1. Nissan Versa 1.6 Sedan, $10,685
The Versa was #6 on last year's list; a new base model, the $10,685 1.6 Sedan, makes the Versa the least-expensive new car sold in the US. At that price, the Versa comes pretty well stripped -- manual transmission, no air conditioning, no stereo, and a smaller engine than other Versas -- but you do get a roomy, well-trimmed car that's built to last and will hold its value. Options are limited; if you want a stereo or power windows you'll have to go for one of the pricier Versas. But even the pricier Versas aren't
that pricey -- you can get an automatic Versa 1.8S with a CD player, power windows and locks, A/C and antilock brakes for under $16k.
2. Hyundai Accent GS Hatchback, $11,745
Like the base-model Versa, the base-model Accent is pretty sparse: Six airbags and a long warranty but little else. Unlike the Versa, you can add power windows, mirrors and locks and remote keyless entry to the base model -- though you'll also have to get A/C and an automatic transmission, which brings the price up to $14,745, just $380 less than a comparably-equipped Toyota Yaris. Antilock brakes aren't available on the cheap versions, and the Accent's crash test scores aren't very good. Proof that a cheap price isn't always a good deal.
3. Kia Rio Base Sedan, $12,145
The $12,145 Rio Base come with four airbags and a CD player, but if you want options like antilock brakes or power windows -- or if you want your Rio painted a color other than black, white, or silver -- you'll have to step up to the air conditioned Rio LX, priced at $13,875 -- a whopping $2,190 more than a Nissan Versa 1.6 with optional A/C. At that price, the Versa lacks a stereo, but that's easily solved with a trip to Best Buy. And the Nissan has better resale values and crash test scores. In the end, it's the same story as the Hyundai Accent: Good price but poor value.
4. Chevrolet Aveo, $12,625
Like most cars at this end of the price scale, the base-model Chevy Aveo is a stripped-down model, though it does get an AM/FM radio with an input jack for an MP3 player and a provision for dealer-installed air conditioning. The Aveo even offers a tan interior with fake-wood trim, which sounds cheesy but actually looks pretty nice. On the flip side, the Aveo doesn't drive very well, it's weak on safety equipment, and adding factory A/C, a CD player and power windows pushes the price over $15k. For that kind of money, you can do much better.
5. Smart Fortwo Pure, $12,635
It's no surprise that the smallest car in America is also one of the least expensive, but the cheapest version of the Smart, the Fortwo Pure, is pretty sparse -- no power windows or mirrors, no air conditioning, not even a stereo. But it does include an automatic transmission and lots of safety gear, including side airbags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control. And the creature comforts missing in the Fortwo Pure come standard in the Fortwo Passion, which costs only $2,000 more.
6. Toyota Yaris 3-door, $12,925
Not only is the Yaris cheap, but it's cute, super-easy to park, and gets great gas mileage. The base-model Yaris is fairly rudimentary in terms of features -- crank-down windows and no radio -- but it does come with air conditioning, power steering, a peppy 106 horsepower engine, six airbags and antilock brakes. And it's a Toyota, which means it'll last forever. The Yaris is also available as a slightly-larger 4-door sedan for $13,685 and a 5-door hatchback that costs $14,205 and includes an automatic transmission.
7. Suzuki SX4 Sedan, $13,994
The Suzuki SX4 joins the Top Ten this year thanks to a new base model priced under $14k. The good news: The base-model SX4 comes with power windows, locks and mirrors, antilock brakes, six airbags, and a gutsy (if not particularly fuel-efficient) 143 hp engine. The bad news: Paint colors other than red, white or silver cost extra, and if you want A/C and a stereo you'll have to pay $1,890 more for the SX4 LE. I'm a big fan of the SX4 -- it's cute, roomy, and fun to drive.
8. Kia Spectra LX, $14,200
The Spectra is the least-expensive compact car on this list; the first seven cars are technically subcompacts (though the Nissan Versa has more interior room). $14,200 gets you the basics -- four airbags, a CD player, and limited color choices (black, white or silver), though you can add air conditioning and an automatic transmission for $1,000 each. But if you want power windows and locks, you'll have to go to the $16,200 Spectra EX (which includes air conditioning), and at that price the competition gets a lot stiffer. Poor IIHS crash test scores and a forgettable driving experience round out the Spectra. Skip it.
9. Hyundai Elantra GLS, $14,795
The base-model Elantra GLS comes with six airbags, antilock brakes, and power windows, mirrors and locks for well under $15k, though you'll have to pay extra for air conditioning and a stereo -- they come bundled together with cruise control for $1,750. That brings the price up to $16,545, which is still a good $800 less than a comparably-equipped Honda Civic and $1,100 less than a similar Nissan Sentra. But there's a lot more to like about the Elantra than its price -- it's got a spacious interior, big trunk, and it's surprisingly good to drive.
10. Mistubishi Lancer DE, $15,035
I love the Lancer's looks, and the entry-level DE model is nicely equipped: Power windows and mirrors, CD player, and seven airbags (including one for the driver's knees, a rare find in such an inexpensive car). So what's the catch? If you want air conditioning and antilock brakes, you'll have to get an automatic transmission. Doing so rockets the price up to $17,285, nearly as much as what you'd pay for a Honda Civic DX-VP automatic (though you'll probably be able to negotiate a better deal on the Lancer). The Lancer isn't my favorite compact -- though I adore the hot-rod version, the Lancer Evolution -- but it's good to drive and it stands out from the crowd.
