Literally the least-expensive new car here is the Nissan Versa sedan (2016) which sets the pricing pace among Nice Cheap Cars with an MSRP of $11,990. And rest assured, the Versa Sedan serves up a livable package right out of the box.
Standard features include air conditioning and a Bluetooth system for hands-free calling, and while its standard audio system offers only two speakers, the setup does feature an auxiliary input jack and steering-wheel-mounted controls. The standard powertrain then matches a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission for 109 hp, 107 lb.-ft. of torque and EPA ratings of 27mpg city/36 mpg highway/30 combined.
Moving up to the S Plus trim, despite a $2,000 premium, still keeps the Versa Sedan below $14K while adding a 40-mpg CVT, cruise control, two more audio speakers and more.
The Chevrolet Spark (2015) isn’t just one of our favorite Nice Cheap Cars, it’s one of the safest, too: It’s the only car in its class to earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, while Chevy engineers also packed its cabin with 10 airbags. And it’s one of the most tech-savvy cars on the list, thanks to standard 4G LTE connectivity, complete with a mobile wi-fi hotspot; note: that setup does require an ongoing data plan after its complimentary 3-month/3-gigabyte trial subscription ends.
All that’s included in the Spark’s $12,170 starting price, however, and so are features like air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with auxiliary input jack, power windows, a rear spoiler with an integrated LED stop lamp, and a rear windshield wiper.
The Spark also sports an EPA line of up to 37mpg city/44 mpg highway/40 mpg combined.
As shocking as it may seem, there’s actually room for an EV among our Nice Cheap Cars. The 2015 Smart “electric drive” does start with an MSRP of almost $20K, but the federal tax credit of $7,500 can bring the net cost down to $12,490. That’s some $780 less than the price of admission to a standard Smart fortwo, and the electric version is better equipped, too, with a standard Smart radio (with USB port), powered windows/door locks, and powered and heated exterior mirrors—none of which are standard on the gas model.
Automatic air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a leather-wrapped shift knob also come standard, but the real difference-maker is the car’s standard electric powertrain, capable of 68 miles of all-electric driving range at an EPA-certified 122 MPGe city/93 MPGe highway/107 MPGe combined.
The Mitsubishi Mirage (2015) would fit in with our Nice Cheap Cars based on pricing alone, with an MSRP of $12,995, but it also stands out for being particularly thrifty in terms of fuel costs. Of course, it helps that the Mirage can ring up EPA grades of 37 mpg city/44 mpg highway/40 mpg combined, making it among the most fuel-efficient gas-only car in the country. As a result, the EPA reports that the typical Mirage owners will save $2,750 in five-year fuel costs as compared to drivers of “the average new vehicle.”
Also, the Mirage has an unexpectedly robust range of standard features, including a filtered climate system with rear-seat heater ducts, a 140-watt audio system with four speakers and USB port, power door locks and windows and outside mirrors, a split-folding rear seat, and keyless entry.
5:-Ford Fiesta SEDAN (2015)
The 2015 Ford Fiesta is offered in sedan and hatchback body style, and although both would qualify as Nice Cheap Cars, we’ll focus on the former, with its MSRP of $14,090.
At that price point, the Fiesta is filled with both must-have features like air conditioning and audio as well as enhancements like rear-seat heating ducts and a six-speaker sound system, with auxiliary jack and MP3 playback. There also are fairly premium features like Ford’s SYNC system with the AppLink technology for hands-free, on-the-road access to popular mobile apps; the system can even “read” incoming tweets via the OpenBeak app.
Further, while the windows do require hand cranking, the locks are powered, as are the outside mirrors, with the driver enjoying an integrated blind-spot mirror, too.
The similarly equipped hatch starts from MSRS of $14,390.
Kia comes to our Nice Cheap Cars list with two equally priced choices: the Kia Rio (2015) sedan and 2015 Kia Rio 5-door hatchback. Both are stickered from MSRP $13,990, but both are about to be replaced by refreshed editions, too, dealers may be extra motivated to move them.
That’s good news for customers, and so is the fact that Kia pricing includes upscale touches like heated outside mirrors, an audio system with USB port and steering-wheel-mounted controls, and height-adjustable seat-belt anchors for the front row. The Rio also is one of the peppier players on the team, backed by a 1.6-liter, 138-hp four-cylinder engine that can hit 37 mpg highway with its standard six-speed manual transmission.
As for the 2016 Rio, coming this quarter, buyers can expect even sharper Kia design cues, enhanced UVO eServices technology and an upgraded cabin.
Positioned as the hatchback version of the Versa sedan—also one of the Autobytel Nice Cheap Cars of 2015—the Nissan Versa Note (2015) actually represents a different car globally: The U.S. Versa sedan is based on the Nissan Latio, while our Versa Note comes from a separate “multi-purpose vehicle” known simply as the “Note.”
Of course, that being said, they do share the same 109-hp engine and EPA ratings—27 mpg city/36 mpg highway/30 mpg combined—along with much of the same content. But while both showcase standard features such as a Bluetooth phone system, air conditioning, power outside mirrors, and an audio system with auxiliary input jack, the Versa Note’s MSRP of $14,180 further brings two more audio speakers and the versatility bonus of a 38.3 cubic-foot cargo hold.
Representing the second Chevy product on the list of Nice Cheap Cars, the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic is one of those entries with both hatchback and sedan configurations, and like most, it’s the sedan that’s the least expensive. The bottom line for the Sonic sedan: MSRP $14,345.
But like the other Bowtie bargain, the Spark, the Sonic comes with a standard mobile wi-fi hotspot, powered by OnStar 4G LTE connectivity and a 3-month/3-gigabyte trial data package, along with amenities like a four-speaker sound system with equalizer, Bluetooth for hands-free calling, a multi-function steering wheel, filtered air conditioning and 10 airbags. It’s also worth noting that the Sonic earned a 5-star overall safety score from NHTSA.
Pitching in from the powertrain department is a standard 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 138 hp and 125 lb.-ft. of torque, features a five-speed manual transmission, and rings up an EPA line of 26/35/30.
Like a surprising number of our Nice Cheap Cars, the current Mazda2 will be significantly updated for the 2016 model year and, in fact, doesn’t seem to be on the Mazda menu in a 2015 edition at all.
The 2014 versions are still available, however, providing a zoom-zoomy subcompact experience with pricing that starts at MSRP $14,450 and serves up all the minimum daily driving requirements: air conditioning, an audio system with four speakers and a USB port, and power windows, locks and outside mirrors. Then, motivating the mini Mazda is a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 100 hp and 98 lb.-ft. of torque, while also packing a standard five-speed manual transmission to enable an EPA line of 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/32 mpg combined.
Customers can look for the brand-new 2016 Mazda2—with a full Skyactiv powertrain and chassis upgrade—later this year.
The 2016 Hyundai Accent is the most expensive of the Nice Cheap Cars, wearing an MSRP of $14,745, and as such, it also boasts plenty of standard features. That naturally includes all the basics, but Hyundai then ups the ante with a standard heating function for its outside mirrors, a driver’s side blind-spot mirror, and an audio system with six speakers and a USB port.
The Accent further offers a slight EPA advantage as compared to many of its list-mates: Even with a relatively robust 137 hp and 123 lb.-ft. of torque, the entry Accent is rated at 26 mpg city/38 mpg highway/31 mpg combined.
Hyundai also mixes things up with its subcompact roster by only offering the sedan in an entry-level GLS trim. The upper-grade GS and Sport model are available solely as five-door hatchbacks.
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