- To determine a car’s overall value, look at the purchase price, features, gas mileage and warranty.
- The 2022 vehicle with the lowest purchase price is the Chevrolet Spark.
- Models with the best warranties include the Kia Rio and Kia Forte.
- The 2022 vehicles with the highest fuel efficiency are the Mitsubishi Mirage and the Hyundai Elantra.
You may not be able to buy an expensive new vehicle or take out a large car loan to fuel your next vehicle purchase, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose a used car over a new one. Thankfully, several inexpensive new vehicles provide maximum value for the purchase price.
Choosing the right affordable 2022 car means understanding what you’re looking for. Consider which safety or infotainment options are most important to you. Do you need seating for five? Is getting a certain amount of miles per gallon important to you? Consider these factors when comparing the cheapest 2022 cars with the best value below.
What Makes a Car The Best Value?
Determining which vehicles are the best value goes beyond the purchase price. While an affordable price is important, you need to compare it to the features received. For example, a vehicle with a $15,000 price tag and numerous safety and infotainment features is often a better value than one that costs $13,000 but has few or no features.
Also, take a look at the vehicle’s warranty. An excellent warranty means you’re covered if something goes wrong with your new car. In some instances, it also covers minor repairs and other issues.
Finally, check the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. With rising gas prices, it may be wise to choose a car that gets more miles of per gallon. With good fuel efficiency, you can save a considerable amount of money in the long run.
ShutterstockChevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark starts at just $13,600 and provides excellent value for such a low purchase price. The Spark comes standard with a 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that gets up to 38 miles per gallon on the highways. A rear vision camera and 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat also come standard.
The Chevrolet Spark comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. It also comes with a five-year or 60,000-mile drivetrain limited warranty for extra peace of mind. There are no significant changes from last year’s model.
Source: ChevroletMitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage starts at just $14,645 and comes with an excellent 10-year or 10,000-mile powertrain warranty. Combined with an estimated 43 miles per gallon on the highways, the warranty makes the Mirage an excellent value for the price.
The Mirage also comes standard with a range of convenient options. The seven-inch display screen comes with a rearview mirror to make backing up easier. Also included are folding side mirrors and remote keyless entry. Compared to last year’s model, the standard option has no significant changes. Higher trim levels do have the option for remote engine starting, however.
Source: MitsubishiKia Rio
The 2022 Kia Rio starts at just $16,250. The 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine gets up to 41 miles per gallon on the highways. New vehicle purchases also come with a ten-year or 100,000-mile warranty that provides some of the most comprehensive coverage available.
Heated outside mirrors, an eight-inch touchscreen display and a rearview camera are some of the Rio’s best features. New in the 2022 Kia Rio are updated emblems and a standard engine immobilizer. Higher-level trim options have also added rear disc brakes, which weren’t available in last year’s model.
Source: KiaHyundai Accent
The 2022 Hyundai Accent starts at $16,645. The 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine has a fuel economy of up to 41 miles per gallon on the highways. New from last year’s model is a standard engine immobilizer that can help deter theft.
The Accent’s best features include 60/40 split-folding rear seats to accommodate extra storage and a rearview camera that provides assistance backing up. There’s also a five-inch display screen equipped with Bluetooth music capabilities. All trim levels come with a standard five-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty.
Source: HyundaiNissan Versa
The 2022 Nissan Versa starts at $15,080. The 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine averages 40 miles per gallon on the highway. This year’s model doesn’t have any significant updates compared to last year’s Versa.
The Versa offers comfortable seating for five and a seven-inch display with Bluetooth music capabilities. Key safety features include forward collision warning, pedestrian detection and automatic rear braking in emergencies. There’s a three-year or 36,000-mile basic limited warranty for new Versa purchases.
Source: NissanKia Forte
The 2022 Kia Forte starts at just $19,090 and comes with the industry-leading 10-year or 100,000-mile Kia warranty program. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine averages 41 miles per gallon on the highways.
The Forte provides ample interior space that’s significantly roomier than other vehicle options in its class. The eight-inch touchscreen display is equipped with a rearview camera and dynamic parking guidance. Since last year, the Kia Forte has received an updated design and newly enhanced technology.
Source: KiaToyota Corolla
The 2022 Toyota Corolla starts at just $20,175 and has no significant updates from last year’s model. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine averages 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
An eight-inch touchscreen display provides simple GPS and Bluetooth music. Top safety features include pedestrian detection and lane departure alerts. In addition, the Corolla qualifies for the ToyotaCare program, which features a maintenance plan and 24-hour roadside assistance. There’s also a 36-month or 36,000-mile basic limited warranty on new vehicle purchases.
Source: ToyotaHyundai Elantra
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra comes with front-wheel drive and starts at $19,950. The 2-liter, four-cylinder engine receives an average of 43 miles per gallon on the highway. Pedestrian detection and blind-spot collision assistance are the most notable safety features.
There are no notable changes in this year’s model from last year’s. However, the model did win the 2021 North American Car of the Year. All Hyundai models have a five-year or 60,000-mile basic limited warranty on new vehicle purchases.
Source: HyundaiMazda Mazda3
The Mazda3 this year starts at $20,800, with no significant updates from last year’s model. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine averages 31 miles per gallon on the highways. The roomy interior provides ample space for up to five passengers. However, the back seat can feel a little cramped at maximum capacity.
Convenient features include the center display, cruise control and remote keyless entry system. There’s a three-year or 36,000-mile basic limited warranty on all new Mazda3 purchases.
Source: MazdaSubaru Impreza
The 2022 Subaru Impreza starts at $18,795 and averages 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Although a new color option was added to higher trim levels, there aren’t any significant updates from last year’s model.
The Impreza is perfect if you want a vehicle built for safety over style. All trim levels come standard with Advanced Automatic Collision Notifications, roadside assistance and automatic emergency braking. There’s also ample passenger room and a three-year or 36,000-mile basic limited warranty.
Source: SubaruCompare Local Prices for the Best Deal
When looking for a new vehicle, it pays to shop around. Dealerships often have deals or discounts for new vehicle purchases. These special offers may include money off the purchase price, extra maintenance packages or lower interest rates.
Besides local dealerships, manufacturers also sometimes run deals of their own. These deals can usually be unlocked at any new vehicle dealership that sells that car brand or on the manufacturer’s website. If you’re not in a rush to purchase a new vehicle, waiting for the right special offer may help you save a significant amount of money.
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