10 cheap compact car models suitable for young first-time car buyers

Here are 10 samplescarSubcompact cars are cheap and suitable for young people and students buying their first car, as voted by Hotcars:

1. Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Spark is also known in some markets as Opel or Vinfast Fadil (sold in Vietnam). Chevrolet Spark is equipped with a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine. Some versions sold in Europe have a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine.

However, GM stopped producing this subcompact model in the US last August to focus on larger models like Trax or Trailblazer. In Korea, Spark officially stopped production a month later. Vinfast also announced to stop producing gasoline motorbikes in 2022 to focus on electric vehicles, so the Fadil model is considered dead after nearly 3 years of conquering Vietnamese customers.

2. Kia Rio

The Kia Rio is available in both hatchback and sedan versions, and is powered by either a 3- or 4-cylinder inline engine and a variety of transmission options. This versatility makes the Rio quite suitable for young people and students.

The model was facelifted for 2020, and Kia added a crossover-inspired body kit to appeal to younger buyers.

3. Nissan Versa

The Nissan Versa is a compact sedan, also known as the Almera in Vietnam and some Asian markets. The hatchback version is also called the Tiida.

The Versa is powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine or a 1.5- or 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, mated to the choice of a five-speed manual or CVT transmission.

4. Toyota CH-R

The Toyota C-HR is built on the Corolla platform and is designed like a sports crossover.

This compact SUV is also known as the first Toyota to use a turbocharged gasoline engine. The C-HR in the US has a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine, while in some other markets it has a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine.

5. Kia Soul

The third-generation Kia Soul was introduced in 2019 and has been very successful in many markets with its simple, practical design language.

The Soul is powered by a powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and it's also available in an all-electric variant.

6. Nissan Kicks

The Kicks is built on the same platform as the Versa, including the 1.6-liter i4 engine.

However, the Kicks comes in an advanced e-Power version with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine powering the electric motor.

7. Honda Fit

The Honda Fit, also known as the Jazz in some markets, shares the same platform as the Honda City.

Honda's compact car uses a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine, in addition to the hybrid engine option that comes with a CVT transmission.

8. Hyundai Venue

Venue is the smallest crossover model produced by the Korean automaker since 2019.

The Venue is powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged i3 engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic or a 6-speed manual, which is a pretty trendy option for a budget hatchback.

9. Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback in the US has a 2.0-liter inline-four engine and a CVT transmission. There is also a hybrid option.

Due to its many variants and being in the C-segment, the price of the Corolla Hatchback is much higher than many models on this list.

10. Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta is a solid choice, just like its rival, the Toyota Corolla. The German car is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a standard six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

Volkswagen Jetta is considered a good car, safe and extremely suitable for young people or students.

According toHotcars