Top 50 Economy Cars
The best economy cars to consider when money is tight but you still want a new car. These are the options that will be kind to your wallet while giving you demonstrable advantages over the competition.
We’re talking about one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, despite the fact that all of the cars listed here are under $20,000, and many are much less. So, you’ll want to get the most out of your money, and these cars let you do just that.
However, the purpose of today’s honor roll is to prove that you don’t have to take our word for it. To find out which entries are at the top of their lists, we reached out to some of the third-party automakers that are getting the most attention in the market. See for yourself by reading on.
Compact and subcompact vehicles that fall into the affordability range are typically sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. While performance models can cost upwards of $30,000 with extras, this category is primarily about affordable small cars.
Many compact cars offer excellent fuel efficiency and quick handling due to their light weight. Their size also makes them excellent city vehicles that are easy to manage and park in tight spaces.
The interiors of the best small cars also set them apart. Although they look small from the outside, critics prefer vehicles with competitive cargo capacity and rear seats large enough for adults.
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Should I buy the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?
If fuel economy is one of your main goals, the Elantra Hybrid is worth a look as this Hyundai offers some of the best fuel economy estimates in the hybrid class.
Given its long list of standard amenities and respectable overall performance, this car also offers great value as long as you don't mind the plastic cabin and slightly noisy engine.
How much will the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid cost?
The base Blue trim of the 2023 Elantra Hybrid costs $24,400. The most expensive Limited Edition starts at $29,000.
Chevrolet Spark - $14,595
Chevy will no longer offer the Spark in 2023 because the car is being phased out without a direct successor. Still, the Spark is a great deal and has been the least expensive new car in America since 2020. The smallest version of the engine, a 98-hp one, comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission.
The Spark’s nine-gallon gas tank is inexpensive to fill and delivers an EPA-estimated 38 mpg on the highway. Unfortunately, the Spark is sorely lacking in basic safety features. Without extra payment, there’s no autonomous emergency braking or forward collision warning. Cruise control is optional.
Cost based on: $14,595
EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 33/29/38 mpg
Warranty: Free first-year maintenance visit, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain, 3-year/36,000-mile limited.
2023 Kia Forte
Should I buy a 2023 Kia Forte?
If you want a fuel-efficient, feature-rich compact car that won’t break the bank, the Forte is a great choice. Plus, it offers good passenger and cargo space for the class. The Mazda3 offers a more luxurious cabin and better overall performance if you can live with the interior space and less room.
In terms of passenger and cargo space, the Honda Civic is comparable to the Ford Forte, but it offers even better fuel efficiency and handling. Be aware that the Mazda3 and Civic are also more expensive than the Forte, with higher-trim models costing more than $30,000.
What will the 2023 Kia Forte cost?
The base LX model for the 2023 Forte costs $19,490, while the mid-range LXS and GT-Line trims start at $19,990 and $21,690, respectively. The GT variant starts at $24,190, which features a 201-hp engine. Prices for the GT Manual start at $24,890.
Mitsubishi Mirage - $16,125
The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the most affordable new cars in America. The same 78-hp three-cylinder engine powers both the Mirage hatchback and the Mirage G4 sedan. The transmission is a five-speed manual. Our most recent Mirage tester, which had the CVT, took 12.8 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph.
It takes 35.6 seconds to flatten the right pedal to reach 90 mph. The Mirage also needs more than a quarter-mile to reach 75 mph. But the savings are immediate.
Cost based on: $16,125
EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 36/33/41 mpg
10-year/100,000-mile and 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranties available.
Nissan Versa - $16,205
Several safety features are included as standard equipment on the Nissan Versa, including automatic high beams, lane departure warning, and front and rear emergency braking.
The base S model comes with a standard five-speed manual transmission and a 122-hp inline-four engine driving the front wheels.
If it helps, people who spend nearly $20,000 on a Versa SR or SV get the same amount of horsepower, but with a boring CVT. Compared to the CVT’s 40 mpg highway, the manual transmission gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg highway.
Cost based on: $16,205
EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy is 30/27/35 mpg. A
3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty are provided.
2022 Toyota Corolla
Should I buy a Toyota Corolla?
If you’re looking for a new car, the 2022 Toyota Corolla is a viable option. It’s known for its reliability and is a comfortable car to drive. It’s also fuel-efficient and packed with standard safety and technology features.
The Corolla's starting price of around $20,000 is comparable to its competitors in its class. In light of that, you might want to consider the sporty Mazda3, the affordable Kia Forte, the Honda Civic, and the high-end Hyundai Elantra.
What is the price of the Toyota Corolla?
The 2022 Toyota Corolla starts at $20,075, which is about typical for the compact car segment. The top-of-the-line Corolla XSE Apex trim starts at $28,360.
Kia Rio - $17,275
The Kia Rio comes in two body styles. The five-door hatch is $940 more expensive than the sedan. The Rio's sole drivetrain, a 120-horsepower inline-four with a continuously variable transmission, drives only the front wheels.
Its small size makes it fun to drive around curves with good body control, but the slow steering serves as a quick reminder of its low price. With an EPA-estimated 33 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, the Rio is despised at gas stations.
Cost based on: $17,275
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 36/33/41 mpg
Warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Hyundai Accent - $17,690
You may have taken a Hyundai Accent on an Uber ride recently or rented one from an airport, but neither of those experiences will make you want to buy one.
The Accent is driven somewhat by a 120-hp four-cylinder engine and a CVT. One of the slowest cars we tested in 2021 was the top-end Accent, which hit 60 mph in 8.9 seconds.
