Special Report

The 10 Most Affordable Cars in the U.S.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Published: October 19, 2022 2:00 pm

Last Updated: October 19, 2022 2:28 pm

Supply chain issues in the auto market have hurt dealers and car buyers this year, with prices. Dealers often have few vehicles, and the small number they get often go to customers within days. Manufacturers have shuttered assembly lines, and their bottom lines have been affected.

In addition to car shortage, another new wrinkle for buyers has been created by high gasoline prices, which recently surged above $4 per gallon of regular gas, on average, nationwide. In some areas of the United States, the figure has passed $5. Cars that get high gas mileage have become extremely attractive.

The average price of a new car sold in 2021 was a staggering $43,072. That is equivalent to the entire annual household income of about a third of Americans. (This car holds its value better than any other in America.)

Car and Driver recently analyzed new car prices to find the lowest ones available. Notably, its editors reported, “The cheapest new car sold in the U.S. is nearly $13,000 cheaper than the average price of a used car.” To find the least expensive cars in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Car and Driver’s 10 Cheapest New Cars for 2022. All other data is from the report.

The least expensive new car available in America is the Chevrolet Spark with a base price of $14,595. The Spark will be discontinued next year. Chevy puts the price of the Spark slightly lower than the Car and Driver analysis. Chevy’s number is $13,600.

The Spark gets very good gas mileage at 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates. That is mostly because the Spark has a tiny 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which puts out only 98 horsepower.

The Spark gets relatively good reviews. Car and Driver rates it 7 out of 10. Kelley Blue Book rates it 4.5 out of 5, and Motor Trend rates it 7.1 out of 10.

Click here to see the cheapest car in America

Source: Courtesy of Nissan USA

10. Nissan Sentra
> Base price: $20,635
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 33/29/39 mpg

[in-text-ad]

Source: Courtesy of KIA

9. Kia Soul
> Base price: $20,505
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 27/25/31 mpg

24/7 Wall St.
25 Best-Selling American Cars

Source: Courtesy of Hyundai

8. Hyundai Venue
> Base price: $20,245
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 31/30/33 mpg

Source: Courtesy of Kia

7. Kia Forte
> Base price: $20,115
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 35/31/41 mpg

[in-text-ad-2]

Source: Courtesy of Hyundai USA

6. Subaru Impreza
> Base price: $19,790
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 26/23/31 mpg

Hyundai Accent 1.4 Plus 2021 (CC BY-SA 2.0) by RL GNZLZ

5. Hyundai Accent
> Base price: $17,690
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 33/29/39 mpg

[in-text-ad]

Source: Courtesy of Kia

4. Kia Rio
> Base price: $17,275
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 36/33/41 mpg

24/7 Wall St.
15 Cars That Cost More Used Than New

Source: Courtesy of Nissan

3. Nissan Versa
> Base price: $16,205
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 30/27/35 mpg

Source: Courtesy of Mitsubishi

2. Mitsubishi Mirage
> Base price: $16,125
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 36/33/41 mpg

[in-text-ad-2]

Source: Courtesy of Chevrolet

1. Chevrolet Spark
> Base price: $14,595
> Fuel economy EPA combined/city/highway: 33/29/38 mpg