The average transaction price for a new car has rocketed past $50,000 again. Bloomberg/Getty Images New cars are expensive. Data from Cox Auto shows that only 20 vehicle models had an average transaction price under $30,000. We compiled a list of the 11 lowest-priced cars (before dealer mark-ups and delivery fees) today. Need a fresh set of wheels? Well, it's a tough time to buy an affordable car. In April, the average list price for a new vehicle accelerated past $50,000, per CarGurus. High prices are forcing Americans into some scary-looking finances, too. The average monthly payment has stayed well above $750, and the average loan term is inching toward seven years. Meanwhile, the supply of lower-priced new cars is shrinking. Cox Automotive data shared with Business Insider shows the affordable end of the new-car market has narrowed over the past year. In April, Cox counted 20 models with average transaction prices below $30,000, down from 27 last May. Four of those models had average MSRPs above $30,000, suggesting some vehicles are falling below the threshold only because of discounts. Six had incentives above the national average of 6.7%, another sign that deals are helping keep some models in affordable territory. Still, the cheap, new car isn't fully extinct yet. A small group of new cars still starts below $25,000 — at least before mandatory destination fees, taxes, options, and dealer markups factor in. Here are the 11 lowest-priced new cars on sale today. Hyundai Venue: starting at $20,550 Hyundai's Venue, with a starting price just above $20,000, is America's lowest-cost vehicle. Hyundai Hyundai's Venue is the lowest-priced new vehicle on sale in the US. The diminutive SUV starts at $20,550, and even the top SEL trim starts at $22,825 before destination. Chevy Trax: starting at $21,700 Chevy's subcompact crossover, the Trax, was the brand's third-most-popular car in the first quarter of 2026. Chevrolet Chevrolet's Trax got a facelift for the 2024 model year, while keeping a lower starting price than many rivals. The base LS trim starts at $21,700 before destination, while the 2RS and ACTIV trims start at $25,400. Kia K4: starting at $22,290 Kia offers two variants of the sub-$30,000 K4. Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images Kia's K4 replaced the Forte as the brand's entry-level compact sedan for the 2025 model year. The K4 starts at $22,290 before destination, making it the lowest-priced new sedan on sale in the US. Drivers can also opt for the hatchback version, which starts at $24,990 before destination. Nissan Sentra: starting at $22,600 Nissan gave the Sentra a major facelift after discontinuing its lower-priced sibling, the Versa. : Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images With the Versa gone, the Sentra is now Nissan's cheapest sedan. The redesigned 2026 Sentra starts at $22,600 before destination for the base S trim. Shoppers may still find remaining 2025 Sentras on dealer lots, which could give buyers another lower-priced option depending on local inventory. Hyundai Elantra: starting at $22,625 Pricing for Hyundai's Elantra spans from under $23,000 to over to $40,000, depending on the trim. Hyundai Hyundai's smallest sedan remains one of the few compact cars with a starting price below $25,000, even after the standard destination fee. The Elantra lineup also includes hybrid and performance-oriented N models, though higher-end versions move far beyond budget-car territory. The Elantra N can easily push above $40,000. Nissan Kicks: starting at $22,730 Nissan's sneaker-inspired SUV is the company's lowest-priced model. Nissan The Kicks (as in, sneakers) is Nissan's lowest-priced SUV, slotting below the larger Rogue. The base S trim starts below $25,000 before destination. Still, options and higher trims — including all-wheel-drive models — can quickly push the Kicks' price above $30,000. Toyota Corolla: starting at $23,125 Toyota's Corolla is the world's best-selling car of all time, with more than 50 million units sold. Toyota Toyota's Corolla remains one of the most familiar names in the compact-car segment, and it still clears the sub-$25,000 bar. The base LE trim starts at $23,125 before destination. The automaker also has a hatchback version with a starting price of $24,580, while hybrid models start at $24,975. Chevy Trailblazer: starting at $23,300 Chevy's Trailblazer is slightly more expensive than the Trax, but offers optional all-wheel drive. Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images Chevrolet's Trailblazer gives GM another lower-priced option alongside the Trax. The Trailblazer's stance is more upright, giving it a more standard SUV-ish look. The base LS trim starts below $25,000 before destination, though all-wheel drive and higher trims quickly move pricing into $30,000 territory. Kia Seltos: starting at $23,790 Kia's Seltos is getting a major facelift for 2027. Kia Kia ended production of the boxy Soul SUV at the end of 2025, effectively handing over the title for the brand's lowest-cost SUV to the Seltos. Seltos is getting a major remodel in 2027, including modern exterior design updates, more interior room, and an optional hybrid powertrain. Pricing for the new model is expected to increase. Volkswagen Jetta: starting at $23,995 Volkswagen The Jetta — which first reached American shores in 1979 — is Volkswagen's last sedan in the US. Its base S trim remains under $25,000 before destination, while the cushier SEL model starts just around $30,000. A sports-oriented GLI trim jumps past $33,000. Slate Truck: starting at $24,950 Slate finally unveiled its sub-$25k starting price this week. Slate Slate's only vehicle will have a starting price of $24,950, the company confirmed to Business Insider. Base models of the little electric truck are an exercise in minimalism: they have only two doors and two seats, no speakers for music, and no infotainment screen on the dashboard. A full battery will power the car for 205 miles. Shoppers can add options to the car after it arrives in their driveway — including everything from an SUV cap and a second row of seats to a dash-mount for a Bluetooth speaker. Options can quickly push the truck over the $30,000 price point, Business Insider found. Read the original article on Business Insider
