If your budget is limited: what new cars can you buy

Value for money is one of the main factors that potential buyers pay attention to. For most buyers, the prospect of owning an ultra-luxurious Bentley Continental Flying Spur or an exotic McLaren 720S is a distant dream.

But the car market offers models for every need and budget. Despite the recent price fluctuations, there are also a sufficient number of affordable brands in the new car market. Top Speed magazine has published a rating of the ideal cars for those on a budget.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Starting suggested retail price: $16,695

If you are looking for an inexpensive new car, the Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the best models. Since 2012, the Mirage has completely replaced the Colt as Mitsubishi's base model. The CVT transmission tries to make the most of the non-existent engine power by unnecessarily holding higher revs. The Mirage offers good cargo capacity, especially in hatchback form, and has a very low base price.

Engine: 1.2-liter inline-4

Transmission: FF/FWD

Output: 78 hp

Nissan Versa

Initial recommended retail price: $15,830

Priced at just under $16,000, the base model includes extensive standard equipment and a comfortable and well-designed interior. The only engine option is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder atmospheric engine that can be mated to a five-speed manual transmission or CVT.

Engine: 1.6-liter inline-4

Transmission: FF/FWD

Output: 122 hp

Kia Forte

Initial recommended retail price: $19,690

Korean car manufacturers have always demonstrated excellent value for money, and the Kia Forte is the perfect embodiment of this rule. Moreover, many reviewers are already calling it the new "king of compact sedans."

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4

Transmission: FF/FWD

Output: 147 hp

Nissan Sentra

Initial recommended retail price: $20,500

The eighth generation of the Nissan Sentra has been around since 2019, but the car has recently been updated. Unfortunately, the Sentra's performance doesn't match its appearance, as the only available engine is a 2.0-liter atmospheric one. The strongest features of the compact sedan are its spacious, well-designed interior and a full arsenal of standard equipment, including passive and active safety systems.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4

Transmission: FF/FWD

Output: 149 hp

Toyota Corolla

Initial recommended retail price: $21,550

Toyota's compact model is a classic of all time. The non-hybrid model is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower, which is actually a version of the GR Supra's four-cylinder engine without turbocharging. The Corolla boasts one of the best interiors in its price range.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4

Transmission: FF/FWD

Output: 169 hp

Hyundai Elantra

Initial recommended retail price: $22,590

In many ways, the Hyundai Elantra is a slightly more upscale variant of the Kia Forte, so almost everything about the Forte is true for Hyundai's offerings. The 2024 model offers a larger set of standard safety features, including rear side airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Engine options are the same as the Kia Forte, with a base 2.0 atmospheric engine and a 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4

Transmission: FF/FWD

Output: 147 hp

Honda Civic

Initial recommended retail price: $23,950

The Civic has always been a slightly more expensive and interesting model compared to the Toyota Corolla. The Honda Civic offers excellent handling and a functional interior with generous standard equipment. The base 2.0-liter and optional, 1.5-liter turbo-four engines are both quite reliable.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4

Transmission: FF/FWD

Output: 158 hp

Mazda 3

Initial recommended retail price: $24,170

The third generation of the Mazda 3 has been available since 2019 in hatchback and sedan form. It is one of the most beautiful and innovative compact models. The base Mazda 3 comes with a lot of standard features, and the 2.5-liter non-turbocharged engine is powerful enough for most needs.

Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4

Transmission: FF/ FWD/ AWD

Power: 186 hp

Mazda MX-5

Starting suggested retail price: $28,050

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has always been one of the best budget sports cars. Since the fourth generation has been around since 2015, the ND Miata is a proven platform. In 2018, the 2.0-liter engine gained more power and a new model with a retractable hardtop called the RF appeared. The Miata is one of the few sports cars that still adheres to the philosophy of lightness and simplicity.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4

Transmission: FR / RWD

Output: 181 hp

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