Most Affordable Compact Cars For 2023

If you’re in the market for a new car, finding an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality can be tough. Among the many options available, small cars make a smart choice due to their price and fuel efficiency.

In this article, we’ll highlight the most Affordable Compact Cars for 2023 to help streamline your decision-making process. Ready to find your perfect drive? Let’s dive into our top picks to help you find the best car for you!

Most Affordable Compact Cars for 2023

The 2023 Honda Civic, 2023 Mazda Mazda3, 2023 Volkswagen GTI, 2023 Hyundai Elantra, and 2023 Kia Forte are among the most affordable Compact cars for 2023.

2023 Honda Civic

Engine and performance: The Civic is available with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, or a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The Civic is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Fuel economy: The Civic is fuel-efficient, with EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of up to 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway for the base model with the 2.0-liter engine. The Civic hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

Safety features: The Civic comes standard with a variety of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. The Civic is also available with a number of advanced safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

Interior and comfort: The Civic has a comfortable and spacious interior. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and the rear seats have enough legroom for adults. The Civic also has a spacious trunk with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

Infotainment and technology: The Civic comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Civic is also available with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a Bose sound system.

Design: The 2023 Civic has a modern and stylish design that is sure to turn heads. The front end features a new grille and headlights, and the rear end has been redesigned with new taillights and a revised bumper. The Civic is available in a variety of colors, including Sonic Gray Pearl, Aegean Blue Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl.

Here are some additional details about the 2023 Honda Civic:

• The Civic comes in a hatchback too and is available in four trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, and Touring.
• The Sport trim is a sporty variant that has unique suspension tuning and exterior styling.
• The EX trim is a well-equipped trim that comes standard with features such as a sunroof, heated seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
• The Touring trim is a top-of-the-line trim that comes standard with features such as a navigation system, a Bose sound system, and a wireless charging pad.
• The Civic has a starting MSRP of $24,845

Overall, the 2023 Honda Civic is a well-rounded compact sedan that offers great value for money. It is fuel-efficient, has a comfortable interior, and comes standard with a variety of safety features. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable compact car, the Civic is a great option.

2023 Mazda Mazda3

(Photo courtesy of Car And Driver)

Engine and performance: The Mazda3 is available with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Mazda3 is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or automatic transmission.

Fuel economy: The Mazda3 is fuel-efficient, with EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of up to 28 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway for the base model with the 2.0-liter engine. The Mazda3 with the turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

Safety features: The Mazda3 comes standard with a variety of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. The Mazda3 is also available with a number of advanced safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

Interior and comfort: The Mazda3 has a comfortable and spacious interior. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and the rear seats have enough legroom for adults. The Mazda3 also has a spacious trunk with 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Infotainment and technology: The Mazda3 comes standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mazda3 is also available with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a Bose sound system.

Design: The 2023 Mazda3 has a stylish and modern design that is sure to turn heads. The front end features a new grille and headlights, and the rear end has been redesigned with new taillights and a revised bumper. The Mazda3 is available in a variety of colors, including Polymetal Gray Metallic, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, and Snowflake White Pearl.

Here are some additional details about the 2023 Mazda Mazda3:

• The Mazda3 is available in four trim levels: Sport, Select, Preferred, and Premium.
• The Sport trim is a sporty variant that has unique suspension tuning and exterior styling.
• The Select trim is a well-equipped trim that comes standard with features such as a sunroof, heated seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
• The Preferred trim is a top-of-the-line trim that comes standard with features such as a navigation system, a Bose sound system, and a wireless charging pad.
• The Mazda3 has a starting MSRP of $20,500.

Overall, the 2023 Mazda3 is a well-rounded compact car that offers great value for money. It is fuel-efficient, has a comfortable interior, and comes standard with a variety of safety features. If you are looking for a stylish and fun-to-drive compact car, the Mazda3 is a great option.

2023 Volkswagen GTI

(Photo courtesy of Motor Trend)

Engine and performance: This engine is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GTI can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds with the manual transmission and 5.4 seconds with the automatic transmission.

Fuel economy: The GTI is fuel-efficient, with EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of up to 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway for manual transmission. The automatic transmission gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

Safety features: The GTI comes standard with a variety of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. The GTI is also available with a number of advanced safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

Interior and comfort: The GTI has a comfortable and spacious interior. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and the rear seats have enough legroom for adults. The GTI also has a spacious trunk with 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

Infotainment and technology: The GTI comes standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GTI is also available with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system.

