Don’t blame safety features for high car prices, experts say
Car prices are rising, but the cause may not be what you think. Don’t blame safety features as vehicle prices soar, the group says.
USA Today Car
- Analysts have declared the end of new cars priced under $20,000 in the U.S. market.
- With models like the Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage discontinued, the most affordable option is gone.
- The average price of a new car reached $49,191 in January 2026, according to Cox Automotive.
Auto industry analysts at Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book are declaring the end of sub-$20,000 cars in the U.S. as new car prices continue to rise.
Cox said that with the recent culling of subcompact cars like the Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage, the U.S. market “no longer has new cars with average MSRPs below $20,000.”
“Last month, with an average MSRP of $22,315, the Nissan Versa achieved the title of America’s most affordable car, but that role may not last long as production of the Nissan Versa reportedly ended in December,” Cox said.
Cox said data shows automakers sold fewer than 4,000 subcompact cars in January, even though the average sticker price for manufacturers in the sector was less than $26,000 for the month. This shows subcompact cars are “not attracting buyers,” Cox said.
The news comes as the average price of a new car reached $49,191 in January 2026, Cox said.
With this in mind, the USA TODAY Cars team looked at January’s top 10 cheapest car brands and the best-selling models heading into 2026.
1. Mitsubishi
Average transaction price in January: $31,593
Rate of change from December 2025: -7.7%
best selling car in usa: Mitsubishi Outlander
2. Nissan
Average transaction price in January: $34,677
Rate of change from December 2025: -0.5%
best selling car in usa: Nissan Rogue
3.Mazda
Average transaction price in January: $36,089
Rate of change from December 2025: -0.4%
best selling car in usa:Mazda CX-5
4. Buick
Average transaction price in January: $36,229
Rate of change from December 2025: -1.5%
best selling car in usa:Buick Encore GX
5. Become
Average transaction price in January: $36,414
Rate of change from December 2025: -0.9%
best selling car in usa: Kia Sportage
6. Subaru
Average transaction price in January: $37,522
Rate of change from December 2025:1.1%
best selling car in usa: Subaru Crosstrek
7.Honda
Average transaction price in January: $37,886
Rate of change from December 2025:0.6%
best selling car in usa:Honda CR-V
8. Hyundai
Average transaction price in January: $37,966
Rate of change from December 2025: -0.2%
best selling car in usa:Hyundai Tucson
9. Volkswagen
Average transaction price in January: $38,324
Rate of change from December 2025: -1.1%
best selling car in usa: Volkswagen Tiguan
10. Mini
Average transaction price in January: $40,906
Rate of change from December 2025: -0.4%
best selling car in usa: MINI Countryman
