Affordable new cars under $23,000 in 2026: sedans, crossovers, and trucks
Budget-friendly new cars in the U.S. for 2026: models under $23,000
Affordable new cars under $23,000 in 2026: sedans, crossovers, and trucks
Discover the most affordable new cars in the U.S. for 2026, including sedans like the Kia K4, crossovers like the Hyundai Venue, and trucks, all priced under $23,000.
2026-02-17T00:49:18+03:00
2026-02-17T00:49:18+03:00
2026-02-17T00:49:18+03:00
The American new car market continues to get more expensive, with average prices remaining at historic highs and the affordable vehicle segment shrinking rapidly. By 2026, the threshold for what's considered "budget-friendly" has effectively risen to the $22,000–$23,000 range, with only a handful of models staying below it.In the sedan category, the Kia K4 LX leads at $22,290. The Nissan Sentra S ($22,600), Hyundai Elantra SE ($22,625), and Toyota Corolla LE ($22,925) follow closely. Rounding out the list is the Volkswagen Jetta S at $23,995, which comes with a turbocharged engine and generous standard equipment.Price pressure is even stronger among crossovers. The most affordable option is the Hyundai Venue SE at $20,550, effectively the last SUV in the U.S. priced under $21,000. Next are the Chevrolet Trax LS ($21,700), Nissan Kicks S ($22,430), Chevrolet Trailblazer LS ($23,300), and Kia Seltos LX ($23,790).The pickup truck segment tells a different story. The Hyundai Santa Cruz SE ($29,750) and Nissan Frontier S ($32,150) are significantly more expensive, while the Ford Maverick XL holds its position as the most accessible option at $28,145. Its price has increased by nearly $8,000 since its debut, reflecting a broader market trend where automakers are moving away from ultra-cheap trim levels.The dwindling number of models priced under $23,000 is a direct result of more complex vehicle designs, stricter safety requirements, and a market shift toward more expensive SUVs. By 2026, budget cars have firmly become a niche category, where every new model is a rare find.
affordable new cars, budget-friendly cars, cars under $23,000, 2026 car prices, Kia K4, Hyundai Venue, Ford Maverick, cheap cars, U.S. car market
2026
Michael Powers
news
Budget-friendly new cars in the U.S. for 2026: models under $23,000
Discover the most affordable new cars in the U.S. for 2026, including sedans like the Kia K4, crossovers like the Hyundai Venue, and trucks, all priced under $23,000.
Michael Powers, Editor
The American new car market continues to get more expensive, with average prices remaining at historic highs and the affordable vehicle segment shrinking rapidly. By 2026, the threshold for what's considered "budget-friendly" has effectively risen to the $22,000–$23,000 range, with only a handful of models staying below it.
In the sedan category, the Kia K4 LX leads at $22,290. The Nissan Sentra S ($22,600), Hyundai Elantra SE ($22,625), and Toyota Corolla LE ($22,925) follow closely. Rounding out the list is the Volkswagen Jetta S at $23,995, which comes with a turbocharged engine and generous standard equipment.
Price pressure is even stronger among crossovers. The most affordable option is the Hyundai Venue SE at $20,550, effectively the last SUV in the U.S. priced under $21,000. Next are the Chevrolet Trax LS ($21,700), Nissan Kicks S ($22,430), Chevrolet Trailblazer LS ($23,300), and Kia Seltos LX ($23,790).
The pickup truck segment tells a different story. The Hyundai Santa Cruz SE ($29,750) and Nissan Frontier S ($32,150) are significantly more expensive, while the Ford Maverick XL holds its position as the most accessible option at $28,145. Its price has increased by nearly $8,000 since its debut, reflecting a broader market trend where automakers are moving away from ultra-cheap trim levels.
The dwindling number of models priced under $23,000 is a direct result of more complex vehicle designs, stricter safety requirements, and a market shift toward more expensive SUVs. By 2026, budget cars have firmly become a niche category, where every new model is a rare find.
