Here Are the 10 Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy Right Now

Key Points

• It’s no longer possible to buy a new car with a starting price of under $20,000, but a variety of models still deserve consideration just beyond that.
• We’ve ordered the list by base price with an automatic transmission from least to most expensive, and all prices include the destination charge, but not any cash incentives or taxes and fees.
• The cheapest new car is the Hyundai Venue, which is packed with active-safety and driver-assist features you don’t often see for its price range.

The days of the sub-$10,000 new car are long behind us, and the last remaining model that started around $20,000 was recently discontinued (R.I.P. Nissan Versa). But if a rock-bottom base price is what you’re looking for, a variety of models still deserve consideration. Many of them also get good gas mileage, which will help keep a lid on ownership costs for as long as you own one.

Related: Here Are The 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now

To help with your cheap-car search, we rounded up the 10 least expensive new cars as of March 2026. They’re ordered by base price from least to most expensive, and all prices include the destination charge, but not any cash incentives or taxes and fees. To make the list useful to as many car shoppers as possible, all prices include an automatic transmission, which bumps the price for some models that otherwise offer a manual. For cars with more than one transmission choice, the EPA-estimated combined mpg rating is for the automatic version.

Cheapest New Cars

1. 2026 Kia K4 LX: $23,535
2. 2026 Nissan Sentra S: $23,845
3. 2026 Hyundai Elantra SE: $23,870
4. 2026 Toyota Corolla LE: $24,120
5. 2026 Volkswagen Jetta 1.5T S: $25,270
6. 2026 Mazda3 2.5 S: $25,785
7. 2026 Honda Civic LX: $25,890
8. 2026 Subaru Impreza Sport: $27,790
9. 2026 Hyundai Sonata SE: $28,695
10. 2026 Kia K5 LXS: $28,735

1. 2026 Kia K4 LX

• Price: $23,535 ($1,245 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 33 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Kia K4: The K4 replaced the Forte for 2025 and brings a more stylish exterior, added interior room, and a host of standard features like wireless smartphone connectivity and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. A hatchback joins the lineup for 2026.

All-new for the 2025 model year, the K4 replaces the erstwhile Forte compact sedan. Those are pretty big shoes to fill considering the Forte was a 2024 Best Value award winner. The K4 brings a more stylish exterior, added interior room, and a host of standard features like wireless smartphone connectivity and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. While a punchy turbocharged engine is optional, sticking to a budget means opting for the standard 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder and CVT. In our review, we found this powertrain to be refined and more than fine for everyday driving needs. For 2026, the K4 Hatchback joins the lineup; it’s mechanically identical to the sedan but is only available in the three highest trim levels from the sedan’s lineup, so it didn’t make it on this list.

2. 2026 Nissan Sentra S

• Price: $23,845 ($1,245 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 33 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Nissan Sentra: With the demise of the Versa, the Sentra is Nissan’s smallest and least expensive car, and it provides a controlled, comfortable ride with sharp steering, but it lacks the giddy-up of those in some competitors. It was redesigned for 2026.

Nissan’s Sentra compact sedan got redesigned for 2026 with fresh styling, an updated interior and new tech features. There are now four trim levels again: S, SV, SR and the return of the SL. Power comes from a carryover 149-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT. According to Nissan, the Sentra is good for 30/38/33 mpg city/highway/combined.

Inside, certain trims have a dashboard dominated by twin 12.3-inch screens, the center one being a touchscreen that Nissan says is twice as bright as the outgoing one. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard but are only wireless on the SV trim and up. The 2026 Sentra also gets some new standard and optional technology, the most notable being the debut of ProPilot Assist, which is optional and can handle stop-and-go traffic as well as steering inputs (with drivers keeping their hands on the wheel). Adaptive cruise control is standard on all trim levels. Blind spot intervention also debuts on the Sentra, as does an integrated universal garage door opener and passive lock/unlock upon approach and departure.

Overall, the Sentra provides a controlled, comfortable ride with sharp steering, but it lacks the giddy-up of some competitors.

3. 2026 Hyundai Elantra SE

• Price: $23,870 ($1,245 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 35 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Hyundai Elantra: The Elantra gets an impressive 36 mpg EPA combined rating that makes it as budget-friendly to own as it is to buy, and it features a host of standard features.

For 2026, the Elantra continues to be available only as a sedan and gets a new SEL Sport Premium trim. The most affordable SE trim is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a capable CVT. The gas-only Elantra gets up to an impressive 35 mpg EPA combined rating that makes it as budget-friendly to own as it is to buy, and standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and a blind spot warning system. Also standard are rear side airbags, lane departure steering assist with haptic feedback through the steering wheel, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

4. 2026 Toyota Corolla LE

• Price: $24,120 ($1,195 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 35 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Toyota Corolla: Equipped with a long list of standard features, the Corolla’s performance is fine for routine driving needs, though rivals like the Honda Civic and Mazda3 feel livelier behind the wheel.

The compact Toyota Corolla sedan comes with a standard 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and it sends power to the front wheels via a CVT. It’s EPA rated at 32/41/35 mpg. Performance is fine for routine driving needs, though rivals like the Honda Civic and Mazda3 feel livelier behind the wheel. A fuel-sipping hybrid version is available, returning up to an EPA-estimated 50 mpg combined. The 2026 Corolla is equipped with a long list of standard features, including an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, automatic climate control, lane departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and automatic high-beam headlights.

