Over the past couple of years, its seems like new car prices only keep getting higher and higher. Not only that, but it seems like automakers are only focused on making big or luxury cars. But what if your focus is on the cheaper, smaller end of the automotive sphere—as in, you’d rather stay out of a large truck or SUV? And, you’re not quite ready to check out electric cars, either. Luckily, many of the best small cars are nice to drive, cheap to own, easy on leasing, reliable, and provide good fuel economy for a low price. Below is our ranking of the best cars for those whose chief concern is affordability. Prices were correct as of May 2025.
The Best (and Cheapest) Small Cars to Buy in 2025
- Chevrolet Trax
- Hyundai Elantra
- Hyundai Venue
- Kia K4
- Kia Soul
- Nissan Kicks
- Nissan Sentra
- Nissan Versa
- Subaru Impreza
- Toyota Corolla
- Volkswagen Jetta
Chevrolet Trax
Best for: Those who want a small, affordable car from an American brand such as Chevy, Dodge, or Ford
The 2024 model year marked a fresh new generation of the Chevy Trax. It not only became a better competitor to small-and-basic crossovers like the Hyundai Venue, but also a de facto replacement for Chevy’s discontinued lineup of small cars. It starts at $20,500.
Styling combines car and small SUV attributes, but the driving experience is decidedly car-like. The Trax’s 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-three engine is also thrifty, delivering 30 mpg combined, 28 mpg city, and 32 mpg highway while producing a respectable 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The tradeoff, however, is that the Trax only comes with front-wheel drive (FWD).
Inside, its upscale dashboard design and impressive available tech connectivity features like an 11-inch touchscreen and eight-inch digital instrument cluster are impressive for the Trax’s low starting price. And the Trax has more cargo space than its main rival, the Venue.
Hyundai Elantra
Best for: Safety-conscious car buyers
The Hyundai Elantra has grown up in recent years and is no longer the Honda Civic or Mazda3 wannabe it once was. Hyundai gives every car a long list of tech and safety kit, a stellar 10-year powertrain warranty, and a solid driving experience, all for a starting MSRP of $22,125.
The Elantra comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. A CVT and FWD are standard, but higher trims get more powerful engines. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is available on the sportier Elantra N-Line, while the range-topping Elantra N is available with a manual gearbox, But these models are far more focused on high-performance than on affordability.
Hyundai equips every Elantra with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB inputs, HD radio, and more. Upgrades include a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and navigation.
The Elantra's base engine produces plenty of power to get it moving with gusto, and its interior is surprisingly roomy for a compact car. Passengers enjoy plenty of space in the rear seats, though taller adults may sometimes feel a bit cramped.
Hyundai Venue
Best for: SUV shoppers on a budget
Cheap cars aren’t limited to hatchback and sedan body styles. Amazingly, you can still buy an SUV for just a little over $20,000. Admittedly, that SUV is the Hyundai Venue, and it’s small—very small. Still, the tiny Venue commands a starting price of $20,200, and it’s a good car for the money. The Venue is fun-to-drive, practical, and adorable. No, all-wheel drive (AWD) isn’t an option, but for folks looking for an affordable little crossover to drive around the city, it’s hard to beat the Hyundai Venue.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard equipment on the Venue’s base SE trim level. The 121-horsepower engine pairs with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to deliver 29 mpg in the city, 33 on the highway, and 31 combined. And, weighing only 2,612 pounds, the Venue feels pretty quick and fun to drive around town.
Kia K4
Best for: Shoppers seeking a faithful commuting companion
Kia’s new compact sedan replaced the long-running Kia Forte, which was known for its cheap and cheerful merits. With a revamped design and impressive standard tech, the 2025 Kia K4 picks up where the Forte left off, adding more cargo space and superior practicality, but retaining a sensible starting price tag of $21,990.
The K4 is only 2.7 inches longer than the Forte, but it looks more like a midsize car than a compact. In the trunk, you’ll find 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space, easily accessible due to the wide opening, while rear-seat passengers get a massive 38 inches of legroom.
Trim levels comprise the LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, and the GT-Line Turbo, and every K4 comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, four USB-C ports, and a traditional PRNDL gear shifter. Lower trims use a bank of physical buttons for climate controls, while EX and above employ a four-inch touchscreen controller placed between the gauge cluster and the infotainment display. GT-Line trims swap out the two-spoke steering wheel for a two-tone, three-spoke wheel.
Kia Soul
Best for: Shoppers looking for a stylish small car
It may not be a fancy convertible or coupe, but if it’s style you’re after, the Kia Soul has it in spades. This funky little crossover-meets-station wagon has been around since the 2008 model year, but the latest generation (kicking off for the 2020 model year) has elevated its swagger. It starts at $20,490.
The Soul has a distinctive front end, courtesy of thin headlights and a big, low-mounted grille, but it’s the profile that makes it instantly recognizable on the street. Thanks to its boxy dimensions, the Soul can swallow an impressive 62.1 cubic feet of cargo when the rear seats are folded.
The Soul also comes equipped with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes a satisfying 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, but you can upgrade a turbo model for a higher price. Shoppers who’ve purchased a Soul routinely tell us how much they love their car, and with an affordable price tag, we can see why.
