🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 17 (from laksa141)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa017.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.motortrend.com/features/cheapest-new-cars\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.motortrend.com/features/cheapest-new-cars\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/cheapest-new-cars","crawl_time":1775533726,"first_indexed_time":1745449746,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,motortrend!www,\/features\/cheapest-new-cars s443","src_root_hash":"13785189125629353417","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Cheapest New Cars for 2025: The Least-Expensive Sedans, SUVs, and Hatchbacks","meta_descriptions":["Using an expansive definition of the word “car” the cheapest new cars list includes options in the sedan, hatchback, and crossover SUV form factors."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Cheapest New Cars for 2025: The 15 Least-Expensive Sedans, SUVs, and Hatchbacks You Can Buy\nSome of the most affordable cars are actually small SUVs, but the cheapest car is still a sedan.\nEven the cheapest new cars are better than they’ve ever been before, and using an expansive definition of the word “cars” the following list includes options in the sedan, hatchback, and\ncrossover SUV\nform factors. For around $25,000 or less, you can get a subcompact or compact vehicle with a practical amount of space, good gas mileage, and\nin many cases excellent driver assistance systems\n. Safety, comfort, and longevity have likely never been better in cheap vehicles than with these affordable runabouts. Here are the 15 most affordable new vehicles for sale in America:\n1. Nissan Versa | $21,130\nThe cheapest car available for 2025 is still a sedan, for now at least: the 2025 Nissan Versa S with an automatic transmission. The Versa was, until recently, even less expensive—by $1,800, to be exact—because it was offered with a manual transmission. But Nissan, citing tariffs and other challenges, dropped that Versa model midway through this year, leaving the pricier Versa S with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the lineup's entry point. It still hangs on as the most affordable new 2025-model-year vehicle available in America, if only just. It's also a competition-free option—the capable\nKia Rio\nand often-maligned\nMitsubishi Mirage\nthat used to compete with the Versa for the hardest-earned dollars of the motoring public have both gone extinct. The Versa is basic indeed, but that doesn’t stop us from liking it (something we couldn’t say for all of its former competitors). Fuel economy isn’t bad at all, it has a sizable trunk for a subcompact sedan, and it’s more car than its price point suggests. It’s even rather comfortable. Just don’t expect it to be quick or quiet.\nRead Our Experts' Full Nissan Versa Review\n2. Hyundai Venue | $21,650\nTo most casual observers, many subcompact SUVs are pretty much small hatchbacks with some extra body armor and maybe a taller roof. The cheapest among them, the 2025 Hyundai Venue, is a good example of this type of vehicle. Lower the body a smidge, and it's a hatchback. Whatever you want to call it, the Venue is incredibly affordable, and its pseudo-mini-SUV styling doesn't scream \"bargain!\" Up close, of course, you can see where Hyundai was able to strip cost out of the Venue—the small engine barely helps it get out of its own way, while interior plastics are clearly from the bottom of the Hyundai barrel. It’s also very small inside. While that small footprint makes it easier to navigate in tight spaces, there are better options for roughly the same price as the Venue, SUV-shaped or otherwise.\nRead Our Experts' Full Hyundai Venue Review\n3. Kia Soul | $21,885\nWhere the Venue feels very cheap inside, the cheapest Kia—the 2025 Kia Soul—does not. And it only costs a few hundred bucks more! The Soul has plenty of space, endearing design, and surprisingly pleasant driving dynamics. Like its hatchback ancestors, the Soul has a surprising amount of interior volume for its diminutive footprint, and in general it provides great value for its sub-$22,000 price. All that said, the base engine is only somewhat quicker than the sluggish Venue's boat anchor—just enough to make merging a nonevent. If you’re not buying a cheap car for its engine or all-wheel-drive (the Soul is front-drive only) but rather for space and style, the Soul is a solid option.\nRead Our Experts' Full Kia Soul Review\n4. Chevrolet Trax | $21,895\nWith a glow-up like few vehicles ever receive, the latest Chevrolet Trax is no longer a dowdy little egg-shaped thing. More shapely and sleeker than before, the Trax is now front-drive only, making it more like a raised hatchback than a true crossover, much like its Kia Soul competitor, and notably larger. That said, on upper trims it still looks SUV-ish with some choice styling cues. Considering its extremely low entry pricing, the Trax drives well, though don’t expect anything approaching sportiness. It’s 1.2-liter base engine can get it going, if only just, but fuel economy lags behind the best in the segment. Interior space isn’t bad, and as is the case with most new vehicles,\nAndroid Auto\nand\nApple CarPlay\ncome standard.\nRead Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trax Review\n5. Nissan Sentra | $22,730\nThe cheapest compact sedan on the market—one size up from the subcompact Versa—is the 2025 Nissan Sentra, though only by a hair. The problem is that while cheaper than vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra, the Sentra lacks general spice. Handling is meh, and so too are the underwhelming safety ratings. Rear passengers will feel the squeeze, unlike the more spacious second rows of rivals. The Sentra looks much more upscale than it is, and fuel economy remains good, but for roughly $23,000 there are options that give you more bang for your buck.\nRead Our Experts' Full Nissan Sentra Review\n6. Nissan Kicks Play | $22,910\nEven though there's an all-new second-generation Kicks out for 2025, Nissan's keeping the last-generation model around as a more affordable price-leader option dubbed the \"Kicks Play.\" This means the Play has pretty much the same positives and negatives as the old Kicks, which was a pretty decent inexpensive SUV option in its day. Unlike with the new Kicks, you can't get all-wheel drive as an option, so every Kicks Play is front-wheel drive. They also come one way, in a single trim level; the new Kicks is offered in several grades. If you really need a cheap SUV and don't mind how familiar the Kicks Play looks, it's not a terrible option—and its 7.0-inch touchscreen includes the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring standard.\nRead Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Play Review\n7. Kia K4 | $23,165\nFresh on the scene and replacing the aging Forte sedan, the 2025 Kia K4 matches bold looks with well-worn powertrains lifted from, well, the old Forte. The cheapest car Kia makes now no longer looks so cheap, though the base model's dynamics and performance don’t quite live up to the snazzy bodywork—most of the lineup is powered by so-so 147-hp 2.0-liter engine, with the more powerful turbo option limited to the most expensive trim level. At least the K4 has a generous amount of interior space and cargo room. There’s also a hatchback version on the way for 2026. For now, though, it slots in as the compact with more room than a Corolla but\nnot quite the same driving fun as the Civic\n.\nRead Our Experts' Full Kia K4 Review\n8. Nissan Kicks | $23,220\nNewly redesigned, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is the second-least expensive SUV Nissan makes (if you count the previous-generation Kicks Play it sells alongside this new model). The updates are massive, making an average duckling into a looker with a better engine and more spacious interior. It comes standard with a range of active driver assists, as well, though that’s about the only feature the base Kicks delivers. Like other small “SUVs,” it compares less than favorably with the best hatchbacks in most metrics, including gas mileage and cargo space. That said, for the those who prefer a slightly higher seating position than a typical car, the Kicks is a genuine competitor, and this new generation finally offers optional all-wheel drive.\nRead Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Review\n9. Hyundai Elantra | $23,320\nOutwardly, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra hardly looks \"basic,\" with highly sculpted surfaces and pointy lighting giving it a stylish, upscale vibe. It also maintains impressive interior dimensions for its small footprint. Yet another compact sedan for a very budget-friendly price, the Elantra gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS while delivering a more audacious look than the Civic. The Elantra is cheapest car (the Venue, remember, is an \"SUV\") Hyundai makes, yet it offers excellent value for the budget.\nRead Our Experts' Full Hyundai Elantra Review\n10. Toyota Corolla | $23,545\nIncredibly efficient and affordable, the 2025 Toyota Corolla understands the cheap-car assignment and it is the cheapest car Toyota builds and also one of the best value propositions. But while the Corolla might make plenty of sense intellectually, the non-\nGR variants\ndon’t exactly stir the soul; the ultra-fuel-efficient hybrid is both affordable and incredibly average to drive. Regular versions get a powerful-for-the-class standard 169-hp 2.0-liter engine, though. Comfortable in the front row, less so in the rear, the Corolla is an ideal commuter car that will get you where you need to go without fail and without draining your wallet. There is a hatchback version, too, but only the hot-to-trot turbocharged GR Corolla hatchback is truly fun to drive.\nRead Our Experts' Full Toyota Corolla Review\n11. Volkswagen Jetta | $23,720\nYou win some and lose some with the mildly updated 2025 Volkswagen Jetta, which offers new bodywork but doesn't really address the sedan's weak engine. That said, this is still an affordable sedan that returns up to 42 mpg on the highway, offers a spacious back seat, and has a reasonable amount of trunk space. Unfortunately, the Jetta’s pricing isn’t competitive enough among its compact competitors, and its driving dynamics are fine for commuting but offer little zest beyond that. The hotted-up (and more expensive) GLI certainly fixes those issues, but the best that can be said for this refreshed base car is that the new interior materials are indeed a step up.\nRead Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Jetta Review\n12. Chevrolet Trailblazer | $24,890\nThe Chevrolet Trailblazer is the cheapest somewhat-real SUV in the Chevy lineup, as it offers the all-wheel-drive option the cheaper Trax does not. If AWD is a must-have in your small Chevy SUV, the 2025 Trailblazer brings plenty of value, looks great, and offers a ton of interior space for the price point. Its base barely-more-than-a-liter I-3 engine is lethargic, and the cabin is loud, but at least fuel economy is decent. If you have the money to option the hands-free liftgate or panoramic roof, those upgrades add appeal, but better all-around options that are larger exist for only slightly more money.\nRead Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trailblazer Review\n13. 2025 Buick Envista | $25,195\nFor those who think the Chevy Trax is great but wish it were slightly more upscale in approach, there’s always the mechanically related 2025 Buick Envista, which makes a strong case for itself for only slightly more dough. The exterior looks slick for something that retails for just above $25,000 and we’ve found the Envista's ride quality and interior comfort to be more than acceptable given its price point. Be advised, though, that the Envista is very slow (even slower than the Trailblazer), its cargo capacity is among the smallest in the segment, and like the Trax, you can’t get it with\nall-wheel drive\n.\nRead Our Experts' Full Buick Envista Review\n14. Mazda 3 | $25,335\nStare long enough at the Mazda 3 sedan, and you'll find yourself wondering how it ended up on this list. The expensive-looking 3 starts at just over $25,000—the even more eye-catching hatchback demands another $1,000—yet looks like it fell out of the luxury class. Inside and out, the 3 comes across as premium and stylish, and it drives smartly, too, though the entry-level engine you get at the Mazda's base price is merely OK. You can spend more money to round out the upscale vibe with available all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, too.\nRead Our Experts' Full Mazda 3 Review\n15. Honda Civic | $25,400\nThe Honda Civic is one of the best all-around vehicles you can buy on a budget, with handsome styling inside and out that should stand the test of time and not appear faddish in ten years. It's also available with fuel-efficient powertrains and a level of engineering you won't find in its competitors. The Civic is solid goods, and for 2025, both the entry-level LX and Sport models get a new 2.0-liter engine with more refinement (but less power!) than before, while the top of the range sees its turbo engine option replaced by a 200-hp hybrid that's both more powerful and way more fuel efficient. You can't go wrong buying a Civic, which is our number-one ranked compact sedan. It's also available as a hatchback with a roomy cargo hold, as well as the sporty manual-transmission Civic Si sedan and track-ready Civic Type R hot hatchback.