Top 10 Most Affordable Car Brands (+3 Premium Ones)
Inexpensive car brands have a few commonalities: affordable price, cheap maintenance, and (at least) reasonably good reliability.
These car manufacturers are among the least expensive in the mainstream and luxury segments.
The 10 Most Economical Car Brands
The regular vehicle makes provide an excellent combination of low price and outstanding reliability – expensive isn’t always better.
#1 Kia
Kia has morphed from a cheap automaker that mass produces economy cars into an established marque with a broad range of vehicles that run as reliably as they are attractively styled.
As product quality improves, Kia remains the top cheap-car brand for smaller budgets, focusing on excellent value for money with an industry-leading warranty and feature offerings.
Kia cars are consistently the least expensive in their respective segments, while their performance, build quality, and reliability are impressive for the money.
This affordable Korean automaker has plenty of cars to suit modest budgets:
- Kia Rio – subcompact sedan.
- Kia Forte – compact sedan.
- Kia K5 – midsize sedan.
- Kia Soul – subcompact SUV.
- Kia Seltos – subcompact SUV.
- Kia Sportage – compact SUV.
- Kia Sorento – compact SUV.
- Kia Niro – compact SUV; hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric.
- Kia EV6 – electric SUV.
#2 Hyundai
Hyundai is the corporate sibling of Kia and is, unsurprisingly, an equally strong contender for the best value car company, with a similarly great warranty and feature-packed offerings.
The Korean marque produces strong contenders in various car-size segments, from the smallest runabouts to considerable people-haulers for larger families like the impressive Palisade SUV.
Excellent value-for-money small and midsize cars from Hyundai include:
- Hyundai Accent – extra-small sedan.
- Hyundai Elantra – small sedan; gas and hybrid.
- Hyundai Sonata – midsize sedan; gas and hybrid.
- Hyundai Kona – extra-small SUV; gas and electric.
- Hyundai Tucson – small SUV; gas and hybrid.
- Hyundai Santa Fe – midsize SUV; gas, hybrid, and plug-in-hybrid.
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 – electric SUV.
Hyundai’s range of all-electric IONIQ models are affordable and some of the best-looking EVs on the market.
#3 Toyota
The cheap-car manufacturers’ list is incomplete without including long-time favorites and the ever-dependable Toyota.
Many will agree that Toyota is one of the most reliable affordable car brands and the best compact car maker, with thoroughly inexpensive maintenance and low ownership costs.
With strong price retention, Toyota is also the best resale value car manufacturer, ensuring its vehicles’ stable pricing in the used vehicle market.
Several famous nameplates fill the Toyota stable:
- Toyota Prius – king of compact hybrids.
- Toyota Prius Prime – plug-in-hybrid hatchback.
- Toyota Corolla – compact sedan and hatchback; gas and hybrid.
- Toyota Camry – midsize sedan; gas and hybrid.
- Toyota C-HR – subcompact SUV.
- Toyota Corolla Cross – compact SUV.
- Toyota RAV4 – compact SUV; gas and hybrid.
- Toyota RAV4 Prime – compact plug-in-hybrid SUV.
- Toyota Venza – midsize SUV.
- Toyota Highlander – midsize SUV.
- Toyota bZ4X – small electric SUV.
#4 Honda
Competing against its Japanese arch-rival, Toyota, Honda isn’t to be outdone in the affordability and reliability stakes, consistently matching and, in some cases, surpassing its prime competitor in the mainstream segment.
However, Honda cars typically offer sportier handling and livelier powertrains, an edge second only to Mazda vehicles.
Honda’s overall ownership experience, rock-solid reliability, and affordable pricing make it one of the best small car manufacturers and a top-rated economy car brand.
The Japanese automaker has several compelling choices in the small and midsize classes:
- Honda Civic – small sedan and hatchback.
- Honda Insight – small hybrid sedan.
- Honda Accord – midsize sedan; gas and hybrid.
- Honda HR-V – extra-small SUV.
- Honda CR-V – small SUV; gas and hybrid.
- Honda Passport – midsize SUV.
- Honda Pilot – midsize SUV.
- Honda Ridgeline – midsize truck.
#5 Nissan
Nissan is arguably the least impressive automaker from the land of the rising sun, viewed from the design and dependability standpoints.
In the wider context of the automotive industry, however, its cars still have above-average quality and reliability, bettering vehicles from American and European makes.
Nissan vehicles’ super-affordable price tags mean the Japanese marque is one of the least expensive car brands to buy, irrespective of car size.
This Japanese automaker’s smaller cars are strong picks for inexpensive everyday runabouts:
- Nissan Kicks – subcompact hatchback.
- Nissan Versa – subcompact sedan.
- Nissan Sentra – compact sedan.
- Nissan Rogue Sport – subcompact SUV.
- Nissan Rogue – compact SUV.
#6 Subaru
Subaru is a strong contender for the best budget car manufacturer considering the standard all-wheel-drive offerings at entry-level prices.
Besides all-wheel propulsion, Subarus are practical, fun-to-drive vehicles, with SUV models that exhibit above-average ability on rugged terrains, making the marque a compelling option among off-road auto brands.
Subaru does not have many mainstream sedans, focusing on SUVs with higher-than-average ground clearance instead:
- Subaru Impreza – small sedan and hatchback.
- Subaru Crosstrek – extra-small SUV; gas and plug-in-hybrid.
