Can You Still Get a New Car When You Have a Tight Budget?

If you’re looking for a new ride but don’t have a lot to spend, the options aren’t as great as they once were. Still, you can buy a new car with a tight budget.

With the auto world focused on SUVs and electric vehicles, it’s harder and harder to find that bargain-priced new car. In today’s world, the most affordable new cars now cost more than $20,000, which might be a bit shocking to some people. Thankfully, these cars are much better than the new cars your parents and grandparents were driving.
Here are ten new cars that are ideal when you have a tight budget.

Honda Civic Sport Sedan

The Honda Civic has been the quintessential affordable car for more than 50 years. This is the car that sets the tone for the rest of the market as the budget choice that delivers the goods. You can enjoy the base Sport trim with its 2.0-liter engine that returns 37 mpg combined. This means you’ll have an affordable car that’s efficient and easy to drive, which sounds like the perfect combination.

Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Among the new cars you can drive when you’ve got a tight budget, the Toyota Corolla hatchback is a great choice. This little car delivers an impressive amount of interior space to make sure you have a versatile cabin for all your stuff. The standard 2.0-liter engine offers the efficiency and power you want, while an 8.0-inch touchscreen provides connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You’ll be glad to have the benefits of the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver-assist and safety tech in this little Toyota hatchback.

Mitsubishi Mirage ES

It’s hard to find a more affordable car in the market than the Mitsubishi Mirage ES. This base model is small, and it uses a tiny 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine to provide very little power. Still, you’ll pay a lot less for this car than any other on the list and, and can enjoy 39 mpg combined from the small powertrain. There’s nothing fancy or quick about this car, but it could be a good car for someone that’s got a small budget and just needs reliable transportation.

Volkswagen Jetta

Some might not think of the Volkswagen Jetta as one of the most affordable new cars for people with tight budgets, but it is. This car starts at a low price and gives you a good amount of tech, a comfortable ride, and excellent fuel mileage. The fuel mileage reaches 42 mpg on the highway, which is great if you have a long daily commute to deal with. When you’re looking for an easy choice and a small sedan, the Jetta could be what you’re looking for.

Mini Hardtop Classic

You can actually get a stylish car for a good price. The Mini Hardtop brings the sporty character and signature styling of the brand to the market, offering you the impressive drive and quality features you want to enjoy. This car can be fun to drive, especially when you realize how cool the styling offered is. When you don’t have a lot to spend, you don’t have to break the bank for style; this Mini gives you a great-looking car at an affordable price.

Ford Maverick

For a small price, you can actually own a pickup truck. The Ford Maverick is the cheapest new truck you can buy, and it brings a ton of great features and qualities to your drive. The base engine is a 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder model that offers 37 mpg combined to make driving better for you. If you’re looking for a great new car for your tight budget, the Ford Maverick could be the truck that gives you the drive you’re looking for.

Kia Rio LX

Another small and extremely affordable car is the Kia Rio. This little vehicle can be the right car when you don’t want a high car payment but need a reliable new ride. The Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a CVT to deliver impressive fuel economy numbers that reach 36 mpg combined. You’ll find an 8-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a comfortable place to enjoy the drive. This is an affordable car with uncompromising characteristics to make it easy to enjoy your drive.

Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra brings value pricing, excellent driving manners, a comfortable ride, and a well-built interior to your driving experience. This is an impressive new car that can be great when you have a tight budget to deal with. You’ll be glad to have the power offered and the efficiency that makes a difference on the road. Regardless of whether you need to drive on the highway or in the city, the Sentra can be the car that delivers the amazing experience you’re looking for every day.

Mazda3

There’s nothing wrong with expecting a little more quality in your drive, and you can still have that at an affordable price when you drive the Mazda3. This compact sedan or hatchback can be the ideal choice. If you’re looking for the most affordable version, choose the Mazda3 S Sedan, which gives you the base price but premium quality features and materials in the cabin to ensure you have the look and feel you want during your time on the road. The fuel economy numbers for the Mazda3 are 26 city/36 hwy mpg.

Kia Soul

The Kia Soul occupies a unique place in the market. This boxy car is technically a hatchback, but it has also been put into some SUV classes. The Kia Soul is a great new car to drive when you have a tight budget because of its size and efficiency. You’ll find lots of room in the cabin, along with an efficient powertrain to keep more money in your pocket. If you’re looking for a great first car or one that fits your budget the right way, the Kia Soul is hard to beat.

Could one of these new cars be what you’re looking for to fit your tight budget?