\nRead Our Experts' Full Honda Civic Review\nCheapest New Cars You Can Buy in 2025\n2025 Nissan Versa | $21,130\n2025 Hyundai Venue | $21,650\n2025 Kia Soul | $21,885\n2025 Chevrolet Trax | $21,895\n2025 Nissan Sentra | $22,730\n2025 Nissan Kicks Play | $22,910\n2025 Kia K4 | $23,165\n2025 Nissan Kicks | $23,220\n2025 Hyundai Elantra | $23,320\n2025 Toyota Corolla Sedan | $23,545\n2025 Volkswagen Jetta | $23,720\n2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer | $24,890\n2025 Buick Envista | $25,195\n2025 Mazda 3 | $25,335\n2025 Honda Civic | $25,400\nStay Ahead of the Curve.\nGet the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox!\nA lifelong car enthusiast, I stumbled into this line of work essentially by accident after discovering a job posting for an intern position at Car and Driver while at college. My start may have been a compelling alternative to working in a University of Michigan dining hall, but a decade and a half later, here I am reviewing cars; judging our Car, Truck, and Performance Vehicle of the Year contests; and shaping MotorTrend’s daily coverage of the automotive industry.\nRead More","attrs_markdown":"![comScore](https:\/\/sb.scorecardresearch.com\/p?c1=2&c2=6035748&cv=3.9.1&cj=1)\n\n- [News](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/news)\n- [Reviews](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/reviews)\n- [Buyer's Guide](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/car-finder)\n- [Events](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/auto-shows)\n\n[Join Newsletter](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/newsletters)\n\n# Cheapest New Cars for 2025: The 15 Least-Expensive Sedans, SUVs, and Hatchbacks You Can Buy\nSome of the most affordable cars are actually small SUVs, but the cheapest car is still a sedan.\n\n[Alexander Stoklosa](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/staff\/alexander-stoklosa)Writer[William Irvin Lewis](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/staff\/william-irvin-lewis)WriterManufacturerPhotographerMotorTrend StaffPhotographer[Ryan Lugo](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/staff\/ryan-lugo)Illustration By\n\nJun 18, 2025\n\nSave\n\n![013 2025 Honda Civic Sport](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/67118741b799c30008338de1\/013-2025-honda-civic-sport.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\nEven the cheapest new cars are better than they’ve ever been before, and using an expansive definition of the word “cars” the following list includes options in the sedan, hatchback, and [crossover SUV](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/cheapest-new-suvs-crossovers) form factors. For around \\$25,000 or less, you can get a subcompact or compact vehicle with a practical amount of space, good gas mileage, and [in many cases excellent driver assistance systems](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/safest-small-suvs). Safety, comfort, and longevity have likely never been better in cheap vehicles than with these affordable runabouts. Here are the 15 most affordable new vehicles for sale in America:\n\nADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\n![1 2025 Nissan Versa front view](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/67636ac80026660008f18aac\/1-2025-nissan-versa-front-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **1\\. Nissan Versa \\| \\$21,130**\nThe cheapest car available for 2025 is still a sedan, for now at least: the 2025 Nissan Versa S with an automatic transmission. The Versa was, until recently, even less expensive—by \\$1,800, to be exact—because it was offered with a manual transmission. But Nissan, citing tariffs and other challenges, dropped that Versa model midway through this year, leaving the pricier Versa S with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the lineup's entry point. It still hangs on as the most affordable new 2025-model-year vehicle available in America, if only just. It's also a competition-free option—the capable [Kia Rio](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/news\/2023-2024-kia-rio-hatchback-discontinued-cheapest-car-dead) and often-maligned [Mitsubishi Mirage](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/news\/2023-2024-kia-rio-hatchback-discontinued-cheapest-car-dead) that used to compete with the Versa for the hardest-earned dollars of the motoring public have both gone extinct. The Versa is basic indeed, but that doesn’t stop us from liking it (something we couldn’t say for all of its former competitors). Fuel economy isn’t bad at all, it has a sizable trunk for a subcompact sedan, and it’s more car than its price point suggests. It’s even rather comfortable. Just don’t expect it to be quick or quiet.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Versa Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/nissan\/versa)**\n\n![005 2025 Hyundai Venue Front Three Quarter Static](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/66bfd24496736e00081ded5c\/005-2025-hyundai-venue-front-three-quarter-static.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **2\\. Hyundai Venue \\| \\$21,650**\nTo most casual observers, many subcompact SUVs are pretty much small hatchbacks with some extra body armor and maybe a taller roof. The cheapest among them, the 2025 Hyundai Venue, is a good example of this type of vehicle. Lower the body a smidge, and it's a hatchback. Whatever you want to call it, the Venue is incredibly affordable, and its pseudo-mini-SUV styling doesn't scream \"bargain!\" Up close, of course, you can see where Hyundai was able to strip cost out of the Venue—the small engine barely helps it get out of its own way, while interior plastics are clearly from the bottom of the Hyundai barrel. It’s also very small inside. While that small footprint makes it easier to navigate in tight spaces, there are better options for roughly the same price as the Venue, SUV-shaped or otherwise.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Venue Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/hyundai\/venue)**\n\nADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\n![2025 Kia Soul front view 49](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/668c55e2ab005c000896a686\/2025-kia-soul-front-view-49.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **3\\. Kia Soul \\| \\$21,885**\nWhere the Venue feels very cheap inside, the cheapest Kia—the 2025 Kia Soul—does not. And it only costs a few hundred bucks more! The Soul has plenty of space, endearing design, and surprisingly pleasant driving dynamics. Like its hatchback ancestors, the Soul has a surprising amount of interior volume for its diminutive footprint, and in general it provides great value for its sub-\\$22,000 price. All that said, the base engine is only somewhat quicker than the sluggish Venue's boat anchor—just enough to make merging a nonevent. If you’re not buying a cheap car for its engine or all-wheel-drive (the Soul is front-drive only) but rather for space and style, the Soul is a solid option.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Kia Soul Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/kia\/soul)**\n\n![001 2025 Chevrolet Trax exterior front view](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/66466c05811993000831eaff\/001-2025-chevrolet-trax-exterior-front-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **4\\. Chevrolet Trax \\| \\$21,895**\nWith a glow-up like few vehicles ever receive, the latest Chevrolet Trax is no longer a dowdy little egg-shaped thing. More shapely and sleeker than before, the Trax is now front-drive only, making it more like a raised hatchback than a true crossover, much like its Kia Soul competitor, and notably larger. That said, on upper trims it still looks SUV-ish with some choice styling cues. Considering its extremely low entry pricing, the Trax drives well, though don’t expect anything approaching sportiness. It’s 1.2-liter base engine can get it going, if only just, but fuel economy lags behind the best in the segment. Interior space isn’t bad, and as is the case with most new vehicles, [Android Auto](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/how-to\/android-auto-how-does-it-work) and [Apple CarPlay](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/how-apple-carplay-works) come standard.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trax Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/chevrolet\/trax)**\n\nADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\n![1 2025 Nissan Sentra SR front view](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/676361824957a90008df5083\/1-2025-nissan-sentra-sr-front-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **5\\. Nissan Sentra \\| \\$22,730**\nThe cheapest compact sedan on the market—one size up from the subcompact Versa—is the 2025 Nissan Sentra, though only by a hair. The problem is that while cheaper than vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra, the Sentra lacks general spice. Handling is meh, and so too are the underwhelming safety ratings. Rear passengers will feel the squeeze, unlike the more spacious second rows of rivals. The Sentra looks much more upscale than it is, and fuel economy remains good, but for roughly \\$23,000 there are options that give you more bang for your buck.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Sentra Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/nissan\/sentra)**\n\n![1 2025 Nissan Kicks Play front view](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/67f42c8bfbcb060008f83601\/1-2025-nissan-kicks-play-front-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **6\\. Nissan Kicks Play \\| \\$22,910**\nEven though there's an all-new second-generation Kicks out for 2025, Nissan's keeping the last-generation model around as a more affordable price-leader option dubbed the \"Kicks Play.\" This means the Play has pretty much the same positives and negatives as the old Kicks, which was a pretty decent inexpensive SUV option in its day. Unlike with the new Kicks, you can't get all-wheel drive as an option, so every Kicks Play is front-wheel drive. They also come one way, in a single trim level; the new Kicks is offered in several grades. If you really need a cheap SUV and don't mind how familiar the Kicks Play looks, it's not a terrible option—and its 7.0-inch touchscreen includes the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring standard.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Play Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/nissan\/kicks-play)**\n\nADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\n![001 2025 Kia K4 GT Line Lead](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/6705c621bfe52900084eb2d9\/001-2025-kia-k4-gt-line-lead.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **7\\. Kia K4 \\| \\$23,165**\nFresh on the scene and replacing the aging Forte sedan, the 2025 Kia K4 matches bold looks with well-worn powertrains lifted from, well, the old Forte. The cheapest car Kia makes now no longer looks so cheap, though the base model's dynamics and performance don’t quite live up to the snazzy bodywork—most of the lineup is powered by so-so 147-hp 2.0-liter engine, with the more powerful turbo option limited to the most expensive trim level. At least the K4 has a generous amount of interior space and cargo room. There’s also a hatchback version on the way for 2026. For now, though, it slots in as the compact with more room than a Corolla but [not quite the same driving fun as the Civic](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/reviews\/2025-honda-civic-hybrid-vs-kia-k4-comparison-test-review).\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Kia K4 Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/kia\/k4)**\n\n![006 2025 Nissan Kicks Front Three Quarter](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/67fe9c0884de380008bdc7a8\/006-2025-nissan-kicks-front-three-quarter.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **8\\. Nissan Kicks \\| \\$23,220**\nNewly redesigned, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is the second-least expensive SUV Nissan makes (if you count the previous-generation Kicks Play it sells alongside this new model). The updates are massive, making an average duckling into a looker with a better engine and more spacious interior. It comes standard with a range of active driver assists, as well, though that’s about the only feature the base Kicks delivers. Like other small “SUVs,” it compares less than favorably with the best hatchbacks in most metrics, including gas mileage and cargo space. That said, for the those who prefer a slightly higher seating position than a typical car, the Kicks is a genuine competitor, and this new generation finally offers optional all-wheel drive.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/nissan\/kicks)**\n\nADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\n![2025 Hyundai Elantra sedan](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/6839cc6968e67e00082737e8\/2025hyundaielantrasedan.