Toyota Yaris Hatchback
Predicted Cost: $18,705
Another popular and affordable car on our list that has been on the market for quite a while is the Toyota Yaris. This small car is a perfect entry-level vehicle for anyone looking for a cheap car that is well-equipped, safe and reliable. The 2020 Yaris can be purchased in either a sedan or hatchback version, depending on your preference, and includes the L-trim version as its cheapest option.
Like most of the 2020 lineup, even this cheap vehicle is equipped with the latest in safety and entertainment tech such as touchscreen audio controls, keyless entry capabilities, and a pre-collision system, with the latter continuously proving itself to be a true life-saver. The engine of the 2020 Yaris is a standard 1.5-liter four-cylinder that provides 1016 horsepower with estimated gas mileage of around 40 miles per gallon, according to Toyota. In case you’re wondering about potential speed capabilities, the car comes with a sports mode that allows you to pretend you’re driving a faster vehicle, if only for a moment. While the Yaris isn’t the prettiest car to look at, it’s definitely a great bang for your buck and is likely to be on the wishlist of many young families and students who are looking for their first vehicle.
Volkswagen Passat
Predicted Cost: $30,000
Coming straight from a $615,000 car to one that costs less than 5% of the price, The Volkswagen Passat is another popular entry-level car that is often in direct competition with the Honda Accord and the Toyota Yaris. It’s a cheap and tech-heavy car that attempts to borrow its level of quality from Mercedes, Audi, and BMW without an added price hike that inevitably comes from the brand recognition of these luxury manufacturers.
You can expect in this midsize sedan all the neat features that are expected for a $30,000 car in 2020, including seventeen-inch alloy wheels, automatic emergency braking, high-tech LED headlights and a modern interior cabin with the latest in phone control technology. The 2020 Passat also features a completely overhauled cabin which is much more similar to the classic look of the series from back in the day. If you’re willing to pay above the base price, we recommend that you get the blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry system, and the lane-centering assistance system, as these features make the ride much safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Genesis GV80
Predicted Cost: $66,000
The Genesis has been a relatively unknown series of the Hyundai brand due to its smaller circulation and high-end products. Perhaps the company wanted to separate its name, which is often associated with entry-level vehicles, in favor of an appeal to consumers who can afford pricier cars. The 2020 GV80 marks an important step for the Genesis, thanks to it being the brand’s first ever high-end SUV. While the first Genesis vehicle was released back in the year 2000, it took the brand 15 years to gain enough steam to become an entity separate from its parent brand, Hyundai.
The GV80 comes in two packages, both strong in performance, with the differences mostly centering around the question of whether you prefer fast cars or even faster cars. Both of the engines that the car offers are strong and more than capable with 3.8 liters, but the cheaper one is a V6 and the pricier one is a V8. We’re expecting to see the car debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in fall, 2019, but it’s been rumored that the automaker might prefer to wait until 2020 to make sure that the car is as good as they imply it will be. You’ll be able to get the GV80 for a starting price of $66,000 when it drops into the dealership in the coming months.
Jeep Wagoneer
Predicted Cost: $140,000
The Jeep Wagoneer’s fans have been clamoring and begging for a worthwhile upgrade to the beloved series for many years now, with a new version being promised ever since 2014. Unfortunately for off-road customers eager to get their hands on the wheel of this contender in the 4x4 market, the new Jeep Wagoneer will only ship out next year in 2020, making it the 2021 Wagoneer. This new iteration of the popular series aims to compete with other large trucks such as the Ram 1500, the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition while retaining its SUV-like design and posture.
It's been rumored that the Wagoneer will feature an optional four-corner air suspension system for optimal ride and aerodynamic performance, which will help improve ride quality both on the road and off. It packs a standard 8-speed 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque, 5.7-liter HEMI V8, and 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque. The return of the Wagoneer has been a long-awaited one, with the vehicle expected to be manufactured at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant.
Toyota Prius Prime
Predicted Cost: $27,600
The Toyota Prius Prime is one of the auto maker’s most popular vehicles and is both loved and hated by many. When the hybrid car first inserted itself into the markets at a time when eco-friendly cars were just starting to gain steam, it proved to be among the first reliable environmentally aware cars that are affordable, reliable and fun to drive. The new 2020 Prius Prime is a hybrid car with electric-only capabilities that is extremely practical, in addition to having an insane fuel economy milestone of 56 miles per gallon, making it one of the most cost-effective cars to drive. If you’re looking for a purely electric car, this is definitely not the car for you because its electric-only mode will only take you just around 25 miles on a full charge.
Although the Prius’ design is considered to be a bit boxy and out-dated, it’s still definitely one of the more recognizable designs and immediately makes you think of “hybrid technology” when you see it, which is perhaps one of the reasons for the car’s continuous popularity. Some of the upgrades in this year’s version include upgraded interiors, a sun visor extender, black trim instead of white, Sirius XM radio and new USB ports for rear passengers. While not groundbreaking in any way, these improvements just add slightly more value to an already solid model that manages to keep up with the times.