Unless you’ve been saving up for years, pulled off a bank heist, or won the lottery (in which case let us know) you’re probably not going to buy your first (or next) vehicle outright. That’s okay, but financing a vehicle can add up if you’re not careful. The list below should help with that; we’ve compiled some of the most affordable cars of 2018 for you to compare. Keep in mind these are approximate Canadian dollar amounts and may vary depending on your region and any current sales promotions. In addition, all of the models below have an automatic transmission and we are only considering brand new models of each car.
2018 Nissan Versa – Approximately $15,900
Credit: Nissan
Starting off the list with the cheapest option available, the Versa, while basic, still offers plenty for those looking for a quality affordable ride. Its seats are comfortable, it has a surprising amount of cabin space, and has a large trunk to boot. For those with bluetooth devices it also offers standard connection options as well so you can jam out to all your favourite songs.
2018 Chevrolet Spark – Approximately $17,150
Credit: Chevrolet
If you’re not looking for something that offers too much cargo space, but still want good gas mileage, then the Chevrolet Spark could be a good car for you. Find you’re using a lot of data on road trips? Don’t worry, the Spark actually offers a 4G LTE hotspot built into the car. For those of you who want more options for music, the Spark also has Android Auto and Apple Carplay that come standard with the car.
2018 Mitsubishi Mirage – Approximately $17,600
Credit: Mitsubishi
You’d think that because you’re buying a cheaper car gas mileage would suffer, but that’s not at all the case for the Mitsubishi Mirage. In fact, the Mirage has the highest gas mileage for all 2018 vehicles at 39 mpg. Let that sink in for a moment. Okay, you’ve recovered? Great, because that’s not all. The Mirage also offers plenty of headroom, and a fun driving experience on top of this. As with many cars on the list, it also comes with a backup camera which, while helpful, you likely won’t need due to it’s excellent handling.
2018 Ford Fiesta – Approximately $18,670
Credit: Ford
We definitely couldn’t make this list without the Ford Fiesta, known for being one of the best small cars for your money in recent years. Notable features of the 2018 Fiesta are the quality handling, the now standard backup camera, and the option for a higher performance version which has been well known as a car that’s really fun to drive. The Fiesta also comes in either a hatchback or sedan model depending on your preference.
2018 Hyundai Accent – Approximately $19,700
Credit: Hyundai
Just sneaking in under the $20,000 bar is the Hyundai Accent: a good all-around vehicle. While nothing inside (or outside) this vehicle comes as a particular innovation for 2018, all the equipment built into the car provides everything you need. One of the noteworthy features is improvements to safety, with excellent protection all around the vehicle and an almost perfect score by the insurance institute for highway safety.
2018 Chevrolet Sonic – Approximately $20,100
Credit: Chevrolet
While the Accent was just under the $20k bar, the Chevrolet Sonic is slightly over that threshold. Nonetheless, the Sonic provides a comfortable quiet cruise at in-city and highway speeds. While the cargo room is nothing to write home about, it’s relatively spacious for the size of the car. In addition, it has great handling and is ranked number two in the 2018 subcompact cars category by US News.
2018 Nissan Versa Note – Approximately $20,500
Credit: Nissan
Closing out the list is the Nissan Versa Note also just over the $20k mark. The Note is different from the other subcompact cars on the list in that it has a four-door hatchback style. This makes it easier to carry passengers without having to pull off a contortion act everytime you’re trying to get into the back seat. Another “Note-worthy” point is the excellent fuel efficiency which offers 34 mpg so you can avoid shelling out more at the pump.
No matter your choice when choosing the least expensive car for yourself, it’s important to evaluate what you want out of a car. Safety should always be a top priority and should never be something to cheap out on. Taking into account how you plan to use the car will also help on narrowing down your choices (subcompacts are probably not the best choice if you purchase from Costco each week). Hopefully our list helped give you some idea as to what options are available in the lower end of the price spectrum for new cars, and can help get you on the road fast without having to pull that bank heist you’ve been planning!