New vehicle prices have continued to rise, making affordable transportation harder to find in the United States. For the 2027 model year, the budget-car market has become even smaller as several low-cost favorites, including the Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage, have left the lineup. The remaining options now represent a narrower selection of entry-level sedans and compact crossovers.
Despite their lower prices, today’s most affordable vehicles offer features that were once limited to more expensive models. Touchscreen infotainment systems, advanced safety technology, and improved interior quality have become common across the segment.
The ranking focuses on the eight most affordable new vehicles offered in the U.S. for the 2027 model year, using manufacturer-listed starting prices with destination fees included when available. Beyond pricing, each vehicle is examined through its engine specifications, size, available features, and ownership advantages. From compact sedans built for efficiency to small crossovers designed for everyday practicality, these models represent the most accessible paths to new-car ownership.
1. Hyundai Venue, Starting Around $20,550
The 2026 Hyundai Venue carries a starting MSRP of just $20,550 in entry-level SE form. That pricing structure is expected to roughly carry over as Hyundai transitions toward a redesigned model. It remains the cheapest new vehicle sold in America.
The Venue is a subcompact SUV that measures 159 inches in length, 70 inches in width, and 62 inches in height. It looks like a small crossover but only comes with front-wheel drive. That keeps costs down considerably.
Both trims are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. It’s not quick, but it’s not meant to be. Efficiency and simplicity are the priorities here.
The Venue is backed by a five-year, 60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a seven-year anti-perforation warranty. That’s a genuinely strong safety net. Few rivals match that coverage.
The base SE trim comes with cloth upholstery, manual air conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, cruise control, and a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat. The SEL trim adds automatic climate control, heated front seats, wireless charging, and push-button start. Both trims include Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite.
Specifications:
- Engine: 1.6L 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated
- Horsepower: 121 hp / Torque: 113 lb-ft
- Length: 159.0 inches
- Width: 70.0 inches
- Transmission: CVT (front-wheel drive only)
2. Chevrolet Trax, Starting Around $21,700
The Chevrolet Trax starts at $21,700, making it Chevy’s most affordable model by a wide margin. As a carryover model, the 2027 Chevrolet Trax should have a similar price tag to the current SUV that’s on sale. That keeps it near the top of this list.
The Trax is the most affordable model in Chevy’s lineup and one of the most affordable SUVs on the market. It competes directly against the Venue and the Kia Soul. Reviewers consistently praise its value proposition.
Power comes from a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the only configuration offered. That’s more torque than many rivals provide.
Standard tech includes a 3.5-inch driver information display, an eight-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety features include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assist. That’s a generous list for the price.
The Trax also offers more rear-seat and cargo room than its tiny footprint suggests. It rides on a stretched subcompact platform shared with the Buick Encore GX. Practicality is genuinely a strong suit here.
Specifications:
- Engine: 1.2L Turbo 3-cylinder
- Horsepower: 137 hp / Torque: 162 lb-ft
- Length: approx. 174.6 inches
- Width: approx. 71.5 inches
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic (FWD)
3. Toyota Corolla, Starting Around $23,225
The 2027 Toyota Corolla’s price list starts at around $23,225. The 2027 Corolla cruises into the new model year with no changes, coming in LE, XLE, SE, XSE, and FX trims. It remains one of America’s best-selling compacts.
Gas models get a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower, paired with a CVT. A hybrid sedan is also offered with 138 horsepower and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The hybrid is arguably the smarter buy.
Toyota backs the Corolla with fairly basic coverage, but it does include complimentary scheduled maintenance. That’s typical for the brand. Reliability has long been the Corolla’s calling card.
Toyota reportedly considers 2027 to be the current generation’s final model year before a redesign arrives. That makes this version something of a known quantity. Buyers know exactly what they’re getting.
The Corolla trades excitement for dependability and resale value. It’s not thrilling to drive, and it doesn’t try to be. For budget-focused shoppers, that’s precisely the point.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder (Hybrid: 1.8L + electric motor)
- Horsepower: 169 hp gas / 138 hp hybrid
- Length: approx. 182.3 inches
- Width: approx. 70.1 inches
- Transmission: CVT
4. Kia K4, Starting Around $22,290
The 2026 Kia K4 MSRP starts at $22,290 across five trims. With the K4 being a relatively new vehicle, the upcoming 2027 model is expected to be a carryover, priced similarly to the current version. That keeps it firmly among the cheapest options.
The K4 has a striking design with angular headlights, a slim rectangular grille, and a sloping roofline. A newer hatchback body style joined the sedan for 2026, adding more cargo versatility. It’s one of the more stylish budget compacts.
The EX and GT-Line trims get a 147-horsepower engine, while the top GT-Line Turbo uses an upgraded 190-horsepower turbocharged engine. That turbo option is rare at this price point. Most rivals don’t offer that kind of power.
Interior tech carries over with dual screens integrated into a single display and a row of physical controls below. Lower trims use budget-friendly materials. Higher trims feel notably more upscale.
