Best value new appliance vehicle

Cheapest New Cars for 2025

1. 2025 Nissan Versa S: $20,130
2. 2025 Hyundai Venue SE: $21,650
3. 2025 Kia Soul LX: $21,885
4. 2025 Chevrolet Trax LS: $21,895
5. 2025 Nissan Sentra S: $22,730
6. 2025 Nissan Kicks Play S: $22,910
7. 2025 Kia K4 LX: $23,165
8. 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE: $23,320
9. 2025 Toyota Corolla LE: $23,460
10. 2025 Volkswagen Jetta S: $23,720

I would eliminate all the Nissan offerings due to trans concerns.  
I have my concerns of Kias and high insurance.  The insurance industry is a statistics game and as an example, many Kia Souls were stolen via the "no immobilizer" issue.  Though, I do not think the insurance industry's statistics are elaborate enough to distinguish between Kia Souls that had immobilizer and the ones that didn't.  My suspicion is a net result that all Kia Souls are seen as "risky" by insurance companies.  

The Hyundai Venue, launched as a 2020 model may have always had an immobilzer and avoid the stigma to insurance companies (but this should be verified.)  

Kia Fortes and Hyundai Elantras were stolen in significant numbers but now known as the Kia K4 (and with immobilizers) the name change likely relieves the K4 of the Forte's insurance risk stigma.  The Elantra likely still statistically carries the stigma.  

The Venue is tiny but when done with an optional white roof, there is almost a Mini Cooper vibe to its appearance...cute.

The Chevy Trax is a handsome vehicle with nice proportions.  Recommending it doesn't just roll off my tongue which is mostly due to the "first year" 1.2L 3 cyl engine???  But, they look nice and seem to be just everywhere.  Interestingly, I think the low-spec models look the nicest as the upper spec seem to me to be laden with wheels that are cartoonishly large (and likely cartoonishly expensive.) 

The most self respecting and easy to recommend of the group is the Corolla.  After that, the Jetta.  

The Chevy Malibu, (mentioned earlier by others) is in its final year of production for 2025.  Most of this units are going directly to rental fleets.  

Specifically, looking at https://www.hertzcarsales.com/

60,222 Current number of all makes/models Hertz has up for sale on its website, nationwide.  
14,049 Current number of just Chevrolets
11,294 Current number of Malibus

Low spec Malibus with 25k miles are retailing for $19,999 via Hertz.

In 2020 I bought my 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan directly from Hertz and it was a pleasant experience.  

You might want to research if Chevrolet New Car Warranties transfer to second owners and if so, for how long?  

In reply to John Welsh :

I agree with being cautious about the insurance issues on Kia and Hyundai. 

I have recently been dealing with the insurance issues when trying to shop for insurance for our 21 Sportage. The insurance industry does not do a good job of differentiating between those with or without an engine immobilizer. Even though ours is a trim level (Nightfall edition) that is push button start with an immobilizer, it gets lumped in with the ones that are easy to steal. 

This was from a recent email my agent provided 

"Some older Kia models, particularly those without engine immobilizers, are experiencing difficulties getting insured due to increased theft rates. These models, generally those from the 2015-2021 model years, include the Optima, Rio, Sedona, Sorento, Soul, and Sportage."

So definitely worth confirming the availability of coverage with your preferred insurance carrier. 

I stumbled onto this graphic specific to 2018 VW's but I didn't find similar for other years or more current.  If this is still current, it might make a used Jetta more interesting.  We all know that Kia/Hyundai is 10yr/100k and only 5yr/60k to second owner.  This makes the VW offer better for the 2nd owner (if this continues to be the VW offer.) 

I also found this specific to VW:  
All newly purchased Volkswagen vehicles come with a New Vehicle Limited Warranty. For 2018 and 2019 models, the warranty lasts for 6 years or 72,000 miles, whichever comes first. Cars from 2020 onwards get 4 years or 50,000 miles coverage. Older models only had a 3-year or 36,000 miles warranty. 

So, the current stuff seems to be 4yr/50k

I had a recent thread looking for a similar car for my sister. From what I found, low mileage certified was within spitting distance from new on all but the top trims. If you want a top trim, used had some noticeable savings over new. We were looking at a lot of the same cars. The entry level Corolla and Mazda 3 stood out as great values, as well as the Korean options. 

I've had a couple of the Malibus for company cars. They drive well, have good space, and have a good performance/economy balance. I actually like the CVT. But I don't have to pay for any repairs, and the fit and finish is a decade behind everything else. I hate the interior. Black fabric on the dash? Really? But they have been great appliances. Not that I would buy one with my own money. 

I need to update the other thread. 

In reply to John Welsh :

Thanks for all of your information!

I already strongly recommended that they avoid all Nissan products, but they will anyway because the piece of crap Sentra her BF had, which had the CVT explode.

I would also strongly recommend against any of the Chevy CUVs, based on Nick D's posts and my coworkers' experiences with the lower end Chevy appliances.

The 2025 Corolla LE sedan seems to sticker around $23,460 with destination, and there are several dealers in her area with decent inventory.  Her BF has a 2024 (maybe 2025?) Corolla XSE 5-door, which is notably more expensive, but that makes the Toyota a known quantity, and even the base car has decent features.

The 2025 K4 LX is right in that ballpark at $23,165 with destination.  Not sure about inventory.  You can get Kia-CPO 2023 Fortes in higher trim with under 20,000 miles in that $21-22k price range too, which would have 7-8 years and 80k miles left on the powertrain warranty.  But while she lives in a decent neighborhood, the city itself isn't the best and I am worried about long term insurance costs for a Kia.

The 2025 Jetta Sport also stickers right there, but I have seen dealers advertising them at $21,900 + TTT.  I know that Oughties VWs are a long running joke, but that was 15-20 years ago, and I wonder if they are better now.  I was glad to read the positive testimonial above.

If the plan is to use this as an appliance for a decade or more, then I tend to look for simplicity. Naturally aspirated over turbocharged will tend to be cheaper and more reliable long term. Toyota/Ford style hybrid eCVT over traditional CVTs and most torque converter autos too. The eCVT hybrids have less to go wrong than many of the other options, and have proven to be crazy reliable with several hundred-thousand miles on them. They're the go-to for taxis for a reason. The Corolla hybrid will be cheaper to use, and more reliable than even the standard Corolla. And I can't imagine the VW not having some expensive repairs at some point down the line