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Most Affordable Compact Cars for 2025

The most affordable new compact cars are ranked based on our analysis of their lowest base prices, though local market conditions might push a specific model’s price above the starting MSRP for vehicles in short supply or with high demand.

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The most affordable compact car is the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan non-hybrid/electric, with a starting price of $17,795 based on iSeecars.com’s affordability ranking of 18 compact cars. The most affordable compact cars offer the lowest starting price for their base trim level. The average starting price for a compact car is $27,517, and there are 11 compact cars that are cheaper.

The compact car affordability ranking is calculated based on the starting price for the lowest-priced trim level of a given model. The overall iSeeCars Score also factors into the ranking of each vehicle. Shoppers seeking the most affordable compact car should consider costs beyond the purchase price, including residual value, insurance, fuel efficiency, and maintenance, to fully understand how much a specific compact car will cost to own and operate.

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What is the most affordable compact car?
  1. Mitsubishi Mirage G4
  2. Subaru Impreza
  3. Kia Forte
  4. Volkswagen Jetta
  5. Nissan Sentra
  6. Hyundai ELANTRA
  7. Toyota Corolla
  8. Toyota Corolla Hatchback
  9. Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
  10. Honda Civic
  11. Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback
  12. Volkswagen Jetta GLI
  13. Volkswagen Golf GTI
  14. Subaru WRX
  15. Hyundai ELANTRA N
  16. Toyota GR Corolla
  17. Honda Civic (hatchback)
  18. Volkswagen Golf R

The most affordable compact car is the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan non-hybrid/electric, with a starting price of $17,795 based on iSeecars.com’s affordability ranking of 18 compact cars. The most affordable compact cars offer the lowest starting price for their base trim level. The average starting price for a compact car is $27,517, and there are 11 compact cars that are cheaper.

The compact car affordability ranking is calculated based on the starting price for the lowest-priced trim level of a given model. The overall iSeeCars Score also factors into the ranking of each vehicle. Shoppers seeking the most affordable compact car should consider costs beyond the purchase price, including residual value, insurance, fuel efficiency, and maintenance, to fully understand how much a specific compact car will cost to own and operate.

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1. Mitsubishi Mirage G4

#2 of 43 Best Gas Mileage Small Cars #4 of 6 Best Compact Cars Under $20k #5 of 24 Most Affordable Small Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.6 / 10
  • Reliability 7.1 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.1 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $17,795 - $19,595
USED PRICE $8,499 - $18,999
MPG 37 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.4 cu ft
Last new model year: 2023

2. Subaru Impreza

#1 of 6 Best Compact Cars Under $20k #2 of 26 Most Comfortable Compact Cars #3 of 43 Most Comfortable Small Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.9 / 10
  • Reliability 8.0 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.7 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $19,795 - $24,595
USED PRICE $14,995 - $23,990
MPG 26 - 32 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.3 cu ft

3. Kia Forte

#3 of 6 Best Compact Cars Under $20k #3 of 5 Best Korean Compact Cars #6 of 8 Best Korean Small Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.0 / 10
  • Reliability 7.6 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.5 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $19,990 - $25,390
USED PRICE $13,290 - $23,000
MPG 26 - 32 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 15.3 cu ft

4. Volkswagen Jetta

#3 of 43 Best Family Small Cars #3 of 26 Best Family Compact Cars #3 of 6 Best German Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.8 / 10
  • Reliability 8.1 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.3 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $21,435 - $28,825
USED PRICE $13,793 - $23,996
MPG 34 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.1 cu ft

5. Nissan Sentra

#5 of 26 Most Comfortable Compact Cars #6 of 43 Most Comfortable Small Cars #6 of 13 Best Small Cars for the Money
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.4 / 10
  • Reliability 7.9 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.1 / 10
  • Safety 9.1 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $21,590 - $24,590
USED PRICE $11,899 - $23,499
MPG 34 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.3 cu ft

6. Hyundai ELANTRA

#1 of 26 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom #2 of 43 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #2 of 26 Best Compact Cars for Tall People
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.3 / 10
  • Reliability 7.8 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety 8.6 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $21,625 - $28,465
USED PRICE $12,901 - $23,998
MPG 31 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.2 cu ft

7. Toyota Corolla

#1 of 43 Best Family Small Cars #1 of 26 Best Family Compact Cars #2 of 26 Best Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
9.1 / 10
  • Reliability 8.5 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.9 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $22,050 - $27,150
USED PRICE $15,288 - $24,998
MPG 35 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 13.1 cu ft

