Blame inflation or the current market condition, but cars are getting expensive along with everything else. Reports are reflecting that the average cost of a new car in the U.S. in 2023 is in the region of $48,000. Although that number has already dropped slightly from last year, which was closer to $50,000, 48 is still a significant chuck of money for anyone. Especially when it’s money you have to fork over for an asset you have to live with for a significant amount of time.
With such high costs associated with “good cars” and focus directed on the higher end of the market, it’s easy to miss affordable cars that are perfectly sufficient, reliable, and comfortable for everyday use. But the harsh reality is that budget is a limiting factor, and in this case, options for a $25,000 car are mostly sedans and hatchbacks. But these cars are not “bad” options. There are new cars in the market that are good for daily transportation and are more than enough for almost every man/woman. With a little research, here are some reliable and, in some cases, even fun, affordable new cars available for 2024.
10 2024 Subaru Legacy
Starting MSRP: $24,895
For 2024, the Subaru Legacy remains mostly unchanged from its previous year. Although many might see that as a negative, the larger Subaru sedan is a well-established mid-size sedan offering from the brand that has always been a decent performer. Coupled with a variety of standard features, the Legacy is also quite a good value for the money.
Specifications
As with most Subaru vehicles, the Legacy is powered by a flat-four displacing 2.5 liters and is similarly driven by the automaker’s signature symmetrical all-wheel drive system through a CVT automatic transmission as standard. Inside, the Legacy seems more spacious than its exterior implies and though its interior isn’t as grand as the others in its price range, it is functional and looks sleek and neat. At slightly under $25k, with a long features list, all-wheel drive, and a fuel-efficient engine, the Subaru Legacy is quite the deal.
9 2024 Mazda 3 Sedan
Starting MSRP: $24,170
With the high-end quality and fun driving dynamics that Mazda is modernly associated with, it’s hard to believe they offer a car for less than $25 large. With their sleek and stylish exterior design language and top-notch minimalist interiors, many would assume the Mazda 3 costs more than it does. But the plus points go beyond the aesthetics of the Mazda sedan.
Specifications
Powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four, the Mazda 3 is also one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class, and along with being neat and well-appointed, its interior is comfortable even for those long commutes in traffic. Its standard features include infotainment boasts 8.8 inches and comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, industry-standard driver-aids and safety measures, and even offers optional adaptive cruise control, all for under $25k. All summed up, the Mazda 3 must be close to a hundred points for a cheap daily driver.
8 2024 Honda Civic
Starting MSRP:$23,950
A staple in the compact car market since the nineties, the Honda Civic very definitely brings a lot of practicality along with its affordability. With a recent redesign in 2022, its good looks and new interior design also add more value to its already reasonable price tag. Consistently ranked as the top choice in its class, the Civic is one of the sportier options, which is a bonus on top of its already compelling argument, and helps make its case even more.
Specifications
While the interior of the 2024 Civic is an excellent place to be, its infotainment system isn’t ground-breaking, yet it doesn’t make it a deal-breaker either. Offered standard with adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist, more than makes up for the 7.0-inch infotainment screen. Not to mention, the Honda Civic also sips fuel at an impressive 35 MPG.
7 2024 Subaru Impreza
Starting MSRP:$22,995
Because of its outdoor and performance-oriented marketing strategy, it’s easy to forget that Subaru does make a regular version of the Impreza. And without the turbocharger and other performance features of the WRX, the regular Impreza is one of the more affordable compact cars available today. And for 2024, Subaru introduced the all-new Impreza in its sixth generation.
Specifications
The 2024 Impreza is no longer offered as a sedan but even then, comfort and space seem to have received priority with its cabin being roomy for a compact hatchback and a respectable cargo area. Its dash and controls are logical and maintain physical buttons for a lot of the frequently used functions like its dual-zone climate controls.
The base trim of the new hatchback comes standard with a 7-inch center screen Subaru EyeSight driver assistance and adaptive cruise control. With a long list of standard and add-on features, the 2024 Impreza could contend with staples of its class.
