You have decided to buy a new car, and you also want to build a new garage for it. You don’t want to spend more on the car than the garage will cost you, because the value of the car will depreciate significantly over the next three to five years, while the garage will increase the value of your property, and this value will keep appreciating over time. Basically, a car is an expense, while a garage is an asset.
Although the price of a new garage varies wildly, the average for a nice new garage is around $26,000. For that, you should get a professionally-built basic garage, 240 to 384 square feet, with a concrete slab foundation, vinyl or wood siding, a standard garage door, a pedestrian door, and a basic gable roof. This price could vary, depending on where you live, so you would have to get quotes. But this is a starting point. You may or may not be able to get electric fittings, insulation, or an automatic garage door at this price. So here is a list of ten new cars now sold in the U.S., from sedans to crossovers, with an MSRP of less than $25,000, which gives you some room for adding options, either to the garage or the car.
Models are listed in ascending order based on starting MSRP, from the most affordable to the most expensive.
2026 Hyundai Venue SE
Starting MSRP: $20,550
The 2026 Hyundai Venue SE is a subcompact crossover popular for its price, urban agility, and everyday practicality. It seats five and has a generous cargo area for a small car. The Venue is perfect for the daily commute and normal driving for a small family. At that price, the infotainment system is quite comprehensive, with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. There is a higher trim SEL that costs a bit more but has extra and nicer features, including heated seats and automatic climate control.
The Venue SE is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that makes 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, with a CVT transmission and front-wheel drive. This is perfectly adequate for urban driving, but if you spend a lot of time on the highway, you may want to look for something with a bit more overtaking power. The Venue is a nice car at a great price, if your circumstances can deal with its modest power. The Venue gets 31 miles combined to a gallon of gas.
2026 Chevrolet Trax LS
Starting MSRP: $21,700
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax LS is the budget trim of this very affordable subcompact crossover. The Trax has sharp, good looks, seats five in comfort, and has a generous cargo area. The Trax now has a longer wheelbase than before, which translates into better legroom front and back. The LS trim comes with an eight-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the option of wireless device charging and Wi-Fi hotspot. The interior is neat and comfortable, and the Trax handles well in traffic.
The Trax is powered by a 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder that makes 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A nice touch is the six-speed automatic transmission, generally more satisfying than the CVT normally found on similar cars. Acceleration is fine for city driving, but it can get a bit sluggish on the highway. The suspension is tuned toward comfort rather than sporty handling.
2026 Kia K4 LX
Starting MSRP: $22,290
The Kia K4 LX is a compact sedan with a very sporty look and a spacious and stylish interior. It is a very practical daily drive, with ample space for five adults and plenty of cargo room. It has good climate control, a 12.3-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and can handle Sirius XM Satellite radio and in-dash nav. The 2026 K4 LX has several USB ports and comprehensive driver-assist technologies.
Most of the Kia K4 trims come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 147 horsepower. It has a CVT transmission and front-wheel drive. There is a top trim that comes with a 190-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and more sporty suspension. But this will bump up the price by over $6,000, which would require a more expensive garage. The K4 is also available as a hatchback, starting around $2,000 more than the sedan. Fuel efficiency for the LX is 34 MPG.
2026 Kia K4 Hatchback: The Hot Hatch Rival to The Honda Civic
The K4 lineup expands with the addition of the sporty K4 Hatchback that gives driving enthusiasts an exciting new option.
2026 Nissan Sentra S
Starting MSRP: $22,600
Nissan Sentra has been a mainstay in the small, affordable, value-for-money sedan segment, and with the 2026 Nissan Sentra, you will get new styling inside and out. This Sentra goes toe-to-toe with the likes of the Honda Civic. The interior is not modern, but has been updated with a new design and better tech to keep this car relevant. The infotainment screen is standard at 12.3 inches, plus you get Bluetooth and Apple and Android connectivity wired as standard; wireless as an option. The standard audio is a four-speaker setup, which can be updated to six or even an eight-speaker Bose stereo.
Nissan has also revised shock absorber valving in addition to steering response. Over bumps or harsher pavement, the Sentra drives more solidly. At one point, a driver darted out in front of me in traffic. No sweat: The brakes are solid, and I was able to whip the Sentra into an open lane with zero drama.
– Michael Frank for TopSpeed
Like the other cars on this list above, the Sentra‘s excellent price comes at the cost of lackluster performance. Obviously, most people who would look at a car like the Sentra are less concerned about horsepower and zero to 60 times. So if you are looking for a very capable daily drive with ample space inside and a decent trunk, the Sentra may press the right buttons. The engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 149 horsepower, pushing the power through a CVT to the front wheels. Handling has been somewhat improved with the minor facelift, and the Sentra gets a great 34 MPG combined.
