Despite the fact that the cost of new cars is increasing, there are still a number of affordable options. In fact, we were able to locate 10 brand-new cars with starting prices under $23,000, some of which were under $15,000.
Having said that, a cheap car might not provide everything you require or desire, and some cheap cars are affordable because they perform poorly compared to the competition. That's not always the case, though, and many of the inexpensive cars on our list have a lot to offer in terms of appeal for a number of different reasons.
Here are the top 10 affordable cars to buy in the 2022
1. Honda Civic
Starting Base Price: $22,350 | Overall Score: 8.7/10
The ingredients that have made the 2022 Honda Civic one of America's most well-liked cars for decades are offered in the most recent remix in the 2022 Honda Civic. Although nothing revolutionary has been added, this Civic has made enough advancements to set it apart from the competition. The Honda Civic has five seats and seven trim levels. The Sport Sedan CVT, which has a starting price of $25,045 and a 2.0L I4 engine with Front Wheel Drive, is the most popular model. This Civic should get 30 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, according to estimates.
Pros
- Affordable base price
- Great fuel economy
- Well-built, roomy cabin
- Large trunk
Cons
- Ride can feel firm
- Handling may be unwieldy
- Unrefined CVT
2. Mazda3
Starting Base Price: $20,800 | Overall Score: 8.6/10
The Mazda3 stands out from the competition thanks to its gorgeous interior materials and strong engine options. The exterior features tasteful, elegant styling, but top trims are expensive. The Mazda Mazda3 has five seats and eight trim levels. The Preferred Hatchback Automatic FWD, which has a starting price of $27,115 and a 2.5L I4 engine with Front Wheel Drive, is the most popular model. This Mazda3 should get 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, according to estimates.
Pros
- High-quality interior trims
- Exceptional driving dynamics
Cons
- Priced high for the segment
- Infotainment system is not intuitive
3. Volkswagen Jetta
Starting Base Price: $20,195 | Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Volkswagen Jetta sedan delivers good bang for the buck for buyers looking for a fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive European driving experience. The Volkswagen Jetta is a 5-seater vehicle that comes in 5 trim levels. The most popular style is the SE Automatic, which starts at $25,190 and comes with a 1.5L I4 Turbo engine and Front Wheel Drive. This Jetta is estimated to deliver 29 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway.
Pros
- Affordable driving fun
- Roomy cabin and trunk
- New base 1
- 5-liter is peppier, more fuel-efficient
Cons
- Plain styling
- Some low-quality interior trim bits
- Not all driver-assist features available on lower trim levels
4. Toyota Corolla
Starting Base Price: $20,175 | Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Toyota Corolla has a reputation for being a dependable vehicle at a reasonable price, and the most recent model is no exception. It has a spacious interior, a lot of standard features, and excellent fuel economy, but it's not a lot of fun to drive and has a small cargo area. The 5-seat Toyota Corolla is offered in 9 different trim levels. The LE CVT, which has a starting price of $21,970 and a 1.8L I4 engine with Front Wheel Drive, is the most popular model. The estimated MPG ratings for this Corolla are 30 city and 38 highway.
Pros
- Excellent fuel efficiency, including hybrid model
- Spacious interior
- Wide array of standard safety features
Cons
- Limited cargo space
- Not as fun to drive as some competitors
- Buzzy engine
5. Hyundai Elantra
Starting Base Price: $19,950 | Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Hyundai Elantra maintains its strong standing among other compact sedans with a roomy interior, a long list of standard safety features, and a very generous warranty. There are also plenty of models available, from efficient hybrids to a high-performance variant. The Hyundai Elantra is a 5-seater vehicle that comes in 6 trim levels. The most popular style is the SEL IVT, which starts at $22,845 and comes with a 2.0L I4 engine and Front Wheel Drive. This Elantra is estimated to deliver 30 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway.
Pros
- Spacious interior for the class
- Comprehensive list of safety features
- Industry-leading warranty
Cons
- Abundance of hard interior plastics
- Base engine is merely adequate
6. Nissan Sentra
Starting Base Price: $19,610 | Overall Score: 7.4/10
The Nissan Sentra recently underwent a redesign, giving it a new swagger that will keep it out of rental car lot obscurity. It is a good compact sedan option thanks to its evocative design and cosy interior, with only lacklustre performance to complain about. A 5-seater car with 3 trim levels is the Nissan Sentra. The most popular model is the SV CVT, which has a Front Wheel Drive 2.0L I4 engine and a starting price of $22,125. According to estimates, this Sentra gets 39 MPG on the highway and 29 MPG in the city.
Pros
- Sharp exterior style
- Classy interior design with good seats
- Impressive set of driver aids for the price
Cons
- Slow
- No performance or hybrid engine options
- Dull steering and handling
7. Subaru Impreza
Starting Base Price: $18,795 | Overall Score: 7.8/10
The all-wheel drive and standard safety features are the Subaru Impreza's claim to fame for 2022. Although there are more enjoyable compact cars to drive, the Impreza is a great option if you value safety above all else. There are 4 trim levels available for the 5-seat Subaru Impreza. The Premium 5-door CVT, which has an All Wheel Drive 2.0L H4 engine and starts at $24,190, is the most popular model. According to estimates, this Impreza gets 36 MPG on the highway and 28 MPG in the city.
Pros
- Standard all-wheel-drive
- Proven powertrains
- Good standard driver-assist technologies
Cons
- No hybrid option
- Lackluster acceleration
8. Hyundai Accent
Starting Base Price: $16,645 | Overall Score: 7.9/10
The Hyundai Accent provides excellent value due to its low price, broad warranty coverage, and pleasant handling. Although other models in this segment offer more cargo space and a wider range of safety features, keep that in mind. The 5-seat Hyundai Accent is available in 3 trim levels. The most popular model is the SE, which has a 1.6L I4 engine and Front Wheel Drive and has a starting price of $17,740. According to estimates, this Accent will get 33 city MPG and 41 highway MPG.
Pros
- Outstanding warranty coverage
- Pleasant driving dynamics
- Impressive fuel economy
Cons
- Popular safety features aren't available
- Lags the class in cargo space
9. Nissan Versa
Starting Base Price: $15,180 | Overall Score: 7.9/10
The subcompact Nissan Versa, which is reasonably priced, has a nice interior, a surprising smooth ride, and good standard safety features. Although the rear seat is constrictive and the acceleration is unimpressive, this is still a good entry-level car. There are three trim levels available for the 5-seat Nissan Versa. The most popular model is the SV CVT, which has a 1.6L I4 engine and Front Wheel Drive and has a starting price of $19,485. This Versa should get 32 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway, according to estimates.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Fuel efficient
- Supportive front seats
Cons
- Modest acceleration
- Tight rear seats
- Chevrolet Spark
10. Chevrolet Spark
Starting Base Price: $13,600 | Overall Score: TBD
The 2022 Chevrolet Spark is a strong choice if you're looking for inexpensive transportation thanks to its low base price, excellent fuel economy, and a sizable number of tech features. The car does, however, have some shortcomings, including a small cargo area and a dearth of available safety features. A 4-seater vehicle with 4 trim levels is the Chevrolet Spark. The most popular model is the LS CVT, which has a 1.4L I4 engine and Front Wheel Drive and has a starting price of $15,695. The estimated MPG ratings for this Spark are 30 city and 38 highway.
Pros
- Rock-bottom base price
- Impressive selection of tech features
- Excellent gas mileage
Cons
- Narrow range of safety features
- Light on cargo space
