Over the last decade, Americans have driven an average of 13,930 miles every year. Needless to say, your car undergoes a lot of wear and tear. Some car brands are made to withstand the test of time (and even the bumpiest roadways). Others are plagued by bad parts, engine issues, poor handling, or other conflicts that make you pretty much never want to step foot in your car again. That’s why it’s important to choose a good vehicle. But we have a secret for you: a high price doesn’t always equate with a good car. Sometimes you can find a solid brand that offers great performance for a price that won’t completely break your budget. (This car brand costs way too much to maintain.)
When you’re searching for a new car, you should look into more affordable options. It probably won’t come as any surprise to learn that brands like Honda, Toyota, and Kia are among the favorites for cheap car brands. Consistent best sellers, these brands have inexpensive price tags, high resale value, and some of the best reliability scores in the business. These are the reasons that can make them easy to sell, even over other brands like Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW. To identify the best affordable car brands, 24/7 Wall St. looked at review websites, forums, and articles from Kelley Blue Book and MotorTrend. We listed them in order from most expensive to least expensive.
Why We’re Covering Car Brands
Unfortunately, our current society is defined by record-high prices and lingering inflation — and no industry seems to be immune, including the automobile industry. Finding affordable, efficient vehicles that safely get you to where you want to go is an important priority for many families. But cars are costly. In fact, the average car price for a new vehicle (as of 2022) is now $47,000. The budget-friendly car manufacturers on our list show you what cars to buy if you want improved quality and features with prices well below industry averages.
These are the eight affordable car brands you should be buying:
8. Ford
You can’t ignore how good of a pickup is the Ford Maverick.
- Average car price: $40,527
- Bestsellers: Maverick, Escape
- Cheapest car: Maverick
- Five-year cost: $5,400
Pickup Heaven
The Ford Maverick is both reliable and fuel efficient.
In the past, Ford (NYSE: F) has not always been the most reliable car brand — and its reputation has suffered for it. However, Ford has been working to improve its reliability ratings. Its cars are also highly lauded for their power and easy handling. Vehicles like the Ford Maverick and Escape offer some of the best value in their categories. The Maverick, in particular, offers plenty of towing and cargo capacity, all while offering a hybrid engine that offers some of the best fuel economy in the smaller pickup category.
7. Toyota
The Toyota is one of the best small cars available today.
- Average car price: $36,078
- Bestsellers: Highlander, Corolla, Camry
- Cheapest car: Toyota Corolla
- Five-year cost: $1,125
Outstanding Quality
It’s hard to ignore just how good the Corolla is.
Toyota is a giant in the automobile industry. For years, Toyota has been listed as having one of the best combinations of affordability and dependability you can find. You get great initial value, strong resale value, and low maintenance costs. If you can get one of Toyota’s premium maintenance packages, you will spend much of the next four to five years not paying for service appointments.
6. Mazda
There is no question the Mazda3 is fun to drive.
- Average car price: $32,787
- Bestsellers: Mazda3, Mazda CX9, CX-30
- Cheapest car: Mazda3
- Five-year cost: $1,877
Zoom Zoom
Mazda has found the right balance between performance and price.
If you’re looking for something inexpensive that’s fun to drive, it’s hard to argue that the best vehicle is the Mazda3. Well known for its Zoom-Zoom tagline, Mazda has tried to differentiate itself from Toyota and Honda by designing its cars to look and feel sporty while driving. As a result of the company’s work, the Mazda3 is one of the most fuel-efficient cheap car brands you can purchase today.
5. Honda
It’s hard to ignore the sheer value of a Honda Civic.
- Average car price: $32,111
- Bestsellers: Civic, HR-V, Accord
- Cheapest car: Civic
- Five-year cost: $2,140
The Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is one of the most sold cars in America.
The Honda Civic may be the most popular cheap car in America if you consider all of the vehicles on our list. There is a reason why Honda (and Toyota) are at the top of the list every year running regarding reliability. Honda has long prided itself on ensuring that the durability of its vehicles is among its top priorities. This may have come at the expense of the latest tech features, but Honda has caught up in this area and is now looking to set itself up as the best all-around cheap car brand in America. Maybe even the world?!
4. Kia
The Kia Rio is small and comfortable for the price.
- Average car price: $31,988
- Bestsellers: Rio, Forte
- Cheapest car: Rio
- Five-year cost: $2,370
The Hyundai Alternative
The Kia Forte is a well-kept secret in the company’s lineup.
Kia and Hyundai are almost interchangeable car brands. And we see why — there is something equally outstanding about both. This is especially true if you find yourself with the Kia Maintenance Plan, which can cover your vehicle for up to six years, including two service appointments annually. Models like the Forte and the Rio are married to the budget pricing category and offer outstanding value for the price. You won’t mistake them for sports cars and they don’t always have the latest technology, but you can’t deny that Kia cars have some of the best bang for your buck.
3. Buick
The Buick Encore is surprisingly sporty.
- Average car price: $31,950
- Bestsellers: Envista, Encore, Envision
- Cheapest car: Envista
- Five-year cost: $900
Low Five-Year Cost
For the price, you can’t do much better than the Buick Encore.
If you’re looking for a cheap car brand that offers some of the best five-year value you can find today, it’s the Buick. Rest assured, this is not your grandparent’s Buick. The brand has done a complete 180 on its designs, moving toward a sportier, trendier-looking body that offers the latest technology features. The days of Buick being old and slow are gone, and now they provide excellent reliability with a value price tag.
2. Hyundai
The Hyundai Venue should not be overlooked.
- Average car price: $31,393
- Bestsellers: Venue, Elantra, Kona
- Cheapest car: Venue
- Five-year cost: $2,140
Strong Reliability Ratings
The Hyundai Kona also offers excellent reliability in terms of price.
Hyundai provides a lot of value for a car brand. Its outstanding 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty means you’re covered in case things go wrong. But with the high-quality build and strong performance, this budget-friendly car brand can last for a long time if you treat and value it properly. Some of its higher-end models, like the Palisade, come with a higher price tag. Still, if you stick to the car’s more value-friendly models, you’ll be in good shape to keep your overall costs down.
1. Subaru
The Subaru Impreza promises to last for years.
- Average car price: $29,842
- Bestsellers: Impreza, Impreza wagon, Legacy
- Cheapest car: Impreza
- Five-year cost: $2,500
The Impreza Reigns Supreme
The Subaru Impreza is an excellent value.
Over the last few years, Subaru’s reputation has fluctuated between excellent…and questionable. But it’s hard to ignore the call of the Subaru Impreza. With a starting price of just over $29,000, the 2024 Subaru Impreza took the vehicle in new directions with a more comfortable interior, improved infotainment experience, and exterior styling that helps justify its price tag. While other Subaru models might be difficult to recommend, the Impreza is an easy winner.
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