Best cheap new and used cars

1. Subaru Impreza

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.6

• Reliability score: 8.0
• Retained Value Points: 8.7
• Safety grade: 9.0

Average new car price: $23,610

Average used car price for a 3-year-old: $23,238

The Subaru Impreza ranks first and is available as a sedan or hatchback. Unlike most compact cars, all-wheel drive comes standard on the Impreza. The Impreza achieves a high safety rating distinct from Subaru and includes standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Standard infotainment features include a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth.

2. Nissan Versa

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.2

• Reliability: 7.5
• Retained value points: 8.2
• Safety grade: 8.9

Average new car price: $18,880

Average used car price for a 3-year-old: $18.554

The Nissan Versa ranks second. The Versa comes standard with forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. The base’s next version, the SV, starts at $17,890 and adds rear seat reminder, driver drowsiness monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, satellite radio, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The top-of-the-line SR is still under $20,000 at $18,490 and adds keyless proximity, remote start, and speaker stereo. The $400 Comfort Package adds heated front seats, automatic climate control, and adaptive cruise control.

3. Kia Rio

iSeeCars Quality Score: 8.0

• Reliability score: 7.9
• Retained Value Points: 8.1
• Safety points: Not available

Average new car price: $17,725

Average used car price for a 3-year-old: $17,821

Kia Rio ranks third. Available as a sedan and as a hatchback in the top of the S-Class only, the Kia Rio offers an upscale interior and excellent fuel efficiency. Both bodies have functional cargo space for the class, and the hatchback has an additional 3.7 ft.-ft. of cargo capacity compared to the sedan. The base model doesn’t come with any standard safety features, but both models in the Top S also cost less than $20,000 even with the $1,800 added entertainment package. S trim adds foldable rear seats, additional USB ports, cruise control and keyless entry, and the Technology Package, available only on the S model, adds forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and driver drowsiness monitoring A back seat reminder.

4. Hyundai Accent

iSeeCars Quality Score: 7.9

• Reliability score: 7.7
• Retained Value Points: 7.9
• Safety Score: 8.0

Average new car price: $18,123

Average used car price for a 3-year-old: $17,829

The compact Hyundai Accent takes fourth place. It is similar to the Kia Rio and shares many of the same features, but the Accent is not as available as the hatchback. Accent comes with standard infotainment features including a 5-inch touch screen, Siri Eyes Free voice control, and Bluetooth. For buyers who need Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, choose the $18,000 SEL. Still under $20,000, the top is priced at $19,500 and adds standard features including a sunroof, heated front seats, automatic climate control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

5. Kia Forte

iSeeCars Quality Score: 7.9

• Reliability score: 7.6
• Retained value points: 8.0
• Safety Score: 8.1

Average new car price: $21.534

Average used car price for a 3-year-old: $20396

The compact Kia Forte ranks fifth. The Forte features a spacious cabin and excellent fuel economy. It comes standard with driver assistance features including forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. Standard infotainment features include an 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity.

6. Nissan Sentra

iSeeCars Quality Score: 7.9

• Reliability score: 7.7
• Retained Value Points: 7.5
• Safety grade: 8.4

Average new car price: $22,670

Average used car price for a 3-year-old: $22.211

The Nissan Sentra compact sedan ranks sixth. The Nissan Sentra has a 149-hp four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and gets an EPA rating of 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. It comes standard with safety features including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, front and rear automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, and blind spot monitoring.

7. Hyundai Elantra

iSeeCars Quality Score: 7.9

• Reliability score: 7.7
• Retained Value Points: 7.9
• Safety Score: 8.0

Average new car price: $23,326

Average used car price for a 3-year-old: $19.917

Hyundai Elantra compact wraps up the list. The fun-to-drive Elantra is redesigned for 2022, features an attractive exterior design and comes with Hyundai-Kia’s standard 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Standard infotainment features include an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio and Bluetooth. It also offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Drowse Monitoring, Automatic High Beam Headlights, and Seat Alert Rear, safe exit warning.

Best used cars by price

Here are the best used cars and SUVs by price:

Best cheap used cars under $10,000

Here are the best used cars on the market for under $10,000. The cars on this list include used copies of the cheapest new cars and add the recently discontinued Chevrolet Sonic.

Small car.