(iSeeCars) — New and used car prices are at record highs, with the average new car costing $45,296 and the average used car costing $31,895 according to iSeeCars data. But even in the current market, new and used car buyers can still find affordable cars that meet their budget.
Whether you want a new car under $20,000, or a used car or SUV under $15,000 or $10,000, we have compiled a list of the best cars to choose from.
Criteria for Best Cheap Cars
The best cheap cars are ranked by an iSeeCars Quality Score that takes into account a car’s longevity, value retention, and safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Best Cheap New Cars Under $20,000
For under $20,000, these are the best new cars to choose from.
| Best Cheap New Cars Under $20,000 | |||
| Rank | Vehicle | iSeeCars Quality Score | Starting MSRP |
| 1 | Subaru Impreza | 8.6 | $19,795 |
| 2 | Nissan Versa | 8.2 | $15,730 |
| 3 | Kia Rio | 8.0 | $16,550 |
| 4 | Kia Forte | 7.9 | $19,490 |
| 5 | Nissan Sentra | 7.9 | $19,950 |
1. Subaru Impreza
iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.6
- Reliability Score: 8.0
- Retained Value Score: 8.7
- Safety Score: 9.0
Starting MSRP: $19,795
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $23,238
The Subaru Impreza ranks first and is available as a sedan or hatchback. Unlike most compact cars, all-wheel drive comes standard on the Impreza. The Impreza achieves Subaru’s characteristic high safety score and includes standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Standard infotainment features include a 6.5-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth.
2. Nissan Versa
iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.2
- Reliability Score: 7.5
- Retained Value Score: 8.2
- Safety Score: 8.9
Starting MSRP: $15,730
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $18,554
The subcompact Nissan Versa ranks second. The Versa comes standard with forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. The next trim level up from base, the SV, starts at $17,890 and adds a rear-seat reminder, driver drowsiness monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, satellite radio, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The top SR trim is still under $20,000 at $18,490 and adds proximity keyless entry, remote start, and a six-speaker stereo. A $400 convenience package adds heated front seats, automatic climate control, and adaptive cruise control.
3. Kia Rio
iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.0
- Reliability Score: 7.9
- Retained Value Score: 8.1
- Safety Score: Not Available
Average New Car Price: $17,725
Starting MSRP: $16,550
The subcompact Kia Rio ranks third. Available as a sedan and as a hatchback on the upper S trim only, the Kia Rio offers an upscale interior and provides excellent fuel efficiency. Both bodystyles have functional cargo space for the class, and the hatchback has an extra 3.7 feet of cargo capacity compared to the sedan. The base model does not come with any standard safety features, but both bodystyles in the upper S trim also cost below $20,000 even with the added $1,800 entertainment package. The S trim adds split-folding rear seats, additional USB ports, cruise control, and keyless entry, and the technology package, which is only available on the S trim, adds forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, driver drowsiness monitoring, and a rear-seat reminder.
4. Kia Forte
iSeeCars Quality Score: 7.9
- Reliability Score: 7.6
- Retained Value Score: 8.0
- Safety Score: 8.1
Starting MSRP: $19,490
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $20,396
The compact Kia Forte ranks fourth. The Forte features a roomy cabin and excellent fuel economy. It comes standard with driver assistant features including forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, driver attention monitor, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. Standard infotainment features include an 8-inch touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity.
5. Nissan Sentra
iSeeCars Quality Score: 7.9
- Reliability Score: 7.7
- Retained Value Score: 7.5
- Safety Score: 8.4
Staring MSRP: $19,950
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $22,211
The Nissan Sentra compact sedan ranks fifth. The Nissan Sentra has a 149-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and gets an EPA estimated 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, which is great gas mileage for the class. It comes standard with safety features including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, and blind spot monitoring.
