen and extra safety equipment.
Price: $18,290
A sibling to the standard Mirage, the G4 is Mitsubishi’s four-door version. Both cars offer very basic features, such as cloth seats and a three-cylinder engine that produces just 78 horsepower.
Price: $17,875
Hyundai may have discontinued the subcompact Accent in the U.S., but you can still buy its corporate cousin, the Kia Rio. The Rio starts at $18,515 in sedan form (as you see, the hatch is a bit pricier), and comes with very basic features like air conditioning and a four-cylinder engine with 120 horsepower.
Price: $17,290
Once the most affordable car in America, the 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage has dropped to second place with a starting price of $17,290. It is still the cheapest hatchback in the country at least. Under the hood is the same three-cylinder engine good for 78 horsepower.
Price: $16,755
The most affordable car in the US in 2023 is – Drum roll please – Nissan Versa. Starting at $16,755 for the base S model with a five-speed manual transmission, the Versa is a budget-friendly sedan that comes standard with front and rear automatic emergency braking, high-beam headlight assist, and up to 30 miles per gallon. Presents .
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback: $24,100
- Ford Maverick: $23,690
- Mazda 3: $23,615
- Chevrolet Trailblazer: $23,395
- Hyundai Kona: $23,285
- Toyota Corolla: $22,645
- Volkswagen Jetta: $21,760
- Nissan Kicks: $21,585
- Hyundai Elantra: $21,545
- Subaru Impreza 5-Door: $21,315
- Kia Soul: $21,215
- Nissan Sentra: $21,045
- Subaru Impreza: $20,815
- Kia Forte: $20,815
- Hyundai Venue: $20,795
- Kia Rio 5-Door: $18,815
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4: $18,290
- Kia Rio: $17,875
- Mitsubishi Mirage: $17,290
- Nissan Versa: $16,755