As technology and engineering advance with each passing year, cars are being sold more as lifestyle choices than as modes of transportation. But all those extras we pack into our car choices can get expensive, and most of the time we just want to get where we’re going.
Ironically, most of the cheapest new cars still have all the infotainment and safety features we’ve come to expect. Along with top-of-the-line fuel efficiency.
So, when you parse a car down to its most essential function, which automobiles are worth their weight in gold? These are the cheapest new cars of 2024.
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Download NowNissan Versa
Starting Price: $16,130
The discontinuation of the Chevrolet Spark, which has reigned as the cheapest car for several years, means there’s a new king in town. With a starting price of $16,130, the Nissan Versa is the cheapest new car of 2024 for the second year in a row.
The Versa was completely redesigned in 2020, creating a much-improved vehicle. (No more manually operated crank windows.) The car now comes with more legroom than one would expect, plenty of cargo room and a 122-horsepower, four-cylinder engine that’s more than adequate.
Safety is addressed with a host of features including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beams. The entry-level Versa S sedan retains Bluetooth functionality, but lacks the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration you can find in higher trims.
Mitsubishi Mirage
Starting Price: $16,695
The Mirage’s engine provides an impressive fuel economy of 36 mpg city / 43 mpg highway, but don’t expect much power out of it. Mustering a lowly 78 horsepower, the Mirage is the least powerful car on the market.
That doesn’t mean this compact vehicle has nothing to offer. It comes standard with several safety features – forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning and automatic high beam. The model also features an Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible 7.0-inch display.
For 2024, Mitsubishi is offering the Black Edition Mirage, with black trim, standard 15-inch black alloy wheels, a black roof spoiler and black side mirror caps.
The Mitsubishi Mirage may not be the most fun car to drive, but if you’re running errands or commuting around the city, it may be the best cheapest new car of 2024 for you.
Kia Forte
Starting Price: $20,915
The lower-end 2024 Kia Forte models have a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, with 147 horsepower and 132-pound-ft of torque. The only transmission available is CVT. The base model has 15-inch steelies, an 8-inch infotainment screen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Also included is an engine immobilize to deter thefts. As for to entertainment features. owners get a four-speaker sound system, although the LX still includes forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, rear occupant detection alert and driver attention warning.
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AAA Northeast is not affiliated with or sponsored by the car manufacturers discussed in this article. The article reflects our own independent analysis.
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These may be the lowest MSRP cars, but AAA would do subscribers a much greater service if the Total Cost of Ownership was the bar against which cars were measured. If that were the criteria, I suspect these low MSRP’s would have some serious competition from cars such as the Bolt, Tesla Model 3 and other electrics. Not to mention the positive effect on climate change
There is no picture for the Versa and the name is just above the Mirage, so you might mistake that was the Versa. And only 3 cars listed? I am using Chrome browser so maybe you guys should test your code on different browsers.
Only 3??? why?
I’m so disappointed that this article didn’t include electric cars. They are the “cheapest new cars of 2024” in two very important ways: 1) with huge rebates available for some models, the sticker price for some is lower than many of the models mentioned here, and 2) the planet can no longer afford any more gas-powered vehicles.
We bought a fabulous, all-electric 2023 Chevy Bolt this spring. The base price was about $27,500, and the Federal government will provide a $7,500 rebate. Our state of Rhode Island is offering an additional rebate of $2,500. (Some states are offering even higher rebates for electric cars.) That put the base price at about $17,500. That was cheap for us . . . and an even better deal for the only human-habitable planet.
You can check the amount of your state’s rebate for an EV here. https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/electric-vehicle-rebates-by-state/
AAA, please stop promoting planet-destroying gas-powered cars, when electric cars are now both technically and financially viable.
They are giving away electric cars because nobody wants them. They are an environmental disaster, impractical, and dangerous. Insurance underwriters experience with these cars will make them uninsurable. The correct solution for the environment is to use standard ICE cars with biofuel, 100% carbon neutral and 100% renewable.
Hi Alma, thanks for your feedback! We recently launched a website completely dedicated to EVs and EV education. Please check it out when you get a chance. It includes information on rebates, tools for buyers and more: https://ev.aaa.com/.
Why are there comments posted from previous years on an article written 12/29/2022? Andy?