6 2024 Toyota Corolla Sedan
Starting MSRP:$21,900
The Toyota Corolla is the car that instantly comes to mind when the words “cheap car” are mentioned. And it’s for good reason. The Corolla has a well-established reputation for being an affordable and reliable basic transportation. Known for being over-engineered for longevity, the Corolla is ingrained with Toyota’s reliability, even in its current 2024 model.
Specifications
The 2024 Corolla is still sold as either a sedan or hatchback, but the prior in its LE trim is the most affordable. The interior of the Corolla may look bland and utilitarian, but a lot of its switchgear still uses physical buttons and is easy to use and legible. The 2024 Corolla can be classified as basic when compared to the others in its class, but functionality and simplicity in a modern car can be appealing to some who need straightforward transportation and nothing more.
5 2024 Volkswagen Jetta
Starting MSRP: $21,345
As Europe’s counterpart to Toyota when it comes to sensible and simple transportation, the 2024 Volkswagen sedan offers quite a lot for its MSRP. Even its entry-level S trim comes loaded with standard features that make day-to-day errands and commutes easy and stress-free. While the Jetta is affordable, its execution and quality don’t feel like it’s the case.
Specifications
Standard features in the cheapest Jetta are abundant. Blind-spot monitoring with blind-spot intervention, forward collision warning with emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist are all included as well as adaptive cruise control even with a manual transmission. For its cabin features, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster is standard along with a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with respective knobs for basic functions and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All-in-all, the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta offers a solid package that comes at an affordable price and doesn’t make you feel short-changed.
4 2024 Nissan Sentra
Starting MSRP: $20,630
For a cheap, mundane car, the Sentra boasts of a comfortable interior and good looks outside and inside. The Sentra’s ride is on the softer side of the shock tuning graph, which makes it a pleasant car as a city runabout. With a decent amount of tech and features, the Sentra starts to make a lot of sense. And its handsome looks make the deal quite appealing.
Specifications
The standard infotainment in the Sentra is on par with its competition at 7.0 inches and comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Its dash is beautifully styled while being neat and easy to use. Nissan’s ultra-comfortable zero-gravity seats also make an appearance, even in the base trim Sentra. Safety and driver assistance features that come standard are also adequate, including forward collision warning with emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, and rear automatic emergency braking.
3 2024 Kia Forte
Starting MSRP: $19,790
Kia has been pumping out quality cars for a reasonable amount of money for some time now. And for 2024, it’s no different. Even at less than $20k, the Kia Forte still offers a lot for a compact car in its class and doesn’t at all feel lacking in quality and features. Not to mention, it has modern styling treatments to make it stand out on the road.
Specifications
The 2024 Kia Forte is sold standard with an 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering are standard features just to name a few. Its roomy interior is nice and refined and has one of the largest cargo spaces in the class. Aside from its notable fuel efficiency, Kia offers the best warranty with its 6 years/60,000 miles basic and 10 years/100,000 powertrain coverages.
2 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
Starting MSRP: $16,695
If a pure city runabout is all you need, then the Mitsubishi Mirage is an option that should be considered for the pure fact of its scarcely believable price tag. At its price, almost every standard feature is a pleasant surprise. The highlight of subcompact Mitsubishi is its fuel economy returning impressive figures of 36-MPG city and 43-MPG highway.
Specifications
Basic is the best way to describe the interior of the Mirage as it comprises mostly hard plastics, but at its price, It’s hard to expect anything more. The aforementioned pleasant surprises are its automatic climate control, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, a cavernous cargo space, and 7-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Standard driver assistance features include cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The Mirage may not come with much, but at its $16,000 MSRP and its noteworthy fuel economy, it is a car for the budget-conscious.
1 2024 Nissan Versa
Starting MSRP: $16,100
The Nissan Versa is the smallest vehicle the automaker produces and is also the cheapest car you can buy in the U.S. today. But that being said, it is also a perfect example of value for money. It comes with all the basic driver assistance and safety features that are expected in its class and offers more options.
Specifications
The interior of the Versa benefits from the same neat and refined treatment and design as its bigger Sentra sibling and its dash houses physical buttons and switches for its HVAC as well as a 7.0-inch standard infotainment screen with Bluetooth connectivity and three USB ports. A big plus is Nissan doesn’t charge much for options and wouldn’t be hard to stay within budget. Overall, the Nissan presents good value without looking cheap and stingy.
