If breaking the bank isn’t an option, these cheap cars for 2025 should serve you well.
It’s no secret that buying a car can be expensive, with the average transaction price hovering just below $50,000. This accounts for all vehicles purchased, including pickup trucks and EVs, which opens the door for a set of wheels to cost upwards of six figures. But not everyone has that kind of cash simply lying around.
Ye of little faith, the corresponding list shows that it’s possible to keep the total purchase amount low. Even better, the choices presented here prove that owning a cheap car doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. It’s worth noting that the following prices include the destination charge, so you’re not shocked at the next dealer visit.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at your options.
Chevrolet’s mid-size Malibu sedan breaks into the top ten—with a caveat. Production ended in November 2024, with some remaining stock still available new. So the possibility of a killer deal is there if your local dealership is eager to move inventory. If size is more important and the idea of a crossover just doesn’t appeal, beware that the remaining entries on this list only get smaller.
The staple Honda Civic gets a slight price bump for the 2026 model year. This gets you into an LX sedan with 16-inch wheels, wired smartphone connectivity, and essential safety tech to guard you on the road. If you want a manual, you’ll have to step up to the Si, as it’s no longer available on the non-hot hatchback.
If you want the cheapest new hatchback, the 2025 Subaru Impreza is your best bet. For that, you get LED headlights, Subaru’s famed EyeSight safety suite, all-wheel-drive, and some eye-popping color options. Since it was redesigned for 2024, there has been no sedan option.
Speaking of sedans, the Mazda3 comes in at just $25,335 for 2025. The sportier hatchback version, meanwhile, commands an extra $1,000. At that price, you get the most potent base engine on this list, as well as alloy wheels, auto-on headlights with high-beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, a digital instrument cluster, and an 8.8-inch center display with smartphone connectivity.
Volkswagen’s compact offering gets a major refresh for 2025 that sees revised styling and an updated cabin. The Jetta S makes a solid case for base, throwing in 16-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlamps and taillamps, VW’s Digital Cockpit, a leather steering wheel, and an 8.0-inch center touchscreen with App-Connect. Plus, it’s one of the few cars on this list with a standard turbocharged engine.
The Corolla is the oldest model on this list. But it still reigns supreme as the bargain standard for mass transportation, giving you only the essentials in the base LE. This includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, automatic climate control, and wireless smartphone connectivity wrapped in a package that still wears hubcaps in 2025. A hybrid powertrain is available, but it costs extra.
Like the Corolla, the Elantra is getting long in the tooth. However, it still packs a punch in value with standard equipment such as alloy wheels, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an 8.0-inch display, LED projector lamps, and a plethora of active safety features.
Kia’s popular compact gains a new badge to go with a complete redesign for the 2025 model year. The aptly-named K4 arrived on the scene late last year with trendy styling, an upscale cabin that punches above its price point, and a long list of amenities to boot. Highlights include a standard 12.3-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED lighting inside and out, keyless start, a multitude of USB-C ports to keep your devices charged, and a number of safety features.
Surprise! The remaining two cars come from Nissan, one that is likely to see another generation and one that will be killed off soon—we’ll get to that in a sec. Gracing the number-two spot is the Sentra, which throws in Safety Shield 360 and smartphone integration to go with a fuel-sipping powertrain. A new generation is expected to arrive soon.
For a number of years, the Nissan Versa has been the cheapest new car to buy in America. Despite a recent refresh, it will soon join the Mitsubishi Mirage and Kia Rio in cheap car heaven as the brand shifts to a lineup focused mostly on SUVs. This is your last chance for basic transportation if you care about having four wheels and a warranty.
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