Here are some additional details about the 2023 Volkswagen GTI:

• The GTI is available in three trim levels: S, SE, and Autobahn.
• The Autobahn is a top-of-the-line trim that comes standard with features such as a panoramic sunroof, a Fender sound system, and a performance suspension.
• The GTI has a base price of $30,530.

Overall, the 2023 Volkswagen GTI is a well-rounded compact car that offers great value for money. It is fun to drive, fuel-efficient and has a comfortable interior. If you are looking for a sporty and practical compact car, the GTI is a great option.

2023 Hyundai Elantra

(Photo courtesy of Car and Driver)

• Engine and performance: The Elantra is available with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, or a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Elantra is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
• Fuel economy: The Elantra is fuel-efficient, with EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of up to 33 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway for the base model with the 2.0-liter engine. The Elantra hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 53 mpg in the city and 56 mpg on the highway.
• Safety features: The Elantra comes standard with a variety of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. The Elantra is also available with a number of advanced safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
• Interior and comfort: The Elantra has a comfortable and spacious interior. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and the rear seats have enough legroom for adults. The Elantra also has a spacious trunk with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
• Infotainment and technology: The Elantra comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Elantra is also available with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system.

Here are some additional details about the 2023 Hyundai Elantra:

• The Elantra is available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited, N Line, and N.
• The Elantra N is a high-performance variant that has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 276 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.
• The Elantra hybrid is available in two trim levels: Blue and Limited.
• The Elantra has a starting MSRP of $20,950 for standard features.

Overall, the 2023 Elantra is a well-rounded compact car that offers great value for money. It is fuel-efficient, has a comfortable interior, and comes standard with a variety of safety features. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable compact car, the Elantra is one of the best cars on the market.

2023 Kia Forte

(Photo courtesy of Car and Driver)

Engine and performance: The Forte is available with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, or a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Forte is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Fuel economy: The Forte is fuel-efficient, with EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of up to 31 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway for the base model with the 2.0-liter engine. The Forte hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 50 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.

Safety features: The Forte comes standard with top safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. The Forte is also available with a number of advanced safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

Interior and comfort: The Forte has a comfortable and spacious interior. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and the rear seats have enough legroom for adults. The Forte also has a spacious trunk with 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

Infotainment and technology: The Forte comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Forte is also available with a Harman Kardon sound system.

Here are some additional details about the 2023 Kia Forte:

• The Forte is available in four trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, and GT.
• The GT-Line is a sporty variant that has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
• The GT is a high-performance variant that has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 276 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.
• The Forte has a starting MSRP of $20,390

Overall, the 2023 Kia Forte is a well-rounded compact car that offers great value for money. It is fuel-efficient, has a comfortable interior, and comes standard with a variety of safety features. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable little car, the Forte is a great option.

Factors to Consider in Affordable Compact Cars of 2023

When considering affordable compact cars, it is important to factor in elements such as fuel efficiency, safety features, reliability, and maintenance costs.

Fuel efficiency

The fuel efficiency of a compact car is an important factor to consider for car shoppers. It not only helps save money at the gas pump but also reduces our impact on the environment.

Several affordable compact cars for 2023 offer impressive fuel economy, making them cost-effective options in the long run. For example, the Nissan Versa has a starting price of $15,730 and offers a 122-hp 1.6-liter engine with good fuel efficiency.

Similarly, the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra are recognized as top choices in terms of both affordability and fuel efficiency. When looking for a compact car that balances performance and savings at the pump, these models should be on your list.

Safety features

The safety features of a car are an important consideration for anyone looking to purchase a new vehicle. When it comes to affordable compact cars, many models come equipped with advanced safety technologies that provide peace of mind on the road.

Features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring help reduce the risk of accidents and keep drivers and passengers safe. Some top choices for compact cars with strong safety features include the 2023 Honda Civic, 2023 Mazda Mazda3, and 2023 Volkswagen GTI.

These vehicles offer a combination of reliability, affordability, and modern safety technology to ensure a secure driving experience.

Reliability

When it comes to buying a compact car, reliability is an important factor to consider. Car shoppers want a vehicle that will be dependable and have minimal issues over time. Fortunately, there are several options for affordable compact cars that are known for their reliability.

The Honda Civic, Mazda Mazda3, and Volkswagen GTI are all recognized as reliable choices for 2023. Additionally, the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte have also received accolades for their durability.

Car shoppers can feel confident in these models knowing they offer a combination of affordability and reliability.

Maintenance costs

The cost of maintaining a compact car is an important factor to consider when making a purchase. Some models have higher maintenance costs than others, so it’s crucial to choose wisely.

