There is a fundamental dilemma that car buyers have been facing ever since, well, cars became widespread. Given a specific budget, what is better: buying a used car that is more high-end, or buying a new one that is more basic? There is probably no right or wrong answer, of course, and there are plenty of arguments that can be used to support either decision. However, these arguments are a topic for a different conversation.
This time, we will dedicate all of our attention to buying new. For the purposes of this article, we will stand by the idea that nothing beats having a new car that nobody had driven before. But let's assume that the budget constraint still exists: how does one buy a brand new vehicle without cannonballing straight into an ocean of debt? Luckily, budget-friendly cars still exist - and they're better than ever! Allow us to present: the cheapest new cars you can buy in 2020.
10 Kia Forte - $17,890
Albeit most expensive of them all, there is a reason why Forte is the first car on this list. Over the last few years, Kia has absolutely dominated the budget-friendly car market - and for a good reason. Just consider what you will be getting in the base-trim level Forte sedan for $17,890: 147-hp four-cylinder paired to a six-speed manual (a dying breed!), automatic headlights, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a whole bunch of safety features, such as forward collision warning and lane-keep assist.
9 Kia Soul - $17,490
Another entry, another Kia! The Soul has been described as weird and quirky, but we just think that it's really cool. And while most of its coolness comes in the top trim levels, even the barebones $17,5k Soul still has a lot of character to offer - especially at this price point. The equipment will be similar to the Forte - same engine and transmission and the same infotainment system, plus a few additional niceties, such as a folding rear seat and a six-speaker stereo system.
8 Chevrolet Sonic - $16,720
What do we love to see? That's right - Chevrolet finally having a competent budget-friendly model that can compete with what the Asian manufacturers have to offer. After decades of questionable experiments (looking at you, Vega), GM really seems to have nailed the recipe with the Sonic. Sure, it's not as fuel-efficient as some other cars in its segment, but at the same time, it offers a roomy interior, an advanced infotainment system with smartphone integration and a Wi-Fi hotspot, and even an adjustable steering wheel column - a rarity in this segment. For $16,720, there is nothing to complain about.
7 Honda Fit - $16,190
We love the latest generation of the Honda Jazz, known in the US as the Fit - but as Car And Driver noted, it's probably not coming to America. And even though the current Fit on sale has been around since 2015, it's still a great bargain for its class. There is tons of room for your passengers or your cargo thanks to the quirky configurable seats. The 130-hp engine combined with a manual transmission can make for a spirited driving experience - and is there anything else to wish for
6 Kia Rio - $15,850
Don't let the fact that the Rio is Kia's cheapest offering fool you - this pony has a few tricks up its sleeve. The cargo capacity might not be that great, but the surprisingly sporty handling definitely makes up for that. Plus, with its modest 1.6l inline-four and a CVT, the Rio gets 36 mpg combined. At $15,850 for the base model, it's a steal - and a real proof that Kia knows how to make a car that will excite even the buyers with the tightest budgets.
5 Toyota Yaris - $15,650
Never mind the fact that the Toyota Yaris is, essentially, a Mazda 2 in disguise - the Mazda is not not sold in the US anyway, and there have been worse cases of badge engineering. Regardless of its true nature, the Yaris is a capable economy car. The interior is not a terrible place to be in, the coveted manual transmission comes standard, and 40 mpg on the highway is not terrible by any means. After considering all that, plus the $15,650 base price, even the badge-engineered nature of the Yaris shouldn't matter much.
4 Hyundai Accent - $15,295
The fact that Hyundai has been moving upmarket and leaving its stablemate Kia to reign supreme in the budget car market doesn't mean that they have nothing to offer. Consider the 2020 Accent. This genuinely handsome sedan really showcases Hyundai's desire to offer as much refinement as possible for your buck. The interior build quality is outstanding for the class, noise levels are minimal - it's a genuinely nice car even in the low-end trim. At $15,295, it might just be the most rounded budget-friendly car out there. If you don't mind the lacking safety features, that is.
3 Nissan Versa - $14,730
Nissan has been in a weird place lately with a few very outdated models and corporate shenanigans. Considering that, the 2020 Versa looks like a very fresh offering, something that Nissan used to know how to do well - a cheap car that is not boring.
Even in the base trim level, you get exterior styling that stands out, a few important safety features, decent cargo space, and a manual option. And keep in mind - we're already in the sub-$15k range here! And this price point, it's hard to beat Versa's value proposition.
2 Mitsubishi Mirage - $13,995
Ladies and gentlemen, we've arrived at the "Cheapest of the Cheapest" station! Meet the second most affordable new car in America right now - the Mitsubishi Mirage. Let's get one important thing out of the way - yes, it's terrible. Slow, loud, with a horrible interior, and maybe even outright dangerous to drive. But, hey, can't expect much from the cheapest car on sale. Yet the base version still features automatic climate control and even cruise control.
The Mirage is not a great car by any means - although we're not blaming Mitsubishi. It's hard to make a decent car that will sell for under $14,000. Or is it? Because the next and final vehicle might just prove otherwise.
1 Chevrolet Spark - $13,220
Yes, this is it - the most affordable car on the American market. And surprisingly enough (or not), it's domestic. Meet the Chevrolet Spark, GM's most affordable car! And unlike back in the days, this title is no longer a punishment.
At $13,220, the Spark is quite good! Sure, with its 98-hp four-cylinder, it's pretty slow - but that shouldn't matter that much for your typical city driving - something that the Spark was clearly made for. Still, there is air conditioning, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot even the barebones trim version. Chevy might have nailed their budget car recipe with the Sonic, but with the Spark, they surely perfected it.