Cars, trucks, and SUVs are becoming increasingly pricey, regardless of body form. However, there are still a few new automobiles that you can purchase for around $20,000 if your budget is low and you want any new vehicle, including shipping charges. Some of them are rather nice, and there are a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from the list.
We’ve featured the top three but also highlighted the other automobile available for less than $20,000 in the market. The selection is based on interior comfort, reliability, safety, performance, and quality.
Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is one of the most affordable cars here simply because it is a good bargain. Because it is a small sedan, it has much more inside space than the typical subcompact vehicles offered in this price range. And you can get the area for as little as $18,885. With a CVT available for an additional $900 and a six-speed manual as standard, it still falls within the $19,785. To keep around $20,000, you’ll have to go with the base FE trim, but the FE trim is also the most efficient. It gets a fantastic 35 mpg combined, while the manual calls a respectable 33 mpg.
It also has technologies like lane-keep assist, automated emergency braking, and driver attentiveness alert as standard. As a result, it runs nicely, despite having a stiff little ride. Furthermore, despite the engine’s efficiency, Forte’s 147 engine power makes it relatively sluggish.
What Makes it Unique
- Excellent value
- CVT
- Efficient
- Standard safety features
- Have more space
What’s New in 2022
- Standard technical features
- No EX trim
- New exterior stylingAdditional
Benefits
- Low starting price
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- Well-made and spacious cabin.
- A substantial room
Drawbacks
- The ride may be firm.
- Handling is difficult.
- Unpolished CVT
Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa is an excellent low-cost option, ranking third in the country with a starting price of $15,995. It has 122 horsepower and is available with a five-speed manual or CVT transmission. Unfortunately, the manual is inefficient, with a combined fuel efficiency of 30 mpg, while the CVT is excellent, with a combined fuel economy of 35 mpg.
The Versa is extremely quiet and comfy without sacrificing too many handling capabilities. The external and interior aesthetics are crisp and seem more polished than in comparable small cars. In addition, every trim level is under $20,000, so customization is flexible.
What Makes it Unique
- Very cheap
- Styling is decent
- CVT efficiency
- Good driving experience
What’s New in 2022
- No change
Benefits
- Ease of ride
- Well-made interior
- Large trunk
- Good gas mileage
Drawbacks
- Engine power is average.
- Rear seats are not as roomy as competitors’.
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue, which starts at $19,935, is the only car in our price range that can be classified as a crossover. Instead, it’s a towering, boxy little machine with more elegance than everyone else in the class. The distinctive headlamps, basket-weave grille, and geometric accents in the headlights are all nice touches.
The inside is less daring but neatly put together, and the driving position is highly crossover-like: up high with superb sight. Even though it only has 121 horsepower and is connected to a CVT, the Venue seems spirited, if not relatively swift. At 31 mpg combined, fuel efficiency is adequate but not exceptional.
The Venue’s disadvantage is its modest size, with tight back seats, and the cargo capacity is relatively limited, but the adaptability of the high roof and foldable seats helps. Furthermore, the Venue is only available with front-wheel drive despite being a small compact. Only the lowest SE trim costs less than $20,000, with the mid-tier SEL costing over $21,000.
What Makes it Unique
- Loads of style
- Crossover shape
- Good driving position
- Friendly to drive
What’s New in 2022
- Denim is replaced with Limited trim.
Benefits
- Extremely efficient
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- An easy-to-use media system
Drawbacks
- The cargo area is relatively modest.
- Passing power is limited.
Chevrolet Spark
With a starting price of $14,595, the Chevy Spark is the cheapest automobile in the United States. Because it’s so affordable, even the upper 2LT with an automatic gearbox can be acquired for about $20,000, allowing you to customize it exactly how you want. If you prefer a bit of a crossover style, there’s a trim called Activ that adds some rugged-looking plastic cladding, and fuel efficiency is relatively decent regardless of the gearbox. The manual model achieves 32 mpg combined, while the automatic achieves 33 mpg. Besides, the standard model is essential, without power windows and a telescopic steering wheel.
What Makes it Unique
- Cheap
- Affordable
- Efficient
Benefits
- The base cost is meager.