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **9\\. Hyundai Elantra \\| \\$23,320**\nOutwardly, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra hardly looks \"basic,\" with highly sculpted surfaces and pointy lighting giving it a stylish, upscale vibe. It also maintains impressive interior dimensions for its small footprint. Yet another compact sedan for a very budget-friendly price, the Elantra gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS while delivering a more audacious look than the Civic. The Elantra is cheapest car (the Venue, remember, is an \"SUV\") Hyundai makes, yet it offers excellent value for the budget.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Elantra Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/hyundai\/elantra)**\n\n![001 2025 Toyota Corolla FX Lead](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/680a9c93e126350008309198\/001-2025-toyota-corolla-fx-lead.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **10\\. Toyota Corolla \\| \\$23,545**\nIncredibly efficient and affordable, the 2025 Toyota Corolla understands the cheap-car assignment and it is the cheapest car Toyota builds and also one of the best value propositions. But while the Corolla might make plenty of sense intellectually, the non-[GR variants](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/reviews\/2025-toyota-gr-corolla-automatic-transmission-first-drive-review) don’t exactly stir the soul; the ultra-fuel-efficient hybrid is both affordable and incredibly average to drive. Regular versions get a powerful-for-the-class standard 169-hp 2.0-liter engine, though. Comfortable in the front row, less so in the rear, the Corolla is an ideal commuter car that will get you where you need to go without fail and without draining your wallet. There is a hatchback version, too, but only the hot-to-trot turbocharged GR Corolla hatchback is truly fun to drive.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Toyota Corolla Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/toyota\/corolla\/2025)**\n\nADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\n![010 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/68018773fefe760008830ecf\/010-2025-volkswagen-jetta-sel.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **11\\. Volkswagen Jetta \\| \\$23,720**\nYou win some and lose some with the mildly updated 2025 Volkswagen Jetta, which offers new bodywork but doesn't really address the sedan's weak engine. That said, this is still an affordable sedan that returns up to 42 mpg on the highway, offers a spacious back seat, and has a reasonable amount of trunk space. Unfortunately, the Jetta’s pricing isn’t competitive enough among its compact competitors, and its driving dynamics are fine for commuting but offer little zest beyond that. The hotted-up (and more expensive) GLI certainly fixes those issues, but the best that can be said for this refreshed base car is that the new interior materials are indeed a step up.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Jetta Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/volkswagen\/jetta)**\n\n![3 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer side view](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/6685e049ff20c0000906765e\/3-2025-chevrolet-trailblazer-side-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **12\\. Chevrolet Trailblazer \\| \\$24,890**\nThe Chevrolet Trailblazer is the cheapest somewhat-real SUV in the Chevy lineup, as it offers the all-wheel-drive option the cheaper Trax does not. If AWD is a must-have in your small Chevy SUV, the 2025 Trailblazer brings plenty of value, looks great, and offers a ton of interior space for the price point. Its base barely-more-than-a-liter I-3 engine is lethargic, and the cabin is loud, but at least fuel economy is decent. If you have the money to option the hands-free liftgate or panoramic roof, those upgrades add appeal, but better all-around options that are larger exist for only slightly more money.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trailblazer Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/chevrolet\/trailblazer)**\n\nADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\n![15 2025 Buick Envista ST rear view](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/67f03eb050860a0008c91eb4\/15-2025-buick-envista-st-rear-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **13\\. 2025 Buick Envista \\| \\$25,195**\nFor those who think the Chevy Trax is great but wish it were slightly more upscale in approach, there’s always the mechanically related 2025 Buick Envista, which makes a strong case for itself for only slightly more dough. The exterior looks slick for something that retails for just above \\$25,000 and we’ve found the Envista's ride quality and interior comfort to be more than acceptable given its price point. Be advised, though, that the Envista is very slow (even slower than the Trailblazer), its cargo capacity is among the smallest in the segment, and like the Trax, you can’t get it with [all-wheel drive](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/awd-vs-fwd-vs-rwd-which-wheel-drive-is-best).\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Buick Envista Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/buick\/envista\/2025)**\n\n![2025 Mazda 3 sedan](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/67c9e38f0b4eae0008c353b1\/2025mazda3sedan.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **14\\. Mazda 3 \\| \\$25,335**\nStare long enough at the Mazda 3 sedan, and you'll find yourself wondering how it ended up on this list. The expensive-looking 3 starts at just over \\$25,000—the even more eye-catching hatchback demands another \\$1,000—yet looks like it fell out of the luxury class. Inside and out, the 3 comes across as premium and stylish, and it drives smartly, too, though the entry-level engine you get at the Mazda's base price is merely OK. You can spend more money to round out the upscale vibe with available all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, too.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Mazda 3 Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/mazda\/mazda3)**\n\nADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\n![012 2025 Honda Civic Sport](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/6711873e8a5ca700082c4c4d\/012-2025-honda-civic-sport.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### **15\\. Honda Civic \\| \\$25,400**\nThe Honda Civic is one of the best all-around vehicles you can buy on a budget, with handsome styling inside and out that should stand the test of time and not appear faddish in ten years. It's also available with fuel-efficient powertrains and a level of engineering you won't find in its competitors. The Civic is solid goods, and for 2025, both the entry-level LX and Sport models get a new 2.0-liter engine with more refinement (but less power!) than before, while the top of the range sees its turbo engine option replaced by a 200-hp hybrid that's both more powerful and way more fuel efficient. You can't go wrong buying a Civic, which is our number-one ranked compact sedan. It's also available as a hatchback with a roomy cargo hold, as well as the sporty manual-transmission Civic Si sedan and track-ready Civic Type R hot hatchback.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Honda Civic Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/honda\/civic)**\n\n![2024 Nissan Versa SR side view 1](https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/mtg-prod\/65a4d389fc591800081606af\/2024-nissan-versa-sr-side-view-1.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp)\n\n### Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy in 2025\n1. 2025 Nissan Versa \\| \\$21,130\n2. 2025 Hyundai Venue \\| \\$21,650\n3. 2025 Kia Soul \\| \\$21,885\n4. 2025 Chevrolet Trax \\| \\$21,895\n5. 2025 Nissan Sentra \\| \\$22,730\n6. 2025 Nissan Kicks Play \\| \\$22,910\n7. 2025 Kia K4 \\| \\$23,165\n8. 2025 Nissan Kicks \\| \\$23,220\n9. 2025 Hyundai Elantra \\| \\$23,320\n10. 2025 Toyota Corolla Sedan \\| \\$23,545\n11. 2025 Volkswagen Jetta \\| \\$23,720\n12. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer \\| \\$24,890\n13. 2025 Buick Envista \\| \\$25,195\n14. 2025 Mazda 3 \\| \\$25,335\n15. 2025 Honda Civic \\| \\$25,400\n\n## Stay Ahead of the Curve.\nGet the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox\\!\n\n[Alexander Stoklosa](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/staff\/alexander-stoklosa)\n\nA lifelong car enthusiast, I stumbled into this line of work essentially by accident after discovering a job posting for an intern position at Car and Driver while at college. My start may have been a compelling alternative to working in a University of Michigan dining hall, but a decade and a half later, here I am reviewing cars; judging our Car, Truck, and Performance Vehicle of the Year contests; and shaping MotorTrend’s daily coverage of the automotive industry.\n\n[Read More](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/staff\/alexander-stoklosa)\n###### Share\n## You May Also Like\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/about-us)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/about-us\/contact-us)\n- [Staff](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/staff)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/newsletters)\n- [Automobile Magazine](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/automobile-magazine)\n- [MotorTrend](https:\/\/motortrend.com\/)\n- [Truck Trend](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/truck-trend)\n- [Four Wheeler](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/four-wheeler-magazine)\n- [Super Street](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/super-street-online)\n- [Advertise With Us](https:\/\/advertising.hearstmagazines.com\/brands\/motortrend)\n- [Reprints\/Permissions](https:\/\/info.wrightsmedia.com\/motortrend-licensing-permissions)\n- [Hearst Autos](https:\/\/www.hearstautos.com\/)\n- [Car Comparison Tool](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/compare-cars)\n- [Car Research](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars)\n- [Car Finder](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/car-finder)\n- [Best SUVs](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/rankings\/suvs)\n- [Best Sedans](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/rankings\/sedans)\n- [Best Trucks](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/rankings\/pickup-trucks)\n- [Best Hybrids](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/rankings\/hybrid-cars)\n- [Best Electric Cars](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/rankings\/electric-cars)\n\nJoin Newsletter\n\nSubscribe to our newsletters to get the latest in car news and have editor curated stories sent directly to your inbox.\n\n[Explore Offerings](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/newsletters)\n\nA Part of Hearst Digital Media\n\n©2026 Hearst Autos, Inc. All Rights Reserved.\n\n- [Privacy Notice](https:\/\/www.hearst.com\/-\/us-magazines-privacy-notice)\n- [CA Notice at Collection](https:\/\/www.hearst.com\/-\/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_ADDITIONAL_INFO)\n- [Your CA Privacy Rights\/Shine the Light](https:\/\/www.hearst.com\/-\/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_ADDITIONAL_INFO)\n- [DAA Industry Opt Out](https:\/\/www.hearst.com\/-\/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_OPT_OUTS)\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.hearst.com\/-\/us-magazines-terms-of-use)\n\nReport Issue\n\nFollow us","attrs_readable_markdown":"## Cheapest New Cars for 2025: The 15 Least-Expensive Sedans, SUVs, and Hatchbacks You Can Buy\nSome of the most affordable cars are actually small SUVs, but the cheapest car is still a sedan.\n\nEven the cheapest new cars are better than they’ve ever been before, and using an expansive definition of the word “cars” the following list includes options in the sedan, hatchback, and [crossover SUV](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/cheapest-new-suvs-crossovers) form factors. For around \\$25,000 or less, you can get a subcompact or compact vehicle with a practical amount of space, good gas mileage, and [in many cases excellent driver assistance systems](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/safest-small-suvs). Safety, comfort, and longevity have likely never been better in cheap vehicles than with these affordable runabouts. Here are the 15 most affordable new vehicles for sale in America:\n\n### **1\\. Nissan Versa \\| \\$21,130**\nThe cheapest car available for 2025 is still a sedan, for now at least: the 2025 Nissan Versa S with an automatic transmission. The Versa was, until recently, even less expensive—by \\$1,800, to be exact—because it was offered with a manual transmission. But Nissan, citing tariffs and other challenges, dropped that Versa model midway through this year, leaving the pricier Versa S with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the lineup's entry point. It still hangs on as the most affordable new 2025-model-year vehicle available in America, if only just. It's also a competition-free option—the capable [Kia Rio](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/news\/2023-2024-kia-rio-hatchback-discontinued-cheapest-car-dead) and often-maligned [Mitsubishi Mirage](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/news\/2023-2024-kia-rio-hatchback-discontinued-cheapest-car-dead) that used to compete with the Versa for the hardest-earned dollars of the motoring public have both gone extinct. The Versa is basic indeed, but that doesn’t stop us from liking it (something we couldn’t say for all of its former competitors). Fuel economy isn’t bad at all, it has a sizable trunk for a subcompact sedan, and it’s more car than its price point suggests. It’s even rather comfortable. Just don’t expect it to be quick or quiet.