Nissan Versa

The Nissan Versa feels more substantial than other cars in this class and has a nice, smooth ride, along with a quiet cabin and an especially roomy interior; Nissan claims best-in-class rear legroom. In its upper S and SL trims, it can be very well equipped by checking a few options boxes. And for those who wish to keep it basic, the Nissan Versa is one of the first models you should look at. With a starting price of just $9,990, the Nissan Versa Base is one of the least expensive new cars available in the U.S.

Hyundai Accent

Similar to the Rio from Hyundia's Kia group, the Hyundai Accent is one of most affordable cars on the road, with MSRP starting at $9,970 and bumping the top range at just $16,480. There is an impressive 92.2 total cubic feet of passenger room, defying the cramped cabins common with small cars. Fuel economy is also impressive, averaging 28 mpg in the city and 34 mph on the highway.

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio is one of the lowest-priced cars for sale in the U.S., and it is also one of the more fuel-efficient, with a city EPA rating of 32 mpg. It also stands out for its nicely tuned suspension, which offers a less choppy ride than many other small cars, and for its generous interior space. According to Kia, the Rio sedan's 92.2 cubic feet of passenger volume is larger than either the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. The Rio is also especially attractive for its warranty coverage-Kia offers a 5-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty, 10 years or 100,000 miles on powertrain, and 5 years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance.

Chevrolet Aveo

Assembled by General Motors-Daewoo in Korea, the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo appeals to drivers on a budget. MSRP starts at under $12,000, which makes it one of the lowest-priced passenger car available in the U.S. By utilizing 'tall car' design aesthetics, both the hatchback and sedan are roomy inside and feature a comfortable ride relative to other small cars. Mileage for 2010 is 27 city / 34 highway.

Toyota Yaris

With the new safety systems upgrade, the starting price is $12,355 for the 3-door liftback. For those who need a little more room, or a few more doors, the 4-door sedan starts at a very reasonable $13,115. All Yaris models get an impressive 29 mpg city/36 mpg highway rating from the EPA.