Cheapest New Cars in 2026: 5 Best Under $24,000 (Real Prices)

New cars are expensive, and the days of a brand-new car for under $20,000 are basically over in the US. Nissan stopped selling the Versa, which was the last one, so the entry price now starts a bit above $22,000. The good news is that you still have some solid choices, with warranties, modern tech and decent fuel economy included. So here are the cheapest new cars in 2026, with real starting prices, what you get for the money, and where to go to buy them.

Quick note about the numbers: all prices include the destination charge but not taxes, registration, dealer fees or options. They come from manufacturer pricing and from CarGurus’ cheapest new cars guide, and they change often, so always confirm on the manufacturer’s site before you visit a dealer.

Quick answer: our top 5 at a glance

Why you can’t find a new car under $20,000 anymore

For the 2025 model year the Nissan Versa started at $17,390 plus a $1,245 destination fee. When Nissan dropped it, the cheapest new vehicle in America became the 2026 Hyundai Venue, and the least expensive new sedan is now the Kia K4. That’s why every car in this list is above $22,000 once you add destination. If your budget is lower than that, a used car is the realistic option, but if you want a warranty and a brand-new car, here’s what to look at.

1. Hyundai Venue: the cheapest new car in America

The Venue is a small crossover that’s easy to park and cheap to run, and it’s the lowest-priced new vehicle you can buy in the US right now. The base SE starts at $20,550 plus $1,600 destination, which is about $22,150. For that you get a 121-horsepower four-cylinder, around 31 mpg combined and a warranty that’s hard to beat at this price: 5 years or 60,000 miles basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain (the longer powertrain coverage normally applies to the original owner, so read the terms).

• Good: lowest price, small and easy to park, efficient, long warranty.
• Not so good: slow (about 8.5 seconds to 60 mph in real-world testing), lots of hard plastic inside, road noise, and no all-wheel drive.
• Best for: city driving and anyone who wants the lowest possible price on a new car.

If you’re not sure whether a crossover is for you, here is what a crossover is and how it differs from an SUV.

Build and price the Hyundai Venue on Hyundai USA

2. Chevrolet Trax: the most space for the money

The Trax is the cheapest new car Chevrolet sells, and it starts around $23,495 with destination. It fills the gap left by small sedans and hatchbacks with a crossover shape and a lot of room: 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 54.1 with the seats folded. Power comes from a 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder with 137 hp and a six-speed automatic, and it comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Good: big cargo area for the price, stylish, pleasant to drive and good technology.
• Not so good: front-wheel drive only, around 29 mpg combined, and some driver-assist features need higher trims or option packages.
• Best for: people who need practicality and a higher seating position.

Thinking about a bigger SUV? Read why choose an SUV before you decide.

See the Chevrolet Trax on Chevrolet’s official site

3. Kia K4: the cheapest sedan, with a lot of standard tech

The K4 replaced the old Forte and it’s now the least expensive new sedan you can buy, at roughly $23,400 including destination (the exact figure changes depending on trim and the source). It gives you a big 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB-C ports and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, plus a roomy back seat (up to 38 inches of rear legroom) and a 14.6 cubic foot trunk. The 2.0-liter engine makes 147 hp and gets up to 34 mpg combined.

• Good: lots of standard tech and safety, excellent space, great fuel economy.
• Not so good: the base engine and CVT are more about commuting than fun.
• Best for: daily driving and families who want a sedan with a long feature list.

Want to spend less on fuel? Check our top 20 cars with low consumption and these tips to save fuel.

See the Kia K4 on Kia’s official site

4. Nissan Sentra: premium feel on a budget

The all-new Sentra is a very good deal if you care about tech and comfort. It starts around $23,650 to $23,850 including destination, and every Sentra has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus the Nissan Safety Shield 360 safety package with automatic emergency braking. The cabin looks more expensive than the price tag, with comfortable «zero-gravity» seats. Under the hood it’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 149 hp and a CVT, rated up to 33 mpg combined.

• Good: lots of tech, comfortable seats, strong safety equipment, good value.
• Not so good: tight rear legroom and not much excitement when you press the accelerator.
• Best for: commuters who want comfort and tech without paying a lot.

Since the Sentra uses a CVT, it’s good to know when the gearbox oil should be changed.