According to TrueCar and Kelley Blue Book experts, the Nissan Versa, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Chevrolet Spark are among the most affordable small cars for 2023 in terms of maintenance costs.

These vehicles offer budget-friendly options without breaking the bank on regular upkeep expenses. Additionally, the Subaru Impreza, Kia Forte, and Toyota Corolla are recognized as some of the best compact cars for 2023 with reasonable maintenance costs.

Additional Options to Consider

If you’re still looking for more affordable compact car options for 2023, there are several other models worth considering.

2023 Subaru Impreza

The 2023 Subaru Impreza is recognized as one of the best compact cars for 2023. With its reputation for being a well-rounded and reliable vehicle, the Impreza offers car shoppers a great option in the compact car segment.

It comes with standard all-wheel drive, which gives it enhanced traction and handling capabilities. The Impreza also boasts impressive safety features, including automatic emergency braking, making it a top choice among compact cars when it comes to safety.

Additionally, with its comfortable interior and fun-to-drive nature, the Subaru Impreza is sure to meet the needs of any car shopper looking for a versatile and dependable compact car option.

The starting MSRP for the 2023 Subaru Impreza is $22,155. The price will vary depending on the trim level and options chosen.

2023 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta is recognized as one of the top compact car choices for 2023. With a starting price of $19,995, it offers an affordable option for car shoppers. The Jetta comes with a range of features including automatic emergency braking and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

With its sleek design and comfortable interior, the Jetta provides a stylish and enjoyable driving experience. Customers can choose between different trim levels to suit their preferences, with options like turbocharged engines available for those seeking more power.

Overall, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta is a reliable and well-rounded compact car option.

The starting MSRP of the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta is $21,760 for the S Model.

2023 Nissan Sentra

The 2023 Nissan Sentra is a top choice for car shoppers looking for an affordable and reliable compact car. The starting price of $16,755 for the base S model, makes it one of the most affordable models out there.

The Sentra is powered by a 122-hp 1.6-liter engine, providing ample power for daily commutes and highway driving. It also comes equipped with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, ensuring peace of mind on the road.

Overall, the 2023 Nissan Sentra offers a well-rounded package with its affordability, performance, and safety features.

2023 Toyota Corolla

The 2023 Toyota Corolla is a highly regarded compact car that offers both affordability and reliability. It ranks among the best compact cars of 2023, making it an excellent choice for car shoppers.

With its stylish design, comfortable interior, and advanced safety features, the Toyota Corolla provides a well-rounded driving experience. Whether you’re commuting to work or embarking on a road trip, the Corolla’s fuel efficiency and dependable performance ensure a smooth ride.

The starting MSRP for the 2023 Toyota Corolla is $21,550, making it an attractive option for those seeking an affordable yet reliable vehicle.

2023 Subaru WRX

The 2023 Subaru WRX is a highly anticipated compact car that offers impressive performance and all-wheel drive capability. With its turbocharged engine and sporty handling, the WRX feels like a sports car and delivers exhilarating driving dynamics.

It also comes equipped with advanced safety features to keep you protected on the road. The WRX’s bold design and spacious interior make it a practical choice for everyday use. Overall, the 2023 Subaru WRX combines power, versatility, and style, making it an exciting option in the compact car segment.

The starting MSRP for the 2023 Subaru WRX is $30,100. The price will vary depending on the trim level and options chosen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, for car shoppers looking for the most affordable compact cars in 2023, there are plenty of great options to consider. From the reliable and fuel-efficient Honda Civic to the sporty and fun-to-drive Volkswagen GTI, these compact cars offer a balance of affordability and features.

Don’t forget to also explore additional options like the Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla, which provide even more choices for budget-conscious buyers. With factors like fuel efficiency, safety features, reliability, and maintenance costs in mind, you can find the perfect affordable compact car that suits your needs and budget in 2023.

FAQs

1. What are some of the most affordable compact cars for 2023?

Some of the most affordable compact cars for 2023 include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia Forte.

2. Are there any compact cars with good fuel efficiency in this price range?

Yes, many compact cars known for their affordability also offer excellent fuel efficiency. Models such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have a reputation for being fuel-efficient options.

3. Do these affordable compact cars come with advanced safety features?

Yes, manufacturers are increasingly equipping their affordable compact car models with advanced safety features. Features like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control can often be found in these vehicles.

4. Can I expect reliable performance from these affordable cars?

While they may be more economical choices, many of these affordable compact cars still offer reliable performance. However, it’s always recommended to do thorough research and read reviews to ensure you find a model that meets your specific needs and expectations.

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