Finding The Best Cheap Car In America! | The Least Expensive 2023 Cars Compared!

For 2023 there are three new cars you can buy (including tax) that will cost you under $20,000 and a few solid options that'll be under $25,000 if you feel a bit more rich. This video is all about: Nissan Versa vs Kia Rio vs Mitsubishi Mirage vs Hyundai Venue vs Kia Forte vs Chevrolet Trax vs Toyota Corolla. What do you get for your money? Which one is the best value? How much will they cost to keep around? And which cheap new car is right for you? All that and more in this video!

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[toyorobo]

I'm really loving the low-cost reviews these days. We really need more of these value structured vehicles and more attention on them. You're doing an exceptional job of keeping these cars in the light, thanks for that!

[MicahB]

I got a 2019 Kia Forte used with 12k miles on for 16k back in 2021, i know have 68k miles on it and it’s been an amazing first car. Would i like a more refined and more features in a car of course but with my budget I feel like I made the best choice.

[Kered-]

Out of the cheapest 3, I would choose the Rio.

[HerrDragunburgh]

I'd love to see you do a comparison like this for the passenger haulers. I'm quite interested in a side by side price comparison of the vehicles with 6+ seats all in one video.

[minghiy]

From what you described, the Chevy Trax sounds like the most bang for the buck. It would be a good long term test vehicle.

[robertshunter]

Another vote for the Chevrolet Trax. It would be interesting to see how it holds up with use, and if it continues to be endearing. There's also the question of whether that shorter warranty could be a negative in the end.

[rightlanehog]

Alex, Six of the seven cars on this list would be better suited to leasing rather than purchasing. In regard to a purchase for the Auto Buyers Guide, a swapping of the Outlander for an AWD Corolla Hybrid would surely drum up the most interest. 🤩🤩

[ravipeiris]

My first car was a 1973 VW Superbeetle, made in Germany, which I drove as a college freshman in 1988. Owned it for several decades and reliable and well built as heck. Now I drive a Maybach but my Beetle will always hold a special place in my heart. Interesting that not a single volkswagen model made it on this list.

[laurencehebert]

You forgot the Volkswagen Jetta. It starts around 21, 000 with his manual speed transmission. Although oddly enough it comes with a timing belt. 🤦‍♂️

[palebeachbum]

Excellent info, Alex. Thanks. I think you should do a long-term review of the Chevy Trax. With it being an all-new model and such a compelling package, I think a lot of people are curious about what it's like to live with and how it holds up long-term. Since the Mirage and Rio will likely be discontinued in the next year or so, and something like 90% of new car shoppers opts for an automatic, I don't think it would make much sense to do a long-term review of the Mirage, Rio, or Versa manual.

[andspenrob]

I think any Trax you get would end up being ~$25K or so and over 20% more than a well-spec'd Rio. My vote is high-spec Rio 5-door to prove that it's possible to get adaptive cruise, decent mileage, Carplay/Android Auto, and good utility for around $20K.

[CJ-fhxq]

For my money, I would get a base Mazda CX-30. Brand New one cost $23K. Still uses a nice 2.5L engine and 6 speed auto. But the Trax is a nice alternative.

[apileofrocks]

3:12 "to send someone off to Collagen" 😅 great coverage, it's interesting to see where the baseline for new cars lies with each year.

[catlover]

My vote is for the absolute base model of the Kia Rio, no options. I would be against the Versa MT because most Americans prefer an automatic transmission over the manual.

[CRVgarage]

Imo Trax is the best new vehicle. Spacious for 4 adults, big on cargo that will fit a 65" tv.

[gkauto]

You goofed on the Mirage, its the best car in its category! It weighs less than either of its competitors so engine power can be less, giving it 45 to 50mpg on the hi way. I own one and while it is challenging on steep hills, it will still get atop them. In town it has nimble handling and at these lower speeds its acceleration is good enough while getting up to 65mph takes alittle longer then cruise control takes over and you get that 50 plus mpg, while you have a 10yr/100, 000 mile warranty to fall back on. Plus they are stone reliable, many go past 200K miles but the champ for long distance is 414, 000 miles on a 2014 Mirage. So with its mileage, warranty, affordability, reliability you rate this car lower than the other 2 with a lessor warranty, worse gas mileage, higher prices and only average reliability (Did you know Mitsubishi had to advise Nissan on how to get their CVT's to in the Versa and Sentra? They would detonate in short order and the recalls were horrendous.) Have you even driven a Mirage?

[laurencehebert]

Lastly, really consider the Versa! My current cars are manual and I sadly think it will be my last one. But I really had fun in the Versa MT.

[godofstones]

The long term cost of ownership table is interesting. I like to keep cars for a long time so maybe the Corolla would be best for me. I'd vote for Alex to get a Versa or a Trax for testing though.

[bigcrowfly]

For $20k plus the cost of the over 10 years (say $40k), how many years can you ride buses and take uber?

[JDer-milys]

I understand your view with the mirage, but I don't understand the US price! In Canada, in Canadian dollars it's for 14300$. ( converter tells 10900$us) at that price I would think that you could make an argument for it.

And for second row and the hatch, yes it's tight. But for the front row, I'm 6foot 2 and I insane plenty of space.