The Toyota Corolla is enormously popular and has long dominated the compact car segment. This success can be credited to a number of factors, including reliability, safety features, practicality, and high fuel economy. Also, the Corolla is affordable. However, for an even cheaper car than the Corolla, there are some great choices. Check out these Toyota Corolla alternatives for less than $20,000.

More affordable cars to get instead of a Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla has a starting price of $20,425 MSRP. Compared to most new cars available, this is a very low price. If you’re looking for a car that’s an even more affordable alternative to the Corolla, though, consider these models:

1. 2022 Nissan Sentra (Starting price: $19,950 MSRP)
2. 2022 Subaru Impreza (Starting price: $19,295 MSRP)
3. 2022 Kia Forte (Starting price: $19,090 MSRP) 
4. 2022 Hyundai Accent (Starting price: $16,645)

Nissan Sentra is a great alternative to the Toyota Corolla

One of the best alternatives to the Toyota Corolla is the Nissan Sentra. With a starting price of $19,950 MSRP, the 2022 Nissan Sentra slips right under $20,000. Despite its budget-friendly price, the Sentra has a relatively spacious interior and high-quality cabin materials that one might not typically expect to find in a mainstream compact sedan. 

Other highlights of the Sentra include its attractive styling and many standard safety technologies. On the efficiency front, the Sentra gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 29 city/39 highway mpg, compared to 31 city/40 highway mpg for the standard Corolla model. 

Subaru Impreza is a budget-friendly compact car

Another great alternative to the Toyota Corolla is the 2022 Subaru Impreza, which has a starting price of $19,295 MSRP. A unique aspect of the Impreza is all models across the trim lineup come standard with a traction-enhancing all-wheel drive system. This makes the Impreza a good option for drivers that live in a location with snowy and icy roads in the winter. 

Buyers of the Impreza can get either a sedan or hatchback version. For efficiency, the Impreza has a fuel economy of up to 28 city/38 highway mpg.

Kia Forte is an affordable alternative to the Toyota Corolla

The third alternative to the Toyota Corolla is the 2022 Kia Forte, which has a starting price of $19,090 MSRP. With its low cost and many standard features, the Forte offers considerable value, as detailed by U.S. News. Even with the base trim, you’ll get electric adjustable outside mirrors, a trip computer, wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto smartphone integration, and many safety-enhancing driving assistance technologies. 

Also, the Forte has very generous warranty coverage, with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. For efficiency, the Forte gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 31 city/41 highway mpg.

Hyundai Accent: One of the cheapest cars available

If you’re looking for one of the cheapest alternatives to the Toyota Corolla, then you should check out the 2022 Hyundai Accent. With a starting price of $16,645 MSRP, the Accent is one of the most affordable new cars available. Highlights of the Accent include its nimble handling, smooth ride, and quiet cabin. 

Also, like the Forte, the Accent has a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. In addition to the generous warranty, the Accent has a complimentary maintenance plan, with three years or 36,000 miles of coverage. On the efficiency front, the Accent gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 33 city/41 highway mpg.

More affordable alternatives to the Toyota Corolla that cost less than $20,000 include the 2022 Nissan Sentra, 2022 Subaru Impreza, 2022 Kia Forte, and 2022 Hyundai Accent. The Corolla is already a budget-friendly car, but if you desire an even cheaper alternative, these are some great choices to consider.