Nissan Kicks
Best for: anyone who wants higher-sitting hatchback demeanor
With an all-new generation for the 2025 model year, the Nissan Kicks provides a lot of value for its $21,830 starting MSRP. Refreshed styling, larger interior dimensions, available AWD, and more power are just a portion of this compact crossover’s glow-up.
Inside, prospective buyers will appreciate the 1.7-inch increase in front shoulder room, as well as 1.9 in the back, plus about an inch of knee room. When it comes to tech, the Kicks sports a seven-inch infotainment screen as standard, though mid- and high-tier trims get a 12.3-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and plenty of USB-C ports. A four-speaker stereo is standard, though a 10-speaker Bose system is optional.
While the Nissan Kicks isn’t intended to compete with the likes of anything made by Jeep, it does sport nearly an inch-and-a-half more ground clearance than the previous generation, plus optional AWD. This’ll at least help it trudge through dirt and snow a little easier. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder puts out 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque; 20 and 26 more, respectively, over the 2024 model year. A CVT-based drivetrain transmits these figures to the road and helps the Kicks earn as much as 28 mpg city, 35 highway, and 31 combined.
Nissan Sentra
Best for: Price-conscious sedan shoppers car
The Nissan Sentra has always been a price-conscious subcompact car (it starts at $21,590), though its recent redesign made it more upscale than many expected. One powertrain is on offer, which includes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, FWD, and a CVT.
Even with entry-level models, the Sentra's surprisingly deluxe cabin offers standard equipment that includes a seven-inch touchscreen, four speakers, Bluetooth, USB inputs, and smartphone mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Buyers can opt for a larger touchscreen, six or eight speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot.
The 2023 Nissan Sentra is not a quick car, but its four-cylinder engine generates plenty of grunt. Though Nissan's CVTs are as good as anyone's, the application here allows the engine to whine and wail at higher speeds and during heavy acceleration.
Nissan Versa
Best for: Those who want the cheapest new car possible
Unless you’re going to shop in the used-car market, the Nissan Versa is the least expensive model you can buy at just $17,190, recently unseating the Mitsubishi Mirage for the honor. However, that’s not to say the Versa is a bad car, not at all. Today, even the cheapest new cars offer impressive features that as standard equipment. In the Versa’s case, that includes cruise control, a seven-inch touchscreen display, and an impressive array of advanced safety features including automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning.
The Versa is no sports car, but it’s still a pretty fun car to drive. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivers a pokey 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, and it comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission. Once upon a time, the cheapest new cars on sale were basically rolling penalty boxes. Nissan’s Versa proves that’s not the story, anymore.
Subaru Impreza
Best for: Those who need AWD without breaking the bank
The Subaru Impreza offers a compelling mix of standard AWD capability, value, and comfort for its $23,610 starting price. Redesigned for the 2024 model year, the all-new Impreza looks a bit more aggressive and sporty than before. The car's diminutive size and standard AWD give it great handling, but it lacks power, and the engine can sometimes sound unrefined. Offsetting that is the higher RS trim, which upgrades the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder’s displacement up to 2.5, which increases output to 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.
Of course, if you're looking for value, the A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is the way to go. Although its 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet may cedes performance to the RS motor, it still comes paired with the same CVT, and it delivers 27 mpg city, 34 highway, 30 combined.
Around town, the Impreza's power delivery should feel more than adequate, and the Impreza offers engaging, confident handling and the ability to traverse some of the worst weather conditions, thanks to its AWD system.
Toyota Corolla
Best for: Buyers who want a basic, but well-equipped small car
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling vehicles of all time, with over 50 million units sold since its inception. As an all-rounder, it’s one of the best compact cars there is: well-equipped, comfortable, and packed with advanced safety features. The base Corolla starts at $22,325 and comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. FWD and a CVT are standard.
Toyota equips every Corolla with a long list of features, including an eight-inch touchscreen running Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB inputs, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, lane-departure alerts, forward-collision warnings, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, road-sign detection, and automatic high beam headlights.
Though its standard engine isn't going to help it win drag races, the Toyota Corolla makes a solid urban runabout and a comfortable road trip cruiser. It has earned great safety ratings and a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). A bit more wind and road noise make their way into the cabin than many would like, but it's not intrusive or overwhelming by any means.
If you’re considering hybrid cars and you budget stretches a little further, then the Corolla Hybrid costs an additional $1,500 (don’t expect a Civic Type R at that price, but the rival Honda Civic Hybrid is available for similar money), and there’s always the faithful Toyota Prius, which starts at £28,350 at the time of writing.
Volkswagen Jetta
Best for: Commuters who value fuel efficiency and driver involvement
The Volkswagen Jetta is a stalwart small car that brings solid gas mileage, a spacious cabin, and a comfy ride. With a base price of $22,495, the car also offers serious value, and its fuel-efficient engine reduces operating costs for people who drive extensively.
The Jetta comes standard with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine making 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Sadly, the manual transmission is no longer available—the sole way to move through gears is via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Jetta’s four-cylinder engine delivers adequate power from a standstill, but the grunt fizzles at higher speeds. Still, the Jetta will return up to 40 mpg on the highway in its most fuel-efficient configuration, so it’s a proper road trip hero, especially now the Volkswagen Golf is no longer available in non-high-performance guise.