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Versa Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/nissan\/versa)**\n\n### **2\\. Hyundai Venue \\| \\$21,650**\nTo most casual observers, many subcompact SUVs are pretty much small hatchbacks with some extra body armor and maybe a taller roof. The cheapest among them, the 2025 Hyundai Venue, is a good example of this type of vehicle. Lower the body a smidge, and it's a hatchback. Whatever you want to call it, the Venue is incredibly affordable, and its pseudo-mini-SUV styling doesn't scream \"bargain!\" Up close, of course, you can see where Hyundai was able to strip cost out of the Venue—the small engine barely helps it get out of its own way, while interior plastics are clearly from the bottom of the Hyundai barrel. It’s also very small inside. While that small footprint makes it easier to navigate in tight spaces, there are better options for roughly the same price as the Venue, SUV-shaped or otherwise.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Venue Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/hyundai\/venue)**\n\n### **3\\. Kia Soul \\| \\$21,885**\nWhere the Venue feels very cheap inside, the cheapest Kia—the 2025 Kia Soul—does not. And it only costs a few hundred bucks more! The Soul has plenty of space, endearing design, and surprisingly pleasant driving dynamics. Like its hatchback ancestors, the Soul has a surprising amount of interior volume for its diminutive footprint, and in general it provides great value for its sub-\\$22,000 price. All that said, the base engine is only somewhat quicker than the sluggish Venue's boat anchor—just enough to make merging a nonevent. If you’re not buying a cheap car for its engine or all-wheel-drive (the Soul is front-drive only) but rather for space and style, the Soul is a solid option.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Kia Soul Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/kia\/soul)**\n\n### **4\\. Chevrolet Trax \\| \\$21,895**\nWith a glow-up like few vehicles ever receive, the latest Chevrolet Trax is no longer a dowdy little egg-shaped thing. More shapely and sleeker than before, the Trax is now front-drive only, making it more like a raised hatchback than a true crossover, much like its Kia Soul competitor, and notably larger. That said, on upper trims it still looks SUV-ish with some choice styling cues. Considering its extremely low entry pricing, the Trax drives well, though don’t expect anything approaching sportiness. It’s 1.2-liter base engine can get it going, if only just, but fuel economy lags behind the best in the segment. Interior space isn’t bad, and as is the case with most new vehicles, [Android Auto](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/how-to\/android-auto-how-does-it-work) and [Apple CarPlay](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/how-apple-carplay-works) come standard.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trax Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/chevrolet\/trax)**\n\n### **5\\. Nissan Sentra \\| \\$22,730**\nThe cheapest compact sedan on the market—one size up from the subcompact Versa—is the 2025 Nissan Sentra, though only by a hair. The problem is that while cheaper than vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra, the Sentra lacks general spice. Handling is meh, and so too are the underwhelming safety ratings. Rear passengers will feel the squeeze, unlike the more spacious second rows of rivals. The Sentra looks much more upscale than it is, and fuel economy remains good, but for roughly \\$23,000 there are options that give you more bang for your buck.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Sentra Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/nissan\/sentra)**\n\n### **6\\. Nissan Kicks Play \\| \\$22,910**\nEven though there's an all-new second-generation Kicks out for 2025, Nissan's keeping the last-generation model around as a more affordable price-leader option dubbed the \"Kicks Play.\" This means the Play has pretty much the same positives and negatives as the old Kicks, which was a pretty decent inexpensive SUV option in its day. Unlike with the new Kicks, you can't get all-wheel drive as an option, so every Kicks Play is front-wheel drive. They also come one way, in a single trim level; the new Kicks is offered in several grades. If you really need a cheap SUV and don't mind how familiar the Kicks Play looks, it's not a terrible option—and its 7.0-inch touchscreen includes the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring standard.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Play Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/nissan\/kicks-play)**\n\n### **7\\. Kia K4 \\| \\$23,165**\nFresh on the scene and replacing the aging Forte sedan, the 2025 Kia K4 matches bold looks with well-worn powertrains lifted from, well, the old Forte. The cheapest car Kia makes now no longer looks so cheap, though the base model's dynamics and performance don’t quite live up to the snazzy bodywork—most of the lineup is powered by so-so 147-hp 2.0-liter engine, with the more powerful turbo option limited to the most expensive trim level. At least the K4 has a generous amount of interior space and cargo room. There’s also a hatchback version on the way for 2026. For now, though, it slots in as the compact with more room than a Corolla but [not quite the same driving fun as the Civic](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/reviews\/2025-honda-civic-hybrid-vs-kia-k4-comparison-test-review).\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Kia K4 Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/kia\/k4)**\n\n### **8\\. Nissan Kicks \\| \\$23,220**\nNewly redesigned, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is the second-least expensive SUV Nissan makes (if you count the previous-generation Kicks Play it sells alongside this new model). The updates are massive, making an average duckling into a looker with a better engine and more spacious interior. It comes standard with a range of active driver assists, as well, though that’s about the only feature the base Kicks delivers. Like other small “SUVs,” it compares less than favorably with the best hatchbacks in most metrics, including gas mileage and cargo space. That said, for the those who prefer a slightly higher seating position than a typical car, the Kicks is a genuine competitor, and this new generation finally offers optional all-wheel drive.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/nissan\/kicks)**\n\n### **9\\. Hyundai Elantra \\| \\$23,320**\nOutwardly, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra hardly looks \"basic,\" with highly sculpted surfaces and pointy lighting giving it a stylish, upscale vibe. It also maintains impressive interior dimensions for its small footprint. Yet another compact sedan for a very budget-friendly price, the Elantra gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS while delivering a more audacious look than the Civic. The Elantra is cheapest car (the Venue, remember, is an \"SUV\") Hyundai makes, yet it offers excellent value for the budget.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Elantra Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/hyundai\/elantra)**\n\n### **10\\. Toyota Corolla \\| \\$23,545**\nIncredibly efficient and affordable, the 2025 Toyota Corolla understands the cheap-car assignment and it is the cheapest car Toyota builds and also one of the best value propositions. But while the Corolla might make plenty of sense intellectually, the non-[GR variants](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/reviews\/2025-toyota-gr-corolla-automatic-transmission-first-drive-review) don’t exactly stir the soul; the ultra-fuel-efficient hybrid is both affordable and incredibly average to drive. Regular versions get a powerful-for-the-class standard 169-hp 2.0-liter engine, though. Comfortable in the front row, less so in the rear, the Corolla is an ideal commuter car that will get you where you need to go without fail and without draining your wallet. There is a hatchback version, too, but only the hot-to-trot turbocharged GR Corolla hatchback is truly fun to drive.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Toyota Corolla Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/toyota\/corolla\/2025)**\n\n### **11\\. Volkswagen Jetta \\| \\$23,720**\nYou win some and lose some with the mildly updated 2025 Volkswagen Jetta, which offers new bodywork but doesn't really address the sedan's weak engine. That said, this is still an affordable sedan that returns up to 42 mpg on the highway, offers a spacious back seat, and has a reasonable amount of trunk space. Unfortunately, the Jetta’s pricing isn’t competitive enough among its compact competitors, and its driving dynamics are fine for commuting but offer little zest beyond that. The hotted-up (and more expensive) GLI certainly fixes those issues, but the best that can be said for this refreshed base car is that the new interior materials are indeed a step up.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Jetta Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/volkswagen\/jetta)**\n\n### **12\\. Chevrolet Trailblazer \\| \\$24,890**\nThe Chevrolet Trailblazer is the cheapest somewhat-real SUV in the Chevy lineup, as it offers the all-wheel-drive option the cheaper Trax does not. If AWD is a must-have in your small Chevy SUV, the 2025 Trailblazer brings plenty of value, looks great, and offers a ton of interior space for the price point. Its base barely-more-than-a-liter I-3 engine is lethargic, and the cabin is loud, but at least fuel economy is decent. If you have the money to option the hands-free liftgate or panoramic roof, those upgrades add appeal, but better all-around options that are larger exist for only slightly more money.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trailblazer Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/chevrolet\/trailblazer)**\n\n### **13\\. 2025 Buick Envista \\| \\$25,195**\nFor those who think the Chevy Trax is great but wish it were slightly more upscale in approach, there’s always the mechanically related 2025 Buick Envista, which makes a strong case for itself for only slightly more dough. The exterior looks slick for something that retails for just above \\$25,000 and we’ve found the Envista's ride quality and interior comfort to be more than acceptable given its price point. Be advised, though, that the Envista is very slow (even slower than the Trailblazer), its cargo capacity is among the smallest in the segment, and like the Trax, you can’t get it with [all-wheel drive](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/features\/awd-vs-fwd-vs-rwd-which-wheel-drive-is-best).\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Buick Envista Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/buick\/envista\/2025)**\n\n### **14\\. Mazda 3 \\| \\$25,335**\nStare long enough at the Mazda 3 sedan, and you'll find yourself wondering how it ended up on this list. The expensive-looking 3 starts at just over \\$25,000—the even more eye-catching hatchback demands another \\$1,000—yet looks like it fell out of the luxury class. Inside and out, the 3 comes across as premium and stylish, and it drives smartly, too, though the entry-level engine you get at the Mazda's base price is merely OK. You can spend more money to round out the upscale vibe with available all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, too.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Mazda 3 Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/mazda\/mazda3)**\n\n### **15\\. Honda Civic \\| \\$25,400**\nThe Honda Civic is one of the best all-around vehicles you can buy on a budget, with handsome styling inside and out that should stand the test of time and not appear faddish in ten years. It's also available with fuel-efficient powertrains and a level of engineering you won't find in its competitors. The Civic is solid goods, and for 2025, both the entry-level LX and Sport models get a new 2.0-liter engine with more refinement (but less power!) than before, while the top of the range sees its turbo engine option replaced by a 200-hp hybrid that's both more powerful and way more fuel efficient. You can't go wrong buying a Civic, which is our number-one ranked compact sedan. It's also available as a hatchback with a roomy cargo hold, as well as the sporty manual-transmission Civic Si sedan and track-ready Civic Type R hot hatchback.\n\n**[Read Our Experts' Full Honda Civic Review](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/cars\/honda\/civic)**\n### Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy in 2025\n1. 2025 Nissan Versa \\| \\$21,130\n2. 2025 Hyundai Venue \\| \\$21,650\n3. 2025 Kia Soul \\| \\$21,885\n4. 2025 Chevrolet Trax \\| \\$21,895\n5. 2025 Nissan Sentra \\| \\$22,730\n6. 2025 Nissan Kicks Play \\| \\$22,910\n7. 2025 Kia K4 \\| \\$23,165\n8. 2025 Nissan Kicks \\| \\$23,220\n9. 2025 Hyundai Elantra \\| \\$23,320\n10. 2025 Toyota Corolla Sedan \\| \\$23,545\n11. 2025 Volkswagen Jetta \\| \\$23,720\n12. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer \\| \\$24,890\n13. 2025 Buick Envista \\| \\$25,195\n14. 2025 Mazda 3 \\| \\$25,335\n15. 2025 Honda Civic \\| \\$25,400\n\n## Stay Ahead of the Curve.\nGet the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox\\!\n\nA lifelong car enthusiast, I stumbled into this line of work essentially by accident after discovering a job posting for an intern position at Car and Driver while at college. My start may have been a compelling alternative to working in a University of Michigan dining hall, but a decade and a half later, here I am reviewing cars; judging our Car, Truck, and Performance Vehicle of the Year contests; and shaping MotorTrend’s daily coverage of the automotive industry.\n\n[Read More](https:\/\/www.motortrend.com\/staff\/alexander-stoklosa)","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

