With the current economic climate plagued by frequent job market shifts, high inflation rates, and rising interest rates, it is no wonder that economy cars are becoming more popular. Most aspiring car buyers opt for affordable vehicles instead of their dream cars.
Car manufacturers have taken note of the above and are making provisions to meet this need. For this reason, today’s car market offers an inspiring selection of small, appealing cars with low sticker prices. However, the common saying “quality comes at a price” rings true here. If you want quality, you have to pay for it, so if you are paying less, you will probably not get the desired quality.
Below are some affordable cars you are bound to regret buying ultimately.
Mitsubishi Mirage
According to Mitsubishi Motors US, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage starts at just $16,695, making it one of the cheapest subcompact hatchbacks on the market. However, it has some significant drawbacks, including its poor performance. Under its hood, it features a naturally aspirated 78-horsepower 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine good for a zero-to-60 mph time of 11 seconds.
In addition, the 2024 Mirage offers subpar interior quality with cheap-feeling materials, hard plastics, and hardly any noteworthy amenities. This car also provides an underwhelming driving experience with poor ride quality, excessive road noise, and a noisy, unrefined engine.
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark was discontinued in 2022 but is still popular among people seeking small hatchbacks. In 2022, its base trim started at $14,595. Like the Mirage, the Spark’s list of amenities is not impressive. Conveniences like keyless entry and satellite radio are only available in the higher trims.
Powering this car is a 98-hp 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers poor performance, so don’t expect any thrills even when you put your gas foot to the floor. While its combined fuel economy of around 33-35 mpg is on par with most of its competitors, its cramped interior with only 33 inches of rear legroom may leave tall passengers feeling squeezed in the back.
Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa is another popular subcompact car you may regret buying in the long run. It starts at $16,680, but its range-topping trim costs $20,690 (MSRP). According to CarEdge, the Versa can depreciate by up to 39% in five years, so don’t expect to get much when you try to sell it after a few years.
Driving this car is a 122-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers sluggish acceleration. This engine is annoyingly loud under hard acceleration, especially when paired with the car’s optional continuously variable transmission. This CVT has been seen to start developing problems after 70,000 miles.
Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport, also discontinued in 2022, was Ford’s smallest vehicle then. This subcompact crossover SUV offered handsome styling, above-average cargo space (20.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats), and a pocket-friendly starting price of $23,335 in 2022.
However, owing to poor build quality, the EcoSport offers choppy, jittery ride quality on most road surfaces. Under the hood, it may feature a turbocharged 123-hp three-cylinder engine or an optional, naturally-aspirated 166-hp four-cylinder engine, offering underwhelming performance and below-average fuel economy.
Fiat 500L
The Fiat 500L is a larger version of the tiny Fiat 500. It was discontinued in 2020 but is still prevalent in the US used car market because of its affordable price. However, it has been said to have poor reliability and recurring mechanical issues.
According to Car Deal Canada, its owners have reported transmission failures, poor interior fit and finish, and electrical system issues. The Fiat 500L is driven by a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers lackluster performance and below-average fuel economy figures of 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway.
Smart Fortwo
The Smart Fortwo is a two-seater microcar designed for the city. It is no longer sold in the US, but it was going for as low as $14,590 at the dealership when it was. Today, it can be bought from used car dealers for less than $10,000.
As its name suggests, it can only accommodate two passengers, which isn’t ideal for families. Space for cargo is also limited, with only 12.4 cubic feet behind the seats. In addition, owing to its light construction, the Smart Fortwo offers poor ride quality on rough or uneven roads.
Kia Rio
The Kia Rio subcompact car is available as a 4-door sedan or a three- or four-door hatchback, starting at $16,750. It offers better build quality and commendable driving dynamics for a subcompact car than its competitors.
However, this car feels underpowered with its 120-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, and its base models lack driver-assistance technologies that many of its rivals offer as standard, e.g., a lane-keep assist system, a forward collision warning system, and an automated emergency braking system. Its sedan models also offer subpar cargo space.
Dodge Dart
The Chrysler Group LLC produced the Dodge Dart compact sedan in the US between 2013 and 2016. Being a smaller sibling to the Dodge Charger, Avenger and Challenger, it is expected to offer above-average performance but doesn’t.
