Usually, cars are among the most expensive purchases in many people’s lives. Buying a new car is a serious investment, with most of them costing well over $20,000, which is a price that many consumers can not afford. But, nowadays there are lots of good cars that can be purchased for less than $20,000, which is usually considered to be somewhat of a magic number when it comes to new vehicle prices. Here is a list of the top five cars for under $20,000, which includes everything from compact cars, sedans, all the way to SUVs.
2015 Ford Focus
Starting with one of the world’s best-selling cars in recent years, the Ford Focus is an excellent family car, but also a very popular choice for young drivers looking for a reliable and affordable car that also offers great handling and is fun to drive.
The 2015 Focus is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, and gets a great gas mileage of 26 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. The base version comes with a price tag of $17,170.
2016 Mazda 3
Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2016 Mazda 3 is one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the compact sedan segment, with fuel economy rated at 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway.
It also features dynamic handling and high-quality interior materials, and it’s equipped with some of the latest safety and infotainment technologies. It can be purchased for as low as $17,845.
2016 Jeep Patriot
Finding a good, well equipped SUV under $20,000 is no easy task. But, the 2016 Jeep Patriot is a good example that SUVs that offer great performances and have a wide array of advanced safety features don’t have to be very expensive.
Starting at $17,295, the Patriot comes with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, delivering 158 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque, and up to 30 mpg gas mileage on the highway.
2015 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is arguably one of the best vehicles overall that can be bought for less than $20,000. It’s one of the most reliable cars on the market, with top safety ratings and impressive fuel economy rated at 31 mpg/city and up to 41 mpg/highway. Starting at just $18,290, the 2015 Civic comes with a very wide range of standard features, including Pandora Internet radio, Bluetooth connectivity, as well as cruise control and back-up camera.
2015 Toyota Prius C
In order to own a hybrid, car buyers usually have to pay a substantial premium, but it can be said that the 2015 Toyota Prius C is an exception. This popular hybrid is reasonably priced at $19,540, so it’s not much more expensive than its gasoline-powered counterparts.
Obviously, this is a great choice for consumers looking for an affordable, eco-friendly, and fuel-efficient car, getting 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway.