10 Affordable Cars We Miss
Only a decade ago, a 2016 Kia Soul had a starting price of $15,900 for the manual-transmission-equipped base model. Nowadays, the cheapest new car you can buy is the 2026 Hyundai Venue, which has a starting price of $20,550. Sadly, the affordable car segment effectively died after the pandemic, and that trend will not be reversing.
Affordable icons like the Nissan Sentra may be better-equipped and more efficient than ever before, but they are no longer “cheap” at a $22,600 starting price. As a result, we have compiled a list of 10 affordable cars we miss that you can buy on the used market right now for less than $15,000.
Models are listed in ascending order based on average used price, from the most affordable to the least affordable.
10
2011 Toyota Yaris Hatchback
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $5,575
Look far and wide across the current automotive market, and you will only find two new two-door hatchbacks available for sale: the Mini Cooper two-door and the Fiat 500e. Both of these cars are great, but they cost way too much. The second-generation Yaris is one of the truest examples of a pure econobox: frugality is everything.
If you want a vehicle that will cost you next to nothing to maintain, gets good gas mileage, and has a manual transmission, look no further. The 2011 Toyota Yaris barely makes 100 horsepower, but the manual transmission is a joy to experience. If you want a practical manual-equipped car, you probably won’t find a more dependable option at such a low price point.
9
2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $6,275
If America had kei cars, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV would be one of its clearest representatives. The Spark EV was never intended to be adopted in the broader U.S. market, so most people never got to see this ultra-compact five-door hatchback, let alone experience one. Indeed, this was GM’s first all-electric car since the failure of the Chevrolet EV1 in the late 1990s.
What the Spark EV achieved that its predecessor could not was providing a truly affordable product. Lease deals when new meant you could get a Spark EV for less than $100 a month, something that would be unheard of for any car nowadays. Even better was the way the Spark EV drove. A vehicle of this size with 400 pound-feet of instant torque (as offered on the 2014 model year) is insane fun. The Spark EV made driving an EV fun, almost gamified, which made it worth considering despite its limited 82 miles of range.
8
2013 Toyota Matrix Hatchback
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $6,850
The second-generation Toyota Matrix is one of those affordable hatchbacks from a bygone era that aged very well. The 2.4-liter inline-four found in the S and XRS produced 158 horsepower, which was more than enough for a vehicle of this size. When mated to the five-speed manual transmission, the Matrix is a joy to drive.
The best part about it is that you don’t have to sacrifice any practicality, as this five-door hatchback was surprisingly roomy while also achieving strong fuel economy figures. S trim models could even be equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and AWD, which included an upgraded independent rear suspension design. The 2013 Toyota Matrix offers most of the benefits of a new Corolla hatchback at a fraction of the price, and if a manual is a must, it ticks all the right boxes.
7
2017 Hyundai Accent
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $7,250
The fourth-generation Hyundai Accent was another model from the past that offered a perfect blend of affordability and practicality. Amazingly easy to park in the crowded urban sprawl, the 2017 Accent remains a top pick for shoppers looking for the best value for their hard-earned cash.
The hatchback body style means you have plenty of cargo room and easy accessibility, making the ownership experience seamless. Rear seating is minimal for adult passengers, but short trips are manageable. Enthusiasts will be happy to know that a six-speed manual transmission came standard on the base SE trim. The 138-horsepower 1.6-liter inline-four may not be particularly inspiring, but it gets solid fuel economy, and maintenance expectations are as reasonable as it gets.
6
2012 Honda Fit Sport
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $8,725
The second-generation Honda Fit remains one of the hottest subcompact cars on the used market. Its particular cheese-wedge shape makes it highly versatile, and you would be blown away by the things you can fit in the cabin with the rear seats down. Because of the distinctive shape of the Fit, one of its few downsides is that replacing the front windshield can be a costly repair if you want OEM-level glass.
While it may not offer the same dynamic capability as previous double-wishbone FWD Honda hatches like the EF or EG Civics, the Fit is still great fun in the twisties. The 117-horsepower 1.5-liter inline-four may not have much grunt, but it is practically indestructible with routine service intervals. Of course, the five-speed manual transmission is the optimal pick out of the available drivetrains, and the Sport trim is the way to go because the exterior just looks better than what is offered with the base trim in every way.