- Subaru Forester – small SUV.
- Subaru Outback – midsize SUV.
- Subaru Ascent – midsize SUV.
- Subaru Solterra – small electric SUV.
#7 Mazda
Mazda has been climbing the automakers’ dependability rank in recent years to become one of the most reliable affordable car brands.
With sharp handling and athletic demeanor that often match pricier vehicles, Mazda is also the fastest affordable car brand, a unique proposition for price-conscious shoppers reluctant to sacrifice thrills for price economy.
Cars or SUVs, Mazda is the ultimate regular automotive brand for enjoyable drives with budget-friendly price tags:
- Mazda 3 – compact sedan and hatchback.
- Mazda 6 – midsize sedan; discontinued, but still a good buy for a used car.
- Mazda CX-30 – subcompact SUV.
- Mazda CX-3 – subcompact SUV.
- Mazda CX-50 – compact SUV.
- Mazda CX-5 – compact SUV.
- Mazda CX-9 – midsize SUV.
- Mazda MX-30 – subcompact electric SUV.
#8 Chevrolet
Chevrolet leads the North American manufacturers with an impressive range of vehicles and the most affordable small cars.
Its subcompact Bolt EV hatchback makes Chevy one of the most affordable small car brands among electric vehicle automakers.
The American marque is famous for large and powerful vehicles like the Silverado truck, the Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, and the Camaro and Corvette small cars. Still, its smaller offerings are just as attractive for individuals and smaller families.
These smaller Chevy cars and SUVs are competitive entrants among those from middle-class car brands:
- Chevy Bolt EV – electric hatchback; starts from $31k.
- Chevy Bolt EUV – electric SUV; starts from $27k.
- Chevy Malibu – midsize sedan; starts from $23k.
- Chevy Trax – subcompact SUV; starts from $21k.
- Chevy Trailblazer – compact SUV; starts from $22k.
- Chevy Equinox – compact SUV; starts from $26k.
#9 Buick
General Motors owns Buick, and the latter is one of the oldest American car brands.
Its products’ prices fall between the mainstream vehicles from Honda and Mazda and upscale ones from Volvo and BMW – the same applies to the interior’s level of luxury.
Buick SUVs start from $20k-plus to $40k-plus, depending on the size:
- Buick Encore – subcompact SUV; starts from $25k.
- Buick Encore GX – subcompact SUV; starts from $26k.
- Buick Envision – compact SUV; starts from $34k.
- Buick Enclave – midsize SUV; starts from $45k.
#10 Volkswagen
Although their reliability is less impressive, German products are typically more upscale than their Asian counterparts.
Still, if you want your next car to carry European heritage without breaking the bank, Volkswagen is the go-to cheap German car brand.
VW vehicles are slightly pricier than regular Asian cars of similar sizes, but the return is refined handling and an above-average driving experience.
Several Volkswagen models are attractive options in the small and midsize classes:
- VW Jetta – small sedan; starts from $20k.
- VW Passat – midsize sedan; starts from $27k.
- VW Taos – extra-small SUV; starts from $24k.
- VW Tiguan – small SUV; starts from $27k.
- VW Atlas – midsize SUV; starts from $34k.
- VW Atlas Cross Sport – midsize SUV; starts from $33k.
- VW ID.4 – small electric SUV; starts from $41k.
If you’re shopping for a cheap used car, the Volkswagen Golf hatchback is a compelling pick, with exceptional ride quality and maximum utility from a compact body.
The 3 Most Affordable Luxury Car Brands
Premium vehicles offer opulence and an unbeatable driving experience, but they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
#1 Lexus
Corporate sibling to Toyota, the luxury-focused Lexus has long been the most reliable premium automaker and the cheapest luxury car brand to maintain, beating its more-illustrious German rivals.
It’s a leader in durable products and luxurious rides at reasonable prices.
Lexus’s most reliable automobiles that often sell for less than the equivalent European models are:
- Lexus GX SUVs.
- Lexus RX SUVs.
- Lexus ES sedans.
- Lexus UX SUVs.
Still, competing premium makes from Japan and Korea are hot on Lexus’s heels in affordable luxury on wheels.
#2 Acura
Acura is the premium-car division of Honda, focusing on luxury, performance, and upscale features.
Backed by the parent company’s renowned durability, Acura is a strong pick for an inexpensive premium car brand, with above-average build quality and impressive levels of luxury while undercutting the German competition by thousands of dollars.
Acura’s reliable yet relatively inexpensive models are:
- Acura TLX – small sedan.
- Acura RDX – small SUV.
- Acura MDX – midsize SUV.
#3 Genesis
The appeal of luxury cars is undeniable, but for budget-minded shoppers, Genesis is the cheapest premium car brand and an utterly compelling pick for an opulent ride for markedly less money.
JD Power ranked the luxury automaker as one of the most reliable among premium brands, and Genesis vehicles are feature-packed without costing a fortune.
Genesis does not have as extensive a lineup as its Asian counterparts, but the leading models include:
- Genesis G70, G80 (gas & electric), and G90 sedans.
- Genesis GV60, GV70, and GV80 SUVs.
References:
https://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicles
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/vehicles
https://www.toyota.com/all-vehicles/
https://automobiles.honda.com/vehicles
https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/new.html
https://www.subaru.com/index.html
https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles
https://www.buick.com/all-vehicles