Small cars tend to cost less, whether you are purchasing a new or used vehicle. They are also more economical (or so goes the old logic) and easy to maintain.
If you want to make a good choice about buying one, let’s identify the nine cheapest mini cars in the US in 2025, and which ones make sense for you if you are on a budget.
2025 Mitsubishi Mirage (Hatchback Model)
We chose the hatchback version of the Mitsubishi Mirage as our #1 mini car. Starting at only $16,695, the hatchback (as well as the sedans) is a very nice-looking car at that price. It’s small, it scoots around town nicely, and doesn’t take much fuel to run.
Mitsubishi may not be the most popular car in the USA, but it is underrated. If you’re looking at getting one, go to your dealership soon, as they are doing a run out as the year progresses.
2025 Nissan Versa (Sedan Model)
The Nissan Versa is a good option at a similar price point if you want a car that won’t need many repairs or maintenance. Nissan is a brand known for reliability and longevity, meaning you won’t experience tons of mechanical problems, at least not until the car is much older.
If you’re looking for a small, efficient type of car, and especially if you are doing this on a budget, choose the Bedford Versa sedan, as this is one of the cheapest mini-cars on the market in the US right now.
2025 Nissan Kicks (Subcompact SUV Version)
In Nissan’s small car range, it is another small car option, the Nissan Kicks subcompact SUV.
This car has a very spacious interior and is light on gas for a family-sized vehicle. It’s the ideal vehicle for longer journeys, as the trunk has great capacity compared to other smaller car options. Make sure to arrange to get your car insurance estimate by model to pay a lower monthly premium in insurance.
2025 Hyundai Venue (Subcompact SUV Model)
The Hyundai Venue is an underrated subcompact SUV that starts around $20,100. These vehicles are great for families looking to save on transportation costs due to their excellent fuel economy.
These vehicles are also surviving the current US tariffs better than most, so go for one if you’re looking to save on your upfront investment!
2025 Kia Soul (Subcompact Crossover or Hatchback Model)
Pick either the Kia Soul’s subcompact or hatchback, which is spacious, zippy, and cheap to take care of.
This model is under the $20,000 total purchase price, making it an extremely cheap car for people who want a ‘new’ car on a budget. However, besides all its value offerings, it has an excellent design, and the cheeky exterior styling will make you smile when you see it!
2025 Nissan Sentra (Compact Sedan Version)
The Nissan Sentra compact sedan offers drivers a number of safety features, not to mention comfort, which puts most minicars in the US to shame.
It is a car that is inexpensive and easy to maintain. It is so comfortable and reliable that you will probably keep it for a long time, which makes it an excellent buy.
2025 Hyundai Elantra (Compact Sedan Version)
The Hyundai Elantra is another compact sedan to take a look at. The Hyundai brand has a reputation for being fairly inexpensive to buy, and this one comes in with a base price around $20,900.
Very fuel-efficient and deceptively spacious, it’s one of the most popular options among Americans trying to save money!
2025 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (Compact Hatchback Model)
The Toyota Corolla hatchback is on the high end of affordable mini cars in the US, but still sits among the low price points on the market right now. The starting cost is around $24,875, but the affordability of this car in the long term is hard to beat!
The car is very fuel-efficient and features a lot of safety, so if you’re a Toyota lover, definitely consider test-driving this car.
2025 Mazda3 (Compact Hatchback Version)
The Mazda3 compact hatchback is a car with far more safety features than you’d ever imagined needed.
Even though its base price is higher than the rest of the vehicles on this list, it’s worth mentioning again that the benefits of an efficient engine, excellent reliability to keep ownership costs down, and a great resale value are all factors that make the Mazda3 worth it.
Mazda is no exception to tariffs, and like any other car company, they have made a genuine effort to price their cars as low as they can.
Wrapping Up
If you are on a budget, these mini-cars are also good alternatives. Their original costs are low, and they are inexpensive to maintain.
They are also economical for fuel consumption, which guarantees reliable transport for a longer time without putting too much of a dent in your wallet when it comes time to fuel up.
When you are deciding on budget and brand, remember to insure your car as soon as you take possession of your vehicle.