The average transaction price for a new car has rocketed past $50,000 again.Bloomberg/Getty Images New cars are expensive. Data from Cox Auto shows that only 20 vehicle models had an average transaction price under $30,000. We compiled a list of the 11 lowest-priced cars (before dealer mark-ups and delivery fees) today. Need a fresh set of wheels? Well, it's a tough time to buy an affordable car. In April, the average list price for a new vehicle accelerated past $50,000, per CarGurus. High prices are forcing Americans into some scary-looking finances, too. The average monthly payment has stayed well above $750, and the average loan term is inching toward seven years. Meanwhile, the supply of lower-priced new cars is shrinking. Cox Automotive data shared with Business Insider shows the affordable end of the new-car market has narrowed over the past year. In April, Cox counted 20 models with average transaction prices below $30,000, down from 27 last May. Four of those models had average MSRPs above $30,000, suggesting some vehicles are falling below the threshold only because of discounts. Six had incentives above the national average of 6.7%, another sign that deals are helping keep some models in affordable territory. Still, the cheap, new car isn't fully extinct yet. A small group of new cars still starts below $25,000 — at least before mandatory destination fees, taxes, options, and dealer markups factor in. Here are the 11 lowest-priced new cars on sale today. Hyundai Venue: starting at $20,550 Hyundai's Venue, with a starting price just above $20,000, is America's lowest-cost vehicle.Hyundai Hyundai's Venue is the lowest-priced new vehicle on sale in the US. The diminutive SUV starts at $20,550, and even the top SEL trim starts at $22,825 before destination. Chevy Trax: starting at $21,700 Chevy's subcompact crossover, the Trax, was the brand's third-most-popular car in the first quarter of 2026.Chevrolet Chevrolet's Trax got a facelift for the 2024 model year, while keeping a lower starting price than many rivals. The base LS trim starts at $21,700 before destination, while the 2RS and ACTIV trims start at $25,400. Kia K4: starting at $22,290 Kia offers two variants of the sub-$30,000 K4.Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images Kia's K4 replaced the Forte as the brand's entry-level compact sedan for the 2025 model year. The K4 starts at $22,290 before destination, making it the lowest-priced new sedan on sale in the US. Drivers can also opt for the hatchback version, which starts at $24,990 before destination. Nissan Sentra: starting at $22,600 Nissan gave the Sentra a major facelift after discontinuing its lower-priced sibling, the Versa.: Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images With the Versa gone, the Sentra is now Nissan's cheapest sedan. The redesigned 2026 Sentra starts at $22,600 before destination for the base S trim. Shoppers may still find remaining 2025 Sentras on dealer lots, which could give buyers another lower-priced option depending on local inventory. Hyundai Elantra: starting at $22,625 Pricing for Hyundai's Elantra spans from under $23,000 to over to $40,000, depending on the trim.Hyundai Hyundai's smallest sedan remains one of the few compact cars with a starting price below $25,000, even after the standard destination fee. The Elantra lineup also includes hybrid and performance-oriented N models, though higher-end versions move far beyond budget-car territory. The Elantra N can easily push above $40,000. Nissan Kicks: starting at $22,730 Nissan's sneaker-inspired SUV is the company's lowest-priced model.Nissan The Kicks (as in, sneakers) is Nissan's lowest-priced SUV, slotting below the larger Rogue. The base S trim starts below $25,000 before destination. Still, options and higher trims — including all-wheel-drive models — can quickly push the Kicks' price above $30,000. Toyota Corolla: starting at $23,125 Toyota's Corolla is the world's best-selling car of all time, with more than 50 million units sold.Toyota Toyota's Corolla remains one of the most familiar names in the compact-car segment, and it still clears the sub-$25,000 bar. The base LE trim starts at $23,125 before destination. The automaker also has a hatchback version with a starting price of $24,580, while hybrid models start at $24,975. Chevy Trailblazer: starting at $23,300 Chevy's Trailblazer is slightly more expensive than the Trax, but offers optional all-wheel drive.Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images Chevrolet's Trailblazer gives GM another lower-priced option alongside the Trax. The Trailblazer's stance is more upright, giving it a more standard SUV-ish look. The base LS trim starts below $25,000 before destination, though all-wheel drive and higher trims quickly move pricing into $30,000 territory. Kia Seltos: starting at $23,790 Kia's Seltos is getting a major facelift for 2027.Kia Kia ended production of the boxy Soul SUV at the end of 2025, effectively handing over the title for the brand's lowest-cost SUV to the Seltos. Seltos is getting a major remodel in 2027, including modern exterior design updates, more interior room, and an optional hybrid powertrain. Pricing for the new model is expected to increase. Volkswagen Jetta: starting at $23,995 Volkswagen The Jetta — which first reached American shores in 1979 — is Volkswagen's last sedan in the US. Its base S trim remains under $25,000 before destination, while the cushier SEL model starts just around $30,000. A sports-oriented GLI trim jumps past $33,000. Slate Truck: starting at $24,950 Slate finally unveiled its sub-$25k starting price this week.Slate Slate's only vehicle will have a starting price of $24,950, the company confirmed to Business Insider. Base models of the little electric truck are an exercise in minimalism: they have only two doors and two seats, no speakers for music, and no infotainment screen on the dashboard. A full battery will power the car for 205 miles. Shoppers can add options to the car after it arrives in their driveway — including everything from an SUV cap and a second row of seats to a dash-mount for a Bluetooth speaker. Options can quickly push the truck over the $30,000 price point, Business Insider found. Read the original article on Business Insider
