Cheapest Cars With The Best Gas Mileage for 2023

Characteristics of Affordable Cars with Good Gas Mileage

Cheap, fuel-efficient cars generally tick the bare minimum number of boxes to give the best value for the lowest investment.

They cost very little both upfront and in the long run
They don’t have all that much power on tap
They are easy to handle and relatively comfortable
They often come with solid warranty plans

What to Consider When Buying Cheap Fuel-efficient Cars

There are plenty of cheap cars with good gas mileage in the US, sourced both locally and abroad to give consumers the best value. But, you have to be sure when buying a cheap car that you actually are getting a good deal or if you’d be better off spending a little more.

Pros

Highly affordable base price
Generally quite practical and easy to live with
They retain their value even after several years
Good warranty and reliability ratings
They cost less at the pumps (obviously)

Cons

Low-powered engines
Hit-and-miss safety ratings
Cost-cutting can hurt overall quality

FAQs

What are the cheapest cars with the best gas mileage?

A perfect combination of these two qualities, the Kia Rio costs well below $20,000, and it still manages to achieve 32/41 mpg city/highway. The Nissan Versa is even cheaper and almost matches these figures. However, it is the Mitsubishi Mirage that achieves the best 36/43 mpg, though we have a hard time calling it one of the best models as a complete package as it tends to skimp on other fronts to make it cheap and efficient.

What is the price of the most affordable cars with good gas mileage?

The Nissan Versa Sedan is the most affordable at just shy of $16,000 MSRP, while the Mitsubishi Mirage is slightly more expensive. A new Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio will cost you around $18k.

How far can the cheapest, most fuel-efficient cars travel?

The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent each have 11.9-gallon tanks, and to make up for their low fuel economy, the Kia Soul boasts 14.3 gallons of fuel capacity. This allows each model to cover almost 430 miles on a full tank.

How reliable are cheap, fuel-efficient cars?

Generally speaking, most automakers of cheap cars with the best mpg have garnered excellent reputations for reliability, though there are some exceptions, so be sure to check recalls and complaints, as well as warrant plans, before you buy.

Cheapest Cars With the Best MPG of 2023