Best New Commuter Cars Under $20k You Can Buy Today
Even in this high-inflation world, we need cheap cars for our daily driving. This listicle proves there are still sub-$20k commuter cars today.
Updated: October 3, 2024 // Top Lists
Cars are getting pricier every year thanks to a variety of factors including tech advancements and rising manufacturer costs. But you can still find several new cars priced less than 20k dollars that can be driven daily. That being said, what should be the basic prerequisites?
If we consider round trips, the daily average American commute time is 53.2 minutes (US Census Bureau). This means that the average person drives almost an hour everyday, which means that they need a car that is reliable, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive.
Other considerations include the car’s comfort levels, roominess of the cabin and trunk, and the standard features received. The following are the best commuter cars under $20k and their highs and lows:
1. 2024 Nissan Versa ($15,980-19,970)
The Nissan Versa is one of the best new cars under 20,000 dollars. It just received a facelift and has been refreshed in many aspects. The engine makes 122 horses and is rated for 27 mpg city and 35 highway. A stick-shift manual transmission is also on the menu.
The drive is smooth but it’s not exciting. The interior quality is very respectable and there’s a fair amount of standard convenience and safety tech offered. Even though the ride is comfortable, some have complained about the legroom in the rear.
Pros
- New look and technology
- Impressive fuel economy
- Manual and CVT offered
- Upscale touches in the cabin
- Comfortable ride
- Many standard amenities
Cons
- Drive could be more exciting
- Rear is a bit cramped
Related: Best Modern Boxy SUVs
2. 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage ($16,245-18,945)
The Mirage is officially the best small car under $20,000, no matter which trim level you pick. It is a subcompact hatchback that does just fine as an inexpensive way of getting from point A to point B and back. It has a small 78-hp engine that delivers up to 36 mpg city and 43 highway.
The quality of the materials used in the lower trims is sub-par but you do get a decent infotainment system and many standard safety features. The rear legroom can be problematic for some, but the trunk is capacious for the class.
Pros
- Fuel efficient
- Decent infotainment
- Spacious trunk
- Standard driver’s assistance
Cons
- More powerful options
- A bit cramped in the back
3. 2024 Kia Rio ($16,750-17,690)
Image Source: Car and Driver
Available as a hatchback and sedan, the Kia Rio is also one of the best daily drivers under 20k as it makes 120 hp, enough to make it athletic. Its suspension is lauded for providing the car with a lot of handling prowess. The EPA rates the Rio for 32 mpg in the city; 41 on the highway.
Like the exterior, the cabin also looks fashionable, even though the material quality could’ve been better. Still, you get a stellar infotainment system but not as much in terms of driver’s assistance. The 2023 Rio also has less legroom in the back and the trunk is small.
Pros
- Great driving dynamics
- Available in a hatchback and sedan body styles
- Fuel efficient
- Looks great inside and out
- State-of-the-art infotainment
Cons
- Lacks standard driver’s assistance
- Cramped second row
- Small trunk on both models
4. 2023 Hyundai Venue ($19,650-22,900)
Image Source: Motortrend
The Hyundai Venue is the only crossover SUV on this list and is proof that you can get one in this budget. This fun-sized CUV features a 121-hp engine that gives you enough oomph to cruise around but it won’t do you any favors on the drag strip.
The Venue doesn’t consume a lot of fuel – 29 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. You also won’t have to worry about the cabin’s spaciousness in any way. It has ample legroom and headroom for both rows of seats, and reasonable trunk space. You also get a suite of standard features.
Pros
- Crossover
- Great cruiser
- Fuel efficient
- Roomy cabin
- Reasonable storage space
- Lots of standard driver’s assistance
Cons
- Not exciting to drive
5. 2024 Kia Forte ($19,795-25,090)
The Kia Forte is arguably the best cheap daily driver car under 20k dollars today. It is a sporty vehicle that offers a pair of engines, one of which is turbocharged. To stay within budget, you can opt for the base engine that delivers up to 30 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway. It’s alright to drive, but the turbo is recommended by all its reviewers.
It’s one of the best-looking sedans available today that offers a premium vibe. We can say that based on its looks (inside and out) and the quality of the materials adorning its attractive cabin. It doesn’t disappoint in terms of safety features or the room in the cabin or the trunk.
Pros
- Fuel efficient
- Looks stylish
- High build quality
- Lots of driver’s assistance
- Roomy cabin
- Capacious trunk
Cons
- The non-turbo engine doesn’t do it justice
6. 2023 Subaru Impreza ($19,795-27,395)
The Subaru Impreza needs no introduction as it has quite an impressive lineage. That being said, the current model’s positives include a pair of transmissions (auto and manual), its comfortable ride, superb ergonomics, excellent handling, and class-leading roominess.
It is also the only vehicle here to come with standard AWD, but this fact adversely affects its fuel economy – a meager 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. It also loses points due to its rather disappointing acceleration, uncompetitive trunk size, and a lack of standard safety features.
Pros
- Choice of gearboxes
- Great handling
- Spacious cabin
- User-friendliness
- All-wheel drive
Cons
- Fuel economy could be better
- Acceleration disappoints
- Lack of standard driver’s assistance
- Rivals have more trunk space
7. 2023 Kia Soul ($19,890-24,190)
Just scratching the surface of our $20k-budget is the Kia Soul which offers you goodies such as a quirky boxy SUV-like design, a 147-hp engine that provides snippy acceleration, and a comfortable ride. The cabin is quite spacious and the same can be said for the tall trunk.
Other niceties include the amazing and versatile interior design that allows for more personalization, and the suite of safety equipment. This Kia could do better in terms of its handling and fuel economy (28 mpg city and 35 highway) though.
Pros
- Boxy design stands out
- Quick to drive
- Comfy ride
- Spacious cabin
- Large trunk
- Attractive interior
- Lots of safety features
Cons
- Poor handling
- Fuel economy disappoints