The Versa was #6 on last year's list; a new base model, the $10,685 1.6 Sedan, makes the Versa the least-expensive new car sold in the US. At that price, the Versa comes pretty well stripped -- manual transmission, no air conditioning, no stereo, and a smaller engine than other Versas -- but you do get a roomy, well-trimmed car that's built to last and will hold its value. Options are limited; if you want a stereo or power windows you'll have to go for one of the pricier Versas. But even the pricier Versas aren't that pricey -- you can get an automatic Versa 1.8S with a CD player, power windows and locks, A/C and antilock brakes for under $16k. 
Like the base-model Versa, the base-model Accent is pretty sparse: Six airbags and a long warranty but little else. Unlike the Versa, you can add power windows, mirrors and locks and remote keyless entry to the base model -- though you'll also have to get A/C and an automatic transmission, which brings the price up to $14,745, just $380 less than a comparably-equipped Toyota Yaris. Antilock brakes aren't available on the cheap versions, and the Accent's crash test scores aren't very good. Proof that a cheap price isn't always a good deal.
The $12,145 Rio Base come with four airbags and a CD player, but if you want options like antilock brakes or power windows -- or if you want your Rio painted a color other than black, white, or silver -- you'll have to step up to the air conditioned Rio LX, priced at $13,875 -- a whopping $2,190 more than a Nissan Versa 1.6 with optional A/C. At that price, the Versa lacks a stereo, but that's easily solved with a trip to Best Buy. And the Nissan has better resale values and crash test scores. In the end, it's the same story as the Hyundai Accent: Good price but poor value.
Like most cars at this end of the price scale, the base-model Chevy Aveo is a stripped-down model, though it does get an AM/FM radio with an input jack for an MP3 player and a provision for dealer-installed air conditioning. The Aveo even offers a tan interior with fake-wood trim, which sounds cheesy but actually looks pretty nice. On the flip side, the Aveo doesn't drive very well, it's weak on safety equipment, and adding factory A/C, a CD player and power windows pushes the price over $15k. For that kind of money, you can do much better.
It's no surprise that the smallest car in America is also one of the least expensive, but the cheapest version of the Smart, the Fortwo Pure, is pretty sparse -- no power windows or mirrors, no air conditioning, not even a stereo. But it does include an automatic transmission and lots of safety gear, including side airbags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control. And the creature comforts missing in the Fortwo Pure come standard in the Fortwo Passion, which costs only $2,000 more.
Not only is the Yaris cheap, but it's cute, super-easy to park, and gets great gas mileage. The base-model Yaris is fairly rudimentary in terms of features -- crank-down windows and no radio -- but it does come with air conditioning, power steering, a peppy 106 horsepower engine, six airbags and antilock brakes. And it's a Toyota, which means it'll last forever. The Yaris is also available as a slightly-larger 4-door sedan for $13,685 and a 5-door hatchback that costs $14,205 and includes an automatic transmission.
The Suzuki SX4 joins the Top Ten this year thanks to a new base model priced under $14k. The good news: The base-model SX4 comes with power windows, locks and mirrors, antilock brakes, six airbags, and a gutsy (if not particularly fuel-efficient) 143 hp engine. The bad news: Paint colors other than red, white or silver cost extra, and if you want A/C and a stereo you'll have to pay $1,890 more for the SX4 LE. I'm a big fan of the SX4 -- it's cute, roomy, and fun to drive.
The Spectra is the least-expensive compact car on this list; the first seven cars are technically subcompacts (though the Nissan Versa has more interior room). $14,200 gets you the basics -- four airbags, a CD player, and limited color choices (black, white or silver), though you can add air conditioning and an automatic transmission for $1,000 each. But if you want power windows and locks, you'll have to go to the $16,200 Spectra EX (which includes air conditioning), and at that price the competition gets a lot stiffer. Poor IIHS crash test scores and a forgettable driving experience round out the Spectra. Skip it.
The base-model Elantra GLS comes with six airbags, antilock brakes, and power windows, mirrors and locks for well under $15k, though you'll have to pay extra for air conditioning and a stereo -- they come bundled together with cruise control for $1,750. That brings the price up to $16,545, which is still a good $800 less than a comparably-equipped Honda Civic and $1,100 less than a similar Nissan Sentra. But there's a lot more to like about the Elantra than its price -- it's got a spacious interior, big trunk, and it's surprisingly good to drive.
I love the Lancer's looks, and the entry-level DE model is nicely equipped: Power windows and mirrors, CD player, and seven airbags (including one for the driver's knees, a rare find in such an inexpensive car). So what's the catch? If you want air conditioning and antilock brakes, you'll have to get an automatic transmission. Doing so rockets the price up to $17,285, nearly as much as what you'd pay for a Honda Civic DX-VP automatic (though you'll probably be able to negotiate a better deal on the Lancer). The Lancer isn't my favorite compact -- though I adore the hot-rod version, the Lancer Evolution -- but it's good to drive and it stands out from the crowd.