Save money while car shopping doesn’t have to be difficult if you choose wisely. For example, you can choose one of Cars.com’s picks for the best cheap new cars on the market market. Check out the top five budget cars for 2023, such as the Nissan Versa SV and Kia Rio S, which offer much of the 2022 model year value.
What are some of the best cheap cars that offer the best value for 2023?
These five cars offer the best value for money for 2023, according to from Cars.com latest affordability report.
- 2023 Kia Rio S
- 2023 Nissan Versa SV
- 2022 Nissan Sentra S
- 2023 Kia Forte LXS
- 2023 Nissan Kicks S
Given the average starting price of around $21,000, these vehicles certainly qualify as inexpensive in the new car market. However, the 2023 Kia Rio S and its 2022 predecessor offer a competitive warranty and an attractive starting price to secure first place.
Will Kia Rio be discontinued?
Kia is not stopping its Rio sedan and hatchback just yet. Instead, the 2023 Kia Rio enters the new model year essentially unchanged. In addition, the Rio S earned first place on Cars.com’s list of the best inexpensive cars for value.
No wonder too; the Rio starts at about $20,000 with one of the lowest annual fuel costs in the segment: $1,400. Also, the Kia model’s five-year, 60,000-mile warranty offers much more peace of mind than comparable Nissan models such as the Versa SV.
What is the difference between a Nissan Versa S and a Nissan Versa SV?
The Versa SV is equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It also adds features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, heated mirrors, wireless device charging and a folding rear seat. In addition, the SV retains the seven-inch touchscreen of the S model.
The manual transmission Nissan Versa S is one of the cheapest cars on the market today. However, Cars.com generally considers the better equipped Versa SV to be a better value.

Which is better, a Nissan Versa or Sentra?
The Nissan Versa is different from the Sentra in terms of size, being about three inches shorter and about three inches narrower. In addition, the 2022 Nissan Sentra S has a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces about 149 horsepower, about 29 more than the 2023 Versa SV.
In addition, with a median trim price of about $21,380, the Sentra S is an excellent value in the new car market.
What is a Kia Forte LXS?
The 2023 Kia Forte LXS is the second trim offering of the Forte model, adding split rear seats and larger 16-inch wheels to the entry-level LX platform. Moreover, TrueCar says the LXS starts at about $21,085 and has Kia’s long-term warranty.
No wonder the LXS earns a spot on Cars.com’s list of high-quality, low-cost cars.

Is the Nissan Kicks good in the snow?
While the 2023 Nissan Kicks S earned a spot on the list of the best budget cars by value, in the snow it is worse than small SUV competitors like the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Ford EcoSport. Specifically, those models offer optional AWD and a clever 4WD system, while the Kicks doesn’t.
Still, the Nissan Kicks S’s plethora of features for its attractive starting price make it a sensible choice for a list of budget cars that offer the best value.
Which of these cheap cars should you consider?
The 2023 Kia Rio S takes first place in the affordability report. With an industry-leading warranty, commendable fuel economy and a competitive price, the Rio is a solid choice for frugal car hunters.