Shopping for a car on a strict budget can be tough, but shopping for a fuel-efficient car can be tougher. After all, cars in that price range are typically older and manufacturers didn’t have the same type of technology that they have today. Regardless, it’s still possible to find a 10-year-old car that can sip gas in the 30-mpg range.
Back then, automakers stuffed small engines into their cars, without using turbochargers. What resulted was a gas-friendly car that was slow, but good enough to get from point A to B reliably. Anyone in search of a sub-$10,000 car should check out this list we put together. Here are 10 examples that can save you a good amount of money at the pump.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources, including fueleconomy.gov, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book. The following cars were chosen for their average used prices and fuel efficiency.
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10 2013 Ford Fiesta
Average Used Price: $5,442
The 2013 Ford Fiesta is a fuel-efficient four-door hatchback with a fun-to-drive personality. Its combined fuel economy rating of 32 mpg can easily go higher with a soft right foot, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it hit up to around 40 mpg on a road trip. Fuel economy aside, the Fiesta brings the party on the road with its peppy engine and spry handling.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
1.6-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
120 hp |
Torque |
112 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
29 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
37 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
32 mpg |
Under its hood is a small 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 120 horsepower. That’s not a lot, but you don’t need much to have fun, especially when it’s paired with a six-speed manual transmission. It’s worth noting that although the car is small, it can still accommodate tall passengers, provided they’re not stuck sitting in the rear middle seat. Additionally, the Ford Fiesta’s cargo area holds up to 12.8 cubic feet, which is plenty of room, but it can be stretched to 26 cubes when the seats are folded flat. The Fiesta may be small, but it packs a lot of efficiency and practicality.
9 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
Average Used Price: $6,411
You can buy the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic in either hatchback or sedan form, but either way, you’ll get the same practicality and efficiency. Under its hood is a base 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 138 horsepower, but what’s interesting is the higher trims carry a turbocharged 1.4-liter with the same power output. That engine, however, has more torque and feels punchier when driving around town. Either way, you can expect the Sonic to return fuel economy numbers in the high 30-mpg range.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
1.8-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
138 hp |
Torque |
125 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
28 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
38 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
32 mpg |
Other Chevy Sonic features include a MyLink touchscreen interface with voice controls with smartphone integration, along with a bevy of internet radio apps. Additionally, the Sonic has plenty of cabin and cargo space, making it a fun-to-drive and practical runabout.
8 2016 Nissan Versa
Average Used Price: $6,621
It’s amazing to think that the Nissan Versa still exists in today’s market. But if you don’t have nearly $20,000 to afford one, you can always spend an average of $6,621 on a 2016 model. That’s cheap, but the caveat is that this model year of the Versa was pretty sparse in terms of features. The base model comes with the bare necessities like Bluetooth, air conditioning, a four-speaker sound system, and a CD player. But it has manual door locks and windows.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
1.6-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
109 hp |
Torque |
107 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
31 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
40 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
34 mpg |
To get more, you’ll need to find a Versa SR trim, which comes with all the power amenities and upgraded instrumentation. Either way, every trim level comes with a 1.6-liter engine that makes 109 horsepower and achieves up to 40 mpg on the highway, which is the Versa’s strong point.
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7 2013 Kia Forte
Average Used Price: $6,629
The 2013 Kia Forte is a great alternative if you’re looking to stray away from the popular Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. For less than $10,000, the Forte offers a lot of the same features, including all the power accessories, Bluetooth, and a backup camera. A leather interior can also be found at the highest trim level.
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Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
2.0-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
156 hp |
Torque |
144 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
26 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
36 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
30 mpg |
As for engines, the lower Forte trim levels come with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 156 horsepower and gets up to 30 mpg in mixed driving situations. However, if more power is desired, the Forte SX comes with a larger 2.4-liter engine that makes 173 horsepower. Either way, the 2013 Kia Forte is an excellent choice for a budget commuter car.