I’m hanging onto my 2012 Nissan versa hatchback because small economy hatchbacks are disappearing. The versa line no long has a hatchback version, likewise the Honda Civic. The Toyota Yaris hatchback is gone. I live almost next door to Honda and Toyota dealerships, and had hoped to buy a car from one of them. Sure, there might be used versions of the models I like, but in the pandemic used cars cost an arm and a leg. Besides, my versa is doing just fine…..
Totally agree that it is extremely disheartening that small economy hatchbacks are becoming a thing of the past.
I would think there is enough of a demand for them, as I am sure there are many of us who prefer them to the sedan or SUV.
Does anyone make them anymore, and is there any hope of this trend being reversed by
those who discontinued them?
I heartily agree about the frustration from eliminating hatchbacks, not only on economy cars, but all across the scale. Is it so much cheaper to build cars with trunks? I have lost interest in models from which hatchbacks have been eliminated. And I don’t want an SUV.
I bought a brand new 2002, yes, 2002 Honda Accord 6 cylinder in September of 2002, yes, 2002. It is 19 years old and still going strong. I have about 143,000 miles on it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I was fortunate enough to have a brother who was able to repair any problems I had with it, which weren’t very many. Now that I’m over 60, if I’m ever forced to get another vehicle, I would probably get something easier to get in and out of – like maybe a Honda CRV.
II had s honda accord that i bought in 2013. It was a previous 3 year lease. I loved it drove it hardly had any problems. My mechanic also told me to hang on to it. Had 100k But unfortunately i was rare ended this year and it was totaled. I definitely was surprised with how much the insurance company offered me for it. Unfortunately cares are so expensive so it helped but i ended ip leading s honda Crv 2022 All the bells and whistles love it. Probably will keep it
I like to buy a yugo and a edsel any recommendations
Hemmings.com has Edsels for Sale, starting at around $15k. Pass on the Yugo
Buying a car is frustrating especially when there is NO known way to find out it’s actual manufactured, delivered price. When I buy I go top Of the line with all the bells & whistle’s. Friends & Family is $500 below Invoice so many are Cheated when purchasing as they are still making a large profit with their manufactures kickbacks,
Aren’t there any Honda Civic on the market, as I don’t see much of it now. I do have an 2008 Honda Civic and now have almost 50,000 miles. It’s a good car, but it is now getting old. My mechanic told me not to get rid of it as it is a good car.
I bought a 2022 Honda Civic Sport this past summer with just under 12,000 miles and I love it. I went from a 2006 Toyota Camry to this LOL Not a lot out there to choose from so I bought the black one and only 2022 on the lot. You don’t get the dealership to lower price though with so few cars to pick from. Black is tough in the summer heat though. My last car was gray and did not notice it so much. Good luck car shopping!
Makes complete sense!
I was thinking of trading in my 2016 Subaru Forester and was blown away when the estimate for a new 2022 equivalent from the dealer ADDED $4,000 to the sticker price and under valued the trade in value of my 2016. I’ll wait until prices come down to more normal.
My last two cars have been Honda Civics and I paid around $17,500 for both. The first one I drove 330,000 miles and my current civic has 264,000 miles. Both have been reliable and safe. I refuse to pay over $20,000 for a car to commute in that I know will not have any resale value by the time I am done with it.
I have AAA for years they been very nice to me. That’s why I steal have AAA I PAID MY MEMBERSHIP A WHOLE YEAR. VERY NICE PEOPLE THAT WORK BEHIND AAA KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THEY NOT LIKE IN NEED TOW COMPANY THEY ARE THE BEST WITH THE CALL AND PAPER WORK AND LOCATION
Would like info on a pickup truck with double cab and medium flat bed. Of course it should fuel efficient. Automatic or standard transmission.
Thanks for this great info. Everyone needs to buy the best car they can afford. Many people don’t have the money to but an expensive car. I purchased a Versa back in 2012 and its still running fine with 124,000 miles on it, almost 10 years later. Granted its not the best vehicle with all the bells and whistles but thats all I could afford at the time. Everyone needs to stay in their lane, and do what they can with the money they have. Dont feel bad about buying a cheap car if that is the best you can do. Get that car, then get from point A to point B
I agree 100% , not everyone including myself ,can afford to buy all the extra.
Lets keep left wing politics about Global Warming out of this. You are entitled to your opinion but not your own facts. The fit is a great car. But we have had sub compacts for a long time, way before the Global Warming agenda.
