The 10 Cheapest New Cars of 2022

These economy cars offer plenty of value for less than half the price of an average new vehicle for cost-conscious buyers.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Apr 20, 2022 | 6 min read

Chevrolet

Are you searching for the cheapest car possible so you can take in that new vehicle smell and benefit from a full warranty while minimizing your monthly payment? We put together this list of the cheapest new cars of 2022 currently available in America, along with a summary of what to expect in terms of features (read: not much), power (same), and fuel efficiency (the one bright spot). At the very least, most of these vehicles do include modern infotainment features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (with the few exceptions duly noted).

Here are the 10 cheapest new cars sold in America, from most expensive to least.

Nissan

10. 2022 Nissan Sentra S—$20,635

One of the better-looking compact sedans on the market, the entry-level Nissan Sentra S comes with a strong set of safety features, including Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite of driver-assistance technologies plus Intelligent Forward Collision Warning. Inside you'll find cloth seats, single-zone air conditioning, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Its 149-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is matched with a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT), and EPA fuel mileage estimates are 29 mpg city and 39 highway.

Kia

9. 2022 Kia Soul LX—$20,505

The Kia Soul's crossover styling gives it a cargo advantage over many other models on this list, with up to 62 cubic feet of total storage space available with the rear seats folded. Cloth seats are standard with the LX trim, and so is an 8.0-in infotainment touchscreen, but if you want more advanced safety gear, you'll have to pay $900 for the Technology Package. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder provides 147 horsepower and returns fuel mileage estimates of 28 mpg city and 33 highway with a CVT.

Hyundai

8. 2022 Hyundai Venue SE—$20,245

Another crossover contender is the Hyundai Venue, but its smaller footprint gives it about half (32 cubic feet) of the Soul's cargo space. The SE trim guarantees an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and safety equipment that includes lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 121 horsepower, and a CVT helps the Venue achieve fuel mileage estimates of 29 mpg city and 33 highway.

Kia

7. 2022 Kia Forte FE—$20,115

Roomy and well-equipped, the Kia Forte FE provides a strong return for not much investment. This compact sedan delivers an 8.0-inch touchscreen, but it's the safety equipment that truly impresses: automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping and following assist, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert are all included on the base FE. Fuel mileage from its 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine checks in at 31 mpg city and 41 highway, made possible by its standard CVT.

Subaru

6. 2022 Subaru Impreza—$19,790

The Subaru Impreza is the only cheap new car on this list to offer all-wheel drive, and it's included free of charge, even on the base trim of this compact sedan. Unfortunately, the Impreza is a little slower and somewhat less efficient than other new-car bargains, with its 152-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder carting around the extra AWD weight and returning estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg city and 31 highway. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, as is a 6.5-inch infotainment screen. If you want more active safety gear, it’s packaged with the optional $1,300 CVT.

Hyundai

5. 2022 Hyundai Accent SE—$17,690

The Hyundai Accent is about as basic as you can get in base SE trim, with power windows, cruise control, and a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system as its only real highlights. It's also an exception in that it doesn't make Apple CarPlay or Android Auto standard, nor is there any active safety gear to speak of. You do get Bluetooth connectivity, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 120-horsepower, and a CVT. Fuel economy estimates for the subcompact sedan stand at 33 mpg around town and 41 on the highway.

Kia

4. 2022 Kia Rio LX—$17,275

Thanks to common corporate parentage, the Kia Rio sedan shares its platform and mechanicals with the Hyundai Accent. The same four-cylinder and CVT powertrain delivers identical 33-mpg city and 41 highway EPA estimates as the Hyundai. Over the Accent, the Rio gains a nicer infotainment system (with an 8.0-inch touchscreen), but safety gear remains basic until you spring for the $1,800 Technology Package on top of the $18,105 the S trim commands.

Nissan

3. 2022 Nissan Versa S—$16,205

The Nissan Versa is another decently spacious subcompact sedan, although it requires compromise when found in entry-level S trim. A 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is offered, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not, and if you want to fold the rear seat flat, you have to pay more for an automatic transmission over its included five-speed manual. Like the larger Sentra, the Versa comes standard with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite of driver assistance technologies. Its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generates 122-horsepower and returns estimated fuel mileage of 27 mpg city and 35 on the highway.

Mitsubishi

2. 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage ES—$15,975

The Mitsubishi Mirage ES forces you to buy two unique options, even with the base model: a Welcome Package that includes floor mats and a touch-up paint pen for $155, plus a cargo tonneau cover for $130. The subcompact hatchback is otherwise sparsely equipped, featuring a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, automatic emergency braking, and automatic climate control. A 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine is standard, but its 78-hp rating is rock bottom among these affordable cars. Fuel mileage is listed at 33 mpg city and 41 highway with its standard five-speed manual transmission.

Chevrolet

1. 2022 Chevrolet Spark LS—$14,595

The cheapest new car sold in America in 2022 is the Chevrolet Spark LS, which presents a cheerier proposition than the more expensive Mirage under the hood. The subcompact hatchback's 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine provides a smoother 98 horsepower. Its fuel economy estimates are just behind the Mitsubishi, with the Spark’s five-speed manual gearbox returning 29 mpg city and 38 highway. The Spark LS provides do-it-yourself door locks and windows in place of the Mirage's power-assisted units, but it does come with a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Advanced safety equipment is non-existent outside of optional packages. If you want to buy a sub-$15,000 new car in the U.S., you need to act fast; production of the Spark ends in the summer of 2022, and no replacement is planned.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.