The Least Expensive and Most Reliable Brand New Cars to Buy in 2022

New car prices are soaring, so you want to maximize your dollars by buying the least expensive new car. Cheap autos are usually considered the fastest depreciating cars, but with our help, you’ll be able to find the cheapest new car while still getting a reliable one.

Here are our recommended choices for the cheapest cars to buy.

Let’s start with the sedans and mini-cars!

3. Nissan Versa 2022 (Base price — $16,205)

The Nissan Versa has always been marketed as a producer of nice cheap cars, but the 2022 model adds a layer of visual upgrades that makes it appear less basic than the 2021 version. With the new sharp design, you might mistake the Versa for the more expensive Nissan Altima. It comes standard with security features like front and rear-automated emergency braking, automatic beam lights, and lane-departure warning. 

Is the Nissan Versa reliable? It has received fair marks on all major reliability ratings, and auto experts anticipate that the 2022 Versa will be approximately average in terms of reliability compared to other new cars. This forecast is based on the performance history of Nissan as a brand. The Nissan Versa has a strong chance of reaching 200,000 miles or more with proper maintenance.

2. Mitsubishi Mirage 2022 (Base price – $16,125)

The Mitsubishi Mirage 2022 is nearly America's cheapest new car. The hatchback and G4 sedan base versions both come with the same 78-hp three-cylinder engine and a standard five-speed manual. Although the engine might take a while to accelerate, it has great fuel economy. 

The gas savings (it runs at 37 mpg) make it a keeper despite the engine limitations. The Mitsubishi Mirage 2022 has a cheap-feeling and somewhat cramped interior, but it has the requisite tech for safe driving.  

Yes, the 2022 Mirage has received terrible performance reviews, but the fuel efficiency and affordable price make it enticing to first-time automobile buyers. Furthermore, the 2022 Mirage can travel 130,000 to 150,000 miles before breaking down, making it a clear choice as one of the best affordable cars.

1. Chevrolet Spark 2022 (Base price – $14,595)

Sadly, the Spark will be phased out in 2023, and we might lose one of the better alternatives in the cheap vehicles department. The Spark has been America's cheapest new car since 2020. This model has a fuel economy of 38 mpg, making it one of the most fuel-efficient affordable cars on the market. Unfortunately, it takes a bit of a hit in reliability due to the absence of conventional safety features.  

But If you're on a tight budget, the 2022 Chevrolet Spark is an excellent choice. It's one of the most affordable new automobiles on the market. For first-time car owners, the Spark is simple to maneuver in congested city streets and effortless to park. The Chevrolet Spark can travel between 150,000 and 200,000 miles on average when properly maintained.

Those are the 3 cheapest but most reliable sedans and mini cars you can buy brand new. Other options include the following;

• 2022 Kia Rio (Starting at $16,150)
• 2022 Hyundai Accent (Starting at $16,645)
• 2022 Kia Forte (Starting at $19,090)
• 2022 Nissan Sentra (Starting at $19,510)
• 2022 Hyundai Elantra (Starting at $19,950)

Next, we have our recommended choices for the cheapest cars to buy in the SUV category.

3. Nissan Kicks 2022 (Base price — $20,875)

If you want an SUV but only feel okay with the standard things that come with a regular vanilla SUV, then the Nissan Kicks is the right choice for you. This car does away with options that you may not need, such as all-wheel drive. It is a quiet vehicle that rides well and has easy controls. The 2022 version is a good subcompact SUV with plenty of cargo space and comfortable seating for a vehicle this size. 

The Kicks suffer in terms of performance, so while this small SUV is easy to maneuver, it lacks steering feedback and has a limited amount of torque from its engine.

This model provides an SUV-like experience and gets 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which means it consumes gasoline more like an economy car than an SUV. With regular maintenance, your Nissan Kicks should last for 200,000 kilometers.

2. Kia Soul 2022 (Base price — $20,365)

The Kia Soul is hard to miss. It has a boxy and quirky external appearance that catches your attention. It is technically classified as a small SUV, but has a spacious interior. Despite being the second-cheapest SUV on this list, the Kia Soul even had a significant price rise for 2022, meaning it was even cheaper before!

It doesn't have all-wheel drive like the other cars on this list, but it has an aggressive and muscular posture that gives it a big SUV look. It has a high dependability rating, and as of this writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued no safety recalls for the 2022 Soul.

The Kia Soul is equipped with Kia Drive Wise advanced driver-assistance technologies, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot collision warning, which makes it safe to drive even for newbies. A well-maintained Kia Soul can travel 200,000 miles on average before requiring major repairs.

