Special Report
America’s 25 Cheapest Cars
August 26, 2021 9:00 am
Last Updated: August 26, 2021 9:16 am
15. Nissan Kicks
> Starting price: $20,650
> Sales, 2020: 58,858
With its starting price of $20,650, the Nissan Kicks is one of a handful of crossover SUVs to rank among the cheapest new cars in America for the 2021 model year. First introduced to the U.S. market in 2018, the Kicks received a facelift for 2021.
14. Hyundai Elantra
> Starting price: $20,645
> Sales, 2020: 105,475
Among the 25 cars with a starting price of less than $23,000, none has a better fuel economy than the Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle gets 37 miles per gallon between the highway and city. Though the base model is $20,645, there are six different model options, which can drive the price up to over $28,100.
13. Nissan Sentra
> Starting price: $20,335
> Sales, 2020: 94,645
The Nissan Sentra is one of America’s least expensive cars, with a starting price of $20,335. It is also one of the longest selling cars in America, dating all the way back to 1982. Now in its eighth generation, the Sentra is still selling well, despite many Americans now preferring SUVs and crossovers to compact sedans. Nissan sold nearly 95,000 Sentras in 2020.
12. Chevrolet Trailblazer
> Starting price: $19,995
> Sales, 2020: 34,292
The Chevy Trailblazer is one of just a dozen cars in America with a starting price of less than $20,000. On KBB, it earned a 4.1 out of 5 score from experts. Car and Driver gave it a positive score of 7.5 out of 10. The Trailblazer was redesigned for the 2021 model year, and it is now more of a crossover than the 4×4 SUV of years past.
11. Volkswagen Jetta
> Starting price: $19,990
> Sales, 2020: 90,829
The 2021 Jetta is the only Volkswagen to rank among the cheapest cars in America, with a starting price of just under $20,000. The Jetta earned mostly positive reviews from Car and Driver, US News & World Report, and Edmunds. The 2021 Jetta comes in seven different package options, ranging in price from the introductory cost of $19,990 all the way to over $30,000.
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