10 Cheap Cars That CR Recommends
These are good, safe, reliable models with the lowest transaction prices
The cheapest cars in America can be found by looking at transaction prices—what people are actually paying—rather than looking at just the window stickers. That’s because, in this roller-coaster car market, it’s common to see lower-priced models selling for more than their sticker price.
In fact, as we analyze data each month to identify the best car deals, we often see that car buyers are paying a premium that adds $1,000 or more to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of even the least expensive models. (The most expensive cars, meanwhile, are often being discounted.) With car loan interest rates now averaging around 7 percent for borrowers with a strong credit score, this can mean significant long-term costs.
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 those that are recommended by CR, meeting our stringent standards for road-test performance, owner satisfaction, reliability, and safety.
CR's Build & Buy Car Buying Service
In addition to research and reviews, Consumer Reports offers members access to the Build & Buy Car Buying Service at no additional cost. Through this service, members can compare in-stock vehicles, see what others paid for the car they want, and customize their payments online. Once they find the vehicle they’re interested in, members can get up-front price offers online from local certified dealers. On top of national incentives, Consumer Reports members are eligible for additional incentive offers from select manufacturers through the Build & Buy Car Buying Service. Plus, members can get an instant trade-in value for their current vehicle to use toward their next car purchase.
