10 of the Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy in 2025

Budget cars finally got the memo. You can snag a brand-new ride under $25,000 that won’t feel like rolling punishment. These affordable picks pack safety tech, decent gas mileage, and enough space for your stuff without draining your savings. Here’s what actually delivers value when you’re watching every dollar.

10. Kia Soul – Box Office Hit (Exterior)

Starting around $20,490, the Soul proves boxy can be beautiful. This distinctive ride maximizes interior space like a Tetris champion while delivering driving quality that punches above its weight class.

Kia Soul – Box Office Hit (Interior)

Front-wheel drive only means you’ll want different wheels for snow, but the roomy cabin and personality-packed design make up for weather limitations. Perfect for city dwellers who need space but refuse boring.

9. Toyota Corolla – The Straight-A Student (Exterior)

Starting at $23,460, the Corolla knows its assignment and executes flawlessly. You get excellent value, outstanding 31/40 fuel efficiency, and legendary reliability that starts every morning without drama.

Toyota Corolla – The Straight-A Student (Interior)

The non-GR models won’t quicken your pulse, but comfortable front seats and predictable operation make daily life easier. Sometimes the most predictable choice is actually the smartest choice—especially when your main goal is affordable, reliable point-A-to-point-B transportation for years.

8. Hyundai Venue – The Compromise Mobile (Exterior)

Hyundai’s entry SUV starts at $20,200 but feels every penny of those budget cuts. The interior plastics scream “we cut corners here,” and the 1.6-liter engine moves like it’s stuck in molasses during a cold snap.

Hyundai Venue – The Compromise Mobile (Interior)

That compact footprint helps with parking but hurts passenger comfort. Better options exist for similar money, but if SUV styling on a shoestring is non-negotiable, the Venue exists.

7. Volkswagen Jetta – Highway Hero (Exterior)

The refreshed Jetta delivers up to 40 mpg highway and spacious rear seats that tall passengers appreciate. Updated interior materials improve cabin quality, though driving dynamics lag behind sportier competitors.

Volkswagen Jetta – Highway Hero (Interior)

At its price point, the Jetta struggles against other compact sedans, but that highway fuel economy makes perfect sense for serious commuters racking up miles.

6. Nissan Versa – Your Wallet’s Best Friend (Exterior)

At $17,190, the Versa claims America’s cheapest new car crown and wears it well. This subcompact sedan still offers a 5-speed manual—practically vintage in 2025—plus a trunk that swallows more than you’d expect.

Nissan Versa – Your Wallet’s Best Friend (Interior)

Sure, it won’t win any beauty contests or sound like a library during acceleration, but it nails the basics. You get solid 32/40 mpg fuel economy and more car than that price suggests. Anyone who’s ever bought ramen in bulk knows sometimes simple just works.

5. Nissan Kicks – The Glow-Up Graduate (Exterior)

Nissan’s cheapest SUV got a complete makeover that transformed forgettable into competitive. The redesigned Kicks offers more cabin room, improved power, and standard safety features.

Nissan Kicks – The Glow-Up Graduate (Interior)

Available all-wheel drive adds capability for 2025. Like most small SUVs, it can’t match hatchbacks for cargo space or efficiency, but delivers that elevated seating position buyers crave without SUV prices.

4. Hyundai Elantra – The Safety Scholar (Exterior)

The Elantra earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honors while keeping prices competitive at $22,125. Bold styling makes the Civic look conservative, and 32/41 mpg beats many rivals.

Hyundai Elantra – The Safety Scholar (Interior)

Interior space impresses for the footprint, sharing mechanical DNA with the Kia K4. For buyers who prioritize crash test scores and peace of mind, the Elantra delivers both without breaking budgets.

3. Chevrolet Trax – The Comeback Kid (Exterior)

The Trax pulled off automotive plastic surgery that actually worked. Gone is the awkward egg-shaped predecessor, replaced by a crossover that looks intentional at $21,495.

Chevrolet Trax – The Comeback Kid (Interior)

Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mean your phone integrates seamlessly, while the 1.2-liter engine moves you along without drama. Think of it as that friend who finally figured out their style—suddenly everything clicks without trying too hard.

2. Kia K4 – Style Over Substance (Exterior)

The K4 replaces the aging Forte with dramatic styling that finally makes Kia’s cheapest car look expensive. Proven powertrain keeps things reliable, and interior space rivals pricier competitors.

Kia K4 – Style Over Substance (Interior)

Performance doesn’t match the flashy exterior, but you get more room than a Corolla without Civic money. Rumored hatchback version could make this package even more compelling for style-conscious shoppers.

1. Nissan Sentra – Almost There Champion (Exterior)

The Sentra wins cheapest compact sedan at $21,590 but stumbles at the finish line. You get respectable 40 mpg fuel economy and styling that photographs well, plus Toyota’s recent Consumer Reports Top Pick recognition shows safety improvements.

Nissan Sentra – Almost There Champion (Interior)

However, the handling feels disconnected like driving with winter gloves, and rear passengers might feel cramped. It’s reliable transportation that gets the job done without bringing much joy.