10 Cheap Cars That Consumer Reports Recommends

According to a recent Consumer Reports newsletter, it’s not just the most desired big ticket makes and models that are commanding high prices, it turns out that the lower-priced models as well are not untouched by the current market and giving new car shoppers sticker shock when they discover that they will have to pay premium prices that reach $1,000 or more to the MSRP of the least expensive new models available today.

There’s Help on the Way

Fortunately, CR analysts are watching the market closely and trying to find the makes and models that will provide new car shoppers with good, solid, and reliable cars without having to go into serious car debt.

“To help members find the best car at the lowest cost, we have analyzed the average transaction price for new cars using national data from TrueCar, a CR partner, and sorted all models based on their selling price. We then selected 10 models to highlight that are recommended by CR, meeting our stringent standards for road-test performance, owner satisfaction, reliability, and safety,” stated CR automotive experts.

What You Will Find from the List

From CR’s list you will find amongst the recommended models:

• Prices from a low of $19,795 to a high of $36,845
• Above MSRP costs ranging from $418 to $2,039
• Small sedans are generally the cheapest
• Only one small pickup makes the cut on the higher end of the average pricing

10 Cheap Cars That CR Recommends

1. Volkswagen Jetta 2023

Price Range:  $20,655 - $28,385

CR MPG:  Overall 34 / City 21 / Hwy 54 mpg

#8 of 12 Small sedans

Recommended model: 2023 Volkswagen Jetta S manual
Average transaction price: $21,073
Average spent over MSRP: $418
MSRP: $20,655

2. Subaru Impreza 2023

Price Range:  $19,795 - $27,395

CR MPG:  Overall 30 / City 21 / Hwy 41 mpg

#3 of 12 Small sedans

Recommended model: 2023 Subaru Impreza manual
Average transaction price: $21,258
Average spent over MSRP: $963
MSRP: $20,295

3. Kia Soul 2023

Price Range:  $19,890 - $24,190

CR MPG:  Overall 28 / City 21 / Hwy 35 mpg

#2 of 10 Small hatchbacks

Recommended model: 2023 Kia Soul LX IVT
Average transaction price: $21,387
Average spent over MSRP: $1,497
MSRP: $19,890

4. Nissan Kicks 2023

Price Range:  $20,590 - $23,150

CR MPG:  Overall 32 / City 24 / Hwy 40 mpg

#4 of 10 Small hatchbacks

Recommended model: 2023 Nissan Kicks S
Average transaction price: $21,895
Average spent over MSRP: $1,305
MSRP: $20,590

5. Toyota Corolla 2023

Price Range:  $21,700 - $27,425

CR MPG:  Overall 36 / City 24 / Hwy 51 mpg

#2 of 12 Small sedans

Recommended model: 2023 Toyota Corolla LE CVT
Average transaction price: $22,727
Average spent over MSRP: $1,027
MSRP: $21,700

6. Mazda 3 2023

Price Range:  $22,550 - $35,300

CR MPG:  Overall 30 / City 20 / Hwy 44 mpg

#4 of 12 Small sedans

Recommended model: 2023 Mazda3 2.5 S
Average transaction price: $23,271
Average spent over MSRP: $721
MSRP: $22,550

7. Chevrolet TrailBlazer 2023

Price Range:  $22,100 - $27,700

CR MPG:  Overall 27 / City 19 / Hwy 37 mpg

#5 of 15 Subcompact SUVs

Recommended model: 2023 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LS FWD
Average transaction price: $23,620
Average spent over MSRP: $1,520
MSRP: $22,100

8. Ford Maverick 2023

Price Range:  $22,595 - $28,355

CR MPG:  Overall 23 / City 16 / Hwy 32 mpg

#2 of 3 Small pickup trucks

Recommended model: 2023 Ford Maverick XL SuperCrew FWD
Average transaction price: $24,634
Average spent over MSRP: $2,039
MSRP: $22,595

9. Subaru Crosstrek 2023

Price Range:  $23,645 - $36,845

CR MPG:  Overall 29 / City 20 / Hwy 39 mpg

#2 of 15 Subcompact SUVs

Recommended model: 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Manual
Average transaction price: $24,667
Average spent over MSRP: $1,022
MSRP: $23,645

10. Honda HR-V 2023

Price Range:  $23,800 - $29,400

CR MPG:  Overall 27 / City 19 / Hwy 37 mpg

#4 of 15 Subcompact SUVs

Recommended model: 2023 Honda HR-V LX FWD
Average transaction price: $24,870
Average spent under MSRP: $1,070
MSRP: $23,800

For a more detailed breakdown of the data, please visit the CR website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.

For additional CR-related car reviews/recommendations, here are three useful ones with car shopping advice for consumers:

• Best Used Vehicles for $15,000 to $20,000 Recommended by Consumer Reports
• Popular Midsized SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead Recommendations from Consumer Reports
• Used Compact Cars with the Best Fuel Economy Recommended by Consumer Reports

Bonus Video: Don't Buy These Dangerous Cars Warning

Here’s a recent report from the Car Help Corner YouTube channel Top titled “10 Most Dangerous New Cars You Should Never Buy (And What to Buy Instead)”

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

COMING UP NEXT: Knight Rider K.I.T.T. Car Review

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