5 Most Affordable Cars for Social Security Recipients in 2025
Written by
Terence Loose
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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In an era of above-average inflation and expensive healthcare, living on Social Security benefits can be tough. While the maximum benefit for full retirement age as of this year is $4,018, the average amount received is between about $1,800 to $1,900 a month. Bottom line: Every dollar counts. So when it comes to buying and maintaining a car, seniors on a fixed income will definitely want to choose substance over style.
Here are five affordable and reliable cars that won’t steal all the gold from your golden years.
Honda Civic
- Starting MSRP: $24,250
Taking Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) No. 1 spot for Best Compact Cars of 2025, the Civic boasts a low sticker price and a lot of value. KBB liked its comfortable interior, excellent safety features and large trunk, which fit a mountain bike without having to remove a wheel.
Down the road, it won’t crush the budget either, with a combined 34 mpg — and a hybrid model available — and CarEdge ranked it as No. 14 out of 173 cars and trucks for the cheapest 10-year maintenance costs, at $5,621.
Toyota RAV4
- Starting MSRP: $28,850
If your retirement fun requires an SUV, this compact version packs a lot of punch while going easy on the fixed income. With solid reliability and resale value, according to KBB, the RAV4 has a comfortable interior, a lot of cargo room and a combined 30 mpg — plus a hybrid option.
It won’t crush you in the long run either, with CarEdge pegging its 10-year maintenance cost at a low $5,820, with only a 16% chance it needs a major repair in that time — 7% lower than its compact SUV rivals.
Nissan Versa
- Starting MSRP: $17,190
If you still want a new car, but price is your biggest concern, the Nissan Versa might be what your fixed income needs. At under $20,000, the Versa is still well built with ample space, according to Edmunds. They liked its interior for its comfort and roominess, its responsive touchscreen tech and its road visibility for safety.
All-in-all, a solid choice for the money, Edmunds wrote.
Hyundai Kona
- Starting MSRP: $24,450
Are you an incentive kinda senior? The Hyundai Kona — which took KBB’s No. 1 spot for Best Subcompact SUV — has a lot of them. Through early March, dealers are offering 0.99% APR financing for 48 months on the electric version, 3.99% APR for 72 months on the Limited version and many cash offers.
KBB also wrote that the Kona is a reliable comfy ride with a good warranty package.
Nissan Leaf EV
- Starting MSRP: $28,140
If you’re focused on saving the planet for your grandchildren, but you can’t handle the cost of a luxury EV, the Leaf might be a nice compromise. Its range of 149 miles — for the base model — might kill any road tripping, but its low cost makes for a clean deal.
Car and Driver suggested looking for a 2024 model, because it comes with a $3,750 federal EV tax credit, which the 2025 model doesn’t enjoy. Be aware that older models have faced criticism for their battery capacity and other issues, so if you opt for a Leaf, choose the model year carefully.
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