8. Toyota Corolla Hatchback

#3 of 13 Most Affordable Hatchbacks #5 of 28 Hatchbacks with Best Resale Value #5 of 26 Compact Cars with Best Resale Value
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.8 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $23,630 - $26,930
USED PRICE $17,488 - $26,980
MPG 33 - 35 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 17.8 cu ft

9. Mazda Mazda3 Sedan

#1 of 5 Best Small Cars for Teens #4 of 43 Best Family Small Cars #4 of 26 Best Family Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.9 / 10
  • Reliability 8.2 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $23,950 - $35,800
USED PRICE $16,486 - $27,667
MPG 27 - 31 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 13.2 cu ft

10. Honda Civic

#2 of 43 Most Reliable Small Cars #2 of 14 Best Manual Transmission Compact Cars #3 of 43 Best Gas Mileage Small Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
9.0 / 10
  • Reliability 8.8 / 10
  • Value Retention 9.0 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $24,250 - $30,250
USED PRICE $17,249 - $28,214
MPG 31 - 36 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.1 - 14.8 cu ft

11. Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback

#1 of 28 Best Family Hatchbacks #1 of 2 Best Hatchbacks for Teens #2 of 43 Best Family Small Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.8 / 10
  • Reliability 8.2 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.3 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $24,950 - $36,950
USED PRICE $17,983 - $29,995
MPG 26 - 30 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 20.1 cu ft

12. Volkswagen Jetta GLI

#6 of 26 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom #7 of 43 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #9 of 43 Small Cars with the Most Horsepower
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.3 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $28,085 - $32,585
USED PRICE $20,996 - $30,384
MPG 30 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.1 cu ft

13. Volkswagen Golf GTI

#1 of 3 Best Hatchbacks Under $35k #1 of 3 Best Small Cars Under $35k #1 of 3 Most Reliable Compact Cars Under $20k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.5 / 10
  • Reliability 7.3 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.3 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $31,965 - $40,825
USED PRICE $20,611 - $34,857
MPG 27 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 cu ft

14. Subaru WRX

#1 of 26 Most Comfortable Compact Cars #2 of 43 Most Comfortable Small Cars #2 of 3 Best Small Cars Under $35k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.5 / 10
  • Reliability 7.0 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.6 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $32,735 - $44,215
USED PRICE $21,598 - $37,988
MPG 21 - 22 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.5 cu ft
Last new model year: 2023

15. Hyundai ELANTRA N

#2 of 26 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom #3 of 43 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #3 of 26 Best Compact Cars for Tall People
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $33,700 - $35,200
USED PRICE $27,873 - $35,000
MPG 24 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.2 cu ft

16. Toyota GR Corolla

#3 of 43 Small Cars with the Most Horsepower #3 of 26 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower #6 of 28 Hatchbacks with the Most Horsepower
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.7 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $36,500 - $45,140
USED PRICE $36,187 - $49,332
MPG 24 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 17.8 cu ft

17. Honda Civic (hatchback)

#1 of 43 Small Cars with the Most Horsepower #1 of 28 Most Comfortable Hatchbacks #1 of 26 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.8 / 10
  • Reliability 8.4 / 10
  • Value Retention 9.0 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $45,595
USED PRICE $19,334 - $40,469
MPG 24 - 35 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 24.5 cu ft

18. Volkswagen Golf R

#2 of 43 Small Cars with the Most Horsepower #2 of 26 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower #5 of 28 Hatchbacks with the Most Horsepower
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) $45,665 - $46,465
USED PRICE $29,007 - $47,995
MPG 23 - 25 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 cu ft

Related Rankings

Best Compact Cars

Best Used Compact Cars

Most Reliable Compact Cars

Safest Compact Cars

Best AWD Compact Cars

Best Compact Cars for Snow

Most Comfortable Compact Cars

Best Compact Cars for Tall People

Best Gas Mileage Compact Cars

Best Resale Value Compact Cars

Compact Cars with the Most Legroom

Best Family Compact Cars

Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower

Best Turbocharged Compact Cars

Best Manual Transmission Compact Cars

Compact Cars with the Most Cargo Space

How We Rank These Cars

The Most Affordable Car lists rank vehicles by their starting MSRP.

Starting MSRP is the lowest MSRP across all trims for a given new car model. In the event there is a tie, we use iSeeCars proprietary rating of the overall quality of the car (iSeeCars Score) to break the tie.

The overall iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.

Vehicles are scored in three categories:

Reliability

The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.

Value Retention

The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.

Safety

The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).