While many gearheads focus on trying to get the most power from their vehicles, there is a vast amount of charm in getting hold of something at the other end of the scale. Whether it’s to take advantage of the traditionally lower purchase and running costs associated with smaller and lower-powered options, or because you take a sadistic pleasure in revving the nuts off something with as much grunt as an angry badger, they can fill a variety of roles.
Plus, their general small nature means they might fit under your Christmas tree, too. This is the least powerful new car on sale in 2026, and how much you can expect to shell out for the privilege.
This piece investigates which new vehicle available in 2026 features the least amount of total output horsepower. Every 2026 model year vehicle sold in the US was considered for this piece, with the lowest-powered car chosen as the winner. The second least-powerful vehicle was also briefly explored.
Modest power lovers rejoice, as Hyundai has come to your rescue this Christmas. Its little Venue model that boasts the least amount of any new car on sale, courtesy of its naturally aspirated 1.6-liter inline-four engine. It kicks out only 121 hp, which makes it the ideal tool for zipping around town and conducting errands around your local area, but not so suited to long highway cruises where a bit of overtaking power comes in handy.
The Venue is one of Hyundai’s many SUV models though, as its reserved powerplant suggests, is angled towards those who spend the majority of their time in the city. The boxy and tall model is designed to fit small families within its confines, as well as a modest amount of cargo and shopping. It’s built to be as compact as possible so that it can dive through tight streets and parking lots with ease, as well as be affordable enough to make sense for small families.
The model first arrived in the US in 2020 as Hyundai began its assault on the ever-growing SUV market, the brand wanting to take the fight to the likes of small city hatchbacks like the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross. With a total length of just 159 inches, the Venue is 17 inches shorter than the Corolla, and 20 inches shorter than the Honda. At the same time, its tall roofline ensures it is still impressively roomy compared to its larger rivals. This design also brings superior access for users, which is crucial for a small but practical city car.
This is tricky because they’re both part of the same parent company so they do have a lot in common. Generally, Kia tends to be sportier in styling and in driving dynamics while Hyundai is more refined and delivers a smoother ride. Which brand do you prefer?
2026 Hyundai Venue
Engine
1.6L NA I4
Transmission
1-Speed CVT
Power
121 hp
Torque
113 lb-ft
0-60 mph
8.5 seconds
Base MSRP
$20,550
Despite its 1.6-liter engine only firing 121 hp to the Venue’s front wheels, the compact SUV can still hit 60 mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds. This ensures it is effective at feeling quick enough to zip around city streets, as its compact size allows it to fit through gaps that other vehicles could only wish they could manage.
A sole transmission option is offered on the US version of the Venue, with a single-speed CVT unit ensuring the model is a gas-and-go option. The Venue’s I4 and CVT combo isn’t the most refined in the world, especially when you get to the higher reaches of the rev range, but it gets the job done and at a low price.
Considering it lacks any form of hybrid system, don’t expect the Venue to move the needle when it comes to fuel efficiency, but it’s still pretty reasonable. You should be able to achieve 29 MPG when driving in the city, while its relative lack of grunt limits it to 32 MPG on the highway, resulting in an average figure of 31 MPG. This should be sufficient for city slickers out there, and the lack of a hybrid system means there is less stuff to go wrong.
This kind of car is designed to cost you as little to run during its lifetime as possible, so having a simple powertrain setup is an effective way of achieving this.
Hyundai is fast building an enviable reputation for dependability and reliability – and these models prove it more than most.
Alongside being the least powerful new car on sale in the US, the Venue is also notable for being one of the cheapest. The base SE variant starts from $20,550, though you’ll have to tack on destination charges at the other end. Wanting to keep the Venue’s selection process as streamlined as possible, Hyundai only offers three trims, with the latter two both being SELs. While the standard version starts from $22,825, the cheaper SEL Two-Tone Roof can be had from $22,600 and offers a differently colored roof from the rest of the body. All three versions get the same single engine and transmission option.
With car prices rising as the years roll on, there is just one car that costs less than $20,000 left in the US.
While you’ll have to accept a cheaply made interior for this amount of cash, you do at least get a decent level of equipment for the money. Even the base SE model gets a 4.2-inch electronic driver’s display, an eight-inch infotainment system with rearview camera, as well as modern safety systems like Lane Keep and Forward Collision Avoidance, and the SEL gets even more.
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For less than $23k, your Venue could be equipped with heated front seats, a leather gear knob and steering wheel, Climate Control, and additional safety software like Blind Spot Collision. Above all this stuff though, you’ll be able to boast to your friends, family, and anyone you find who’ll listen that you have the least powerful car on sale in the US. As ways of generating Christmas cheer go, this is surely one of the best.
For now, this list still stretches to 10, but it won’t stay like that for long.
2026 Nissan Versa
Engine
1.6L NA I4
Transmission
1-Speed CVT, 5-Speed Manual
Power
122 hp
Torque
114 lb-ft
0-60 mph
9.5 seconds
Base MSRP
$17,390
If the boxy Venue doesn’t warm up your mulled wine, then maybe the sedan-style Versa will. Nissan’s challenger isn’t as roomy as the Venue SUV, but it is considerably cheaper as it starts from only $17,390, around $3k cheaper than the Hyundai. Like the Venue, the Versa gets a 1.6-liter I4 powerplant that channels its power to the front wheels.
There are some differences, with the most critical being that the Nissan affords you a whole extra horsepower, resulting in a total output of 122 hp. The base S trim comes with the choice of either a five-speed manual gearbox or a single-speed CVT unit, while the better-equipped SV can only be had with the latter.
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