Its 160-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is underpowered compared to its rivals. It provides a 6-manual or 6-speed automatic; the former is better because it feels sluggish. Other drawbacks of the Dodge Dart include lackluster handling and steering feedback, poor fuel economy, cramped rear seats, and below-average trunk space.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the brand’s most recent offering in the compact crossover segment, with an affordable starting price of $26,545. Its name suggests off-road prowess, but it is best suited to paved roads in cities and suburbs.
While its 1.5-liter turbo engine feels peppy around the city, it offers below-average fuel economy (25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway). Also, after a long-term review of this SUV, Auto Express magazine reported dismal ride quality, excessive body roll when cornering, and poor interior quality.
Jeep Renegade
The Jeep Renegade has won over many subcompact crossover lovers with its dynamic styling and commendable off-road capabilities, but it also has some drawbacks. Its base 180-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine may appear potent enough for the job, but because of the SUV’s substantial weight, it doesn’t propel the SUV forward with much urgency.
This SUV has also been reported to develop electrical system malfunctions, transmission issues like rough shifting, and unexpected power losses. Endurance Warranty has also listed the Jeep Renegade as one of the unreliable vehicles to avoid, so you are bound to regret buying it in the long run.
Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks is one of the few small crossover SUVs you can buy for less than $22,000. It has a stylish exterior, offers high fuel economy, and offers lots of driver-assistance technology. However, it is driven by a weak 141hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, it doesn’t have much rear legroom, and its cabin has poor sound insulation.
In addition, as has been the case with several other Nissan models, its continuously variable transmission may malfunction a few years later.
Toyota C-HR
Despite being discontinued in 2022 in the US, the Toyota C-HR subcompact crossover remains a popular choice among crossover buyers owing to its affordable price. It features bold and daring exterior styling but doesn’t match those sporty looks with performance.
Its 144-hp 2.0-liter engine propels it from zero to 60mph in an unimpressive 11 seconds. It also offers a cramped second row and only 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space in the back. The C-HR’s cabin also lets in a lot of road, wind and engine noise, and disappointingly, it does not offer all-wheel drive.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey is an affordable and practical SUV ideal for families. When it was discontinued in 2020, it was going for as low as $23,675. However, it had been in production for 11 years, with an outdated design and archaic features. Its cabin also feels cheap, with poor-quality seat trim and plenty of hard plastics.
In addition, driving the Dodge Journey is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that provides sluggish acceleration and below-average fuel economy. There is a more significant engine option, but it is only available in the top trim. Other drawbacks include subpar handling, drivability, and the lack of modern safety features and technologies.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is the Outlander’s smaller sibling, and it can be had for as little as $23,695. This small SUV’s drawbacks include underpowered engine options (a 148hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 168hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine) and poor handling capabilities (vague steering feel and a lot of body roll).
This SUV also has limited rear-seat legroom and rides rough over bumps or uneven roads, so it is not ideal for long trips. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport’s interior materials also look and feel cheap.
Chevrolet Trax
With a starting price of just $20,400, the Chevrolet Trax is competitively priced in its segment, which is why it is popular. However, owing to its 137hp 1.2-liter inline-three engine, it offers sluggish acceleration, hitting 60 mph from a standstill in 9 seconds. In addition, the Trax doesn’t offer all-wheel drive, so you cannot confidently drive it on lose-traction surfaces.
The Choice is Yours
Not all low-priced cars will disappoint you. Some offer good value for your money, so take your time when determining which car to buy. Explore their different features and read customer reviews to understand what people say about them.
However, with that said, it is also apparent that if you want high levels of vehicle quality or value, you have to be willing to spend more money on them. For example, if performance is crucial to you, you must be willing to pay for it because the cars that offer strong performance are pricier than most economy cars.
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Mark Muhoro is a car enthusiast and writer who loves everything about automobiles. With over 11 years of experience in the automotive industry, Mark has become an expert in how cars work and what makes them special. He writes clear and interesting articles about cars for magazines and websites, making valuable contributions to renowned platforms like Vroom Magazine, Internet Brands, and Contentmotive.
