Cheap Car Brands That Redefine Affordability In 2026

by Charlen Raymond

Going into 2026, new-car prices could put many buyers off from spending. That deterrence factor alone is enough to shove you in the direction of a used buy, but there may just be some reprieve in the form of some cheap options. With inflation forcing many to watch their dollars, fuel costs still playing a role, and a shifting automotive landscape that’s dominated by NEVs (new energy vehicles), buyers still want a new vehicle without draining their savings. Enter 2026: a year when, despite many great, tech-filled vehicles flooding the market, there is still value to be had in the best cheap car brands - where names like the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Kicks have long held sway. And the cheap car brands on our list are doubling down on entry-level models that come equipped with essential features, decent efficiency, and modern tech without the premium sticker shock.

For today, the subcompact and compact segments are the battlegrounds for affordable car brands. It’s where the Japanese, Koreans, Germans, and Americans scrap for buyers’ attention. Here, cheap reliable car brands like Toyota and Honda continue to set the reliability benchmark, while Subaru and Mitsubishi remind us that all-wheel drive (AWD) doesn't have to cost a fortune. But what’s the one thing that ties all the cheap car companies together? Starting MSRPs (manufacturer’s suggested retail prices) under $28,000! So, what the cheapest car brand in the coming year?

Note

The vehicles in this list are from the 2026 model year. The images are of the model, but not necessarily of the derivative in question. The base MSRP, where mentioned, excludes destination fees and other costs.

Mitsubishi

2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES S-AWC: $27,695

One of the most affordable ways to get standard all-wheel drive in 2026 is Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross ES S-AWC. At $27,695, it undercuts every AWD-equipped rival - bar one - and the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower, 184 lb-ft of torque) pairs with a CVT (continuously variable transmission). Inside the ES, an eight-inch touchscreen offers wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and cargo space measures 23.4 cu-ft behind the rear seats (48.4 when folded). Other features include LED headlights and forward-collision mitigation with pedestrian detection. If you’re a budget buyer traversing roads in slippery climates but do not want to pay too much extra for AWD, the Eclipse Cross ES should make your short-list.

Subaru

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Base: $26,995

Subaru makes standard symmetrical all-wheel drive affordable again with the 2026 Crosstrek Base at $26,995. Continuing into 2026, the 2.5L boxer-four (180 hp, 178 lb-ft) still puts the old 2.0L in everyone's rearview mirror, and it comes paired to a CVT. X-Mode and 8.7 inches of ground clearance will comfortably take passengers on a light off-road trail. And if things get a bit messy on the inside, the seats are decked in water-repellent StarTex cloth. Other interior features include a seven-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and 19.9 cu ft of cargo space. Subaru’s EyeSight suite (adaptive cruise, lane-keep, pre-collision braking) is standard, and automatic emergency steering ‘jumps’ in when the system senses an impending crash.

"We're not sure there's much better for the money than the Crosstrek if all-wheel-drive is a box that needs to be ticked. Other compact crossovers in the same price range offer more attractive interiors and more exciting engine choices, but that's the compromise necessary to make for such a good all-wheel-drive system and standard safety features. As a result, the Crosstrek is an excellent little crossover for those who need a car that handles daily traffic and can competently get them to that hiking or camping spot at the weekend."

- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

Mazda

2026 Mazda3 Sedan 2.5 S: $24,550

The 2026 Mazda3 Sedan 2.5 S starts at $24,550 and, quite frankly, looks and feels two classes above its price. A 2.5L Skyactiv-G four-cylinder (186 hp, 186 lb-ft) and quick-shifting six-speed automatic deliver brisk performance, and cylinder deactivation helps keep highway efficiency as low as possible. The interior boasts soft-touch materials, an 8.8-inch widescreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. Mazda’s i-Activsense safety package includes radar cruise, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Trunk space is 13.2 cu-ft and rear headroom is snug. The sedan is available with an AWD drivetrain, but it demands a premium and does not offer the same all-weather, light-trail conquering abilities as the two entrants before it.

Buick

2026 

 Envista Preferred; $24,600

Buick’s 2026 Envista Preferred looks like a $35k crossover but begins life at just $24,600. Its fastback silhouette, LED lighting, and 18-inch alloys draw attention, and power comes from a turbocharged 1.2L three-cylinder (137 hp, 162 lb-ft) engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The cabin features an 11-inch touchscreen plus an eight-inch driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and cloth seats with heating available, while the safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and rear park sensors.

Honda

2026 Honda Civic Sedan LX: $24,595

For many, the benchmark compact sedan is the Honda Civic, and the car returns in 2026 with the Civic LX as the entry-point at $24,595. Honda’s 2.0L four-cylinder (150 hp, 133 lb-ft) and CVT send power to the front wheels, while Honda Sensing is standard. It features adaptive cruise with low-speed follow, lane-keeping, collision mitigation, and traffic-sign recognition. Inside, a seven-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, automatic climate control, and supportive cloth seats. Perhaps the car’s only real demerit is a modest low-end torque curve, but legendary Honda reliability and strong resale value keep the Civic LX near the top of every budget-buyer’s shopping list.

Sources: Buick, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen

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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.