The days of affordable new cars are almost over. In a market where the average new car now costs nearly $50,000, a small window of opportunity still exists for buyers hunting for a bargain. According to CarEdge data, there are 3,027 new cars currently listed for sale under $20,000 across the country. These are all leftover 2025 (and even 2024) models that dealers are discounting below MSRP to clear out, creating a rare and fleeting opportunity to save.

No automaker is currently producing a new vehicle with an MSRP under $20,000. These are the last ones.

What’s Still Available Under $20,000

Here’s a complete breakdown of every new car for sale under $20,000 right now, according to CarEdge Car Search. These are all unsold 2024-2025 models listed below MSRP:

The Nissan Versa alone accounts for nearly 80% of available inventory. The Mitsubishi Mirage, listed as low as $13,995 and below its original MSRP, is the most affordable new car you can buy in America right now. But with only 67 units left nationwide, you’ll need to act fast.

What to Watch Out For

Finding a car listed under $20,000 is only half the battle. Dealer markups and add-ons can quickly push that price well above your budget before you ever sign anything.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

Always ask for the out-the-door price. The advertised price is rarely what you’ll actually pay. The out-the-door (OTD) price includes all taxes, fees, and dealer charges specific to your zip code. That’s the number that matters, not the sticker, not the online listing. Get the OTD price in writing before you set foot in a dealership.

Check out our free OTD price calculator to estimate what you’ll be spending.

Call ahead to confirm availability. With only a few thousand of these cars spread across thousands of dealers nationwide, inventory can move fast. Before making the trip, contact the dealer directly to confirm the car is still on the lot.

Watch out for forced add-ons. Some dealers will advertise a shockingly low price, then load the deal with thousands in extras: paint protection, fabric coating, tire and wheel packages, and more. These add-ons are almost always negotiable or refusable. If a dealer insists on bundling them, walk away. Here’s a list of common dealership add-ons to watch out for.

Get pre-approved financing before you shop. Even on a $16,000 car, the finance office is where dealers make money. Come in with a pre-approved offer from your bank or credit union. It gives you leverage and keeps the focus on the OTD price rather than monthly payments. If the dealership can beat your offer from the bank, there’s no harm in financing with them.

Don’t fall for the monthly payment trap. With a high interest rate, a $19,000 car stretched over 84 months can cost you more in interest than the car is worth. Focus on the total cost, not the monthly payment. Stick to loan terms of 60 months or fewer on a vehicle in this price range.

Which of These Cars Is the Safest?

Price isn’t the only thing that matters. For many budget shoppers, it may be worth it to spend a little more for a safer vehicle, especially since these are compact cars and hatchbacks.

Hyundai Elantra is the standout. It earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the highest designation IIHS awards, along with a 5-star overall NHTSA rating, and it comes standard with a full suite of driver-assist features. For buyers who want the most car for their money from a safety standpoint, the Elantra is the easy recommendation.

Nissan Versa and Nissan Kicks are solid but not top-rated. The Versa earns “Good” scores in its IIHS-tested categories and a 5-star NHTSA overall rating. The Kicks comes standard with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 across all trims, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic alert, and scores well in IIHS crash tests. Neither earned a Top Safety Pick designation, but both are reasonable choices.

Mitsubishi Mirage deserves a direct warning. At $13,995, it’s the cheapest new car in America right now, and that price is tempting. But the Mirage hatchback has recorded 13.6 fatal accidents per billion miles traveled, roughly 4.8 times the national average and one of the worst real-world fatality rates of any vehicle currently on the road. IIHS crash tests show poor scores. 

This isn’t a reflection of failed crash tests so much as basic physics: small, light cars are at a significant disadvantage in collisions with the larger trucks and SUVs that dominate American roads. If safety is a priority, the Mirage’s low price comes with a real tradeoff.

Kia Soul and Hyundai Venue fall somewhere in the middle. Neither earned a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick, and the Venue has a concerning real-world fatality record similar to the Mirage. The Soul is the better of the two from a safety perspective, but neither matches the Elantra.

Bottom line: If you’re shopping this list and safety matters to you, spend the extra few hundred dollars and get the Hyundai Elantra, or something larger (with high crash test ratings) that’s a little over the $20,000 threshold. The Honda Civic is one example worth the test drive.

The End of an Era

2026 will go down as the last year a buyer can walk into a dealership and drive home a brand-new car for under $20,000. No manufacturer currently has a sub-$20K model in production, and with rising material costs, labor expenses, and tariffs keeping new car prices elevated, there’s no sign that will change.

These remaining vehicles will likely be gone by summer. If buying a new car under $20,000 is your goal, now is the time to act.

Use CarEdge’s free tools to check dealer invoice prices, local inventory, and get the out-the-door price before you shop.