Base cost: $17,690
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 33/29/39 mpg
10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, 3-year/36,000-mile maintenance-free warranty.
2022 Toyota Prius
Should I buy a Toyota Prius?
If you want a car that’s affordable, fuel efficient, and also has great value, then you should buy a Prius. The base model sells for less than $25,000 and has tons of entertainment and driver-assistance technology.
It's easy to see why the Prius has so much appeal as a commuter or family car when you consider the benefit of a large hatchback cargo area and adult-friendly seating.
What is the price of the Toyota Prius?
One of the most affordable hybrids entering the market is the 2022 Toyota Prius. The MSRP for the base L Eco trim starts at $24,525, while the mid-range trims sell for $25,735 and $28,745. The most expensive Prius Limited costs $32,820.
Subaru Impreza - $19,790
The Subaru Impreza is now the cheapest SUV on the market. A 152-hp flat-four engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission provides power. With an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway fuel economy, its lack of urgency makes for a great fuel economy.
Base cost: $19,790
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/23/31 mpg (manual)
3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty are offered.
Kia Forte - $20,115
The Korean manufacturer's best-selling vehicle is the Kia Forte. The Forte's base engine is a noisy 147-hp unit, but the EPA estimates it gets 41 mpg on the highway.
Additionally, the Forte has a larger fuel tank than the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf, allowing it to travel 490 miles between fill-ups, according to the EPA.
Cost based on: $20,115
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 35/31/41 mpg
Warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Hyundai Venue - $20,245
The subcompact segment is stacked high. While many of them are sleep-inducing, some are great. At least the Hyundai Venue is affordable. A 121-hp four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission provides the power.
Fighting smaller machines seems pointless, but the Venue accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 1.1 seconds less than the more expensive Nissan Kicks and 2.4 seconds less than the Toyota C-HR.
Cost per vehicle: $20,245
EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 31/30/33 mpg
10-year/100,000-mile warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, 3-year/36,000-mile maintenance-free warranty
Kia Soul – $20,505
The only car on this list to earn a top 10 award is the affordable Kia Soul. It has a low price, ample cargo capacity, a 147-hp inline-four engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that doesn’t feel underpowered.
Cost: $20,505
EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy is 27/25/31 mpg (2.0L)
Warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Nissan Sentra - $20,635
The Nissan Sentra has plenty of basic safety features, but it won't blow you away with excitement. Under the hood is a 149-hp inline-four engine and a CVT transmission.
Compared to other vehicles on this list, the latest Sentra we tested sprinted to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds. Even the top-of-the-line Sentra SR starts at less than the base price of a Honda Civic, though it’s not as fun to drive.
Base cost: $20,635
EPA city/highway fuel economy:
33/29/39 mpg 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty are provided.
2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Should I buy a Toyota Corolla Hybrid?
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is a desirable option due to its reasonable starting price, extensive list of standard equipment, and excellent fuel efficiency. Before making any decisions, you should compare the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, both of which are spacious.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid Cost.
One of the most affordable cars in the hybrid class is the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which starts at $23,650. There’s only one trim level and a limited number of packages and add-ons available, so there won’t be many differences in the price of this Toyota.
2022 Hyundai Ioniq
Hyundai Ioniq: Should I Buy It?
If fuel efficiency is at the top of your new car shopping list, you should check out the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq. Compared to almost every other vehicle on the road today, the Ioniq can travel more miles per gallon of gas.
Plus, they're reasonably priced and well-equipped. However, if you're looking for a hybrid with a softer ride, you might want to consider the Honda Insight, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, or the all-new Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.
What is the price of the Hyundai Ioniq?
The base price of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is $23,600, which is among the lowest in its class of hybrids. The base plug-in hybrid model costs $26,800. The top models of both cars cost $31,600 and $33,250, respectively.
2022 Let's go to Rio
Should I buy a Kia Rio?
The Kia Rio stands out from the competition thanks to its attractive features and average starting price. However, before making a final decision, we recommend comparing more complete cars such as the Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent.
What is the price of the Kia Rio?
Starting at $16,150, the 2022 Kia Rio LX sedan is reasonably priced for a subcompact car. Starting at $16,790 is the S sedan. There is only one S trim for the Rio hatchback. It starts at $17,090.
Honda Civic $24,650
The best economy car to buy for 2022 is the Honda Civic, though the revamped compact sedan and hatchback hardly feels or looks like a budget car.
The 11th-generation model replaces the youthful exuberance of the previous generation with a more conservative, confident finish, while the interior ditches tattoos and perforations in favor of a chain strap across the dashboard, sharp but undetectable swathes of metal accents, and an optional 9.0-inch touchscreen.
Hyundai Sonata
The Toyota Prius is no longer the only car with exceptional fuel efficiency. The Prius is one of the best hybrids, but the best hybrids also maintain a level of flair, class and refinement that's missing from Toyota's lackluster cars.
Car Connection had a five-way tie for best hybrid to buy in 2022 based on our reviews, but the Hyundai Sonata wins thanks to its 52 mpg combined EPA rating.
Other Listings Continue Best Economy Car
Toyota Corolla
Subaru Impreza
Hyundai Elantra GT
Mini Coopers
Nissan Sentra SE-R
Honda Civic Hatchback
Honda Accord
Volkswagen Up!
Suzuki Jimny
Ford Fiesta
let's go to rio
Kia Soul
Be aware
Chevrolet Spark
Chevrolet Sonic
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Mazda 3
Saleh Honda
Fiat 500
Jeep Renegade
Toyota Yaris iA
Acura TLX
Hyundai Veloster
BMW i3