Best 2016 Model New Cars You Can Buy Under $20,000

Published February 28, 2016 by Carlton Wolf
best new cars under $20,000
2016 Nissan Sentra

If you're a new car shopper on a tight budget, automakers have plenty of new cars for you to choose from well under the $20,000 price range.

Most of the vehicles being offered are under the $20k mark are smaller subcompacts or compact vehicles, buyers can choose between buying a hatchback, coupe, wagon or sedan.

Many of the vehicle's offered on the top 10 best cars under $20,000 list may hold back a little on the more expensive features. Many new car shoppers will find they can still drive a well-equipped stylish new car at a minimal price.

The automove research and review site autobytel.com scoured their database to find the top ten best, most reliable 2016 model new cars you buy for under $20,000. These vehicles won't just save you money on their sticker prices, they'll save you money at the gas station also.

The cheapest (least expensive) new car sold in the United States is the 2016 Nissan Versa. The entry level manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of the Versa is a mere $11,990. If you're in the market for a hatchback, the entry level price is a bit more pricey, but still under the $20k mark. Fuel economy for the 2016 Nissan Versa is 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. The 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine produces 109 horsepower with 107 lb-ft of torque and is mated up to a continuously variable transmission. The 2016 Nissan Versa is the perfect vehicle for anyone just in need of basic transportation to get from point A to point B.

Number eight on the list is the 2016 Honda Civic, the Civic has been the vehicle to beat in the highly competitive compact car category, and the 2016 Civic is better than ever. The 2016 Honda Civic has an entry level MSRP of $18,640. The five-passenger sedan has a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower with 138 kb-ft torque. The Civics' fuel economy will save you even more money at the pump with 31 mpg city and 41 mpg highway when equipped with its optional continuously variable transmission. (Still under $20,000 if equipped). The 2016 Honda Civic is one of the best vehicles you can buy under the $20,000 benchmark. Make sure it's on your shopping list if you're in the market to buy a new car.

Check out all the other 2016 model new cars you can buy under $20,000 below.

Competition Always Gets You the Lowest New Car Price

Read my section on how to figure what a dealer paid for a car before ever stepping foot inside a dealership. Knowing this information will guarantee you pay the lowest new car price and avoid overpaying for your next new car.

When negotiating a new trucks price, it’s important to know the dealer invoice price and what other people are paying for the same vehicle in your local area. Otherwise, you won’t know what's a good price to pay for the car. As always, I highly recommend using an online referral service such as CarClearanceDeals or CarsDirect, their quotes will automatically include any discounts or cash-back incentives currently available in the marketplace.

Top 10 Best New Cars of 2016 You Can Buy Under $20,000

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# Year | Make | Model | New Car Entry Level MSRP
1 2016 Nissan Versa $11,990
2 2016 Kia Rio $14,165
3 2016 Ford Fiesta $14,580
4 2016 Chevrolet Sonic $14,835
5 2016 Toyota Yaris $14,895
6 2016 Scion iA $15,700
7 2016 Scion iM $18,460
8 2016 Honda Civic $18,640
9 2016 FIAT 500L $19,495
10 2016 Toyota Prius c $19,560
Source: Autobytel