10 Awesome Near-New Cars You Can Buy For Less Than $20,000

2022-09-02 20:05:35 By : Mr. John Hu

Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today

$20,000 will buy you any one of these amazing cars that still feel brand-spanking-new.

Once the car leaves the showroom to the new owner’s garage, it begins losing value. Some models suffer huge depreciation rates in the very first years. At the same time, automakers continually replace the models by the year with newer upgrades, contributing to the rapid reduction in prices.

Any buyer that’s savvy for getting a great deal knows they can make a killing in savings by buying pre-registered vehicles as opposed to new ones. A nearly new car appeals to those who want all the latest features but can’t justify the price of a brand-new car. This article will cover the coolest late-model used cars now available for below $20,000.

Mazda designed the Miata to create a rear-wheel-driven, lightweight car that would match up to the best fun and sporty British roadsters of the 90s. Since then, Miatas have garnered a worldwide reputation for being super fun cars that are extremely reliable and easy to work on and maintain. A Miata is always the answer for not just classic car chasers but also those wishing to enjoy the new technologies adopted through its many generations.

A 2017 Miata is a genuinely great car to drive. From the factory, it might not be the most powerful or have the best handling car in its class. However, this car has some unique appeal, as it might provide the same or more joy driving it as much more powerful, expensive sports cars. These cars are built to last, and their value won’t easily decrease. Therefore, one would need to do a little searching without minding the odometer reading to get a low mileage MX-5 for less than $20K.

A Kia Soul is one of those cars that can last hundreds of thousands of miles, and with a little loving, they can serve a whole lifetime. This Kia is one of the ultimate energy-efficient SUVs, as it can get up to 33 MPG on highways and 28 miles to the gallon in city driving. The 2020 model is now within the affordable range for anyone with a budget below $20K.

This car is fashionable, with a roomy and spacious interior. It accelerates quickly once you hit the gas and has efficient braking. With the 2020 Kia Soul, you can expect to find some of the most important and popular tech features and upgrades of the modern era.

Related: 2022 Kia Soul: Costs, Facts, And Figures

The Toyota Corolla fully lives up to its expectations as a reliable, inexpensive, and practical daily car. Whether for city driving or highway cruising, its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 168 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque mated to a CVT or six-speed manual transmission provides a quality and refined ride.

The Corolla comes standard with many popular safety features such as traction and stability control, lane departure warning, and all-wheel-ABS. The driving mechanisms, such as adaptive cruise control, offer a smooth and comfortable ride on this hatchback.

A Mazda 3 is as reliable as any other car on this list can get. It looks stylish, modern, fashionable, and fun to drive. The cabin is comfortable and spacious, and its Infotainment system is easy to use.

A Mazda 3 comes in a front-wheel drive configuration powered by a Skyactiv 2.5 liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine with VVT. This setup is good for an impressive 35 MPG on the highway and 26 in-city driving, making it one of the most efficient compact cars. Although the Mazda cannot compete in terms of luxury with dedicated luxury brands, it still offers premium quality

A Nissan Versa might not look like much from the outside, but hop inside and find out what a fun, compact sedan it is. With an advanced engine and transmission, this car never ceases to wow with its extra power. This car effectively feels like a top trim upgrade with its customizable gauges, beautiful, distinctive stitching, and premium material finishing.

The technology onboard includes innovative safety features such as Nissan Intelligent Mobility, automatic braking, and pedestrian detection. In addition, there’s plenty of connectivity in the improved Infotainment system. For its affordable price of under $20K, the car is highly generous in space with premium comfort features such as heated front seats.

Related: The Nissan Versa Hatchback Is A Reliable Treasure

A Volkswagen Jetta is considered by many to be one of the best at returning value for money. It has a sleek, stylish exterior and provides a comfortable, spacious interior for adults and families. The cruiser’s balance and suspension give you a relaxed ride that is very satisfying to the occupants, all with great fuel economy.

Although it may not be as fun to drive as others on this list, the little 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers on what the car promises: efficiency and practicality. For close to $20K, it’s a fantastic compact sedan, given that it received the highest safety scores for the year.

Although the Veloster faces steep competition from others in its class, it still stands out as a good car. As a car that’s plenty of fun to drive, thanks to its turbocharged powerplant, it is an exciting option for those seeking a thrilling car for everyday use. Interestingly, this hatchback sets itself apart from the mainstream five-seat hatchbacks such as Honda Civic with its asymmetrical 3 door design.

There are three options for the powertrain, with the high-performance Veloster N being the most potent. This affordable unit feels quick and doesn’t hesitate to show off its impressive and aggressive performance.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was available as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. Subaru offered different trim levels, including the base, premium, sport, and limited versions.

The car delivers decent performance for its worth; nothing too extraordinary to blow your mind. At the same time, you get excellent fuel efficiency, with an estimated highway consumption of around 36 MPG. The AWD system means this car can clear any surface easily. Subaru engines are known to run for years, and for such a fairly new one, you can squeeze a lifetime out of it with proper maintenance.

Related: This Is Why Gearheads Should Consider Buying A Used Subaru Impreza WRX STI Hatchback

A Kia Forte excels in fuel economy since it can do an impressive 40 mpg on the highway. This compact sedan relies on either a 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 147 hp or a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder making 201 hp that sends power to the front wheels to power it. The turbocharged version is the snappier of the two and is available in the GT trim.

When considering a Kia Forte, you should check the repair history of these cars, as some had defective transmissions and would show sporadic loss of power. Despite these known issues, the Kia Forte remains an almost indestructible car with fairly low ownership and repair costs.

Related: Why The 2022 Kia Forte GT Is The Perfect Performance Compact Sedan To Buy

The Venue is a dedicated city-driving compact SUV. It is stylish and spacious in a small SUV body for thrilling urban adventures. It comes with modern active safety features and is a valuable option starting at below $20K. Luxury seekers will be excited to discover that the interior doesn’t feel cheap, unlike in the Toyota CH-R or the Nissan Kicks.

Although much is left to be desired when it accelerates, its agile handling feels perfect for maneuvering the concrete jungle. Additionally, the car gets an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car. Some people take good care of their cars, I like to see cars as part of the family. I'm all about creating great content about cars.