20 hours ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.motortrend.com/features/cheapest-new-cars
Last Crawled	2026-04-07 03:48:46 (20 hours ago)
First Indexed	2025-04-23 23:09:06 (11 months ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Cheapest New Cars for 2025: The Least-Expensive Sedans, SUVs, and Hatchbacks
Meta Description	Using an expansive definition of the word “car” the cheapest new cars list includes options in the sedan, hatchback, and crossover SUV form factors.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Cheapest New Cars for 2025: The 15 Least-Expensive Sedans, SUVs, and Hatchbacks You Can Buy Some of the most affordable cars are actually small SUVs, but the cheapest car is still a sedan. Even the cheapest new cars are better than they’ve ever been before, and using an expansive definition of the word “cars” the following list includes options in the sedan, hatchback, and crossover SUV form factors. For around $25,000 or less, you can get a subcompact or compact vehicle with a practical amount of space, good gas mileage, and in many cases excellent driver assistance systems . Safety, comfort, and longevity have likely never been better in cheap vehicles than with these affordable runabouts. Here are the 15 most affordable new vehicles for sale in America: 1. Nissan Versa \| $21,130 The cheapest car available for 2025 is still a sedan, for now at least: the 2025 Nissan Versa S with an automatic transmission. The Versa was, until recently, even less expensive—by $1,800, to be exact—because it was offered with a manual transmission. But Nissan, citing tariffs and other challenges, dropped that Versa model midway through this year, leaving the pricier Versa S with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the lineup's entry point. It still hangs on as the most affordable new 2025-model-year vehicle available in America, if only just. It's also a competition-free option—the capable Kia Rio and often-maligned Mitsubishi Mirage that used to compete with the Versa for the hardest-earned dollars of the motoring public have both gone extinct. The Versa is basic indeed, but that doesn’t stop us from liking it (something we couldn’t say for all of its former competitors). Fuel economy isn’t bad at all, it has a sizable trunk for a subcompact sedan, and it’s more car than its price point suggests. It’s even rather comfortable. Just don’t expect it to be quick or quiet. Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Versa Review 2. Hyundai Venue \| $21,650 To most casual observers, many subcompact SUVs are pretty much small hatchbacks with some extra body armor and maybe a taller roof. The cheapest among them, the 2025 Hyundai Venue, is a good example of this type of vehicle. Lower the body a smidge, and it's a hatchback. Whatever you want to call it, the Venue is incredibly affordable, and its pseudo-mini-SUV styling doesn't scream "bargain!" Up close, of course, you can see where Hyundai was able to strip cost out of the Venue—the small engine barely helps it get out of its own way, while interior plastics are clearly from the bottom of the Hyundai barrel. It’s also very small inside. While that small footprint makes it easier to navigate in tight spaces, there are better options for roughly the same price as the Venue, SUV-shaped or otherwise. Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Venue Review 3. Kia Soul \| $21,885 Where the Venue feels very cheap inside, the cheapest Kia—the 2025 Kia Soul—does not. And it only costs a few hundred bucks more! The Soul has plenty of space, endearing design, and surprisingly pleasant driving dynamics. Like its hatchback ancestors, the Soul has a surprising amount of interior volume for its diminutive footprint, and in general it provides great value for its sub-$22,000 price. All that said, the base engine is only somewhat quicker than the sluggish Venue's boat anchor—just enough to make merging a nonevent. If you’re not buying a cheap car for its engine or all-wheel-drive (the Soul is front-drive only) but rather for space and style, the Soul is a solid option. Read Our Experts' Full Kia Soul Review 4. Chevrolet Trax \| $21,895 With a glow-up like few vehicles ever receive, the latest Chevrolet Trax is no longer a dowdy little egg-shaped thing. More shapely and sleeker than before, the Trax is now front-drive only, making it more like a raised hatchback than a true crossover, much like its Kia Soul competitor, and notably larger. That said, on upper trims it still looks SUV-ish with some choice styling cues. Considering its extremely low entry pricing, the Trax drives well, though don’t expect anything approaching sportiness. It’s 1.2-liter base engine can get it going, if only just, but fuel economy lags behind the best in the segment. Interior space isn’t bad, and as is the case with most new vehicles, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard. Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trax Review 5. Nissan Sentra \| $22,730 The cheapest compact sedan on the market—one size up from the subcompact Versa—is the 2025 Nissan Sentra, though only by a hair. The problem is that while cheaper than vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra, the Sentra lacks general spice. Handling is meh, and so too are the underwhelming safety ratings. Rear passengers will feel the squeeze, unlike the more spacious second rows of rivals. The Sentra looks much more upscale than it is, and fuel economy remains good, but for roughly $23,000 there are options that give you more bang for your buck. Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Sentra Review 6. Nissan Kicks Play \| $22,910 Even though there's an all-new second-generation Kicks out for 2025, Nissan's keeping the last-generation model around as a more affordable price-leader option dubbed the "Kicks Play." This means the Play has pretty much the same positives and negatives as the old Kicks, which was a pretty decent inexpensive SUV option in its day. Unlike with the new Kicks, you can't get all-wheel drive as an option, so every Kicks Play is front-wheel drive. They also come one way, in a single trim level; the new Kicks is offered in several grades. If you really need a cheap SUV and don't mind how familiar the Kicks Play looks, it's not a terrible option—and its 7.0-inch touchscreen includes the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring standard. Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Play Review 7. Kia K4 \| $23,165 Fresh on the scene and replacing the aging Forte sedan, the 2025 Kia K4 matches bold looks with well-worn powertrains lifted from, well, the old Forte. The cheapest car Kia makes now no longer looks so cheap, though the base model's dynamics and performance don’t quite live up to the snazzy bodywork—most of the lineup is powered by so-so 147-hp 2.0-liter engine, with the more powerful turbo option limited to the most expensive trim level. At least the K4 has a generous amount of interior space and cargo room. There’s also a hatchback version on the way for 2026. For now, though, it slots in as the compact with more room than a Corolla but not quite the same driving fun as the Civic . Read Our Experts' Full Kia K4 Review 8. Nissan Kicks \| $23,220 Newly redesigned, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is the second-least expensive SUV Nissan makes (if you count the previous-generation Kicks Play it sells alongside this new model). The updates are massive, making an average duckling into a looker with a better engine and more spacious interior. It comes standard with a range of active driver assists, as well, though that’s about the only feature the base Kicks delivers. Like other small “SUVs,” it compares less than favorably with the best hatchbacks in most metrics, including gas mileage and cargo space. That said, for the those who prefer a slightly higher seating position than a typical car, the Kicks is a genuine competitor, and this new generation finally offers optional all-wheel drive. Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Review 9. Hyundai Elantra \| $23,320 Outwardly, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra hardly looks "basic," with highly sculpted surfaces and pointy lighting giving it a stylish, upscale vibe. It also maintains impressive interior dimensions for its small footprint. Yet another compact sedan for a very budget-friendly price, the Elantra gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS while delivering a more audacious look than the Civic. The Elantra is cheapest car (the Venue, remember, is an "SUV") Hyundai makes, yet it offers excellent value for the budget. Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Elantra Review 10. Toyota Corolla \| $23,545 Incredibly efficient and affordable, the 2025 Toyota Corolla understands the cheap-car assignment and it is the cheapest car Toyota builds and also one of the best value propositions. But while the Corolla might make plenty of sense intellectually, the non- GR variants don’t exactly stir the soul; the ultra-fuel-efficient hybrid is both affordable and incredibly average to drive. Regular versions get a powerful-for-the-class standard 169-hp 2.0-liter engine, though. Comfortable in the front row, less so in the rear, the Corolla is an ideal commuter car that will get you where you need to go without fail and without draining your wallet. There is a hatchback version, too, but only the hot-to-trot turbocharged GR Corolla hatchback is truly fun to drive. Read Our Experts' Full Toyota Corolla Review 11. Volkswagen Jetta \| $23,720 You win some and lose some with the mildly updated 2025 Volkswagen Jetta, which offers new bodywork but doesn't really address the sedan's weak engine. That said, this is still an affordable sedan that returns up to 42 mpg on the highway, offers a spacious back seat, and has a reasonable amount of trunk space. Unfortunately, the Jetta’s pricing isn’t competitive enough among its compact competitors, and its driving dynamics are fine for commuting but offer little zest beyond that. The hotted-up (and more expensive) GLI certainly fixes those issues, but the best that can be said for this refreshed base car is that the new interior materials are indeed a step up. Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Jetta Review 12. Chevrolet Trailblazer \| $24,890 The Chevrolet Trailblazer is the cheapest somewhat-real SUV in the Chevy lineup, as it offers the all-wheel-drive option the cheaper Trax does not. If AWD is a must-have in your small Chevy SUV, the 2025 Trailblazer brings plenty of value, looks great, and offers a ton of interior space for the price point. Its base barely-more-than-a-liter I-3 engine is lethargic, and the cabin is loud, but at least fuel economy is decent. If you have the money to option the hands-free liftgate or panoramic roof, those upgrades add appeal, but better all-around options that are larger exist for only slightly more money. Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trailblazer Review 13. 