Buying any car is a big undertaking. Not only do you have to be sure it is the car you want, but it can also be a significant financial burden. Cars are not cheap, but there are still cheap cars out there that you can buy.
Sometimes, if you are frugal, less than $20,000 is all you need to get a solid, reliable, and dependable daily driver.
Mitsubishi Mirage
It is a case of “grab it while you can” because the Mitsubishi Mirage will soon disappear from the American market. The Japanese manufacturer has already withdrawn it from sale from its homeland, and it is likely to leave the North American market at the end of 2024.
This is a big shame, as it will leave the United States with one less car below the $20,000 mark. As of the time of writing, the MSRP for the Mirage currently stands at $16,695. With a combined MPG of 39, it is also one of the most economical. Losing the Mirage will be a big blow to those on a budget looking for a new car, even if it is pretty basic compared to some rivals.
Nissan Versa S
If you want to spend a little bit more money on your car, look no further than the Nissan Versa S. The sedan is an exceptional offering from Nissan, and the Versa S currently retails at just $18,745. Thanks to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 hp, fuel economy is impressive at 35 MPG combined.
A vital advantage of the Versa S is that it has much more technology and is more feature-rich than the Mitsubishi. This includes standard features such as cruise control, automatic headlights, reverse automatic braking, and Bluetooth. You even get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a car that costs less than $20,000.
Kia Forte LX
For years, Kia was a brand many wouldn’t even consider, but the South Korean manufacturer has become its own over the last few years. The 2024 Kira Forte is one of its best-ever products, with the most affordable trim, the LX, with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT.
It is a compact yet spacious sedan with 34 MPG combined, plenty of standard features such as Android and Apple connectivity, and a brilliant eight-inch touchscreen. The Forte will be replaced in 2025 by the new K4, but for now, you can still pick up the Forte LX at $21,145, and there are several cropping up on the used market from 2023.
Hyundai Elantra
Like Kia, Hyundai has started making a name for itself. The Elantra is one of their best products, with seriously sharp styling, a user-friendly infotainment system, and one of the most spacious cabins on a modern sedan. The only drawback is the lack of oomph from the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but most diesel drivers won’t notice or care about this.
If you want more power, you can opt for the N-line model with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, which can produce up to 201 hp. This is plenty for a daily driver and more than enough for a car costing just $21,625 at MSRP. The N-Line only costs a bit more at $28,465, but there are plenty of trim levels between it and the base SE.
2024 Chevrolet Trax LS
Like it or not, SUVs are an ever-increasing part of the automotive landscape. Chevrolet is no stranger to this, and the 2024 Trax LS is one of the leading lights in its range. Thanks to its 2024 redesign, the SUV has become more spacious inside, and Chevrolet has added a new turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine to the lineup.
The LS trim starts at $20,400, which is exceptionally good for money, considering you get a large, spacious, and comfortable SUV for less than $21,000. Something that will likely become harder and harder as time goes on.
Nissan Sentra
While the Nissan Versa is a great buy, some of you might want something better with slightly higher quality. Enter the Nissan Sentra, a superb sedan that isn’t the most exciting but still a classy-looking sedan that provides excellent value for money.
With a combined MPG of around 34, the Sentra is a perfect daily driver, especially since the 2024 model launched earlier this year and retails for $21,180 MSRP. Each Sentra has a 149 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood with a CVT and four-wheel drive, and while it isn’t the punchiest of engines, it is still all you need for your average daily drive.
Toyota Corolla
Without the ever-dependable and reliable Toyota, a list of affordable cars wouldn’t be complete. The Japanese manufacturer has many options, including the 2024 Corolla, which costs $22,050 MSRP. The Corolla is a sharp, spacious sedan with a high-quality interior and a simple, seamless infotainment system.
The base trim is the LE before we rise to the $27,250 hybrid XLE. Fuel economy is excellent with the Corolla at 35 MPG combined, while under the hood of the standard LE is a 169 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, sending its power to the front wheels via a CVT.
Mazda CX-30
A serious rival to the Chevrolet Trax is the Mazda CX-30, a subcompact SUV with no right being as prim and proper inside as it is. While the base 191 hp engine is perhaps underwhelming, the optional Skyactive G 2.5-liter turbocharged engine doesn’t offer 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The MSRP is also excellent, with the SUV currently starting at $24,995.
Both rows of seats offer comfortable accommodation despite the compact nature of the SUV, and pleasingly, the infotainment screen is controlled by an intuitive rotary dial, not a touchscreen that isn’t the safest or most accessible to operate when driving.
Mazda 3 Hatchback
If you fancy a stylish Mazda but don’t want an SUV and still want to spend less than $25,000, look no further than the current Mazda 3. The current generation of the top-selling hatchback is one of the best-looking cars Mazda has ever produced, particularly if you opt for it in either white or red. Again, the Mazda 3 is below the $25,000 mark and retails at $24,950 MSRP.
For your money, you get the 2.5-liter Skyactiv G four-cylinder engine that produces 1191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. However, if you spend more and opt for the 2.5-liter turbocharged model, you will have 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, making the Mazda 3 a rocket ship.
Kia Soul
If you fancy a Kia as quirky as its EV6 and EV9 electric cars, look no further than the 2024 Kia Soul. Its boxy yet fun exterior allows it to stand out from many rivals. While relatively compact, the Soul is more significant than you think and offers plenty of space with an oversized cabin. It isn’t dull and dreary to drive either, with the Soul offering pleasant handling and plenty of power from its 2.0-liter inline-four engine.
The bold crossover has an excellent MSRP of just $20,190, and you can get up to 35 MPG on the highway from the Soul. Kia hasn’t removed all of the button functionality from its infotainment system either, and you can get quite a beefy 10.25-inch display that clearly displays all of the information you need.
Volkswagen Jetta
It’s not the most inspiring car to look at, drive, or purchase. However, there is little to complain about regarding a safe, reliable, and dependable family car, such as the Volkswagen Jetta. The German sedan retails at $21,345 MSRP, putting it firmly into the territory of the Nissan Versa. Yet you arguably get more for your money than with the compact Nissan.
A six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic are available, with an estimated 29 MPG in the city and 42 MPG on the highway. The Jetta isn’t a particularly bold-looking car. Still, it is refined and classy, and the 1.5-liter turbocharged direct-injection TSI engine provides 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, more than enough for the average driver.
2024 Acura Integra
Fancy spending a bit more money and getting something more luxurious? For less than $33,000, you can pick up the latest iteration of the Acura Integra, launched a couple of years ago. The 2024 Acura Integra retails for just $31,800, which massively undercuts some of its luxury rivals, BMW, Mercedes, and Audi.
The new Integra shares the same excellent platform as the current Honda Civic. It handles brilliantly and provides a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. Thanks to its extra trunk space, the Integra is also more practical than its rivals, and a 33 MPG combined figure is nothing to cry about.
Kia Rio
Kia’s range includes plenty of choices for buyers on a budget. The 2023 Kia Rio started at $16,750, and while it is no longer in production, you can still pick it up on the used market. Making the Rio even more attractive is its brilliant 36 MPG combined figure, something that many of its rivals can only dream of.
The Rio is the perfect car for city commuting. It has excellent build quality despite its lower price point and is also incredibly comfortable. Under the hood, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 120 hp and a CVT transmission is standard, which we will need for our regular journeys. While Kia offers other great products at affordable prices, the absence of the Rio from its range is sorely felt, leaving us with one car less for under $20,000 than the new one.
