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 possibly can add options at a value.

Did we just like the Slate because it was cheap and since we may 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 typically described as primary, 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 value suggests. The dangerous information is that Nissan will almost certainly finish manufacturing of the Versa S this 12 months.

Essentially the most inexpensive Versa is the S trim with a 5-speed manual transmission. There’s a CVT possibility out there, which provides higher gasoline financial system, however will value about $1.6K extra. The Versa S has respectable luxurious options for its value, 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

People drive smaller SUVs and really massive vehicles, 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 right for day by day city driving, commuting, the varsity run, and weekly procuring. Its small dimension makes it simple 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 check.

The Venue comes commonplace with CVT transmission, which provides to its easy driving, however even at that small dimension, this automotive is a bit under-powered for easy freeway overtaking. The essential Venue has a vibe that form 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 need a Tesla? Here is a completely legitimate various 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 a whole lot of house inside. The Soul is a really sensible and nice city runaround with good options and many driver help and security expertise to maintain all people protected, though it too doesn’t get the utmost stars in crash exams.

The Soul comes commonplace with CVT transmission and FWD solely. The essential LX already supplies an excellent, 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.

Characteristic highlights

Specification

Associated

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

There’s rather a lot to like concerning the Kia Niro plug-in hybrid, however its foremost function may 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 pleasing, 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 pleasing 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 listing.

One space the place it stands out is the six-speed automated 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’ll miss the Leaf’s earlier spirit, but it surely’s in all probability 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 listing, on par with the dearer Honda Civic or VW Jetta in dimension. Reviewers typically 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 traditional two liter enigine with a CVT fitted with synthetic gear modifications like an automated. 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 check.

Specification

Associated

This is the cheapest EV you can buy new right now

You make some sacrifices to beat Tesla and Chevy on value.