While Americans pay on average more than $35,000 for a new vehicle, that doesn't mean skimping to no-star accommodations when the sticker dips below 20 grand. To prove that, we chose nine excellent entry-level cars with starting prices of less than $20,000 that will satisfy a lot of needs, even if one of them is just to look cool. Since this is 2019, basics like power windows, air conditioning, backup camera, and Bluetooth are standard pretty much across the board in this price range. Just don't expect many amenities, such as alloy wheels, a sunroof, or power seats, without spending a couple grand more. Then again, even that's a low starting price. You may be surprised how much car you can get for under the magic $20,000 price point if you shop carefully—and just think: No one else has owned it before you. Oh, and one more thing about this list: While some people think "car" covers virtually anything on wheels, we're being literal here and focusing solely on passenger cars, rather than SUVs or trucks.

Best Cars for $20,000: 2020 Models