I would walk before purchasing any of these tin boxes. Any happiness over money saved over a more premium vehicle or that “new car” feeling will be short lived once the cheapness of materials and engineering set in.
Thank you for the information on basic cars. It’s so sad that the car makers are targeting Americans all in the same way. Not everyone can afford all the luxury but it is forced on us. We can’t help but have to have every luxury option like it or not and we have to pay for it all on top of it. That’s the reason why they won’t offer manual transmission anymore because it’s too cost effective over time and the dealership does not want that. It cost $500 two years in a row on the very same day in June 2018 and 2019 just have my trunk close on VW. Very disgusted with the over the top useless expensive foolish features that are pushed on the American consumers
I’m confused… what cost $500 2 years in a row?? And you mention your VW but you’re not very clear on anything to do with the article… please elaborate…
Think about buying a 3 year old vehicle coming off a lease. There are lots of them out there now. Many of these leased vehicles were nicely equipped. With about 30,000 miles on them, you might be able to pick one up with 40% to 50% off the original sticker price. Almost any car produced today can go 150,000 miles with diligent maintenance.
I absolutely agree! While shopping for a car in 2012, I went to a local dealership. Found a 2010 Nissan Rogue that had one owner, and 17K miles on it. It is now 2021, and I have 48K miles on it. I don’t go far, but this car is a powerhouse in the winter.
What cars are the most attractive after a 3 yr lease in terms of price and reliability? Also only available thru dealerships?
There’s an old saying: “You get what you pay for.” You can save a lot of money if you’re willing to drive in a beer can.
Makes complete sense!
My wife and I recently purchased, a brand new 2020 Honda Pilot Elite Black Edition, and have already put over 500 miles on our new car. This car is extremely well equipped, with safety in mind, is very comfortable, has an excellent ride, is relatively fuel efficient, has plenty of power, and has plenty of space, for just about anything. I highly recommend this car for older seniors, like myself, and my wife. Of course, I highly recommend installing running boards, for easier access, which we did.
How much did you pay for it driving out of the lot@?
P.S. to my previous comment: We purchased a new 2018 Hyundai Sonata from end-of-year purchase with lots of bells and whistles and excellent comfort and safety features, for just under $20,000, and we live in an expensive part of the country. It takes research, patience and a firm negotiating stance – but it can be done. And it is so worth it. Don’t settle for less than you can actually get.
Thank you for the added info … I was just about to ask you and I saw that you had added that info!
8 was having all the same feelings when I went to purchase my cat. I bought a Senata as well. 2018 lots of bells and whistles. Lots of haggling on price but I got what I wanted.
Purchasing a basic model in any make care usually isn’t the best decision. You are still going to have your car for many years and do a lot of traveling in it. Thus, safety and comfort are essential. We test drove a brand new basic compact model and it was the most uncomfortable drive we ever had. No thank you. We wound up purchasing a fabulous car that came with a lot of bells and whistles from end-of-year surplus and have all the safety and comfort we could want. A cheap car will wind up costing you in many ways, including your health and safety. Not worth it.
Yeah, it’s not worth risking your life. It’s bad enough they all fold up like cardboard at a 25 mph ! Why compound the problem. And wouldn’t you think the smaller the car the higher the insurance???????
I love the information. Great
Please send me information on Cheap cars 2020 ; 2019 ; 2018 models.
Hi Ben, most of the car models on this list have remained the cheapest options for the past several years so they are likely your best choices. Thanks for reading!
It sure would be helpful if there was a picture of any car mentioned since I haven’t a clue what any of them are
I love my Honda Fit, slightly more expensive than these models but still economical, I feel totally safe in it, totally comfortable, get 40-45 mpg, and best of all, I’m contributing minimally to climate change which isn’t even mentioned in this article. Unfortunately, lots of Americans are completely sucked in by the big car myth, and the need to have a large, gas guzzling vehicle to prove how tough and manly they are. We can learn a lot from our European friends who understand what the climate crisis is all about and don’t feel that driving a small car is effeminate somehow.
Europeans having had smaller cars for decades has nothing to do with the “climate crisis” myth you refer to, but actually due to the smaller roadways in their cities, much of which were in use by horse and wagon prior to the invention of the automobile. The polar cap of Antarctica has actually dropped in temperature slightly over the past few decades.