Honorable Mention: Hyundai Elantra
iSeeCars Quality Score: 7.9
- Reliability Score: 7.7
- Retained Value Score: 7.9
- Safety Score: 8.0
Starting MSRP: $20,500
Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $19,917
The compact Hyundai Elantra earns an honorable mention because it has a base price just above $20,000. Redesigned for the 2022 model year, the fun-to-drive Elantra features attractive exterior styling and comes with Hyundai-Kia’s standard 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Standard features include an 8-inch touch screen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and Bluetooth. It also offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, automatic high-beam headlights, rear seat alert, and safe exit warning.
Best Used Cars By Price
Here are the best used cars and SUVs by price:
Best Cheap Used Cars Under $10,000
Here are the best used cars on the market for under $10,000. The vehicles on this list include used versions of the cheapest new cars and adds the recently discontinued Chevy Sonic and Hyundai Accent small cars, which were discontinued by the automakers after the 2020 and 2022 model years respectively.
| Best Used Cars Under $10,000 | |||
| Rank | Vehicle | iSeeCars Quality Score | Average Used Car Price |
| 1 | 2015 Nissan Versa | 8.2 | $9,356 |
| 2 | 2014 Chevrolet Sonic | 8.2 | $8,880 |
| 3 | 2014 Kia Rio | 8.0 | $9,157 |
| 4 | 2013 Kia Forte | 7.9 | $8,071 |
| 5 | 2014 Hyundai Accent | 7.9 | $9,688 |
| 6 | 2014 Nissan Sentra | 7.9 | $9,666 |
Best Used Cars Under $15,000
Here are the best used cars on the market for under $15,000. Bumping your used car budget to $15,000 adds a number of dependable compact and midsize sedans, including the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, and the Toyota Camry.
| Best Used Cars Under $15,000 | |||
| Rank | Vehicle | iSeeCars Quality Score | Average Used Car Price |
| 1 | 2014 Honda Civic | 9.4 | $14,978 |
| 2 | 2013 Honda Accord | 9.0 | $14,774 |
| 3 | 2014 Toyota Camry | 8.9 | $14,749 |
| 4 | 2015 Toyota Corolla | 8.8 | $14,653 |
| 5 | 2014 Mazda Mazda6 | 8.6 | $14,127 |
| 6 | 2014 Subaru Legacy | 8.6 | $13,365 |
| 7 | 2016 Volkswagen Jetta | 8.5 | $14,658 |
| 8 | 2015 Kia Optima | 8.4 | $14,747 |
| 9 | 2015 Nissan Altima | 8.3 | $13,608 |
| 10 | 2015 Ford Fusion | 8.2 | $14,303 |
| 11 | 2015 Chevrolet Malibu | 8.0 | $13,921 |
Best Used SUVs Under $15,000
With a budget of $15,000, there are also high-quality used small and midsize SUVs to meet your needs. Here are the best used crossover SUVs on the market for under $15,000.
| Best Used SUVs Under $15,000 | |||
| Rank | Vehicle | iSeeCars Quality Score | Average Used Car Price |
| 1 | 2013 Subaru Outback | 8.8 | $13,523 |
| 2 | 2013 Subaru Forester | 8.7 | $12,970 |
| 3 | 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe | 8.5 | $14,775 |
| 4 | 2014 Hyundai Tucson | 8.4 | $14,162 |
| 5 | 2013 Mazda CX-9 | 8.4 | $13,484 |
| 6 | 2013 Nissan Pathfinder | 8.4 | $14,350 |
| 7 | 2013 Mazda CX-5 | 8.3 | $13,451 |
| 8 | 2013 Nissan Murano | 8.2 | $13,385 |
| 9 | 2014 Kia Sportage | 8.1 | $14,267 |
| 10 | 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander | 8.1 | $14,126 |
Bottom Line:
When looking at the cheapest cars on the market, you don’t have to sacrifice quality to meet your budget. Even the most affordable new cars on the market come with modern safety and technology features, which make them smart purchases for shoppers who prioritize practicality.
More from iSeeCars.com:
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This article, the Best Cars for Cheap, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.
