Affordable new cars in 2024? Yeah, they still exist… technically. But let’s be real: ‘affordable’ doesn’t mean ‘good.’ Today, we’re diving into the ten cheapest cars you can buy in 2024, and spoiler alert — the compromises might have you rethinking that monthly payment.
1. 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
Price: $18,160 | Fuel Economy: 39 MPG Combined
Let’s start with the Mirage, the cheapest car on this list — and it shows. A 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine powers this sluggish hatchback, and when we say “powers,” we’re being generous. Sure, it sips fuel like it’s on a diet, but the driving experience? It feels like punishment. Yes, it has a 7-inch touchscreen and automatic emergency braking, but the Mirage remains a reminder that cheap doesn’t always mean cheerful.
2. 2024 Nissan Versa S
Price: $19,200 | Fuel Economy: 35 MPG Combined
Next up, the Nissan Versa. It’s packed with safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning — nice touches — but the engine feels like it was designed to power a lawnmower, not a car. While the Versa technically gets the job done, its underwhelming 122-horsepower engine makes merging onto highways a white-knuckle experience. And while its styling has improved, it still feels… forgettable.
3. 2024 Kia Forte LX
Price: $21,145 | Fuel Economy: 34 MPG Combined
The Kia Forte starts to inch us into “somewhat decent” territory, but barely. It’s efficient, and the 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay is nice. But the trunk is laughably small, and despite its attempts at sporty styling, it still screams economy sedan. Plus, Kia is already gearing up to replace it with the K4 next year, meaning if you buy this, you’re essentially driving yesterday’s news.
4. 2024 Hyundai Venue SE
Price: $21,275 | Fuel Economy: 31 MPG Combined
The Hyundai Venue tries to disguise itself as an SUV — but don’t be fooled. It’s front-wheel drive only, making it more of a tall hatchback than a real utility vehicle. It’s slow, the interior feels cheap, and while Hyundai did upgrade the tech slightly this year, the Venue remains a wannabe SUV that’s better suited to grocery runs than adventure.
5. 2024 Chevrolet Trax LS
Price: $21,495 | Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined
The Chevrolet Trax is bigger and roomier than before, but Chevy made one critical misstep: no all-wheel drive option. That’s right — this “SUV” is front-wheel drive only. While it’s packed with safety tech and a larger touchscreen, the engine struggles, and the overall driving experience feels more like a compromise than a confident ride.
6. 2024 Kia Soul LX
Price: $21,565 | Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined
The Kia Soul still holds onto its quirky charm, but that charm is wearing thin. The interior feels dated, and while it does have decent cargo space, it’s paired with a stiff ride and a noisy cabin. At this price point, Kia could’ve added a few more upscale touches instead of relying on that same boxy silhouette they’ve been using for over a decade.
7. 2024 Nissan Sentra S
Price: $22,320 | Fuel Economy: 34 MPG Combined
The Nissan Sentra has seen some tweaks for 2024, but they didn’t fix the biggest issue: the CVT transmission. It’s sluggish, awkward, and sucks any joy out of driving. The Sentra looks sharp, but under the hood, it’s the same old story — lackluster performance, mediocre ride quality, and a driving experience that feels like it’s holding its breath.
8. 2024 Nissan Kicks S
Price: $22,730 | Fuel Economy: 33 MPG Combined
The Nissan Kicks is one of the least inspiring crossovers on the market. With just 122 horsepower, it feels underpowered on anything other than flat city streets. While the tech is decent and the fuel economy is respectable, the Kicks lacks versatility, and the driving experience feels about as exciting as waiting in line at the DMV.
9. 2024 Hyundai Elantra SE
Price: $22,775 | Fuel Economy: 36 MPG Combined
The Hyundai Elantra scores points for its sleek design and impressive fuel economy, but that doesn’t erase the reality of its lackluster driving dynamics. The cabin is spacious, but the interior materials feel cheap, and the updated tech still can’t hide the fact that the Elantra feels like a budget car trying too hard to be something it’s not.
10. 2024 Toyota Corolla LE
Price: $23,145 | Fuel Economy: 35 MPG Combined
Finally, we have the Toyota Corolla. It’s reliable, fuel-efficient, and packed with standard tech. Sounds great, right? Except that it’s… boring. Driving the Corolla feels like eating plain oatmeal every day. It’s dependable, sure, but there’s no excitement, no personality, and certainly no thrill behind the wheel.
So, there you have it — the ten cheapest new cars of 2024. While they all technically check the boxes for “affordable transportation,” the reality is that each one comes with compromises. Whether it’s a sluggish engine, cheap interiors, or fake SUV branding, it’s clear that ‘cheap’ doesn’t always mean ‘good value.’
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