8 Cars for Under $18,000

Comfort, performance, reliability - you'll be amazed at what you can get when you go economy

Courtesy: Nissan Motor Co.

1. Nissan Versa

Price: $9,759 - $15,750
Mileage: 31 mpg Hwy, 26 mpg City

The term "Econobox" just doesn't mean what it used to anymore. These days, you can get a lot more in a small box than anyone would have thought just a few years ago.

For less than $18,000 - or more than 30% less than the cost of the average car - you can get stuff that was only available in upscale cars a decade ago, including power windows and door locks. In fact, you can get stuff that wasn't even invented a decade ago, like Bluetooth phone connections and satellite radio.

Performance is also much better at this price today. Lightweight bodies, sophisticated suspension and more powerful engines make driving a fuel-efficient small car fun. And they're safer, too. Several cars in this list of earned "Top Safety Pick" awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway safety. (That's not to say the others aren't extremely safe cars, as well.)

Among the best of the best today is the Nissan Versa, a car that feels paradoxically roomy inside despite its tiny size. The back seat is especially generous, but the ride can get a little bouncy back there. The ride is smooth up front, however, and performance is good, if not exactly exciting. The interior is also richly appointed. You'll easily forget you're driving a small economy car.

Courtesy: Toyota Motor Co.

2. Scion xB

Price: $15,750
Mileage: 28 mpg Hwy, 22 mpg City

IIHS Top Safety Pick

Now in its second generation, the Scion xB has grown into something more like a crossover SUV, minus the extra ground clearance and all-wheel-drive.

Some Scion fans mourned the loss of the older, more cube-shaped body, but the new form offers more useful interior space. Some odd interior elements - like the instrument cluster that sits between the driver and passenger instead of in front of the driver - have been retained. Don't worry. You'll get used to it.

The xB is also quieter and more powerful than the old version while fuel economy is still excellent, especially for a vehicle this useful. With more usable interior space and a more buttoned-down road feel, this is a Scion that should appeal to a broader audience.

Courtesy: Honda Motor Co.

3. Honda Fit

Price: $14,750 - $16,260
Mileage: 33 mpg Hwy, 27 mpg City

IIHS Top Safety Pick

The Fit is one of two Hondas on this list. That just shows how much room there is under the $18,000 line if you do it right.

The Fit is the real entry-level Honda. It's smaller and cheaper than the Civic. It's also considerably noisier inside, and with its tall body and small wheels, it feels less stable around turns.

The Fit's flexible interior makes it a very practical choice, though. Overall interior space isn't much less than a Civic's and the back seats fold flat or allow for hide-away storage underneath when they're up.

Courtesy: Honda Motor Co.

4. Honda Civic

Price: $15,305 - $25,190
Mileage: 34 mpg Hwy, 26 mpg City

IIHS Top Safety Pick

It might seem like overkill for a car company to have two popular cars for less than $18,000. But that's their problem, isn't it? You get a choice of two dependable, cheap cars.

The base Civic feels more sedate than the Fit - but that means if feels more solidly attached to the road. The interior also feels much roomier and less box-like

The spaceship interior design is also highly functional, placing the digital speedometer way out front and up high where it's easy to see with the tachometer just underneath it. Once you get accustomed to it, you wonder why more gauge clusters aren't designed that way.

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