7 Best New Cars Under $15,000
Kristen Hall-Geisler | July 30, 2018
We Rank the Cheapest New Cars on the Market
It might seem impossible to find a brand-new car for used-car money, but it can be done. These cars tend to be subcompact cars with front-wheel drive and basic features, but they’re generally pretty safe and get decent gas mileage. They’re the ideal cars for commuting across town on surface streets and maneuvering into a tight parking space.
We’ve rounded up seven new cars with starting prices below $15,000 – in some cases far below. Some of them have prices so low you could splash out on a few upgrades and still come in under that price cap. If you really need to keep that pricetag low, you’ll want to know how to drive a manual transmission. An automatic transmission is often an expensive upgrade.
As new information becomes available, we update our scores. Therefore, the rankings mentioned in this slideshow might not match the reviews exactly.
7 Best New Cars Under $15,000
Kristen Hall-Geisler | July 30, 2018
2) 2018 Ford Fiesta
$14,205 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
Solo commuters might want to check out the 2018 Ford Fiesta. It has sportier driving dynamics than you might expect from a sedan with a price this low, with sharp steering and confident handling. Reliability and safety scores are also good for the 2018 Fiesta.
Passenger and cargo space are on the small side, so piling the family or coworkers into the Fiesta is going to be a tight fit. Amenities in the base S trim include a rearview camera, a 4.2-inch display, and Bluetooth for making phone calls. Be aware that to take advantage of the lowest price, you’ll need to get a five-speed manual transmission and a hand-crank window. Power windows are optional.
7 Best New Cars Under $15,000
Kristen Hall-Geisler | July 30, 2018
3) 2018 Hyundai Accent
$14,995 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The 2018 Hyundai Accent was completely redesigned for the new model year to bring this familiar model up to date. The cabin is quiet and nicely styled, particularly when you consider the pricetag. It’s also quite roomy, even in the rear seats, and you’ll find plenty of space in the trunk.
The 130-horsepower engine isn’t sporty, but it is more powerful than what you’ll find in other subcompacts. The base Accent SE has a six-speed manual transmission, so to squeak in under $15,000, you have to know how to drive a stick shift. But you do get a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a 5-inch touch screen with the base trim.
7 Best New Cars Under $15,000
Kristen Hall-Geisler | July 30, 2018
5) 2017 Fiat 500
$14,995 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.5/10
Inexpensive doesn’t have to mean boring. The 2017 Fiat 500 looks like no other vehicle on the road. This subcompact takes its small size seriously. It can maneuver on narrow city streets and in any parking garage, and the 101-horsepower engine is fine for urban driving. But the rear seats are seats in name only, and cargo space is very limited.
The base Pop trim has power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated mirrors, which you might not expect for such a low starting price. It also has the Uconnect infotainment system with a 5-inch touch screen and Bluetooth. Other options, such as navigation, can be added individually as your budget allows.