Cargo space favors the hatchback, which offers 22.2 cubic feet versus the sedan’s 14.6 cubic feet. That’s a meaningful practicality advantage. Families cross-shopping small cars should note this.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder (GT-Line Turbo: 1.6L Turbo)
- Horsepower: 147 hp / 190 hp turbo
- Length: approx. 184.4 inches
- Width: approx. 71.9 inches
- Transmission: CVT / 8-speed automatic (turbo)
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5. Nissan Sentra, Starting Around $23,845
With the Versa gone, the Sentra starts at $23,845, becoming Nissan’s cheapest model for the 2026 model year. That pricing is expected to hold steady into 2027. After a full redesign the previous year, Edmunds does not expect any major changes for the 2027 model.
For over four decades, the Sentra has cemented itself as one of the most dependably affordable cars on the market. This ninth-generation model continues that tradition. It’s now the entry point to Nissan’s whole lineup.
The 2027 Sentra comes with many standard features and an interior noticeably nicer than in previous generations. Standard equipment includes a large 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wealth of standard advanced driving aids. That’s a strong tech package for the segment.
The Sentra uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine sending power through a CVT. It prioritizes comfort and efficiency over outright performance. Most owners will find the power adequate for daily driving.
Rivals aren’t much pricier and offer a somewhat better all-around experience, according to Edmunds. Still, the Sentra stretches every dollar well. It remains a sensible, no-surprises choice.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: approx. 149 hp / Torque: approx. 146 lb-ft
- Length: approx. 182.7 inches
- Width: approx. 70.9 inches
- Transmission: CVT
6. Hyundai Elantra, Starting Around $23,870
The Hyundai Elantra starts at $23,870 in similarly equipped trim, undercutting most compact-sedan rivals. Hyundai has not confirmed a major price increase for the redesigned 2027 model, though a full redesign should carry some added cost. It still lands near the bottom of the price ladder.
A fully redesigned Elantra is expected to arrive for the 2027 model year, with more details to be confirmed closer to launch. Competitors will include the Civic, Sentra, and K4. It’s one of the more anticipated redesigns in this segment.
The current-generation Elantra Hybrid starts around $26,250, offering a fuel-sipping alternative to the base gas engine. The performance-oriented Elantra N tops the range with a starting price near $35,100. That gives shoppers a wide spread of choices.
Hybrid models use a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing up to 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. That torque figure beats most gas-only rivals. It’s a genuinely strong efficiency option.
Hyundai backs the Elantra with one of the industry’s longest powertrain warranties. That includes 10 years or 100,000 miles of coverage. It’s a meaningful buying incentive for budget shoppers.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder (Hybrid: 1.6L Turbo + electric motor)
- Horsepower: 147 hp gas / 139 hp hybrid
- Length: approx. 184.1 inches
- Width: approx. 71.9 inches
- Transmission: CVT / 6-speed automatic (hybrid)
7. Nissan Kicks, Starting Around $24,275
The Nissan Kicks carries a starting MSRP of $24,275, positioning it as one of the more affordable small SUVs on sale. It slots just above the Sentra sedan in Nissan’s lineup. That makes it a natural cross-shop for budget SUV buyers.
Nissan has emphasized offering strong value in the compact SUV segment with models like the Kicks, especially after discontinuing the Versa. That strategy shift puts more weight on this model. It’s now central to Nissan’s affordability pitch.
The Kicks was fully redesigned recently, switching to a more conventional SUV shape. It moved away from its quirky, boxier first-generation styling. That change broadened its mainstream appeal considerably.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing around 141 horsepower. It’s paired exclusively with a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is the only configuration offered.
Standard tech includes a widescreen digital cockpit display and Nissan Safety Shield 360. That safety suite covers automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning. It’s a solid features-per-dollar value proposition.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: approx. 141 hp / Torque: approx. 140 lb-ft
- Length: approx. 174.0 inches
- Width: approx. 70.0 inches
- Transmission: CVT
8. Honda Civic, Starting Around $24,695
The Honda Civic carries a $24,695 starting MSRP, making it the priciest car on this list but still a relative bargain. Edmunds expects the Civic’s something-for-everyone trim lineup to remain unchanged for 2027. It rounds out our list of the cheapest new cars.
The Civic is Honda’s iconic small car, versatile, frugal, sporty, and known for strong long-term value. The current generation, introduced for 2022, is offered as both a sedan and a hatchback. That body-style flexibility is rare at this price.
Most buyers will find the 150-horsepower base engine offered on the LX and Sport trims perfectly adequate. The sweet spot in the lineup is generally considered the midlevel Sport Hybrid trim. That hybrid delivers noticeably better real-world efficiency.
Reliability ratings for the Civic run slightly behind the Elantra, though fuel economy leans in the Civic’s favor at 36 mpg combined. That’s a strong number for a non-hybrid. Both cars carry top NHTSA safety ratings.
The Civic also offers the widest range of personalities in this segment. Buyers can choose a practical LX, an efficient hybrid, or even the track-focused Type R. Few budget cars offer that kind of range.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder (Hybrid: 2.0L + dual electric motors)
- Horsepower: 150 hp gas / 200 hp hybrid
- Length: approx. 184.0 inches
- Width: approx. 70.9 inches
- Transmission: CVT / e-CVT (hybrid)
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