5 low-cost automobiles you will wish to do your analysis on

We have been all very when the $20K Slate EV was announced. It was a pickup with no options, not even painted. Inside was a clean dashboard and windup home windows — and you can add options at a worth.

Did we just like the Slate because it was cheap and since we might pay for less than the options we wished? The average car costs around $48K, however you will get one for round $20K, and even much less. What do you get for that? Is it a horrible empty field or is it good sufficient for somebody who hates paying for stuff they do not want? I did not know both, so I did some digging, and that is what I discovered.

5

2025 Nissan Versa S

$17,190

Nissan

The Nissan Versa S is a small five-seat FWD sedan usually described as fundamental, sincere transportation. It’s the solely automotive within the US beginning at below $20K. The excellent news is that it’s a nicer automotive than the worth suggests. The dangerous information is that Nissan will probably finish manufacturing of the Versa S this yr.

Probably the most reasonably priced Versa is the S trim with a 5-speed manual transmission. There’s a CVT possibility out there, which supplies higher gasoline economic system, however will price about $1.6K extra. The Versa S has first rate luxurious options for its worth, with a number of choices you may add and pay for. Security and driver help expertise are additionally extra complete than I anticipated.

Characteristic highlights

Specification

Associated

The crossover might still be king, but the sedan is making a comeback

Individuals drive smaller SUVs and really giant vans, making up 75% of gross sales. The remaining, surprisingly sufficient, are primarily passenger automobiles.

4

2025 Hyundai Venue SE

$20,200

Hyundai

The Hyundai Venue is a subcompact crossover that seats 5 comfortably, with good options as normal. As a small crossover, the Venue is good for each day city driving, commuting, the college run, and weekly buying. Its small measurement makes it straightforward to park and maneuver in heavy site visitors. Security and driver help expertise are superb, though it doesn’t rating the utmost on its crash take a look at.

The Venue comes normal with CVT transmission, which provides to its easy driving, however even at that small measurement, this automotive is a bit under-powered for easy freeway overtaking. The fundamental Venue has a vibe that type of justifies its $3K larger price ticket than the fundamental Nissan Versa.

Characteristic highlights

Specification

Associated

The stunning, powerful EV is an excellent alternative to the Tesla Model Y

Do not desire a Tesla? This is a very legitimate different to the Mannequin Y.

3

2025 Kia Soul LX

$20,490

Kia

The Kia Soul is a subcompact five-seat crossover with quirky seems, and a boxy, upright physique that creates quite a lot of house inside. The Soul is a really sensible and nice city runaround with good options and plenty of driver help and security expertise to maintain all people protected, though it too doesn’t get the utmost stars in crash checks.

The Soul comes normal with CVT transmission and FWD solely. The fundamental LX already supplies , strong automotive, and you’ve got a selection of many optional features to make your ride better. Just like the Venue, the Kia Soul is extra at residence within the metropolis than on the freeway.

Characteristic highlights

Specification

Associated

Is the Kia Niro the best budget hybrid crossover you can buy in 2025? Sort of

There’s so much to like concerning the Kia Niro plug-in hybrid, however its foremost characteristic could be pointless.

2

2025 Chevrolet Trax LS

$20,500

Wiki Commons Ethan Llamas

The Chevrolet Trax is a five-seat subcompact crossover. It has sharp seems and a nice, if considerably bland, inside. The Trax has decrease, extra car-like dimensions than the Kia Soul, for instance. The underside trim is decidedly naked in options in comparison with its dearer variants, however it’s nonetheless a nice automotive to drive within the metropolis, and seems like good worth for cash. Security and driver help are on par with the opposite automobiles on this checklist.

One space the place it stands out is the six-speed computerized transmission for individuals who dislike the sound and really feel of the CVT, though the small turbo engine has to work laborious for its horses. The Trax has good house for passengers and cargo.

Characteristic highlights

Specification

Associated

The Nissan Leaf is dead, long live the new Leaf

I will miss the Leaf’s earlier spirit, but it surely’s most likely for the most effective.

1

2025 Nissan Sentra S

$21,590

Nissan

The Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan, larger than the opposite automobiles on this checklist, on par with the dearer Honda Civic or VW Jetta in measurement. Reviewers usually comment on the comfy entrance seats and nice inside fittings. It additionally has a good quantity of trunk house for a sedan.

The Sentra has a standard two liter enigine with a CVT fitted with synthetic gear adjustments like an computerized. This improves the texture and sound of the automotive, if not the efficiency. The baseline Sentra has good options that may be upgraded, and its security and driver help expertise is pretty much as good as any sedan in its class. Just like the smaller Versa, this Nissan additionally will get 5 stars within the NHTSA crash take a look at.

Specification

Associated

This is the cheapest EV you can buy new right now

You are making some sacrifices to beat Tesla and Chevy on worth.