Affordable Top-Rated 2021 Vehicles
On average, a brand new car retails for about $30,000 in the US. The year 2021 has seen plenty of compelling new cars being announced and some already released. These are affordable cars that a person will enjoy driving, and we have sampled our best picks from a wide range of categories. Our list for top vehicles incorporates everything from spacious sedans to subcompacts, trucks and even SUVs. We have made affordability a priority in our choices as we understand that most shoppers are eyeing the cheapest and least expensive vehicles in the market. These exceptional models meet our very highest standards for performance, safety, reliability, and more.
![]()
We paid close attention to the value for money, and listed below are some of the cheapest cars for 2021 ranked from least to most expensive.
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Starting our list is the Chevrolet Spark. This is the cheapest car in our category and goes for about $14,000. This, however, does not mean that its quality has been compromised. It sparks a well-built high-quality interior, has little to no engine noise, and a surprisingly smooth ride. It is equipped with a four-cylinder engine that powers the front wheels. This vehicle is designed for city life and appeals to the basic standard user. The only downsides are its not so great fuel economy despite its small size and low cargo space.
2021 Mitsubishi Mirage
This great car retails for only about $15,000, which won't put a huge dent in your pocket. The Mirage is an excellent fuel economy car with its three-cylinder engine. It has a huge cargo area making it convenient for transporting basic goods. The base model comes equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, and it is a front-wheel drive. Mitsubishi sells this car with a generous ten-year warranty that is way better than what the competitors are providing. The new model also features plenty of improved safety features
• Automated emergency braking
• Lane-departure warning
• Available automatic high-beam headlamps
The only cons to this car are its noisy cabin and poor acceleration. Despite that, it remains a huge bang for the buck.
2021 Nissan Versa
This is a compact and appealing sedan. It has spacious and well-built seats that make it a pleasant driving experience. The base model retails for less than $16,000. The Nissan Versa is quite fuel-efficient, especially on the highway. The 2021 model is equipped with a 122-hp four-cylinder engine that powers the front wheels. A five-speed manual is the default transmission on base models. It responds well to the steering wheel and has a nice grip. It also greatly improves the past models, which felt cheap, and now brings in a well-built premium design with comfortable materials, which gives it a very nice interior. It has huge legroom that can fit adults comfortably and new features such as standard front and rear automated emergency braking, Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta
This is one of the most popular sedans produced by Volkswagen. Retailing for about $19,000, the German-made car offers a great deal for the bunk. It is equipped with plenty of advanced high-tech features incorporating a power-adjustable driving seat, cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. This car also has one of the best crash safety scores, a five-star rating that will give you peace of mind when driving. It is powered by a 1.4-liter turbo engine producing 147 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque and a six-speed manual transmission.
All models are four-wheel drives.
2021 Mazda CX-30
For the subcompact SUV category, this was the best-priced car. It starts at only about $21,000. It features quiet responsive handling and better acceleration than its rivals. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that packs a punch and thrust. It's fun to drive a car with huge passenger and cargo space and a high-end interior, which comprises a set-up used by many luxury car brands. It has a four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower, which is bigger than any car in this category. It has a ton of both standard and advanced safety features, and for anyone wanting a sub-compact SUV, this is the car to buy.
Hybrid: Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius has set standards for fuel efficiency for a very long time. Starting at around $22,000, it is also one of the highest-ranked cars in the car in history with a very low chance of breaking down. This car is a smooth ride with very comfortable seating space and plenty of storage area. The new model packs an advanced infotainment system, and the car also has plenty of active safety features. This car meets most shoppers' expectations, and if you want to spend less time refueling the car or low amounts of cash doing repairs, this is definitely your go-to car.
Toyota Camry
For a sedan, the Toyota Camry is a good pick starting at around $22,000. This midsized car is a combination of both efficiencies, great performance, and reliability. The Toyota Camry features state fo the art driver assistance features, which makes it an easy ride. It has a strong four-cylinder engine which gives it a lot of punch. It's also an excellent fuel save with one of the lowest miles per gallon in its category and also has a fairly nice acceleration.
2021 Ford F-150
This is the best pick for truck lovers. It is now refreshed with tonnes of new features and includes new tech advancements that place it above most trucks. It starts at about $30,000, which is not badly priced for truck users. It's a tough car that appeals to power users, and it doesn't disappoint. The ride is great, well-mannered for a truck, and has an excellent build quality. It features a ten-speed automatic transmission with an option of picking either rear or four-wheel drive.
2021 Kia Telluride
For SUVs, it's difficult to recommend anything else that provides a higher quality car and experience than its competitors. This car starts at about $33,000, which is not badly priced. It has a premium look and is one of the best-designed SUVs of the year. The KIA Telluride also earned a five-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one of the highest categories. It has plenty of features such as automated emergency brakes and can monitor blind spots. It is a family car boasting seating space for up to eight passengers, convenient for shuttling passengers.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is an electric car which means you won't spend anything on fuel; Telsa provides free electric charging stations across the country, meaning that you can literally ride this car for hundreds of kilometers without paying a cent from your pockets. This makes it an extremely affordable option in the long run, and that's why we are considering it. It packs an excellent acceleration, rivaling even high-end supercars. Tesla Model 3 does not have an engine, and this makes it one of the quietest cars out there. It has a futuristic look and feel, a comfortable well-built premium interior, and packs one of the best-automated driving navigation systems in the market. It starts at around $35,000.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.