2025 Buick Envista \| $25,195 For those who think the Chevy Trax is great but wish it were slightly more upscale in approach, there’s always the mechanically related 2025 Buick Envista, which makes a strong case for itself for only slightly more dough. The exterior looks slick for something that retails for just above $25,000 and we’ve found the Envista's ride quality and interior comfort to be more than acceptable given its price point. Be advised, though, that the Envista is very slow (even slower than the Trailblazer), its cargo capacity is among the smallest in the segment, and like the Trax, you can’t get it with all-wheel drive . Read Our Experts' Full Buick Envista Review 14. Mazda 3 \| $25,335 Stare long enough at the Mazda 3 sedan, and you'll find yourself wondering how it ended up on this list. The expensive-looking 3 starts at just over $25,000—the even more eye-catching hatchback demands another $1,000—yet looks like it fell out of the luxury class. Inside and out, the 3 comes across as premium and stylish, and it drives smartly, too, though the entry-level engine you get at the Mazda's base price is merely OK. You can spend more money to round out the upscale vibe with available all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, too. Read Our Experts' Full Mazda 3 Review 15. Honda Civic \| $25,400 The Honda Civic is one of the best all-around vehicles you can buy on a budget, with handsome styling inside and out that should stand the test of time and not appear faddish in ten years. It's also available with fuel-efficient powertrains and a level of engineering you won't find in its competitors. The Civic is solid goods, and for 2025, both the entry-level LX and Sport models get a new 2.0-liter engine with more refinement (but less power!) than before, while the top of the range sees its turbo engine option replaced by a 200-hp hybrid that's both more powerful and way more fuel efficient. You can't go wrong buying a Civic, which is our number-one ranked compact sedan. It's also available as a hatchback with a roomy cargo hold, as well as the sporty manual-transmission Civic Si sedan and track-ready Civic Type R hot hatchback. Read Our Experts' Full Honda Civic Review Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy in 2025 2025 Nissan Versa \| $21,130 2025 Hyundai Venue \| $21,650 2025 Kia Soul \| $21,885 2025 Chevrolet Trax \| $21,895 2025 Nissan Sentra \| $22,730 2025 Nissan Kicks Play \| $22,910 2025 Kia K4 \| $23,165 2025 Nissan Kicks \| $23,220 2025 Hyundai Elantra \| $23,320 2025 Toyota Corolla Sedan \| $23,545 2025 Volkswagen Jetta \| $23,720 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer \| $24,890 2025 Buick Envista \| $25,195 2025 Mazda 3 \| $25,335 2025 Honda Civic \| $25,400 Stay Ahead of the Curve. Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox! A lifelong car enthusiast, I stumbled into this line of work essentially by accident after discovering a job posting for an intern position at Car and Driver while at college. My start may have been a compelling alternative to working in a University of Michigan dining hall, but a decade and a half later, here I am reviewing cars; judging our Car, Truck, and Performance Vehicle of the Year contests; and shaping MotorTrend’s daily coverage of the automotive industry. Read More
Markdown	![comScore](https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=6035748&cv=3.9.1&cj=1) - [News](https://www.motortrend.com/news) - [Reviews](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews) - [Buyer's Guide](https://www.motortrend.com/car-finder) - [Events](https://www.motortrend.com/auto-shows) [Join Newsletter](https://www.motortrend.com/newsletters) # Cheapest New Cars for 2025: The 15 Least-Expensive Sedans, SUVs, and Hatchbacks You Can Buy Some of the most affordable cars are actually small SUVs, but the cheapest car is still a sedan. [Alexander Stoklosa](https://www.motortrend.com/staff/alexander-stoklosa)Writer[William Irvin Lewis](https://www.motortrend.com/staff/william-irvin-lewis)WriterManufacturerPhotographerMotorTrend StaffPhotographer[Ryan Lugo](https://www.motortrend.com/staff/ryan-lugo)Illustration By Jun 18, 2025 Save ![013 2025 Honda Civic Sport](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/67118741b799c30008338de1/013-2025-honda-civic-sport.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) Even the cheapest new cars are better than they’ve ever been before, and using an expansive definition of the word “cars” the following list includes options in the sedan, hatchback, and [crossover SUV](https://www.motortrend.com/features/cheapest-new-suvs-crossovers) form factors. For around \$25,000 or less, you can get a subcompact or compact vehicle with a practical amount of space, good gas mileage, and [in many cases excellent driver assistance systems](https://www.motortrend.com/features/safest-small-suvs). Safety, comfort, and longevity have likely never been better in cheap vehicles than with these affordable runabouts. Here are the 15 most affordable new vehicles for sale in America: ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ![1 2025 Nissan Versa front view](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/67636ac80026660008f18aac/1-2025-nissan-versa-front-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 1\. Nissan Versa \\| \$21,130 The cheapest car available for 2025 is still a sedan, for now at least: the 2025 Nissan Versa S with an automatic transmission. The Versa was, until recently, even less expensive—by \$1,800, to be exact—because it was offered with a manual transmission. But Nissan, citing tariffs and other challenges, dropped that Versa model midway through this year, leaving the pricier Versa S with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the lineup's entry point. It still hangs on as the most affordable new 2025-model-year vehicle available in America, if only just. It's also a competition-free option—the capable [Kia Rio](https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-2024-kia-rio-hatchback-discontinued-cheapest-car-dead) and often-maligned [Mitsubishi Mirage](https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-2024-kia-rio-hatchback-discontinued-cheapest-car-dead) that used to compete with the Versa for the hardest-earned dollars of the motoring public have both gone extinct. The Versa is basic indeed, but that doesn’t stop us from liking it (something we couldn’t say for all of its former competitors). Fuel economy isn’t bad at all, it has a sizable trunk for a subcompact sedan, and it’s more car than its price point suggests. It’s even rather comfortable. Just don’t expect it to be quick or quiet. [Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Versa Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/nissan/versa) ![005 2025 Hyundai Venue Front Three Quarter Static](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/66bfd24496736e00081ded5c/005-2025-hyundai-venue-front-three-quarter-static.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 2\. Hyundai Venue \\| \$21,650 To most casual observers, many subcompact SUVs are pretty much small hatchbacks with some extra body armor and maybe a taller roof. The cheapest among them, the 2025 Hyundai Venue, is a good example of this type of vehicle. Lower the body a smidge, and it's a hatchback. Whatever you want to call it, the Venue is incredibly affordable, and its pseudo-mini-SUV styling doesn't scream "bargain!" Up close, of course, you can see where Hyundai was able to strip cost out of the Venue—the small engine barely helps it get out of its own way, while interior plastics are clearly from the bottom of the Hyundai barrel. It’s also very small inside. While that small footprint makes it easier to navigate in tight spaces, there are better options for roughly the same price as the Venue, SUV-shaped or otherwise. [Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Venue Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyundai/venue) ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ![2025 Kia Soul front view 49](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/668c55e2ab005c000896a686/2025-kia-soul-front-view-49.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 3\. Kia Soul \\| \$21,885 Where the Venue feels very cheap inside, the cheapest Kia—the 2025 Kia Soul—does not. And it only costs a few hundred bucks more! The Soul has plenty of space, endearing design, and surprisingly pleasant driving dynamics. Like its hatchback ancestors, the Soul has a surprising amount of interior volume for its diminutive footprint, and in general it provides great value for its sub-\$22,000 price. All that said, the base engine is only somewhat quicker than the sluggish Venue's boat anchor—just enough to make merging a nonevent. If you’re not buying a cheap car for its engine or all-wheel-drive (the Soul is front-drive only) but rather for space and style, the Soul is a solid option. [Read Our Experts' Full Kia Soul Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/soul) ![001 2025 Chevrolet Trax exterior front view](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/66466c05811993000831eaff/001-2025-chevrolet-trax-exterior-front-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 4\. Chevrolet Trax \\| \$21,895 With a glow-up like few vehicles ever receive, the latest Chevrolet Trax is no longer a dowdy little egg-shaped thing. More shapely and sleeker than before, the Trax is now front-drive only, making it more like a raised hatchback than a true crossover, much like its Kia Soul competitor, and notably larger. That said, on upper trims it still looks SUV-ish with some choice styling cues. Considering its extremely low entry pricing, the Trax drives well, though don’t expect anything approaching sportiness. It’s 1.2-liter base engine can get it going, if only just, but fuel economy lags behind the best in the segment. Interior space isn’t bad, and as is the case with most new vehicles, [Android Auto](https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/android-auto-how-does-it-work) and [Apple CarPlay](https://www.motortrend.com/features/how-apple-carplay-works) come standard. [Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trax Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/trax) ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ![1 2025 Nissan Sentra SR front view](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/676361824957a90008df5083/1-2025-nissan-sentra-sr-front-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 5\. Nissan Sentra \\| \$22,730 The cheapest compact sedan on the market—one size up from the subcompact Versa—is the 2025 Nissan Sentra, though only by a hair. The problem is that while cheaper than vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra, the Sentra lacks general spice. Handling is meh, and so too are the underwhelming safety ratings. Rear passengers will feel the squeeze, unlike the more spacious second rows of rivals. The Sentra looks much more upscale than it is, and fuel economy remains good, but for roughly \$23,000 there are options that give you more bang for your buck. [Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Sentra Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/nissan/sentra) ![1 2025 Nissan Kicks Play front view](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/67f42c8bfbcb060008f83601/1-2025-nissan-kicks-play-front-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 6\. Nissan Kicks Play \\| \$22,910 Even though there's an all-new second-generation Kicks out for 2025, Nissan's keeping the last-generation model around as a more affordable price-leader option dubbed the "Kicks Play." This means the Play has pretty much the same positives and negatives as the old Kicks, which was a pretty decent inexpensive SUV option in its day. Unlike with the new Kicks, you can't get all-wheel drive as an option, so every Kicks Play is front-wheel drive. They also come one way, in a single trim level; the new Kicks is offered in several grades. If you really need a cheap SUV and don't mind how familiar the Kicks Play looks, it's not a terrible option—and its 7.0-inch touchscreen includes the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring standard. [Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Play Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/nissan/kicks-play) ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ![001 2025 Kia K4 GT Line Lead](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/6705c621bfe52900084eb2d9/001-2025-kia-k4-gt-line-lead.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 7\. Kia K4 \\| \$23,165 Fresh on the scene and replacing the aging Forte sedan, the 2025 Kia K4 matches bold looks with well-worn powertrains lifted from, well, the old Forte. The cheapest car Kia makes now no longer looks so cheap, though the base model's dynamics and performance don’t quite live up to the snazzy bodywork—most of the lineup is powered by so-so 147-hp 2.0-liter engine, with the more powerful turbo option limited to the most expensive trim level. At least the K4 has a generous amount of interior space and cargo room. There’s also a hatchback version on the way for 2026. For now, though, it slots in as the compact with more room than a Corolla but [not quite the same driving fun as the Civic](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025-honda-civic-hybrid-vs-kia-k4-comparison-test-review). [Read Our Experts' Full Kia K4 Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/k4) ![006 2025 Nissan Kicks Front Three Quarter](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/67fe9c0884de380008bdc7a8/006-2025-nissan-kicks-front-three-quarter.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 8\. Nissan Kicks \\| \$23,220 Newly redesigned, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is the second-least expensive SUV Nissan makes (if you count the previous-generation Kicks Play it sells alongside this new model). The updates are massive, making an average duckling into a looker with a better engine and more spacious interior. It comes standard with a range of active driver assists, as well, though that’s about the only feature the base Kicks delivers. Like other small “SUVs,” it compares less than favorably with the best hatchbacks in most metrics, including gas mileage and cargo space. That said, for the those who prefer a slightly higher seating position than a typical car, the Kicks is a genuine competitor, and this new generation finally offers optional all-wheel drive. [Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/nissan/kicks) ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ![2025 Hyundai Elantra sedan](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/6839cc6968e67e00082737e8/2025hyundaielantrasedan.