Cheap and Cheerful: The Top 10 Most Affordable 2013 New Cars

There are many cheap cars out there that will have you pulling your hair out after a short drive. We wanted to find the top ten most affordable, reliable, and fun-to-drive cars to fit even the smallest of budgets. Many of the cars listed below are geared toward the younger buyers, with creative design options and low payment plans, but have features that will attract all buyers. Large cargo room, comfortable steering positions for taller individuals, and great standard features are just a few of the qualities that make these cars more attractive. Small cars are a great option for those who are looking to get the most out of their fuel economy. With average fuel economy of 29 city and 36 on the highway, these cars help you save money while requiring fewer fill-ups each month at the pump. These cars are geared to be city-friendly, letting you navigate around tight streets and quick turns. Any of the cars listed below are great choices for new drivers, and since they're loaded with safety features, you can feel at ease letting your teen drive them. Below is our list of the top ten cars with a base price under $15,000 that we feel won't make you crazy.

2013 Chevrolet Spark
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The 2013 Chevy Spark, with a base price of $12,185, is a small car with a big personality. With its five doors, automatic or manual transmission, and Chevrolet MyLink, the Chevy Spark is great for the city. With an EPA estimated 28/37 mpg city/highway with the automatic transmission to 32/38 mpg city/highway with the manual, the Spark lets you navigate tight city streets without worry to your safety. Loaded with great safety features, this car is a good fit for small families. Great handling is to be expected from the Spark, enabling the driver to handle any turn. Though not meant to be a sport car, the balance and agility make it great for tight twisting roads.
- Price including destination charges for manual transmission - $12,995
- Price including destination charges for automatic transmission - $15,595
2013 Chevrolet Sonic
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If you're looking for a slightly bigger vehicle, the 2013 Chevy Sonic is a great choice at $14,185 for the base model price. Recently named one of Ward's Top 10 Interiors, the Sonic gives you a motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster with graphite silver accents, and a dual cockpit interior. Loaded with extra space, with upper and lower glove boxes as well as 14.9 cubic feet of trunk space, this car can fit almost anything you're likely to carry. Its ecological features make it even more attractive. The Sonic gets decent fuel economy and makes good power for the engine.
- Price including destination charges for manual sedan - $14,995
- Price including destination charges for manual hatchback - $15,595
2013 Ford Fiesta
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Coming in two different body styles, the 2013 Ford Fiesta has a base price of $13,200 for the sedan and $14,200 for the hatchback models. Both versions boast integrated blind-spot power mirrors, Easy Fuel capless fuel filler features, and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control. The Fiesta raises the bar in safety by adding a protective safety cage surrounding both driver and passengers made of boron, an element so strong it's used in the aerospace industry. With EPA estimated 29/39 mpg city/highway, the 2013 Ford Fiesta grants the driver with great fuel economy for commuters and everyday drivers.
- Price including destination charges for five-speed manual sedan - $13,995
- Price including destination charges for six-speed automatic sedan - $15,090
- Price including destination charges for five-speed manual hatchback - $14,995
2013 Hyundai Accent GLS
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The 2013 Hyundai Accent GLS is making a name for itself. It has a base price of $14,545 and EPA estimated 28/37 mpg city/highway. With the added Active ECO System, engine and transmission control are modified to help increase fuel economy by seven percent. New to 2013 is the manual transmission and standard heated outside mirrors and remote keyless entry. For those individuals who need extra head and leg room, the Accent base model has a height-adjustable driver seat. The 2013 Accent offers a good combination of room, refinement, features, and performance for the price.
- Price including destination charges for manual sedan - $15,340
2013 Kia Rio
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With a base price of $13,600, the 2013 Kia Rio LX comes in four models that meet this article's qualifications: four door manual, four door automatic, five door hatchback manual LX, five door hatchback automatic LX. The Rio has a well-designed blend of plastics and soft-touch surfaces, making the simple but tasteful cabin attractive. EPA estimated fuel economy at 28/36 mpg city/highway makes the Rio a great choice for fuel economy-conscious individuals. With responsive steering and brakes, the Rio is a great drive, and confidence behind the wheel is guaranteed.
- Price including destination charges for manual sedan - $14,350
- Price including destination charges for automatic sedan - $15,450
- Price including destination charges for manual hatchback - $14,550
- Price including destination charges for automatic hatchback - $15,650
2013 Kia Soul
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The 2013 Kia Soul is another great option for a compact car that comes with a base price of $14,440. With a new grille finished in dark chrome and better-quality leather for steering wheels, the 2013 Soul also now has a standard Bluetooth wireless cell phone link and steering wheel-mounted radio controls. Quiet and easy to handle, the Soul has a comfortable interior with high seating, making it easy to enter and exit the vehicle. Boasting great cargo space, the rear seat folds down in a 60/40 split and with the seat backs down, the resulting floor is almost flat, which is great for moving, large pets, or excess groceries or luggage.
- Price including destination charges for manual wagon - $15,175
2013 Mazda2
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What sets the 2013 Mazda2 Sport apart from the competition--aside from the many international awards it received in 2011--is that not only is it inexpensive to own, it's fun to drive. It keeps with the pack in terms of fuel economy with an EPA estimated 29/35 mpg city/highway. After entering the U.S. in 2011, there have been no major changes to the four-door hatchback. As one of the best in its class, the Mazda2 has an electric power-steering system to help with improved fuel economy. As Mazda's entry-level car, the Mazda2 Sport is a fun-to-drive hatchback with an interior more refined than many of its competitors.
- Price including destination charges for 5-speed manual - $15,515
2013 Nissan Versa
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After a redesign in 2012, the 2013 Nissan Versa has seen only minor changes, the main being the addition of the manual transmission. It has a base price of $11,990, which is $2,680 less than the 2012 hatchback edition. With precise steering, little tire squeal, and good braking control, the 2013 Versa is a fun drive, although the interior feels dated. The Versa sticks with the class average in terms of fuel efficiency, with an EPA estimated 26/30 mpg city/highway with the automatic transmission, and 27/36 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission.
- Price including destination charges for 1.6 S 5-speed manual - $12,780
- Price including destination charges for 1.6 S 4-speed automatic - $13,780
- Price including destination charges for 1.6 S Plus automatic - $14,580
2013 Smart Fortwo
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Seeing these cars on the road makes the majority of people laugh at how unsafe the car must be. However, with its patented "tridion" safety cell, inspired by racecar roll cages, Smart posts surprisingly good crash test scores. With a base price for the Pure coupe at $12,490, and the Passion coupe starting at $14,890, the Smart car is a favorite among those who are conscious of their fuel consumption. The EPA estimated 33/41 mpg city/highway is a leader of its group. It's easily customizable features make give the Smart a more personal touch, as seen with the fourteen different body panels that can be customized by color, or a wrap design on the entirety of the vehicle.
- Price including destination charges for Pure coupe - $13,240
- Price including destination charges for Passion coupe - $15,640
2013 Toyota Yaris
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The 2013 Toyota Yaris starts at $14,370, with only a few standard features, like a Bluetooth wireless cell phone link. It has one of the highest EPA estimates in its class at 30/37 mpg city/highway. The Yaris is fairly nimble and maneuverable thanks to its small size. Not only does it have plenty of head and leg room for taller individuals, the Yaris also has a decent amount of cargo space in the back and the rear seat backs sit almost level with the floor when folded down. As to expect with Toyota, this is a reliable and affordable vehicle that is sure to last.
- Price including destination charges for three door five-speed manual - $15,165