NOTE TO READERS: The 2025 version of this article is available at this link.

New vehicle prices have shot up dramatically in recent years, with average selling prices in excess of $67,000, according to Auto Trader.

But there are still a few 2024 cars you can get brand new for less than $25,000.

When I originally set out to write this article, I hoped to have a list of cars under $20,000, but a list of one vehicle is not much of a list, so I upped it to $25,000. This gets us to a mix of low-cost American, Japanese and Korean brand vehicles.

You’ll notice compact car sales heavyweights Corolla and Civic are absent from this list and the Elantra barely sneaks in.

The list is arranged from most to least expensive. But first, a disclaimer about this list.

The following article is neither a review nor a recommendation, it is simply a list of what’s available. Starting advertised price is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), including fees and levies. Price after tax is what you may expect to pay. Fees, levies and taxes may differ province to province. This list is based on Ontario prices. Dealers may set their own prices. This list doesn’t include manufacturer or dealer discounts, special offers or incentives. Check with your local dealer for an exact price. Inventory issues may impact vehicle availability.

Now let’s get on with the show.

Nissan Kicks

Starting advertised price: $24,883

Price after tax: $28,553

The Nissan Kicks (pictured up top) is something of a car that wants to be an SUV. It’s a small, fuel-efficient vehicle with plenty of cargo space, and, at just a hair under $25,000, it just barely squeezes onto this list. It comes with a 1.6 L four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). If you’ve got extra coin, you can move up to the Premium trim and get eight Bose speakers and other goodies.

Build yours on the Nissan Canada website.

Chevrolet Trax

Starting advertised price: $24,530

Price after tax: $27,719

Another small crossover SUV makes our list of cars under $25,000 list. The Trax is actually quite large for this segment, and Chevrolet gives shoppers a host of options to click through that could make the price grow quite quickly. But with the base LS model, you get a 1.2 L turbo engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, heated front seats, active noise cancellation and more.

Build yours on the Chevrolet Canada website.

Hyundai Elantra

Starting advertised price: $24,506

Price after tax: $27,691.61

Always a strong seller, the Elantra is Hyundai’s competitor in the compact car segment. While undercutting the Corolla and Civic in price, the Elantra comes standard with features normally seen in more expensive vehicles, including heated seats, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane following assist, lane keeping assist, an eight-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and more. If that’s not enough, with a few ticks and a few thousand more, you can up the tech and luxury of the vehicle.

Build yours on the Hyundai Canada website.

Hyundai Venue

Starting advertised price: $23,556

Price after tax: $26,900

The Venue is another small crossover on this list. With a fuel economy rated at 7.9 L/100 km city and 6.9 L/100 km highway, you get a frugal ride that’s capable of carrying five adults or larger items if you fold the rear seats flat. The base model comes with features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, front heated seats, eight-inch touchscreen and more.

Build yours on the Hyundai Canada website.

Kia Forte

Starting advertised price: $23,483

Price after tax: $26,535.79

The Kia Rio was dropped for 2024, so that leaves the Forte as the only Kia entry on this list. The Forte is a compact sedan that leans on the sporty side with plenty of tech on the inside, including Apple CarPlay and Andoid Auto, along with a 2 L four-cylinder engine good for 147 hp that’s frugal on gas, rated at 7.9 L/100 km city and 5.9 L/100 km highway.

Build yours on the Kia Canada website.

Nissan Versa

Starting advertised price: $22,903

Price after tax: $25,880

Nissan’s Sentra compact sedan is just a few dollars too expensive for this list, but the Versa fits right in. It’s surprisingly roomy for a car marketed as a subcompact. You get a fuel-efficient 1.6 L four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT transmission. If you want something that looks a bit more flashy, you can move up to the SR model and still come in under $25,000 (before taxes, that is).

Build yours on the Nissan Canada website.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Starting advertised price: $19,480.50

Price after tax: $22,012.96

The Mirage is the least expensive vehicle on this list. It’s a tiny car with five seats, and has a fuel-efficient ride rated at 6.2 L/100 km city-highway combined. It’s a hatchback, so you can fold the rear seats down and haul a bunch of stuff in the back too. It could be a car that’s easy to live with in the city.

Build yours on the Mitsubishi Motors Canada website.