The 5 cheapest new cars and SUVs in America right now

Buying a new car this year will set you back an average of $46,992. But fear not: If you don’t have that much cash to spend, there are still good options out there.

Edmunds compiled a list of the least expensive cars and SUVs you can buy in 2024 and the prices of some might surprise you.

Here’s a list of the five most affordable options for a brand-new car:

Nissan Versa

The Nissan Versa starts at just $17,820 but has a manual transmission. If you want the car to have an automatic transmission, it will cost you an extra $1,670.

Still, the base model comes with good safety features, like front and rear automatic braking and lane departure warning, Edmunds found. It also has a sizable trunk considering its small size.

Mitsubishi Mirage

At $17,840, the Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback will cost you just $20 more than the Versa and comes with an automatic transmission.

That said, Edmunds is warning buyers against buying the Mirage, which it says has super slow acceleration and a noisy engine.

Edmunds also found the interior of the Mirage to be cheap, noisy and uncomfortable.

Kia Forte

At $21,145, the Forte is Kia’s most affordable car. Its base package has a touchscreen display equipped with Apple CarPlay and some nice safety features like lane departure migration warning.

Edmunds found the Forte to be fuel-efficient and said it has a roomy trunk, but warned the car can feel stiff and its back seat is small.

Hyundai Venue

If you want an affordable new SUV, the Venue is the cheapest one on the market at $21,295.

It doesn’t come in all-wheel drive and Edmunds said the acceleration leaves something to be desired.

Still, it found the car to be comfortable and not too small, with a smartly-designed interior.

Chevrolet Trax

For an extra $200, Edmunds recommends getting the Chevrolet Trax instead of the Venue.

The Trax, at $21,495, has a slew of impressive tech features and is quite roomy, in both the front and back seats.

Like the Venue, you can’t get all-wheel drive on the Trax, but Edmunds said its nonetheless an impressive drive for the price.