5 low-cost automobiles you may 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 value.

Did we just like the Slate because it was cheap and since we might pay for under the options we needed? 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 primary, trustworthy transportation. It’s the solely automotive within the US beginning at beneath $20K. The excellent news is that it’s a nicer automotive than the value suggests. The unhealthy information is that Nissan will almost definitely finish manufacturing of the Versa S this yr.

Probably the most inexpensive Versa is the S trim with a 5-speed manual transmission. There’s a CVT possibility out there, which supplies higher gas economic system, however will value about $1.6K extra. The Versa S has respectable luxurious options for its value, with a number of choices you’ll be able to add and pay for. Security and driver help expertise are additionally extra complete than I anticipated.

Function highlights

Specification

Associated

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

People drive smaller SUVs and really massive 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 commonplace. As a small crossover, the Venue is good for every day city driving, commuting, the college run, and weekly procuring. 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 commonplace 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 greater price ticket than the essential Nissan Versa.

Function highlights

Specification

Associated

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

Do not need a Tesla? This is a completely 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 to be, and a boxy, upright physique that creates quite a lot of area inside. The Soul is a really sensible and nice city runaround with good options and many driver help and security expertise to maintain everyone secure, though it too doesn’t get the utmost stars in crash checks.

The Soul comes commonplace with CVT transmission and FWD solely. The fundamental LX already supplies a great, stable 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 dwelling within the metropolis than on the freeway.

Function highlights

Specification

Associated

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

There’s lots to like in regards to the Kia Niro plug-in hybrid, however its most important function 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 to be 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 appears 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 many who dislike the sound and really feel of the CVT, though the small turbo engine has to work onerous for its horses. The Trax has good area for passengers and cargo.

Function highlights

Specification

Associated

The Nissan Leaf is dead, long live the new Leaf

I’ll miss the Leaf’s earlier spirit, nevertheless it’s in all probability for the very best.

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 snug entrance seats and nice inside fittings. It additionally has a good quantity of trunk area for a sedan.

The Sentra has a traditional two liter enigine with a CVT fitted with synthetic gear modifications 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 nearly 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 make some sacrifices to beat Tesla and Chevy on value.