2026 Hyundai Elantra SE
Starting MSRP $22,625
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that comes in a wide range, from the budget SE discussed here, to a very efficient hybrid, and even a spicy street racer called the N. The Elantra SE is a sharp-looking sedan with a spacious cabin and sufficient cargo space. The standard infotainment is an eight-inch screen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six-speaker sound. An eight-speaker Bose system is optional.
What this engine lacks in outright performance, it makes up for it by how smooth and effective it is for the daily commute.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
You won’t buy the Elantra SE if you enjoy roaring away when the lights change. But for daily driving, dropping the kids off, commuting to work, and the like, it is perfect. The engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 147 horsepower, driving the front wheels through a CVT transmission. Fuel economy is good at 34 MPG, and this is a worthy car to park in your new garage.
2026 Toyota Corolla LE
Starting MSRP: $22,925
The Toyota Corolla has been around since the late ’60s, and it is the most sold nameplate in the world, passing 50 million in 2021. There is a reason for this. The 2026 Toyota Corolla is a safe, reliable compact car that is easy to drive, easy to park, and cost-efficient to run. It is available as a sedan and hatch, although the hatch costs a bit more than the sedan. There is also a hybrid version. The sedan has more space in the back than the hatch, and both shapes have reasonable cargo space. There is an eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple and Android, a seven-inch instrument screen, four USB-C ports, a 12V accessory port, and more.
The Corolla has a 169-horsepower four-cylinder engine, CVT transmission, and front-wheel drive. This is perfectly good for daily driving in all but the most extreme cases. Fuel economy for the regular gas Corolla is an excellent 35 mpg combined. The Corolla Hybrid starts at $24,775, and that will give you 50 MPG combined.
The Volkswagen Jetta S Is The Best Value Compact Sedan Under $25,000
Looking for a new compact sedan for less than $25,000? This one has what you need at the low price you want.
2026 Volkswagen Jetta S
Starting MSRP: $23,995
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta is a five-seat compact sedan, blending style, comfort, space, loads of features, and great fuel efficiency. The S-trim gets an eight-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six speakers. The trunk is 14 square feet, and the rear seats can be folded flat to create a more versatile cargo area. The Jetta is a brilliant daily drive, well-built, and easy to maneuver in traffic.
The Jetta S and higher trims have the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that makes 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic, and the Jetta is front-wheel drive. Fuel economy is 34 MPG combined.
2026 Mazda 3 S
Starting MSRP: $24,550
Mazda has been upping its game for several years, and the 2026 Mazda 3 Sedan is a case in point. The 3 is available in a slightly cheaper sedan and a sportier hatch, known for its quality interior layout and materials used, and a comfortable, yet sporty, drive. The S trim comes with an 8.8-inch screen as standard, with the option of a 10.3-inch version, Apple and Android connectivity, eight-speaker sound as standard, with an optional 12-speaker Bose setup. Front space is ample, while the rear is slightly cramped, as is often found in compact cars. The trunk is big enough for a week’s shopping or a weekend away.
The Mazda 3 S has a 186-horsepower four-cylinder engine, with a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Higher trims have optional AWD, while some of the hatch models can also be had with a six-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy is 30 MPG combined.
2026 Honda Civic LX
Starting MSRP: $24,695
The 2026 Honda Civic Sedan LX sedan is the entry-level trim of a brilliant model. The Civic was North American Car of the Year for 2025, and the range includes sedans, hatchbacks, gas and hybrid engines, up to the power poster child Civic Type-R. The cabin is roomy with loads of storage spaces, while the cargo hold is generous. The infotainment screen on the LX is a bit small at seven inches, but bigger options are available. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and four speakers are standard, with eight or 12 optional.
The Civic LX comes with a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, CVT, and FWD. Although not really quick, it is perfectly good driving in the city. Fuel economy is 31 MPG. The Civic hybrid starts at $5,000 more, makes 200 horsepower, has AWD, and gets 49 MPG. Just saying.
2025 Honda Civic Vs Toyota Corolla: Close Fight But We Know Who Wins
Looking for the best compact car in 2025? We break down the key differences between the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
2026 Buick Envista Preferred
Starting MSRP: $24,700
The 2026 Buick Envista is a subcompact crossover with a great fastback profile. It can seat five, with the front roomy enough, and the rear slightly cramped, but not overly so. The Envista feels young and trendy, and the interior is nice rather than faux luxury. Cargo space is a generous 20 square feet, going up to 42 with the rear seats folded down. There is an eight-inch screen for instruments and an 11.0-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple and Android, and onboard Wi-Fi, all standard. There is a separate control for climate lower on the dashboard.
The Buick Envista is not quick, with a 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder making 137 horsepower. It does, however, use a six-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard, and the Envista gets 30 MPG combined.
Sources: Various manufacturers, Fueleconomy.gov