The 5 cheapest car brands to buy right now under $40K
March 10, 2026Updated March 11, 2026, 11:29 a.m. ET The average price for a new car in the U.S. was $49,353 in February 2026. New car prices in February 2026 were up 0.3% from the previous month. Only five major car brands had average transaction prices under $40,000. Only five major car brands averaged sales prices under $40,000 in the United States in February 2026 as new car prices continue to rise and car shoppers are filling the pinch. Car shoppers paid an average of $49,353 for new cars in February 2026, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book. The average











