Top 10 Cheapest Vehicles Of 2008

2008 Hyundai Accent
2008 Hyundai Accent 1
2008 Hyundai Accent

What we think
Hyundai’s 3-door provides ample amenities alongside its $10,775 base price. Front and side-impact airbags are standard, as is a peppy 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The Accent is surprisingly well styled, abandoning the bubble-body of previous generations for the crisp, clean lines of the rest of the Hyundai family.

At a glance
MSRP: $10,775
Engine and Drivetrain: 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, 110 horsepower, 106 lb-ft of torque; 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 27 city/32 highway (manual), 24 city/33 highway (auto)

2008 Chevrolet Aveo
2008 Chevrolet Aveo 2
2008 Chevrolet Aveo

What we think
Chevrolet recognized the demand for economical transportation in America and responded with the Aveo. Though economical in this case means bare-bones, the Aveo will get you down the road and back safely. Anti-lock brakes and front and side-impact airbags are standard. As the best domestic bang-for-your-buck, this car is sure to please.

At a glance
MSRP: $10,895
Engine and Drivetrain: 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, 103 horsepower, 107 lb-ft of torque; 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 23 city/ 32 hwy (auto), 24 city/ 34 hwy (manual)

2008 Kia Rio
2008 Kia Rio 3
2008 Kia Rio

What we think
The Rio has done its best to shrug off the curse of the economical-car look. The car does away with wheel covers and bland body accents with a standard factory spoiler and sharp-looking alloy wheels.
Decent fuel economy and Kia’s fantastic 100,000-mile warranty round out the Rio package.

At a glance
MSRP: $11,540
Engine and Drivetrain: 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, 110 horsepower, 107 lb-ft of torque; 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 27 city/32 highway (manual), 25 city/35 highway (auto)

2008 Toyota Yaris
2008 Toyota Yaris 4
2008 Toyota Yaris

What we think
If you’re into rescuing the planet while saving some pennies, Toyota’s Yaris is a great choice. With some of the best fuel economy of any non-hybrid vehicle on the road, this little hatchback will let you keep saving money the longer you drive. The car’s snappy looks and copious storage compartments are added bonuses, too.

At a glance
MSRP: $11,350
Engine and Drivetrain: 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 106 horsepower, 103 lb-ft of torque; 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 29 city/ 35 hwy (auto), 29 city/ 36 hwy (manual)

2008 Nissan Versa
2008 Nissan Versa 5
2008 Nissan Versa

What we think
Another super-sipper, the Versa’s unexpected amount of interior space and respectable fuel economy make it a great choice for the commuter with kids. This little Nissan is also full of cool tech features, like a key that doesn’t need to be in the ignition for the car to start. The Versa senses the key in your pocket or purse, allowing you to hit the road without fumbling through your belongings.

At a glance
MSRP: $12,880
Engine and Drivetrain: 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, 122 horsepower, 127 lb-ft of torque; 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 24 city/ 32 hwy (auto), 26 city/ 31 hwy (manual), 27 city/ 33 hwy (CVT)

2008 Kia Spectra
2008 Kia Spectra 6
2008 Kia Spectra

What we think
Kia is a company determined to provide the absolute most car for the least amount of money, and the Spectra is a good example of that determination. With more space and power than the Rio, the Spectra is a great option for a family that needs a little more room for a low price. The low MSRP isn’t the only thing that makes this car a winner, either. Available with a standard audio input, you can jam out to your favorite tunes from any portable music device.

At a glance
MSRP: $13,545
Engine and Drivetrain: 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, 138 horsepower, 136 lb-ft of torque; 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 23 city/30 highway (manual), 24 city/32 highway (auto)

2008 Suzuki Reno
2008 Suzuki Reno 7
2008 Suzuki Reno

What we think
The only vehicle on the list with all-wheel drive standard, the Reno is a great choice for those who have to deal with foul weather. With strong lines and a smart nose, the Reno’s sharp exterior shrouds a four-cylinder with enough power to scoot you and your cargo around town. This Suzuki is also full of standard features to keep your commute a happy one, including heated side-view mirrors and an auxiliary audio input.

At a glance
MSRP: $13,599
Engine and Drivetrain: 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, 127 horsepower, 131 lb-ft of torque; 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive.
MPG: 20 city/28 highway (manual), 19 city/28 highway (auto)

2008 Hyundai Elantra

2008 Hyundai Elantra 8
2008 Hyundai Elantra

What we think
The Hyundai Elantra offers plenty of interior space without demanding much from your wallet. Great features like power windows and locks, anti-lock brakes and a tire pressure monitoring system make this car one of the best values going. If you’re looking for full-size quality with plenty of power on a sub-compact budget, this is it.

At a glance
MSRP: $13,625
Engine and Drivetrain: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, 138 horsepower, 136 lb-ft of torque; 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 24 city/33 highway (manual), 25 city/33 highway (auto)

2008 Honda Fit
2008 Honda Fit 9
2008 Honda Fit

What we think
The Fit is the baby of the Honda fleet. With all of the great handling, fuel economy and quality of its bigger brothers, this little hatchback delivers all that we love about Honda in a low-price package. With good looks, solid safety features and more personality than the rest of the contenders, the Fit is a fun-to drive commuter.

At a glance
MSRP: $13,950
Engine and Drivetrain: 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, 109 horsepower, 105 lb-ft of torque; 5-speed automatic, 5-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 27 city/35 hwy (auto), 28 city/24 hwy (manual)

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer 10
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

What we think
The largest car on the list, the Lancer provides plenty of space for under $14,000. Hands down the best-looking economical car out there, this Mitsubishi is the tamer version of the Evolution X of rally racing fame. That doesn’t mean this ride is some snore-fest, as tricks like a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters have trickled down to the Lancer.

At a glance
MSRP: $13,990
Engine and Drivetrain: 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, 152 horsepower, 146 lb-ft of torque; 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, 168 horsepower, 167 lb-ft of torque; 5-speed manual, continuously variable transmission; front-wheel drive.
MPG: 22 city/30 highway (2.0, manual), 22 city/28 highway (2.0, CVT), 21 city/28 highway (2.4, manual), 21 city/27 highway (2.4, CVT)




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