- An excellent array of technological characteristics
- Excellent fuel efficiency
Drawbacks
- Limited safety features
- Less cargo space
Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent begins at $16,400 and shares the same engine and platform as the previous Venue. But it’s a sedan, and it’s a lot less expensive. The base and mid-level trims are within our price range, and the top level only exceeds a little more than $500. In addition, unlike the Venue, the Accent can still be ordered with a manual transmission, making it even more fun to drive. The fuel efficiency is also superior to the Venue, with the manual model achieving 33 mpg combined and the CVT variant reaching 36. Finally, while the trunk is less adaptable than the Venue’s hatch, the cabin is also a little bit shorter in length.
What Makes it Unique
- Affordable
- Cheap
- Efficient
- Good to drive
What’s New in 2022
- No manual transmission
Benefits
- Spacious seats
- Excellent gas mileage
- An easy-to-use infotainment system
Drawbacks
- Slow on the highway
- Uncomfortable seats
- Unsuitable trunk
Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is essentially the Accent in Kia form. Much of what we stated about the Hyundai is applicable here. It’s pricier, beginning at $17,145, but that’s partly because it comes standard with a CVT. And, sure, there is no manual transmission available. The Rio hatchback, on the other hand, starts at $17,955. While not as attractive as the Venue, the Kia Rio subcompact provides more room and crossover adaptability. With the same 121-horsepower engine, it’s not a fast car, but it boasts snappy handling thanks to its relatively stiff yet controlled suspension.
What Makes it Unique
- Affordable
- Body styles options
- Exemplary handling
- Efficient
What’s New in 2022
- No specific changes
Benefits
- Driving dynamics are efficient and pleasant.
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- Easy-to-use audio system
Drawbacks
- At highway speeds, the engine may be noisy.
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mirage is a sedan and hatchback vehicle, the same as the Kia Rio; however, it is a little less expensive. It’s the second-cheapest vehicle in hatchback shape, with prices beginning at $15,290. The car costs somewhat more, starting at $16,435, which is only $35 more than the Hyundai Accent.
The fuel economy ranges from 35 to 39 mpg combined, depending on the gearbox and body design. Unfortunately, the Mirage is extremely sluggish, with only 76 horsepower. It doesn’t make up for poor, detached handling. This vehicle is not something we would support.
What Makes it Unique
- Cheap
- Efficient
What’s New in 2022
- The arrival of the Black Edition
- Standard passenger-side vanity mirror
- Welcome, and departure lighting is now standard.
- The Mirage SE and BE now come with automatic headlights and wipers.
Benefits
- The price is reasonable.
- Plenty of cargo space
- Excellent warranty coverage
Drawbacks
- Unpolished engine
- A hectic ride
- Slow acceleration
Subaru Impreza
Despite being a tad costly for the group at $19,755, the Subaru Impreza was nearly in our top selections. That’s because it provides a lot for the price, and we’re not just talking about the equipment. It is one of the roomier vehicles on this list since it is a compact sedan rather than a hatchback. It also has a light and airy interior. It also naturally comes with all-wheel drive as it’s a Subaru and not a BRZ. This car is unusual among the vehicles on this list. It’s also one of the few vehicles available with a manual transmission.
What Makes it Unique
- Spacious
- Standard all-wheel-drive
- Good driving dynamics
What’s New in 2022
- No limited sedan trim
Benefits
- All-wheel drive is standard.
- Comfortable seating
- Ride and handling are well-balanced.
- Easy-to-use technology
Drawbacks
- The engine is underpowered
- Sedan models have a small trunk.
Volkswagen Jetta
The VW Jetta, like the Subaru Impreza, is a small car with a surprising amount of room for the price. It begins at $19,990. But, regardless of price, the Jetta is one of the most extensive vehicles in the small car market. The Jetta’s accelerated four-cylinder engine produces 184 pound-feet of torque despite only having 142 horsepower, making it the fastest-feeling vehicle in its price group. It’s also an efficient engine, delivering an exceptional 34 mpg combined driving with the standard manual transmission. It’s not a swift vehicle, but it’s excellent to go.
What Makes it Unique
- Torquey
- Efficient engine,
- Excellent fuel economy
- Spacious
- Comfortable
What’s New in 2022
- Additional exterior chrome details
- The S trim has two-tone wheels.
- Driver’s seat with power adjustment; contrast stitching on SE and SEL trims
- The MIB3 touchscreen system in the SEL, SEL Premium, and GLI Autobahn has been upgraded.
- GLI Autobahn has adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and automatic high lights.
Benefits
- The cabin is relatively large.
- Optional infotainment has been updated.
- GLI model that is both entertaining and practical
Drawbacks
- Standard driver aids are missing.
- Low-quality materials
- Driving experience to forget
