In a market saturated with high-priced crossovers and luxury EVs, a handful of models still manage to keep new car ownership within reach. Leading the pack is the Chevrolet Trax, which is being advertised with a base MSRP of $20,500 (plus destination) and is widely pegged as the most affordable new vehicle in 2026. Alongside the Trax, other low-cost contenders include compact sedans, small crossovers, and entry EVs—especially models carrying over from 2025 or getting mild refreshes, as fully new ultra-budget models are rare in the U.S. market. While a definitive “top 10” list for 2026 isn’t yet confirmed in public sources, the likely names include the Trax, base trims of the Nissan Leaf (starting near $29,990)  and carryover economy sedans like the Nissan Versa (historically the cheapest new U.S. car) . Many of the other lowest-priced models will be modest upgrades or trim reductions of vehicles already known for affordability, rather than bold new entries.