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 9\. Hyundai Elantra \\| \$23,320 Outwardly, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra hardly looks "basic," with highly sculpted surfaces and pointy lighting giving it a stylish, upscale vibe. It also maintains impressive interior dimensions for its small footprint. Yet another compact sedan for a very budget-friendly price, the Elantra gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS while delivering a more audacious look than the Civic. The Elantra is cheapest car (the Venue, remember, is an "SUV") Hyundai makes, yet it offers excellent value for the budget. [Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Elantra Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyundai/elantra) ![001 2025 Toyota Corolla FX Lead](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/680a9c93e126350008309198/001-2025-toyota-corolla-fx-lead.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 10\. Toyota Corolla \\| \$23,545 Incredibly efficient and affordable, the 2025 Toyota Corolla understands the cheap-car assignment and it is the cheapest car Toyota builds and also one of the best value propositions. But while the Corolla might make plenty of sense intellectually, the non-[GR variants](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025-toyota-gr-corolla-automatic-transmission-first-drive-review) don’t exactly stir the soul; the ultra-fuel-efficient hybrid is both affordable and incredibly average to drive. Regular versions get a powerful-for-the-class standard 169-hp 2.0-liter engine, though. Comfortable in the front row, less so in the rear, the Corolla is an ideal commuter car that will get you where you need to go without fail and without draining your wallet. There is a hatchback version, too, but only the hot-to-trot turbocharged GR Corolla hatchback is truly fun to drive. [Read Our Experts' Full Toyota Corolla Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/corolla/2025) ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ![010 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/68018773fefe760008830ecf/010-2025-volkswagen-jetta-sel.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 11\. Volkswagen Jetta \\| \$23,720 You win some and lose some with the mildly updated 2025 Volkswagen Jetta, which offers new bodywork but doesn't really address the sedan's weak engine. That said, this is still an affordable sedan that returns up to 42 mpg on the highway, offers a spacious back seat, and has a reasonable amount of trunk space. Unfortunately, the Jetta’s pricing isn’t competitive enough among its compact competitors, and its driving dynamics are fine for commuting but offer little zest beyond that. The hotted-up (and more expensive) GLI certainly fixes those issues, but the best that can be said for this refreshed base car is that the new interior materials are indeed a step up. [Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Jetta Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/volkswagen/jetta) ![3 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer side view](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/6685e049ff20c0000906765e/3-2025-chevrolet-trailblazer-side-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 12\. Chevrolet Trailblazer \\| \$24,890 The Chevrolet Trailblazer is the cheapest somewhat-real SUV in the Chevy lineup, as it offers the all-wheel-drive option the cheaper Trax does not. If AWD is a must-have in your small Chevy SUV, the 2025 Trailblazer brings plenty of value, looks great, and offers a ton of interior space for the price point. Its base barely-more-than-a-liter I-3 engine is lethargic, and the cabin is loud, but at least fuel economy is decent. If you have the money to option the hands-free liftgate or panoramic roof, those upgrades add appeal, but better all-around options that are larger exist for only slightly more money. [Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trailblazer Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/trailblazer) ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ![15 2025 Buick Envista ST rear view](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/67f03eb050860a0008c91eb4/15-2025-buick-envista-st-rear-view.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 13\. 2025 Buick Envista \\| \$25,195 For those who think the Chevy Trax is great but wish it were slightly more upscale in approach, there’s always the mechanically related 2025 Buick Envista, which makes a strong case for itself for only slightly more dough. The exterior looks slick for something that retails for just above \$25,000 and we’ve found the Envista's ride quality and interior comfort to be more than acceptable given its price point. Be advised, though, that the Envista is very slow (even slower than the Trailblazer), its cargo capacity is among the smallest in the segment, and like the Trax, you can’t get it with [all-wheel drive](https://www.motortrend.com/features/awd-vs-fwd-vs-rwd-which-wheel-drive-is-best). [Read Our Experts' Full Buick Envista Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/buick/envista/2025) ![2025 Mazda 3 sedan](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/67c9e38f0b4eae0008c353b1/2025mazda3sedan.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 14\. Mazda 3 \\| \$25,335 Stare long enough at the Mazda 3 sedan, and you'll find yourself wondering how it ended up on this list. The expensive-looking 3 starts at just over \$25,000—the even more eye-catching hatchback demands another \$1,000—yet looks like it fell out of the luxury class. Inside and out, the 3 comes across as premium and stylish, and it drives smartly, too, though the entry-level engine you get at the Mazda's base price is merely OK. You can spend more money to round out the upscale vibe with available all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, too. [Read Our Experts' Full Mazda 3 Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mazda/mazda3) ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ![012 2025 Honda Civic Sport](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/6711873e8a5ca700082c4c4d/012-2025-honda-civic-sport.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### 15\. Honda Civic \\| \$25,400 The Honda Civic is one of the best all-around vehicles you can buy on a budget, with handsome styling inside and out that should stand the test of time and not appear faddish in ten years. It's also available with fuel-efficient powertrains and a level of engineering you won't find in its competitors. The Civic is solid goods, and for 2025, both the entry-level LX and Sport models get a new 2.0-liter engine with more refinement (but less power!) than before, while the top of the range sees its turbo engine option replaced by a 200-hp hybrid that's both more powerful and way more fuel efficient. You can't go wrong buying a Civic, which is our number-one ranked compact sedan. It's also available as a hatchback with a roomy cargo hold, as well as the sporty manual-transmission Civic Si sedan and track-ready Civic Type R hot hatchback. [Read Our Experts' Full Honda Civic Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/honda/civic) ![2024 Nissan Versa SR side view 1](https://hips.hearstapps.com/mtg-prod/65a4d389fc591800081606af/2024-nissan-versa-sr-side-view-1.jpg?w=768&width=768&q=75&format=webp) ### Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy in 2025 1. 2025 Nissan Versa \\| \$21,130 2. 2025 Hyundai Venue \\| \$21,650 3. 2025 Kia Soul \\| \$21,885 4. 2025 Chevrolet Trax \\| \$21,895 5. 2025 Nissan Sentra \\| \$22,730 6. 2025 Nissan Kicks Play \\| \$22,910 7. 2025 Kia K4 \\| \$23,165 8. 2025 Nissan Kicks \\| \$23,220 9. 2025 Hyundai Elantra \\| \$23,320 10. 2025 Toyota Corolla Sedan \\| \$23,545 11. 2025 Volkswagen Jetta \\| \$23,720 12. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer \\| \$24,890 13. 2025 Buick Envista \\| \$25,195 14. 2025 Mazda 3 \\| \$25,335 15. 2025 Honda Civic \\| \$25,400 ## Stay Ahead of the Curve. Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox\! [Alexander Stoklosa](https://www.motortrend.com/staff/alexander-stoklosa) A lifelong car enthusiast, I stumbled into this line of work essentially by accident after discovering a job posting for an intern position at Car and Driver while at college. My start may have been a compelling alternative to working in a University of Michigan dining hall, but a decade and a half later, here I am reviewing cars; judging our Car, Truck, and Performance Vehicle of the Year contests; and shaping MotorTrend’s daily coverage of the automotive industry. [Read More](https://www.motortrend.com/staff/alexander-stoklosa) ###### Share ## You May Also Like - [About Us](https://www.motortrend.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://www.motortrend.com/about-us/contact-us) - [Staff](https://www.motortrend.com/staff) - [Newsletters](https://www.motortrend.com/newsletters) - [Automobile Magazine](https://www.motortrend.com/automobile-magazine) - [MotorTrend](https://motortrend.com/) - [Truck Trend](https://www.motortrend.com/truck-trend) - [Four Wheeler](https://www.motortrend.com/four-wheeler-magazine) - [Super Street](https://www.motortrend.com/super-street-online) - [Advertise With Us](https://advertising.hearstmagazines.com/brands/motortrend) - [Reprints/Permissions](https://info.wrightsmedia.com/motortrend-licensing-permissions) - [Hearst Autos](https://www.hearstautos.com/) - [Car Comparison Tool](https://www.motortrend.com/compare-cars) - [Car Research](https://www.motortrend.com/cars) - [Car Finder](https://www.motortrend.com/car-finder) - [Best SUVs](https://www.motortrend.com/rankings/suvs) - [Best Sedans](https://www.motortrend.com/rankings/sedans) - [Best Trucks](https://www.motortrend.com/rankings/pickup-trucks) - [Best Hybrids](https://www.motortrend.com/rankings/hybrid-cars) - [Best Electric Cars](https://www.motortrend.com/rankings/electric-cars) Join Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletters to get the latest in car news and have editor curated stories sent directly to your inbox. [Explore Offerings](https://www.motortrend.com/newsletters) A Part of Hearst Digital Media ©2026 Hearst Autos, Inc. All Rights Reserved. - [Privacy Notice](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice) - [CA Notice at Collection](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_ADDITIONAL_INFO) - [Your CA Privacy Rights/Shine the Light](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_ADDITIONAL_INFO) - [DAA Industry Opt Out](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_OPT_OUTS) - [Terms of Use](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-terms-of-use) Report Issue Follow us
Readable Markdown	## Cheapest New Cars for 2025: The 15 Least-Expensive Sedans, SUVs, and Hatchbacks You Can Buy Some of the most affordable cars are actually small SUVs, but the cheapest car is still a sedan. Even the cheapest new cars are better than they’ve ever been before, and using an expansive definition of the word “cars” the following list includes options in the sedan, hatchback, and [crossover SUV](https://www.motortrend.com/features/cheapest-new-suvs-crossovers) form factors. For around \$25,000 or less, you can get a subcompact or compact vehicle with a practical amount of space, good gas mileage, and [in many cases excellent driver assistance systems](https://www.motortrend.com/features/safest-small-suvs). Safety, comfort, and longevity have likely never been better in cheap vehicles than with these affordable runabouts. Here are the 15 most affordable new vehicles for sale in America: ### 1\. Nissan Versa \\| \$21,130 The cheapest car available for 2025 is still a sedan, for now at least: the 2025 Nissan Versa S with an automatic transmission. The Versa was, until recently, even less expensive—by \$1,800, to be exact—because it was offered with a manual transmission. But Nissan, citing tariffs and other challenges, dropped that Versa model midway through this year, leaving the pricier Versa S with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the lineup's entry point. It still hangs on as the most affordable new 2025-model-year vehicle available in America, if only just. It's also a competition-free option—the capable [Kia Rio](https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-2024-kia-rio-hatchback-discontinued-cheapest-car-dead) and often-maligned [Mitsubishi Mirage](https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-2024-kia-rio-hatchback-discontinued-cheapest-car-dead) that used to compete with the Versa for the hardest-earned dollars of the motoring public have both gone extinct. The Versa is basic indeed, but that doesn’t stop us from liking it (something we couldn’t say for all of its former competitors). Fuel economy isn’t bad at all, it has a sizable trunk for a subcompact sedan, and it’s more car than its price point suggests. It’s even rather comfortable. Just don’t expect it to be quick or quiet. [Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Versa Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/nissan/versa) ### 2\. Hyundai Venue \\| \$21,650 