: The 2017 Ford Fiesta (base model) or 2017 Toyota 86 ($26,255) were the go-to choices for affordable performance.

The also required a CVT upgrade to include air conditioning, raising its price to $13,895 .

: Starting at $11,990 , it was the only new car in America with a base price under $12,000. It featured a 109-hp engine and a 5-speed manual transmission but lacked power windows and locks at the base level.

Choosing a "cheap" car in 2017 meant navigating a thin line between low upfront costs and "bare-bones" utility. Below is a breakdown of the most affordable options from that year across different categories. Top 3 Absolute Cheapest New Cars (MSRP)