Cheap new cars are nearly extinct.  
Car prices have been rising constantly over the past few years and they show no signs of coming down. There are still some more affordable options, but even those vehicles are more expensive now. If you would like a car that starts out around $30,000 or less, you will have to do some deep diving. 
Most cheaper vehicles being sold currently come from Japan or South Korea, but there are still affordable domestic options. A Detroit Free Press review in October of American automaker offerings found 10 cars that aren’t as costly. Prices, based on starting MSRP and no options, are subject to change over time. 
The Trax is a small, compact crossover that is the cheapest new vehicle GM has to offer. It can reach an estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. 
The Chevy Trailblazer may not resemble the previous version from the early and mid 2000s, but at least it’s affordable.  
The Envista may be a cheaper vehicle, but it has a nicer interior than some of the other small crossovers it competes with. It’s built on the same platform as the Trax and shares the same 1.2L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. 
The Envista’s big brother, the Encore GX may look similar and have the same powertrain, but it’s larger and can be optioned with all-wheel drive. 
The Ford Maverick is the cheapest pickup truck on the market. It may be smaller than the other trucks, but it’s still capable of towing up to 2,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,500 pounds on the base trim.  
The Chevy Bolt is making a return. While it’s officially labeled as a 2027 model, it will go on sale during the first quarter of 2026.
The Dodge Hornet is a small and sporty crossover from the automaker known for loud and aggressive muscle cars. It may not have the excitement of the other Dodge vehicles, but it’s the most affordable model in the lineup. Production of the Hornet is delayed by tariffs as it’s built on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Tonale. Whether there will be a 2026 model is uncertain.
The cheapest offering from Jeep is the Compass. It’s being redesigned for the 2026 model year and will be receiving a price increase bringing the cost from around $26,000 to nearly $30,000. It’s still one of the most affordable SUVs that offers some off-road capability. 
The gas-powered Equinox is cheaper than its EV counterpart. While some of the vehicles listed earlier were tiny crossovers, the Equinox is larger and offers good room for passengers and cargo. 
GMC is a company that only makes trucks and SUVs. The Terrain is the cheapest vehicle in their lineup but it’s no slouch. The base Elevation trim offers a lot of good technology such as a 15-inch infotainment screen and over 16 standard safety features. 
Keenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram at @keenanautos. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. 

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