6 2013 Honda Fit
Average Used Price: $7,285
The 2013 Honda Fit is the ultimate everyday driver if you don’t mind a little road noise. The Fit comes equipped with all the basic needs like air conditioning and power amenities, but it also has a trick up its sleeve. If you need cargo room, the Fit has plenty, but it also has a “magic seat” that flips and folds for a variety of storage solutions.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
1.5-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
117 hp |
Torque |
106 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
28 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
35 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
31 mpg |
Storage aside, the Fit also comes with a peppy 1.5-liter engine that makes 117 horsepower. It’s not much, but it’s enough power to get the car moving up to highway speeds rather quickly while sipping fuel to the tune of 35 mpg on the highway. However, some Honda Fit owners have seen greater fuel returns.
5 2013 Fiat 500
Average Used Price: $7,395
Ready for some pint-sized fun? If so, the 2013 Fiat 500 is an excellent choice. The Fiat 500 is one of the smallest cars on the market, but it’s big on driving fun and fuel efficiency. Under its hood, you’ll find a small 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes only 101 horsepower, but that’s all you need for a 2,300-pound car. Additionally, there is a turbocharged version if you want more power.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
1.4-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
101 hp |
Torque |
98 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
30 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
38 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
34 mpg |
Inside, the Fiat 500 features a quirky interior with two-tone color schemes and a lot of plastic. However, it does come with everything you need, including all the power accessories, Bluetooth, a CD player, and iPod integration, if you still have one of those. Stepping up the higher trim levels gets you more, like a fixed glass roof and premium sound. No matter which trim level you end up with, the Fiat 500 is sure to put a smile on your face.
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4 2017 Hyundai Accent
Average Used Price: $7,967
Like many of the other cars on this list, the 2017 Hyundai Accent offers basic transportation and the amenities you need to go about your daily life. Those include all the power amenities, like windows and door locks, air conditioning, and a radio with six speakers and a CD player.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
1.6-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
137 hp |
Torque |
123 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
26 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
36 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
31 mpg |
Of course, we’re not trying to take away from the Accent’s value, since it does present good value with its 36 mpg highway rating, which should save you money at the pump. Additionally, while its 137 horsepower rating is low, it’s enough to get the little car moving quickly when you need it to. It may just take a few seconds longer than you would expect.
3 2013 Toyota Corolla
Average Used Price: $8,009
Aside from the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra, the Toyota Corolla has been a top choice among those looking for a fuel-efficient commuter. The 2013 Corolla features a gas-sipping 1.8-liter engine that makes 132 horsepower and achieves up to 34 mpg on the highway. But it also swaddles its occupants in the basic features they need.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
1.8-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
132 hp |
Torque |
128 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
26 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
34 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
29 mpg |
Some of them include a six-inch infotainment display, a six-speaker sound system, USB connectivity, and Bluetooth audio streaming. Those features can be found in the higher trim levels, which we recommend getting, since the car costs far less than $10,000.
2 2013 Mazda3
Average Used Price: $8,503
The Mazda3 is a great choice if you’re looking for a commuter car with a dash of sportiness. Its sporty suspension and tight steering make it fun to drive, while its responsive engine gets it going with plenty of gusto. One thing to note is that the base 2.0-liter engine is great for fuel efficiency, but the turbocharged engine in the Mazdaspeed3 is better for performance.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
2.0-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
155 hp |
Torque |
148 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
28 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
39 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
33 mpg |
That base engine still provides plenty of pep with its 155 horsepower rating, but balances that power with fuel efficiency, as seen with its 39 mpg highway rating. The Mazda3 is also very comfortable with its supportive and sporty seats, premium audio system, and dual automatic climate control.
1 2013 Honda Civic
Average Used Price: $8,738
Last, but definitely not least, on this list is the venerable Honda Civic. It’s a 2013 model, so don’t expect too many frills. But for less than $10,000, the Civic comes well equipped with a rearview camera, a CD player, and a five-inch information display.
Performance And Fuel Economy
Engine |
1.8-liter inline-four |
Horsepower |
140 hp |
Torque |
128 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Economy – City |
28 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Highway |
39 mpg |
Fuel Economy – Combined |
33 mpg |
There are a few trim levels available for this model year of the Civic, but we recommend the HF trim for the most fuel efficiency. That trim level adds low-rolling-resistance tires, underbody panels, a rear spoiler, and aerodynamic cast-aluminum wheels for most economy, which equates to a 40 mpg highway rating.