Mazda2 - cheapest new car

Base price: $14,720

Fuel economy: 29 City, 35 Hwy

The Mazda2's another little car that's great around town but I wouldn't want to take it on a long road trip. It's noisy and jittery and the interior's not as nice to look at as the stylish exterior. Not a bad car, really, but you could do better for a little less. (These fuel economy figures reflect recent adjustments made to Kia and Hyundai's EPA estimates.)