Paying a fair price is always important, but if you really want to get the most car for your money you have to look beyond purchase price. Some cars hold their value far better than others, which can put thousands more dollars back in your pocket when you sell.
Our 5-Year Cost to Own figures combine depreciation with fuel, financing and insurance costs to help you make a more informed decision when choosing a new car. Here are the 10 most affordable cars of 2017, based on a full 5-year buy-drive-sell ownership cycle.
The roomy 2017 Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan that can satisfy a wide range of tastes and budgets. You can order it as you like, either bare-bones or fully loaded, and drive away in an economical small car that is also fun to drive. Read more
As with the rest of Hyundai's lineup, the Elantra boasts stylish looks, premium amenities and a class-leading warranty that includes 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain. Read more
The 2017 Toyota Corolla is destined to remain a best-seller, thanks to new styling, a simplified model lineup, improved interior, and a host of standard safety equipment that's unheard of in this class, or even in cars costing much more. Read more
The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage sedan and hatchback offer a comfortable highway ride for such a small car, and the brakes bring the low-mass sedan to a stop quickly, and with a firm pedal. Fuel economy is quite good; we saw about 38 mpg during a highway commute. Read more
The Fortwo may be the ultimate city car. You can park in street spaces that are too small for a minicar, and its phenomenal turning radius makes it easy to maneuver through narrow city streets. There's room for only two, but those two will enjoy the Fortwo's surprisingly roomy cabin. Read more
6. 2017 Kia Rio
You don't have to settle just because you're on a tight budget. Choose Kia's 2017 Rio or Rio 5-door if you want a great-looking little car that performs well, gets great gas mileage and offers an extreme amount of value. Read more
Whether you're a college student first starting off, an empty-nester looking to downsize, or just want an inexpensive new car with all of today's connectivity, the 2017 Honda Fit has you covered. It offers excellent front- and rear-seat room, combined with great cargo utility and a fun-to-drive character. Read more
In the Yaris iA, Toyota now has a subcompact car capable of challenging the sportier Ford Fiesta, quirky Chevy Sonic and well-equipped Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent. Read more
At a starting price of less than $13,000 including destination charges, the basic Versa S still comes with air conditioning and a 4-speaker audio system with Bluetooth connectivity. It also offers low cost of ownership, excellent fuel economy, and a surprisingly spacious rear seat. Even when you load it up you'll have trouble breaking the $18,000 mark. Read more
With only 98 horsepower on tap, the 2017 Chevrolet Spark minicar isn't quick, but it's fairly peppy especially when compared to other sub-100-horsepower cars such as the 3-cylinder Mitsubishi Mirage. The Spark's relatively long wheelbase contributes to its stability and smooth ride, as well as nimble handling. Younger buyers will appreciate the high tech, while mom and dad will like the Spark's safety features. Read more
This story was originally published at KBB.com, a Cox Automotive company.
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