1. Hyundai Venue 2022 (Base price — $20,125)

So, the cheapest SUV available isn't much of an SUV, but the Hyundai Venue, which is designed to look like one. It has front-wheel drive and appears to be more of a sedan than an SUV, but it is the most affordable one. 

It's no surprise that the three most affordable SUVs on our list do not have all-wheel drive. By taking out the structural changes and chassis elements required to have it, manufacturers can make small SUVs at a lower cost.

The 2022 Venue has a fuel-efficient engine that can get 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the interstate. Hyundai's engineer and transmission warranty covers the Venue for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

We’re done with the 3 cheapest but most reliable sedans/mini-cars and SUVs you can buy brand new. Here are other affordable SUVs;

• 2022 Subaru Crosstrek - a lifted Impreza hatchback (Starting at $23,000)
• 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, $23,410
• 2022 Mazda CX-30 (Starting at $23,425)
• 2022 Kia Seltos (Starting at $23,665)
• 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan (Starting at $24,295)

Finally, we are here with the big boys. Here are our recommended choices for the cheapest cars to buy in the Truck/Pick-up category.

3. Chevy Colorado 2022 (Base price — $27,000)

The Chevrolet Colorado is less expensive than most large trucks, and it was even cheaper a few years ago. The Colorado base models now begin with the Work Truck variant, which is many thousand dollars more expensive than prior base models. The Chevrolet Colorado 2022 has excellent dependability ratings, with an annual repair cost of roughly $600. 

The 2022 Colorado is still a workhorse in towing and hauling capacity. This model has a smoother ride than others in its class, and it absorbs bumps away from the cabin. The 2022 Colorado's fuel efficiency is slightly higher than the segment average, particularly with the diesel engine. It gets 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the interstate. It can go between 250,0000 and 300,000 miles on basic maintenance alone.

2. Toyota Tacoma 2022 (Base price — $27,980)

The Toyota Tacoma is one of the best-selling trucks in the world because of Toyota's long-standing reputation for reliability. The 2022 version is a well-built truck that still goes with a low price. Toyota's trucks are regarded for their mechanical durability and exceptional build quality. For a midsize truck, the Toyota Tacoma has a good reliability rating. It has lower than average ownership expenses, as the yearly repair cost is roughly $480. 

The simplicity of the Tacoma makes it ideal for carpenters and contractors due to the tough chassis and sturdy composite plastic bed. Off-roaders also give this model positive reviews, citing that it can power through most obstacles. Typically, drivers should anticipate going approximately 250,000 to 300,000 miles before repairs begin to exceed the cost of a new truck.

1. Ford Maverick 2022 (Base price — $20,995)

The Maverick is a new compact pick-up truck based on Ford's Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs. It is a new player in the compact truck category, with prices starting slightly under $21,000, which makes this car an inexpensive option. It features a smooth ride, good maneuverability, and good gas mileage.

However, it is too early to tell how reliable the 2022 Ford Maverick will be, and some experts advise against purchasing a brand-new truck in its first model year. Still, the Maverick shares several components with the Ford Escape and Ford Bronco Sport. And because those two cars are already known for their dependability, the Maverick is projected to inherit this trait. 

The Ford Maverick is the only truck that comes standard with a hybrid drivetrain. The base model has 191 horsepower thanks to a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Overall, driving the Maverick is reminiscent of driving a crossover SUV. This achieves Ford's goal of combining the greatest aspects of an SUV with the tough qualities of a small truck.

Below are 3 more options for low-cost brand-new trucks;

• 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz (Starting at $25,215)
• 2022 Ford Ranger (Starting at $26,580)
• 2022 GMC Canyon (Starting at $27,755)

We Buy Junk Cars All Over the US

Did you buy a budget car? We hope you didn’t end up with a lemon! This list can help you choose the most reliable car at the lowest cost. But if you were unlucky enough to have a clunker of a car or an old junk car that just died out, we are here to help!

We buy all kinds of junk cars, whatever model, make, and condition. We have offices in almost every state in the USA. Just call us at (855) 547-1550 and our friendly car experts will help you and answer all your questions. They can even provide you with a ready cash offer once they get all the car’s information. 

Consider Selling Your Car to Junkcarsus

Ready to part ways with your junk car? Trust us, these vehicles are some of the hardest cars to work on and repair. You might lose more money on parts and labor, plus the longer you wait, the more your vehicle depreciates.

Give us a call, and we can get a deal done within the day. If time permits, we can even schedule a pick-up within the day so you can get your cash ASAP. 

We offer top dollar for junk cars, and you don’t need to worry about lost titles, we can also help you with that. Plus, we provide free towing wherever you are in the USA. 

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