The editors over at Kelley Blue Book have picked the top ten cool, new, affordable cars that are selling for under $18,000. Not only are these cars “sporty”, many are smaller vehicles that have great fuel economy. All but one of the cars on the list gets at least 30 miles per gallon or better.
When choosing the 10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000, the Kelley Blue Book editors examined each vehicle through their “subjective magnifying glass of what is cool, with an emphasis on its styling, performance and fun-to-drive factor.” Additionally, more objective criteria such as safety, fuel economy, environmental impact, interior size and comfort were taken into account.
Top 10 Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Vehicle MSRP
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic $17,015
2007 Ford Focus SES 2-door Hatchback $16,180
2007 Honda Fit $14,445
2007 Hyundai Tiburon $17,295
2007 Jeep Patriot $14,985
2007 Mazda 3 $18,175
2007 Nissan Versa $13,075
2007 Scion tC $16,980
2007 Suzuki SX4 $17,124
2007 Volkswagen Rabbit $15,630
All vehicles are listed by their New Car Blue Book value. New Car Blue Book values represent transaction values, or what others are paying for this vehicle, during the week of April 9, 2007. New Car Blue Book values are updated weekly on kbb.com. Adding optional equipment at the time of purchase will increase the price of the vehicle.
Kelley Blue Book’s Comments on the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic (Regular Cab Manual WT)
The 800-pound gorilla of this group earns its spot on the list by delivering the most metal for the money along with hefty hauling and towing capacities. It’s not the newest-tech, but if you need to lug cool stuff, the full-size Silverado Classic lets you do it for a compact-pickup monthly payment.
MSRP: $17,015 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $16,590
2007 Ford Focus SES 2-Door Hatchback
Its Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle status helped place the versatile Ford Focus 3-door on the list. We also applaud the Focus’s combination of international style and cheeky, fun-to-drive character in a handy, economical package.
MSRP: $16,180 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $15,937
2007 Honda Fit
Driving the Fit is the most fun you can have with four wheels and 109 horsepower. Matched with Honda’s renowned interior intangibles and a cleverly configurable rear seat that provides uncanny cargo capacity, the diminutive Fit is cool condensed.
MSRP: $14,445 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $14,301
2007 Hyundai Tiburon
Hyundai’s sporty entry combines the presence of a $30,000 sports coupe with energetic driving dynamics and the value expected from the brand. Updates for the 2007 model year include freshened front and rear styling.
MSRP: $17,295 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,157
2007 Jeep Patriot
Based on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and Jeep’s own Compass, the Patriot sets itself apart by featuring all the utility and features of its twin brothers but also adding an off-road capability and Jeep purity the others lack.
MSRP: $14,985 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $14,985
2007 Mazda MAZDA3
Fun, stylish, versatile and substantial, the exceptionally well-rounded MAZDA3 is the only vehicle to make it onto our list the past four years in a row — and every year since its introduction. Suffice it to say, it’s cool.
MSRP: $18,175 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,993
2007 Nissan Versa
By offering more room than its closest competitors and available features like Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and keyless entry and start, the Versa offers a little taste of luxury at a decidedly down-market price.
MSRP: $13,075 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $13,206
2007 Scion tC
Wearing the mark of a brand born to be cool, the tC coupe furthers its own pedigree with industrial-sleek styling, lively performance and a sharp interior that belies the car’s sub-$18,000 starting price.
MSRP: $16,980 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,235
2007 Suzuki SX4
The most affordable four-wheel-drive vehicle out there is wrapped in distinctively styled sheetmetal and offers advanced features like keyless entry and start. A 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is pretty cool, too.
MSRP: $17,124 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $17,038
2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
With an eager engine, unexpectedly tenacious handling and interior refinement on par with cars costing twice its price, the vehicle formerly known as Golf plays off its Euro roots to offer Continental cool.
MSRP: $15,630 *NEW CAR BLUE BOOK VALUE: $15,474