Abstract
- The Nissan Versa S is an inexpensive fundamental sedan with good options, beginning beneath $20K.
- The Hyundai Venue affords a subcompact crossover with commonplace options for snug city driving.
- The Chevrolet Trax offers a pleasing subcompact crossover with good worth and sharper seems.
We have been all very when the $20K Slate EV was announced. It was a pickup with no options, not even painted. Inside was a clean dashboard and windup home windows — and you could possibly add options at a value.
Did we just like the Slate because it was cheap and since we may pay for less than the options we wished? The average car costs around $48K, however you will get one for round $20K, and even much less. What do you get for that? Is it a horrible empty field or is it good sufficient for somebody who hates paying for stuff they do not want? I did not know both, so I did some digging, and that is what I discovered.
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2025 Nissan Versa S
$17,190
Nissan
The Nissan Versa S is a small five-seat FWD sedan typically described as fundamental, sincere transportation. It’s the solely automobile within the US beginning at beneath $20K. The excellent news is that it’s a nicer automobile than the worth suggests. The dangerous information is that Nissan will almost certainly finish manufacturing of the Versa S this yr.
Essentially the most inexpensive Versa is the S trim with a 5-speed manual transmission. There’s a CVT choice out there, which provides higher gas financial system, however will value about $1.6K extra. The Versa S has first rate luxurious options for its value, with a number of choices you possibly can add and pay for. Security and driver help know-how are additionally extra complete than I anticipated.
Characteristic highlights
A/C |
Sure |
Energy home windows |
Sure |
LCD display |
7-inch |
Bluetooth |
Sure |
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
Non-compulsory |
USB ports |
3 |
Voice instructions |
Sure |
Specification
NHTSA score |
5 stars |
Engine |
1.6L I-4 |
Horsepower |
122 hp |
Gas financial system mixed |
30 MPG |
0-60 mph |
9.5 seconds |
Cargo area |
15 cu-ft |
Fundamental guarantee |
3-year/36,000 miles |
Powertrain guarantee |
5-year/60,000 miles |

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4
2025 Hyundai Venue SE
$20,200
Hyundai
The Hyundai Venue is a subcompact crossover that seats 5 comfortably, with good options as commonplace. As a small crossover, the Venue is good for day by day city driving, commuting, the college run, and weekly procuring. Its small measurement makes it simple to park and maneuver in heavy visitors. Security and driver help know-how are superb, though it doesn’t rating the utmost on its crash check.
The Venue comes commonplace with CVT transmission, which provides to its easy driving, however even at that small measurement, this automobile is a bit under-powered for easy freeway overtaking. The essential Venue has a vibe that kind of justifies its $3K greater price ticket than the fundamental Nissan Versa.
Characteristic highlights
A/C |
Sure |
Energy home windows |
Sure |
Ajustable seats |
Sure |
LCD display |
8-inch |
Bluetooth |
Sure |
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
Sure wi-fi |
USB ports |
2 |
Voice instructions |
Sure |
Rearview digicam with parking help |
Sure |
Specification
NHTSA score |
4 stars |
Engine |
1.6L I-4 |
Horsepower |
121 hp |
Gas eocnomy mixed |
31 MPG |
0-60 mph |
8.5 seconds |
Cargo area |
18.7 cu-ft |
Fundamental guarantee |
5-year/60,000 miles |
Powertrain guarantee |
10-year/100,000 miles |

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2025 Kia Soul LX
$20,490
Kia
The Kia Soul is a subcompact five-seat crossover with quirky seems, and a boxy, upright physique that creates lots of area inside. The Soul is a really sensible and nice city runaround with good options and plenty of driver help and security know-how to maintain all people secure, though it too doesn’t get the utmost stars in crash checks.
The Soul comes commonplace with CVT transmission and FWD solely. The essential LX already offers a superb, strong automobile, and you’ve got a selection of many optional features to make your ride better. Just like the Venue, the Kia Soul is extra at residence within the metropolis than on the freeway.
Characteristic highlights
A/C |
Sure |
Energy home windows |
Sure |
LCD display |
8-inch |
Bluetooth |
Sure |
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
Sure |
USB ports |
Non-compulsory |
Voice instructions |
Sure |
Specification
NHTSA score |
4 stars |
Engine |
2.0L I-4 |
Horsepower |
147 hp |
Gas financial system mixed |
31 MPG |
0-60 mph |
8.0 seconds |
Cargo area |
24 cu-ft |
Fundamental guarantee |
5-year/60,000 miles |
Powertrain guarantee |
10-year/100,000 miles |

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2025 Chevrolet Trax LS
$20,500
Wiki Commons Ethan Llamas
The Chevrolet Trax is a five-seat subcompact crossover. It has sharp seems and a pleasing, if considerably bland, inside. The Trax has decrease, extra car-like dimensions than the Kia Soul, for instance. The underside trim is decidedly naked in options in comparison with its costlier variants, however it’s nonetheless a pleasing automobile to drive within the metropolis, and looks like good worth for cash. Security and driver help are on par with the opposite automobiles on this listing.
One space the place it stands out is the six-speed automated transmission for individuals who dislike the sound and really feel of the CVT, though the small turbo engine has to work onerous for its horses. The Trax has good area for passengers and cargo.
Characteristic highlights
A/C |
Sure |
Energy home windows |
Sure |
LCD display |
8-inch |
Bluetooth |
Sure |
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
Sure |
USB ports |
Sure |
Voice instructions |
Sure |
Specification
NHTSA score |
4 stars |
Engine |
1.2L 3-cylinder turbo |
Horsepower |
137 hp |
Gas financial system mixed |
29 MPG |
0-60 mph |
8.8 seconds |
Cargo area |
26 cu-ft |
Fundamental guarantee |
3-year/36,000 miles |
Powertrain guarantee |
5-year/60,000 miles |

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1
2025 Nissan Sentra S
$21,590
Nissan
The Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan, greater than the opposite automobiles on this listing, on par with the costlier Honda Civic or VW Jetta in measurement. Reviewers typically comment on the snug entrance seats and nice inside fittings. It additionally has an honest quantity of trunk area for a sedan.
The Sentra has a traditional two liter enigine with a CVT fitted with synthetic gear modifications like an automated. This improves the texture and sound of the automobile, if not the efficiency. The baseline Sentra has good options that may be upgraded, and its security and driver help know-how is pretty much as good as any sedan in its class. Just like the smaller Versa, this Nissan additionally will get 5 stars within the NHTSA crash check.
Aircon |
Sure |
Energy home windows |
Sure |
LCD display |
7-inch |
BlueTooth |
Sure |
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
Sure |
USB ports |
2 |
Voice instructions |
Sure |
Specification
NHTSA score |
5 stars |
Engine |
2.0L I-4 |
Horsepower |
149 hp |
Gas Economic system mixed |
34 MPG |
0-60 mph |
8.9 seconds |
Cargo area |
14 cu-ft |
Fundamental guarantee |
3-year/36,000 miles |
Powertrain guarantee |
5-year/60,000 miles |

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