4 Best Cars for Driving Through Big Cities That Will Cost You Less Than $26,000

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No matter where you live, you need a reliable car that fits within your budget. But when you live in a big city with lots of other people and small parking spaces, you probably want to avoid anything too large. After all, it’s much harder to parallel park a Jeep Wrangler than a Toyota Corolla. And even though you have plenty of access to gas stations, you probably don’t want to find yourself filling up at the pump every week.

So what are the best cars to drive through big cities that are still reasonably priced? Here are just a few options.

Also see 10 used cars that will last longer than an average new vehicle.

2023 Kia Rio

• Starting price: $17,905

You might not be able to find a 2024 Kia Rio since Kia announced its intention to replace the Rio with another vehicle — possibly the Kia K3. But a 2023 model isn’t bad, especially if you find one with few miles on it.

The 2023 Kia Rio is affordable and compact, making it ideal for big-city driving and those on a budget. It has a 1.6-liter, inline-four engine and 120 horsepower, meaning it can go from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.6 seconds — useful for driving on the highways.

As a subcompact vehicle, the Kia Rio fits easily into even the tightest parking spaces. Despite being fairly small, it still has ample cargo space, so you can use it to hold as many groceries or other household items as you need.

And if that’s not enough incentive, it gets decent mileage — 32 mpg in the city. All in all, it’s great for long and short commutes.

2024 Honda Civic

• Starting price: $25,045

The Honda Civic is a compact car, but it’s also considered one of the more reliable vehicles out there. It’s practical and efficient, which is important for big-city driving.

An entry-level model comes equipped with a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. If you want something a bit more powerful, there’s also the 180-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter engine. These vehicles tend to get about 33 mpg in the city.

Kelley Blue Book ranked the 2024 Honda Civic as one of the highest-rated compact cars currently on the market.

2024 Toyota Corolla

• Starting price: $23,185

Another highly rated and reliable vehicle is the Toyota Corolla. This compact car comes in one of two options: a four-door sedan or a hatchback. It’s a safe and predictable ride, so you won’t have to worry about making it to your destination — regardless of how long your commute is.

In terms of the engine, it has a 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. The all-wheel drive hybrid model can hit 60 mph in 9 seconds. Although it doesn’t rev up the fastest, it does excel in fuel efficiency. The front-drive hybrid model gets about 50 mpg in the city.

A potential downside, which is common with compact cars, is that there’s not a ton of legroom in the back. The trunk also won’t hold any large items — like furniture. But if you need an all-around solid everyday vehicle, this one is worth considering.

2024 Hyundai Elantra

• Starting price: $22,775

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that’s great for new and experienced drivers alike. It can fit into small parking spaces, gets good gas mileage and is affordable — especially if you opt for a 2023 or 2022 model.

The Elantra has a sharp exterior design. It’s also a bit larger than other compact vehicles, though that shouldn’t affect your driving experience. It will, however, give your passengers more legroom in the back and give you more storage space.

You can get an Elantra as either a hybrid or a nonhybrid. The former gets 49 mpg in the city, while the latter gets around 33 mpg in the city. Both get even better fuel efficiency on the highway, making this a great vehicle for long commutes or road trips too.

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