The Last New Cars You Can Still Buy For Under $25,000

From tiny Chevrolet SUVs to Kia compact sedans—these are the last few vehicles that cost less than $25,000 in the US.

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

By: Jeff Perez

Jun 19, at 12:00pm ET

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Cheap cars are dying in America. With brands like Chevrolet, Nissan, and Mitsubishi recently killing off some of their cheapest offerings, the sad reality is: there isn’t a single new car in America that costs less than $20,000.

That said, there are still some excellent options at just under $25,000. They range from compact sedans to tiny crossovers, with a multitude of automakers represented. Of course, all of these prices include the mandatory destination fee, but if you’re in the market for something cheap, you can’t go wrong with one of these vehicles.

Hyundai Venue: $22,150

Fuel Economy: 31 MPG Combined

The cheapest car in America—well, technically it’s not a car at all. The Hyundai Venue subcompact SUV comes in at just $22,650 for the 2026 model year with the mandatory $1,600 freight charge included (which, frankly, seems like a lot). Before including freight charges, Hyundai advertises a $20,550 base price for the Venue.

The Venu packs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a few standard safety features, and fuel-economy returns of up to 31 miles per gallon combined. Not bad for what you’re paying.

Chevrolet Trax: $23,495

Photo by: Chevrolet

Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined

Second only to the Venue is another subcompact SUV: the Chevrolet Trax. With a starting price of $23,495 (including the mandatory $1,700 destination fee), it’s the cheapest vehicle Chevy offers and the only American car that costs less than $25,000.

That said, the Trax isn’t some bare-bones commuter car. The base LS model comes with a decently punchy turbocharged 1.2-liter engine, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch wheels, and even cruise control. Not to mention, it gets you a solid 30 miles per gallon combined.

Kia K4: $23,535

Fuel Economy: 33 MPG Combined

Despite being one of the newer, nicer compact sedans on the market today, the Kia K4 is also the cheapest. For 2026, a base LX model starts at just $24,535 with the mandatory $1,245 destination fee included. It’s a few hundred dollars cheaper than the next car on this list, but it’s no less well equipped.

A base K4 LX still gets you a 2.0-liter engine with 147 horsepower, automatic emergency braking, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—and more. It also returns an impressive 33 miles per gallon combined.

Nissan Sentra: $23,845

Photo by: Nissan

Fuel Economy: 33 MPG Combined

Just a few hundred dollars more than the Kia K4 is the 2026 Nissan Sentra. With a starting price of $23,845, with the mandatory $1,245 destination fee included, the recently updated Sentra takes the place of the now-discontinued (at least in the US) Versa as the cheapest sedan in the Nissan lineup. But as with so many of the other vehicles on this list, it’s in no way “cheap.”

A base Sentra S nets you a 2.0-liter engine with 149 horsepower and an impressive 33 miles per gallon combined. Nissan also throws in its Safety Shield 360 at no extra cost, which comes with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist, and more. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, too.

Hyundai Elantra: $23,870

Photo by: Hyundai

Fuel Economy: 35 MPG Combined

Third only to the K4 and Sentra in the compact segment is the equally excellent Hyundai Elantra. With a base price of $23,870, with the mandatory $1,245 destination fee included, Hyundai’s entry in the compact space gives you a ton of bang for the buck.

The Elantra is powered by a 2.0-liter engine that makes 147 horsepower and returns up to 35 miles per gallon combined. Standard equipment includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus safety features like forward collision avoidance and blind-spot monitoring.

Nissan Kicks: $24,275

Photo by: Nissan

Fuel Economy: 31 MPG Combined

Only the third SUV on this list is the Nissan Kicks, which underwent a pretty major makeover for the 2025 model year. At $24,275 to start, with the mandatory $1,545 destination fee included, the Kicks comes in at just under the $25,000 mark. But it might be a better buy than any of the sedans on this list.

Not only do you get the added benefit of extra cargo room and passenger space, but the Kicks is powered by a punchy 2.0-liter engine making 141 horsepower and returning up to 31 miles per gallon combined. Best of all, the subcompact SUV is finally available with all-wheel drive, which means it’s an even better option for inclement weather, like rain or snow.

Toyota Corolla: $24,285

Photo by: Toyota

Fuel Economy: 35 MPG Combined

The standard Toyota Corolla sedan hasn’t changed much, admittedly, since this 12th-generation model arrived in 2018. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering for under $25,000. For 2026, the Corolla sedan starts at $24,285 with the $1,160 destination fee included.

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The good news is that the Corolla has one of the punchier powertrain options on this list—its 2.0-liter engine makes a solid 169 horsepower. Even with that extra oomph, the Corolla still returns up to 35 miles per gallon combined in the base LE trim. An 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard.

Just Over $25,000

Photo by: Chevrolet

The sub-$25,000 market is shrinking in America—as evidenced by the fact that there are only seven new vehicles you can buy in the US at that price with destination included. But if you’re willing to shell out a few extra hundred bucks, here are some solid options that come in at just over $25,000.

Chevrolet Trailblazer: $25,095
Volkswagen Jetta: $25,250
Kia Seltos: $25,285
Mazda3: $25,885
Honda Civic: $25,890