See the Nissan Sentra on Nissan’s official site

5. Hyundai Elantra: more engine choices, plus a hybrid

The Elantra starts around $23,870 with destination and it’s the only car on this list with a real efficiency option inside the same model: the Elantra Hybrid is rated up to 51 mpg in the city and 58 mpg on the highway (Blue trim), although it costs a few thousand dollars more. The regular 2.0-liter engine makes 147 hp, and if you like driving, the N Line has a 1.6-liter turbo with 201 hp. It has a 14.2 cubic foot trunk, simple physical buttons for the main controls and a long warranty.

• Good: choice of engines, hybrid option, long warranty, stylish.
• Not so good: the base engine can feel strained on the highway, the interior has some cheap materials and the design isn’t for everyone.
• Best for: drivers who want to choose between economy and performance.

Interested in hybrids from the same brand? Read our Hyundai Kona Hybrid purchase tips.

Compare Elantra trims and hybrid on Hyundai USA

Other cheap new cars worth a look

If you can stretch the budget a bit, these also appear in the lists of cheapest new cars:

For a Toyota with a hybrid system, take a look at our Toyota Corolla Hybrid review.

Which one should you buy? A quick guide

What you’ll really pay: price vs monthly payment

The starting price is just the beginning. On top of it you’ll pay taxes, registration and sometimes dealer fees, and every option or higher trim adds to the total. The number that matters is the out-the-door price, so always ask for it in writing.

Most buyers finance a new car, so here is an example of how the interest rate and the loan length change your monthly payment. It’s a $23,000 loan with no down payment, and taxes and fees are not included. Your own rate will depend on your credit and the lender.

A longer loan lowers the monthly payment but you pay more interest overall (at 7%, a 72-month loan costs about $5,233 in interest, compared with about $3,437 for 48 months). If you want to compare offers, you can check car financing options on CarGurus and ask your own bank or credit union for a pre-approval, so you have something to compare with the dealer’s offer.

Don’t forget insurance, which changes a lot depending on the model and your profile. You can start with CarGurus’ insurance page and get quotes for the exact cars you’re considering before you sign anything.

How to buy a new car at a fair price

1. Check the manufacturer’s current offers. Brands often run incentives and special financing rates, and these change monthly. Look at the offers section of each official site.
2. Ask several dealers for the out-the-door price. Email or call at least three dealers and compare the totals, not just the monthly payment.
3. Know the destination fee and what’s included. It’s a fixed charge on every new car, but dealer add-ons are not, and you can say no to most of them.
4. Bring your own financing. A pre-approved loan gives you a number to beat.
5. Test drive more than one car. The cars on this list feel very different from each other.
6. Read everything before you sign. Check the final contract against the quote.

Also check the safety ratings of the exact car you want on NHTSA and IIHS, and compare fuel economy on fueleconomy.gov.

Where to buy a new car

These are the places to shop for a brand-new car. Start with the manufacturer’s site to see the exact price and the current incentives, then compare dealers:

• Hyundai USA: Venue and Elantra, with build and price tools and a dealer finder.
• Kia USA: the Kia K4 and the rest of the Kia lineup.
• Chevrolet: the Trax and the offers section.
• Nissan USA: the Sentra and current incentives.
• Toyota: the Corolla and Corolla Hybrid.
• New cars on CarGurus: search new-car inventory from dealers and compare prices.
• Dealerships near you: find local dealers to request quotes.
• Start your purchase online: begin the process from home before you visit the dealer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest new car in the US in 2026?

The Hyundai Venue is the least expensive new vehicle, starting at $20,550 plus $1,600 destination (about $22,150). The Kia K4 is the cheapest new sedan.

Can I still buy a new car for under $20,000?

Not anymore. The Nissan Versa, the last one under that mark, was discontinued, and today’s cheapest new cars start above $22,000 with destination.

Is the starting price what I’ll actually pay?

No. The advertised price usually leaves out taxes, registration, dealer fees and options. Ask for the out-the-door price and compare it between dealers.

Which cheap new car has the best fuel economy?

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, with ratings of up to 51 mpg in the city and 58 mpg on the highway. Among gas-only cars, the Kia K4 and the Nissan Sentra are very efficient.

Which cheap new car has all-wheel drive?

Among the cheapest cars, the Mazda3 is the one that offers available all-wheel drive, although it starts a bit above the five main picks. The Venue, Trax, K4, Sentra and Elantra are front-wheel drive.

That’s the list. Pick the one that fits your daily life, compare at least three dealers before you sign, and don’t focus only on the monthly payment. And once the new car is yours, learn how to keep it in top shape with our winter checklist to prepare your car.