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It can seem impossible these days to find a car that’s cheap, reliable, safe and new — but I assure you, good deals do exist. To prove it to you, we’re sharing a great study from Consumer Reports; the publication has found some of the cheapest cars in America based on transaction price. Yes, there are still cars out there that are selling for under MSRP! And, according to CR and partner TrueCar, many of those cars are actually even good.
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We’ve listed Consumer Reports’ options from most to least expensive and also included some details about what makes each model shine, as well as its drawbacks.
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Toyota Camry: $25,325
The fearsome 2024 Toyota Camry LEis one of those do-it-all cars that you absolutely know you can count on. According to CR, its MSRP is $26,420, but average transaction prices usually run around $25,325 — which is a savings of $1,095.
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Toyota Camry: Pros and Cons
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Mazda3: $25,071
As a Mazda2 owner myself, I have a soft spot for the number-named Japanese models. While MSRP for the 2024 Mazda3 2.5 S Select Sport is about $24,690, Consumer Reports notes that you can usually expect to pay about $381 more than asking — but that still makes for a fairly cheap transaction price of $25,071.
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Mazda3: Pros and Cons
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Subaru Impreza: $24,825
If you’re in the market for a cheap hatchback-y car that hasn’t quite committed to the hatchback life, look no further than the 2024 Subaru Impreza Sport. You can expect to spend about $170 under an MSRP of $24,995, for an average transaction price of $24,825.
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Subaru Impreza: Pros and Cons
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Hyundai Elantra: $24,539
You’re going to have to spend about $964 over MSRP ($23,575) for an average transaction price of $24,539 — but that still makes the 2024 Hyundai Elantra SEL a damn good deal.
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Hyundai Elantra: Pros and Cons
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Toyota Corolla Hatchback: $24,242
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE CVT will definitely require you to spend a little over MSRP — an additional $737 tacked onto a $23,505 asking price — but that still leaves you with a vehicle that costs $24,242. For a hatchback? That’s a dream.
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Toyota Corolla Hatchback: Pros and Cons
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Nissan Kicks: $23,998
While I haven’t driven one of these in a while, I can’t say I was a big fan of the Nissan Kicks. The 2024 Kicks SV will also require you to spend $1,088 over asking ($22,910) for an average transaction price of $23,998. Still a pretty damn good deal for a new vehicle!
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Nissan Kicks: Pros and Cons
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Toyota Corolla Hybrid: $23,692
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE is one of the better deals on this list. You’re getting an overall 48 MPG for a vehicle that costs you an average of $23,692. That’s only $192 over the $23,500 MSRP.
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Toyota Corolla Hybrid: Pros and Cons
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Toyota Corolla: $22,322
If you’re not digging the “hybrid” thing yet, or you just want to save a little more money, the 2024 Toyota Corolla LE is still a great bet. The average transaction price ($22,322) is $272 over asking ($22,050), but that’s still a steal for a vehicle you know you can rely on.
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Toyota Corolla: Pros and Cons
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Nissan Sentra: $21,938
Another good bet on the sedan market is the 2024 Nissan Sentra SV CVT. You’ll probably have to spend $118 over asking ($21,820) for an average transaction price of $21,938, but that’s still a steal in today’s market.
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Nissan Sentra: Pros and Cons
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Kia Forte: $21,368
The cheapest car that Consumer Reports recommends is the humble 2024 Kia Forte LXS IVT. MSRP stands at $20,490, but you’ll still have to spend about $878 over asking to get one off the lot. All things considered, though, that’s not too bad, and it makes for an average transaction price of $21,368.
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Kia Forte: Pros and Cons
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