Cheapest Car Brands for 2024

(iSeeCars) – Car prices have skyrocketed in recent years, with the average new car costing over $45,000. Much of that increase comes from the popularity and high price tags of modern trucks and SUVs. But even base model subcompact cars like the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris have starting prices above $15,000, while finding an affordable vehicle in the midsize or larger categories can be increasingly challenging for young buyers just starting out.

The good news is that even today’s cheapest new cars include highly advanced standard features in their base price. The technology behind modern fuel-efficient powertrains and active safety features would have only been available on high-end luxury cars just a few years ago. Now small cars that focus on fuel economy also include everything from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning as standard equipment.

This means buyers on a budget can seek high mpg, low price models like the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, and Toyota Corolla and still enjoy the benefits of the latest infotainment and safety tech. Shoppers seeking maximum affordability might consider recent model year used cars, which still offer many of these high-tech features as standard or optional equipment. Shopping used might also allow features like all-wheel drive, bigger touchscreen displays, and larger crossover models with more roomy interiors, like the Kia Soul or Chevy Equinox, to fit into a buyer’s budget. Buyers seeking the lowest-price models should carefully consider what equipment is included for that price. Does the car have an automatic transmission or a do-it-yourself manual transmission? Also consider warranty coverage, as post purchase repairs can make a seemingly cheap car suddenly much more expensive to maintain.

Below you’ll find each automaker ranked by the average of their new car starting price across their entire model line. You’ll also see their models ranked by lowest to highest starting price, making it easy to identify the cheapest models from any brand.

Cheapest Car Brands (Ranked By Lowest Starting MSRP)

1. Mitsubishi

Average Starting MSRP: $25,545

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Mitsubishi Mirage – $16,695
2. Mitsubishi Mirage G4 – $17,795
3. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – $23,695

2. Subaru

Average Starting MSRP: $29,482

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Subaru Impreza – $19,795
2. Subaru Impreza (wagon) – $22,995
3. Subaru Legacy – $24,895

3. Hyundai

Average Starting MSRP: $31,393

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Hyundai VENUE – $19,900
2. Hyundai ELANTRA – $21,625
3. Hyundai KONA – $24,250

4. Buick

Average Starting MSRP: $31,950

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Buick Envista – $22,400
2. Buick Encore GX – $25,600
3. Buick Envision – $35,900

5. Kia

Average Starting MSRP: $31,988

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Kia Rio – $16,750
2. Kia Rio 5-Door – $17,690
3. Kia Forte – $19,790

6. Honda

Average Starting MSRP: $32,111

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Honda Civic – $23,950
2. Honda HR-V – $24,100
3. Honda Civic (hatchback) – $24,950

7. MINI

Average Starting MSRP: $32,657

Cheapest Vehicles

1. MINI Hardtop 2 Door – $25,800
2. MINI Hardtop 4 Door – $26,800
3. MINI Hardtop 2 Door (electric) – $30,900

8. Mazda

Average Starting MSRP: $32,787

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Mazda Mazda3 Sedan – $24,170
2. Mazda CX-30 – $24,995
3. Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback – $25,690

9. Volkswagen

Average Starting MSRP: $33,568

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Volkswagen Jetta – $21,435
2. Volkswagen Taos – $23,995
3. Volkswagen Jetta GLI – $28,085

10. Toyota

Average Starting MSRP: $36,078

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Toyota Corolla – $22,050
2. Toyota Corolla Hybrid – $23,500
3. Toyota Corolla Hatchback – $23,505

11. Dodge

Average Starting MSRP: $36,133

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Dodge Hornet – $31,400
2. Dodge Challenger – $31,965
3. Dodge Charger – $34,230

12. Nissan

Average Starting MSRP: $39,798

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Nissan Versa – $16,130
2. Nissan Sentra – $20,630
3. Nissan Kicks – $20,790

13. Ford

Average Starting MSRP: $40,527

Cheapest Vehicles

1. Ford Maverick – $23,400
2. Ford Maverick (hybrid) – $23,400
3. Ford Escape – $28,000

When considering your next vehicle purchase, understanding the starting prices and the cheapest options available from various brands can help you make a more informed decision. Whether you’re drawn to the affordability of a Mitsubishi Mirage or the value of a Ford Maverick, there’s a range of options to fit every budget. From compact cars to hybrid models and beyond, knowing the cost of entry for each brand can guide you towards the best choice for your needs and preferences.

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iSeeCars.com is a data-driven car search and research company that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, including the iSeeCars VIN Check report and Best Cars Rankings. iSeeCars has saved users over $421 million so far by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points and using proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new cars and used cars.

This article, Cheapest Car Brands for 2024 , originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.