5
2011 Honda Element
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $10,200
To this day, there still has never been an SUV quite as utilitarian as the Honda Element. The 2011 Element is a true purpose-built vehicle. Its clamshell doors, unique interior design, and bulletproof powertrain made it an affordable icon. In terms of its appeal to a young, active adult demographic, the Element was well ahead of its time. The multifunctional nature of the interior, with the ability to fold the rear seats flat or up against the cabin sides, still makes us wonder why current SUV models can’t do the same.
If you have a dog or two, the Element is one of the few cars truly designed with pets in mind, and the Dog Friendly Package even includes a ramp for older and heavier dogs to access the built-in dog bed in the trunk. One detail worth noting is that the Element can only seat four passengers, which may be a deciding factor depending on your situation. For the best features and safety, we suggest looking at 2007+ facelift models that offer curtain airbags, ABS, and stability control as standard.
4
2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $11,000
How many of you remember the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Korean automaker’s first RWD sports car? Built as a direct competitor to cars like the Infiniti G37 Coupe, the Genesis Coupe initially offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbo-four and the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6. In the final two model years of the Genesis Coupe, 2015 and 2016, the 348-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 was the sole engine choice available and was ultimately the better choice between the two, despite its more limited tuning potential.
The 2016 Genesis Coupe could be optioned with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. For the ultimate Genesis Coupe experience, the 3.8 Ultimate trim is the obvious choice, as it includes performance upgrades such as Brembo brakes and a Torsen limited-slip differential, along with luxury features such as heated seats, a 360-watt, ten-speaker audio system, and automatic HID headlights. While it may not feel quite like a modern sports car, the Genesis Coupe 3.8 still offers a distinct allure for enthusiasts that hasn’t lost its appeal.
3
2018 Mazda Mazda6 Sedan
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $12,250
One of the best-looking Japanese sedans no longer available is the third and final generation of the Mazda Mazda6. The 2018 Mazda6 is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four that produces 184 horsepower and achieves 32 mpg combined when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission. However, enthusiasts were privileged to receive a six-speed manual transmission option in the Sport and Touring trims through the 2018 model year. The top-trim Grand Touring model was only available with the automatic and featured upgrades such as radar cruise control and automatic high beams.
2018 was also the year that the Mazda6 received its last major refresh, with updated exterior design and interior upgrades such as integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Two new trims were introduced as well: the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature, both powered by a turbocharged inline-four that produced 227 horsepower on 87-octane fuel, in addition to the Grand Touring model. If you want the final edition of the manual model, this transmission was only offered on the base Sport trim.
2
2019 Ford Fiesta ST
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $12,650
Another subcompact five-door hatchback that we can’t help but miss is the sixth-generation Ford Fiesta, specifically the high-performance Fiesta ST model. The Fiesta ST was first offered during the 2014 model year and was powered by a 1.6-liter turbo-four that produced 180 horsepwoer and 177 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Not only did the Fiesta ST receive a more aggressive exterior, but on the inside, you were met by partial-leather Recaro front seats, which were top-notch.
If you wanted an automatic transmission with your 2019 Ford Fiesta ST, you were out of luck because the manual variant was the only option available. Despite being FWD, the Fiesta ST is an absolute joy to drive fast because of its compact size, which resulted in a curb weight of only around 2,700 pounds. We never got the truly featherweight three-door hatchback model here in the U.S., but the added practicality of the five-door is a welcome trade-off. The rear seat is still best reserved for adult passengers on short trips, as rear legroom is very limited at only 31.2 inches.
1
2019 Fiat 500 Abarth
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $13,500
One of the most endearing subcompact performance cars ever built, the Fiat 500 Abarth still has a unique fondness to it. At the center of its appeal is the 1.4-liter turbo-four that produces 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque in the manual configuration, mated to either an optional six-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. That may not sound like a lot, but when you realize this engine still has tuning potential on the table, and the manual variant only has a curb weight of about 2,512 pounds, the Abarth is clearly built for speed.
One of the few vehicles that comes with a full muffler delete from the factory, the Abarth makes signature turbo-filled sounds that are hard to forget once you hear them for the first time. Driving an Abarth is undeniably fun, and just commuting around town is a spectacle in itself. Parking around the city, you simply couldn’t have a more practical car for urban exploration unless it were a Smart ForTwo. Even so, the 500 Abarth is significantly more versatile while still offering 28 mpg combined.
Sources: OEMs, KBB, The EPA
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments