Cheaper and less fuel efficient cars for 2021
The days of the new car under $10K are long gone, but if a lower base price is what you’re after, there’s still a variety of models to consider. Many of them also get good fuel mileage, which will help reduce the cost of ownership as long as you own it.
To help your search for cheap cars, we’ve rounded up the 10 least expensive new cars. They are ordered by base price, arranged in ascending order from least to most expensive, and all prices include the model’s destination fee, but no cash incentives may be offered. In order for the list to be useful to as many car shoppers as possible,
All prices include an automatic transmission, which has increased the prices of some standard models. For vehicles with more than one transmission option, each listed vehicle has an EPA -estimated MPG rating for the automatic version.
Cheapest New Cars (With Automatic Transmission)
1.2021 Chevrolet Spark LS: $15.695: $
2.2021 Mitsubishi Mirage ES: $16590
3.2021 Kia Rio LX: $17,045
- 2021 Hyundai Accent SE: Price $17,500
- 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES: $17590
- 2021 Nissan Versa S: $17,600: $
7,2021 Kia Forte FE: $19,785: $
8,2021 Nissan Sentra S: $20,410 - 2021 Hyundia Elantra SE: Price $
20,655 10.2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0: $20905
This is a short list in order from lowest to highest and we’ll go over each in a little bit of detail including the price and average fuel economy of each car.
2021 Chevrolet Spark LS
Price: $15.695, including $995 destination fee
Fuel Economy: 33 mpg
With a starting price of just over $15,000 when equipped with an optional continuously variable automatic transmission, the 2021 Chevrolet Spark compact four-seat hatchback is the cheapest new car you can buy today. Despite its low price, the Spark comes standard with important connectivity features
Like Bluetooth audio streaming, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot (data plan required after initial trial), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smart connectivity. It also has 10 standard airbags.
The Spark’s small four-cylinder engine doesn’t produce a lot of power, and the car has a cramped rear seat, but those characteristics probably aren’t a hit if you’re looking for an urban cruise.
2021 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
Price: $16,590, including $995 destination fee
Fuel Economy: 39 mpg
Like the Spark, the Mirage is a secondary hatchback, but it has room for one extra person in its five-seater interior. The manufacturer offers you to combine a small 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with an optional CVT. We get EPA miles at a combined 39 mpg,
But it comes at the cost of performance; slow. However, we thought it was reasonably fun to drive when we last reviewed it. For 2021, the Mirage gets an updated face and revised rear bumper.
An updated interior with new soft-touch materials, a new standard 7-inch touchscreen and standard safety features including front collision mitigation with pedestrian detection in all trims.
2021 Kia Rio LX
Price: $17,045, including $995 destination fee
Fuel Economy: 36 mpg
After receiving important updates for 2020 that included improvements in fuel efficiency and connectivity, the Kia Rio gets a mild update for 2021. On the outside, the 2021 Rio features new front and rear bumpers as well as new grille intakes.
Under the hood is a four-cylinder engine and CVT standard for a generous combined mpg of 36. An 8-inch multimedia touchscreen display with a rear camera, Android Auto wireless system, and Apple CarPlay come standard across the range.
2021 Hyundai Accent SE
Price: $17,500 inclusive of $1,005 destination fee
, Fuel Economy: 36 mpg
The compact little Accent is Hyundai’s smallest, and like its platform mate, the Kia Rio, it’s powered by a four-cylinder engine and an available CVT that results in a fuel economy of 36 mpg.
Higher trim levels add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for smartphones, but the base SE’s comfort features include power windows and locks; 60/40 folding rear seat; Bluetooth and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES
Price: $17,590, including $995 destination fee
Fuel Economy: 37 mpg
The Mirage G4 is the sedan version of the Mirage subcompact hatchback. It receives the same updates for 2021, including an updated exterior as well as standard front bumper mitigation with pedestrian detection in all trims. It’s a bit more expensive and has more gas mileage than the hatch version,
It is powered by the same 78-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that works with the available Variable Transmission. ES features include automatic climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth and a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system.
2021 Nissan Versa S
Price: $17,600, including $950 destination fee
Fuel Economy: 35 mpg
After a complete restyle for 2020, the little Nissan Versa returns unchanged for 2021. The little sedan is packed with active safety and driver assistance features you don’t see often at this price. These include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic reverse braking, lane departure warning,
and auxiliary high beam. It’s also packed with convenient features like cruise control, automatic headlights, push-button start, and Bluetooth audio streaming. An updated Versa with an optional automatic transmission costs a lot more than its predecessor, but as we noted in our review, it’s “a much better car and still cheaper than most.”
2021 Kia Forte FE
Price: $1,985, including $995 destination fee
Fuel economy: 35 mpg
The 2021 Kia Forte is the last car on our list that comes with a starting price of just under $20,000. Under the hood, the Forte FE houses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an available CVT. The compact sedan delivers 35 mpg commuter-friendly
And it’s loaded with standard features like a large 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and automatic emergency braking. While the Forte is good value for the everyday driver, shoppers looking for plenty of cargo space won’t find it in the trunk.
2021 Nissan Sentra S
Price: $20,410, including $950 destination fee
Fuel economy: 33 mpg
With an overhaul for 2020, the Sentra is now more than a bargain thanks to design improvements and a tech-focused interior. Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with CVT, the Senta S gets 33 mpg combined.
Built on a new platform, the Sentra offers a controlled and comfortable ride with sharp steering, but the CVT lacks turning. to some competitors. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard on all models, and the Nissan Safety Shield 360 comes standard across the board.
2021 Hyundai Elantra SE
Price: $20.655, including destination fee $1,005
Fuel economy: 37 mpg
Budget car shoppers will be happy to know that Hyundai has completely redesigned the 2021 Elantra with a more refined powertrain and larger interior. The new Elantra is available as a sedan only, with the GT hatchback discontinued for this model year. The more expensive SE is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT capable.
The Elantra gets an impressive 37 mpg that makes it as budget-friendly as it is to buy, and standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and lane-centered steering. Shoppers who can overlook the sedan’s low-rent interior will appreciate the Elantra.
2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0
Price: $20905 including destination fee $1,005
Fuel economy: 30 mpg
2021 Hyundai Veloster proves that ‘affordable’ doesn’t have to be ‘boring’. The sporty hatchback stands out thanks to a unique exterior that boasts three doors (one driver’s side and two passenger sides) and an attractive driving experience. Driving pleasure comes thanks to the improved suspension and responsive steering in the Veloster.
Equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the base Veloster 2.0 gets 30 mpg combined, which falls short of some of the fuel-efficient competitors on this list.
The 2021 Veloster comes with standard Apple Car Play and Android Auto accessible via a 7-inch touchscreen, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring.
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