Best Sedans of 2022 Under $20k

Sedans are some of the most affordable cars on the market, with quite a few coming in under the $20k mark. At this price point, they naturally make quite a few sacrifices in terms of quality and features, but their focus on key points like economy and practicality make them great cheap runabouts. There are several brands competing in the sub-$20k segment, each bringing something different to the table. While looking at the in-depth reviews is always recommended, here are our rankings for the best sedans under $20k for 2022.

BuzzScore
Design
Performance
MPG
Interior
Infotainment
Reliability
Safety
Value
#1
2021 Kia Forte
9.3
BuzzScore
9
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
10
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#2
2022 Nissan Versa Sedan
9
BuzzScore
8
Design
8
Performance
10
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
9
Safety
10
Value
#3
2022 Nissan Sentra
8.8
BuzzScore
8
Design
7
Performance
9
MPG
8
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#4
2022 Kia Rio
#4
Kia Rio
8.4
BuzzScore
8
Design
7
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#5
2020 Toyota Yaris Sedan
8.3
BuzzScore
9
Design
6
Performance
9
MPG
8
Interior
7
Infotainment
9
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#6
2022 Subaru Impreza Sedan
7.9
BuzzScore
6
Design
6
Performance
8
MPG
7
Interior
8
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#7
2022 Hyundai Accent
7.6
BuzzScore
7
Design
7
Performance
7
MPG
7
Interior
7
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#8
2020 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan
7.6
BuzzScore
6
Design
7
Performance
7
MPG
9
Interior
7
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
8
Value
#9
2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4
7.3
BuzzScore
6
Design
6
Performance
10
MPG
6
Interior
7
Infotainment
7
Reliability
6
Safety
10
Value

Characteristics of Sedans Under $20k

Aside from the obvious low price, there are several qualities that are apparently essential to this particular segment, be they good or bad. No matter which brand or model you go for, you can expect to find some combination of these traits:

  • Performance: To keep costs down, these 4-door sedans generally come with relatively weak and cheap to manufacture engines. Power outputs are just enough to make these small cars move with a modicum of speed, but they’ll never be fast or sporty. That said, some of them do have impressive handling dynamics that could support much peppier engines.
  • Economy: Lower displacement engines may not be great at getting you moving in a hurry, but they make up for it by bringing a smile to your face when you see the monthly fuel bill. Cheap sedans usually continue to be cheap for their entire period of ownership thanks to great mileage figures.
  • Practicality: Though they may never be able to compete with larger crossovers, a good sedan around the $20,000 price point should still deliver a decent amount of passenger and cargo space. You will likely have to compromise in this area, but depending on what you will be using the car for, this may not be a huge problem.
  • Reliability: Though automakers may cut corners when it comes to material quality and advanced tech in order to keep costs down, they should never compromise on quality. In fact, many of the cheapest new sedans under 20k in the USA have some of the best track records when it comes to dependability and consumer satisfaction. And when something does go wrong, repairs are normally cheap thanks to the abundance of spare parts on the market.

What to Consider When Buying a Sedan Under 20k

Whether you are looking for a four-door commuter or a two-door cheap sports sedan, there are certain pros and cons you should be expecting. These vehicles are not the best of the best, but they can still excel in certain areas. So be sure that you are getting what you need, or you might want to consider one of the cheap crossovers or even a station wagon.

Pros

  • They are highly affordable
  • They retain their value well
  • Their fuel economy figures are general good
  • The popularity of cheap models means there are plenty of used options
  • They are reliable and quite safe

Cons

  • They are seldom much fun to drive
  • Ride comfort quickly depreciates at higher speeds
  • There is a distinct lack of advanced features
  • The cabins are usually drab and low-quality

FAQs

What is the best sedan below $20,000?

There aren’t all that many super cheap sedans to choose from, with brands like Nissan and Kia filling most of the slots. There also aren’t any true luxury options. That said, a lack of competition doesn’t mean that there isn’t a strive to excel. In this regard, the Kia Forte is the top buy, at least in our opinion, with the Nissan Versa trailing close behind.

What’s the best sedan to drive under $20k?

Sadly, the Honda Civic no longer falls below the $20k mark, so we have to make do with much less engaging options. Many have performance-biased variants, but they usually require you to spend more than $20,000. Looking at base models alone, the Hyundai Accent is surprisingly fun to drive, despite lacking power.

What’s the most frugal sedan under $20k?

Though they may cost a little more than the Nissan Versa, both the Hyundai Accent and Kia Kia Rio will save you a little extra in fuel over the long run. The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is close behind but it has quite a bit less power to work worth, so it’s not worth the sacrifice.
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