For 2026, Toyota dropped the 2025 sedan’s sporty-looking FX Edition (though it does join the list of trims for the ’26 hatchback); the automaker also added standard blind spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert across the lineup, as well as a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on the XSE and hybrid XLE trim levels.

5. 2026 Volkswagen Jetta S

• Price: $25,270 ($1,275 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 34 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta: The Jetta compact sedan excels at delivering the ride and handling balance that’s typically found in a more expensive premium-grade vehicle.

A refresh for 2025 brought sleeker exterior styling and additional features, including a newly standard 8-inch infotainment display. The Jetta is available in five trims, though it’s the entry-level S trim that squeaks into our list of the cheapest cars available today. It features a 158-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The compact sedan excels at delivering the ride and handling balance that’s typically found in a more expensive premium-grade vehicle. The touch-sensitive climate controls are a bit of a miss, though the interior itself has a modern and airy look and feel to it. The trunk is spacious, and the 60/40-split, folding rear seat helps expand cargo-toting room if needed. For 2026, the Jetta gets minor standard equipment upgrades: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, and a moonroof is included on the mid-range SE trim. In addition, the uplevel SEL and GLI Autobahn get an eight-speaker sound system. Otherwise, the Jetta carries over.

6. 2026 Mazda3 2.5S

• Price: $25,785 ($1,235 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 29 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Mazda3: Even though its core design dates back to the 2019 model year, the Mazda3 remains one of the most athletic and engaging mainstream compact cars you can buy.

Mazda’s compact car is available in sedan and hatchback body styles. With the exception of the hatchback-only 2.5 S Premium, every Mazda3 trim level is available as either a sedan or a hatchback, but the latter adds at least $1,000 to the price, depending on trim level. The base 2.5 S uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 186 hp and 186 pounds-feet of torque and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission; FWD is standard and AWD is available.

The 2.5 S rides on 16-inch wheels and features LED exterior lighting, push-button start, keyless entry, eight speakers and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen. Bucking convention, the Mazda3’s system is controlled by a knob rather than touch, but it does include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mazda’s i-Activsense safety suite is standard on every 2026 Mazda3 and includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, lane departure warning, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor and automatic high beams.

7. 2026 Honda Civic LX

• Price: $25,890 ($1,195 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 36 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Honda Civic: Honda’s compact car is a well-rounded choice and gives consumers a lot of choices in terms of body styles and powertrains.

Honda’s compact Civic is available as a sedan or hatchback and also comes in hybrid, Sport-oriented Si and performance-oriented Type R trims. The base LX trim level is only available as a sedan. It uses a 150-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 133 pounds-feet of torque; it sends power through a CVT to the front wheels. The powertrain combines to get an EPA-rated 32/41/36 mpg. It rides on 16-inch wheels and features LED exterior lighting, keyless entry, push-button start, automatic climate control, four speakers, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Honda Sensing safety suite is standard on every 2026 Civic; it includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-centering steering, adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, road-sign recognition and automatic high beams.

8. 2026 Subaru Impreza Sport

• Price: $27,790 ($1,195 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 29 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Subaru Impreza: The Subaru Impreza’s hatchback body contains generous space for both occupants and cargo. While a handful of other cars here offer all-wheel drive, the Impreza is the only one that includes it as standard equipment.

Subaru ditched the Impreza’s base trim for 2026, but the compact hatchback was so affordable that it’s still one of the most affordable cars on the market with a base price more than $3,000 higher than 2025. The entry-level Sport trim is powered by a 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder with 152 hp, while the step-up RS gets a larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 180 hp. The Subaru’s fuel economy ties for lowest on this list, but that’s largely due to the standard AWD system. Compared to the other cars here that offer AWD, the Impreza Sport is more efficient than every one except the hybrid Corolla. Other standard equipment on the Impreza includes an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity, adaptive cruise control and lane departure steering assist.

9. 2026 Hyundai Sonata SE

• Price: $28,695 ($1,245 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 32 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Hyundai Sonata: One size larger than most cars here, the Sonata boasts a spacious interior and more standard safety technology than some entries on this list offer as options.

Spend more and you get more with the last two entries in this list. The Hyundai Sonata and its Kia K5 twin are mid-size sedans, one size larger than the compact cars in the eight preceding spots. Powered by a 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, the entry-level Sonata positively overflows with driver-assistance features. Standard technologies include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitors, lane departure steering assist and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking. A 360-degree camera system and automated parking are available on higher trim levels. Niceties like keyless entry and start and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard on the base trim.

10. 2026 Kia K5 LXS

• Price: $28,735 ($1,245 destination)
• Estimated combined fuel economy: 30 mpg
• What to know about the 2026 Kia K5: Another car one size up from most of this list, the K5 is a serene and stylish cruiser with an attractive, well-appointed cabin.

Like the Hyundai Sonata above, the Kia K5 is a larger version of another car in the brand’s lineup (in this case, the K4). Its higher price tag brings with it not only a larger cabin, but also a longer list of standard features: LED exterior lighting, keyless entry and start, dual-zone automatic climate control and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity. In addition to forward collision warning, the K5’s comprehensive suite of standard safety tech includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure steering assist, and front and rear parking sensors. As on the Sonata, a 360-degree camera system is available on higher trim levels, but unlike the Sonata, automated parking is not offered on the K5.

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