6 new and used cars you can get for under $20,000
You’ll find several well-equipped subcompacts and a couple of larger sedans.
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Each week, Boston.com profiles several cars that consumers can find for below a certain price point in an effort to help you find your dream car faster. The cars listed include new and used models and any financial incentives currently available. Prices posted here are either starting MSRPs for newer vehicles or based on Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price for used vehicles.
2017 Nissan Sentra
2017 Nissan Sentra Nismo.
Starting MSRP: $16,990
Why it’s worth the price: The five-passenger Nissan Sentra is a mid-priced compact car that suits most commuters’ daily driving needs. The S base trim is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission. It makes 130 horsepower and achieves 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Bluetooth and a USB port are standard.
The Sentra earned top scores in crash tests by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The Sentra doesn’t come with any standard safety features, but blind spot monitoring, a rearview camera, and forward collision warning with automatic braking are available.
Current incentives: Check offers and incentives with your local Nissan dealership.
2017 Chevrolet Cruze
2017 Chevrolet Cruze hatchback.
Starting MSRP: $16,975
Why it’s worth the price: The Chevrolet Cruze compact car is small but mighty. It runs on a standard 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 153 horsepower and gets an estimated 40 mpg combined in the city and on the highway. The five-passenger sedan comes with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen. A built-in Wi-Fi hotspot is available.
The Cruze scored well in crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A rearview camera is standard. Upper trims have available packages with advanced safety features such as rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.
Current incentives: Check your Chevrolet dealership for offers and incentives.
2017 Honda Fit
2017 Honda Fit.
Starting MSRP: $16,090
Why it’s worth the price: The Honda Fit has garnered praise for its fuel efficiency and spacious cargo hold. The Japanese brand’s smallest car runs on a 130-horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Even though the subcompact is known for its small stature, you can take it to the grocery store and on shopping expeditions. The five-passenger Fit comes with a popular feature called Magic Seat that allows for multiple cargo configurations.
The Fit earned a perfect five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and top scores in most crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Current incentives: Check offers and incentives with your local Honda dealership.
2017 Toyota Yaris
2017 Toyota Yaris.
Starting MSRP: $15,250
Why it’s worth the price: The Toyota Yaris isn’t a top performer, but it can get you from Point A to Point B for one of the lowest prices around. The subcompact’s base model comes with a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It gets average fuel economy for its class at 30 mpg around town and 36 mpg on the highway.
The Yaris has not been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2017 model gets Toyota Safety Sense C, a standard suite of driver assistance features: automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. Those features are rare in a car at the Yaris’ price point.
Current incentives: Check your Toyota dealership for offers and incentives.
2015 Buick Verano
2015 Buick Verano.
KBB.com Fair Purchase Price: $14,748
Why it’s worth the price: The 2015 Buick Verano offers some high-end features for a low price. The brand’s entry-level subcompact sedan is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and outfitted with a quiet cabin and a 7-inch touch screen interface. Upper trims come with leather upholstery.
The Verano earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and excellent scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for the 2015 model year.
Current incentives: Kelley Blue Book researchers indicate a 2015 Buick Verano in good or better condition can range from $13,660 to $15,635 and has a typical mileage of about 24,000. Search local used car dealerships to find one.
2016 Ford Fusion
2016 Ford Fusion.
KBB.com Fair Purchase Price: $16,788
Why it’s worth the price: You can get a one-year-old Ford Fusion without many miles on it for well under $20,000. Ford’s midsize sedan offers a choice of powerful engines and plenty of interior space. The base model runs on a 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, but two optional turbocharged engines offer more power.
The 2016 Ford Fusion earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A rearview camera is standard. Available advanced driver assist features on the Fusion include rear parking sensors and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert.
Current incentives: Kelley Blue Book researchers indicate a 2016 Ford Fusion in good or better condition can range from $15,007 to $17,518 and has a typical mileage of about 17,000. Search local used car dealerships to find one.