To most casual observers, many subcompact SUVs are pretty much small hatchbacks with some extra body armor and maybe a taller roof. The cheapest among them, the 2025 Hyundai Venue, is a good example of this type of vehicle. Lower the body a smidge, and it's a hatchback. Whatever you want to call it, the Venue is incredibly affordable, and its pseudo-mini-SUV styling doesn't scream "bargain!" Up close, of course, you can see where Hyundai was able to strip cost out of the Venue—the small engine barely helps it get out of its own way, while interior plastics are clearly from the bottom of the Hyundai barrel. It’s also very small inside. While that small footprint makes it easier to navigate in tight spaces, there are better options for roughly the same price as the Venue, SUV-shaped or otherwise. [Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Venue Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyundai/venue) ### 3\. Kia Soul \\| \$21,885 Where the Venue feels very cheap inside, the cheapest Kia—the 2025 Kia Soul—does not. And it only costs a few hundred bucks more! The Soul has plenty of space, endearing design, and surprisingly pleasant driving dynamics. Like its hatchback ancestors, the Soul has a surprising amount of interior volume for its diminutive footprint, and in general it provides great value for its sub-\$22,000 price. All that said, the base engine is only somewhat quicker than the sluggish Venue's boat anchor—just enough to make merging a nonevent. If you’re not buying a cheap car for its engine or all-wheel-drive (the Soul is front-drive only) but rather for space and style, the Soul is a solid option. [Read Our Experts' Full Kia Soul Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/soul) ### 4\. Chevrolet Trax \\| \$21,895 With a glow-up like few vehicles ever receive, the latest Chevrolet Trax is no longer a dowdy little egg-shaped thing. More shapely and sleeker than before, the Trax is now front-drive only, making it more like a raised hatchback than a true crossover, much like its Kia Soul competitor, and notably larger. That said, on upper trims it still looks SUV-ish with some choice styling cues. Considering its extremely low entry pricing, the Trax drives well, though don’t expect anything approaching sportiness. It’s 1.2-liter base engine can get it going, if only just, but fuel economy lags behind the best in the segment. Interior space isn’t bad, and as is the case with most new vehicles, [Android Auto](https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/android-auto-how-does-it-work) and [Apple CarPlay](https://www.motortrend.com/features/how-apple-carplay-works) come standard. [Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trax Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/trax) ### 5\. Nissan Sentra \\| \$22,730 The cheapest compact sedan on the market—one size up from the subcompact Versa—is the 2025 Nissan Sentra, though only by a hair. The problem is that while cheaper than vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra, the Sentra lacks general spice. Handling is meh, and so too are the underwhelming safety ratings. Rear passengers will feel the squeeze, unlike the more spacious second rows of rivals. The Sentra looks much more upscale than it is, and fuel economy remains good, but for roughly \$23,000 there are options that give you more bang for your buck. [Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Sentra Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/nissan/sentra) ### 6\. Nissan Kicks Play \\| \$22,910 Even though there's an all-new second-generation Kicks out for 2025, Nissan's keeping the last-generation model around as a more affordable price-leader option dubbed the "Kicks Play." This means the Play has pretty much the same positives and negatives as the old Kicks, which was a pretty decent inexpensive SUV option in its day. Unlike with the new Kicks, you can't get all-wheel drive as an option, so every Kicks Play is front-wheel drive. They also come one way, in a single trim level; the new Kicks is offered in several grades. If you really need a cheap SUV and don't mind how familiar the Kicks Play looks, it's not a terrible option—and its 7.0-inch touchscreen includes the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring standard. [Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Play Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/nissan/kicks-play) ### 7\. Kia K4 \\| \$23,165 Fresh on the scene and replacing the aging Forte sedan, the 2025 Kia K4 matches bold looks with well-worn powertrains lifted from, well, the old Forte. The cheapest car Kia makes now no longer looks so cheap, though the base model's dynamics and performance don’t quite live up to the snazzy bodywork—most of the lineup is powered by so-so 147-hp 2.0-liter engine, with the more powerful turbo option limited to the most expensive trim level. At least the K4 has a generous amount of interior space and cargo room. There’s also a hatchback version on the way for 2026. For now, though, it slots in as the compact with more room than a Corolla but [not quite the same driving fun as the Civic](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025-honda-civic-hybrid-vs-kia-k4-comparison-test-review). [Read Our Experts' Full Kia K4 Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/k4) ### 8\. Nissan Kicks \\| \$23,220 Newly redesigned, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is the second-least expensive SUV Nissan makes (if you count the previous-generation Kicks Play it sells alongside this new model). The updates are massive, making an average duckling into a looker with a better engine and more spacious interior. It comes standard with a range of active driver assists, as well, though that’s about the only feature the base Kicks delivers. Like other small “SUVs,” it compares less than favorably with the best hatchbacks in most metrics, including gas mileage and cargo space. That said, for the those who prefer a slightly higher seating position than a typical car, the Kicks is a genuine competitor, and this new generation finally offers optional all-wheel drive. [Read Our Experts' Full Nissan Kicks Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/nissan/kicks) ### 9\. Hyundai Elantra \\| \$23,320 Outwardly, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra hardly looks "basic," with highly sculpted surfaces and pointy lighting giving it a stylish, upscale vibe. It also maintains impressive interior dimensions for its small footprint. Yet another compact sedan for a very budget-friendly price, the Elantra gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS while delivering a more audacious look than the Civic. The Elantra is cheapest car (the Venue, remember, is an "SUV") Hyundai makes, yet it offers excellent value for the budget. [Read Our Experts' Full Hyundai Elantra Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyundai/elantra) ### 10\. Toyota Corolla \\| \$23,545 Incredibly efficient and affordable, the 2025 Toyota Corolla understands the cheap-car assignment and it is the cheapest car Toyota builds and also one of the best value propositions. But while the Corolla might make plenty of sense intellectually, the non-[GR variants](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025-toyota-gr-corolla-automatic-transmission-first-drive-review) don’t exactly stir the soul; the ultra-fuel-efficient hybrid is both affordable and incredibly average to drive. Regular versions get a powerful-for-the-class standard 169-hp 2.0-liter engine, though. Comfortable in the front row, less so in the rear, the Corolla is an ideal commuter car that will get you where you need to go without fail and without draining your wallet. There is a hatchback version, too, but only the hot-to-trot turbocharged GR Corolla hatchback is truly fun to drive. [Read Our Experts' Full Toyota Corolla Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/corolla/2025) ### 11\. Volkswagen Jetta \\| \$23,720 You win some and lose some with the mildly updated 2025 Volkswagen Jetta, which offers new bodywork but doesn't really address the sedan's weak engine. That said, this is still an affordable sedan that returns up to 42 mpg on the highway, offers a spacious back seat, and has a reasonable amount of trunk space. Unfortunately, the Jetta’s pricing isn’t competitive enough among its compact competitors, and its driving dynamics are fine for commuting but offer little zest beyond that. The hotted-up (and more expensive) GLI certainly fixes those issues, but the best that can be said for this refreshed base car is that the new interior materials are indeed a step up. [Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Jetta Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/volkswagen/jetta) ### 12\. Chevrolet Trailblazer \\| \$24,890 The Chevrolet Trailblazer is the cheapest somewhat-real SUV in the Chevy lineup, as it offers the all-wheel-drive option the cheaper Trax does not. If AWD is a must-have in your small Chevy SUV, the 2025 Trailblazer brings plenty of value, looks great, and offers a ton of interior space for the price point. Its base barely-more-than-a-liter I-3 engine is lethargic, and the cabin is loud, but at least fuel economy is decent. If you have the money to option the hands-free liftgate or panoramic roof, those upgrades add appeal, but better all-around options that are larger exist for only slightly more money. [Read Our Experts' Full Chevrolet Trailblazer Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/trailblazer) ### 13\. 2025 Buick Envista \\| \$25,195 For those who think the Chevy Trax is great but wish it were slightly more upscale in approach, there’s always the mechanically related 2025 Buick Envista, which makes a strong case for itself for only slightly more dough. The exterior looks slick for something that retails for just above \$25,000 and we’ve found the Envista's ride quality and interior comfort to be more than acceptable given its price point. Be advised, though, that the Envista is very slow (even slower than the Trailblazer), its cargo capacity is among the smallest in the segment, and like the Trax, you can’t get it with [all-wheel drive](https://www.motortrend.com/features/awd-vs-fwd-vs-rwd-which-wheel-drive-is-best). [Read Our Experts' Full Buick Envista Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/buick/envista/2025) ### 14\. Mazda 3 \\| \$25,335 Stare long enough at the Mazda 3 sedan, and you'll find yourself wondering how it ended up on this list. The expensive-looking 3 starts at just over \$25,000—the even more eye-catching hatchback demands another \$1,000—yet looks like it fell out of the luxury class. Inside and out, the 3 comes across as premium and stylish, and it drives smartly, too, though the entry-level engine you get at the Mazda's base price is merely OK. You can spend more money to round out the upscale vibe with available all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, too. [Read Our Experts' Full Mazda 3 Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mazda/mazda3) ### 15\. Honda Civic \\| \$25,400 The Honda Civic is one of the best all-around vehicles you can buy on a budget, with handsome styling inside and out that should stand the test of time and not appear faddish in ten years. It's also available with fuel-efficient powertrains and a level of engineering you won't find in its competitors. The Civic is solid goods, and for 2025, both the entry-level LX and Sport models get a new 2.0-liter engine with more refinement (but less power!) than before, while the top of the range sees its turbo engine option replaced by a 200-hp hybrid that's both more powerful and way more fuel efficient. You can't go wrong buying a Civic, which is our number-one ranked compact sedan. It's also available as a hatchback with a roomy cargo hold, as well as the sporty manual-transmission Civic Si sedan and track-ready Civic Type R hot hatchback. [Read Our Experts' Full Honda Civic Review](https://www.motortrend.com/cars/honda/civic) ### Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy in 2025 1. 2025 Nissan Versa \\| \$21,130 2. 2025 Hyundai Venue \\| \$21,650 3. 2025 Kia Soul \\| \$21,885 4. 2025 Chevrolet Trax \\| \$21,895 5. 2025 Nissan Sentra \\| \$22,730 6. 2025 Nissan Kicks Play \\| \$22,910 7. 2025 Kia K4 \\| \$23,165 8. 2025 Nissan Kicks \\| \$23,220 9. 2025 Hyundai Elantra \\| \$23,320 10. 2025 Toyota Corolla Sedan \\| \$23,545 11. 2025 Volkswagen Jetta \\| \$23,720 12. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer \\| \$24,890 13. 2025 Buick Envista \\| \$25,195 14. 2025 Mazda 3 \\| \$25,335 15. 2025 Honda Civic \\| \$25,400 ## Stay Ahead of the Curve. Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox\! A lifelong car enthusiast, I stumbled into this line of work essentially by accident after discovering a job posting for an intern position at Car and Driver while at college. My start may have been a compelling alternative to working in a University of Michigan dining hall, but a decade and a half later, here I am reviewing cars; judging our Car, Truck, and Performance Vehicle of the Year contests; and shaping MotorTrend’s daily coverage of the automotive industry. [Read More](https://www.motortrend.com/staff/alexander-stoklosa)
Shard	17 (laksa)
Root Hash	13785189125629353417
Unparsed URL	com,motortrend!www,/features/cheapest-new-cars s443