Three Hot Cars for Under $15K

By Sam Blier

What’s better than cruising with your friends in a stylish new ride? Doing it for less than 15 grand and avoiding the pump like a bad haircut. Luckily, cars in the sub-$15,000 range are no longer the bare bones penalty boxes they once were. Keep reading to get the rundown on three of the hottest, most affordable cars on the streets.

Kia Soul
$13,300 – $20,195
Fuel Economy City/Highway: 24-26/30-31

This funky little SUV is fun to drive, easy to park and has plenty of room for your crew and your gear. One of the more stylish options for the money, the Soul comes in several versions with a couple of engine options. One of the more powerful engines in its class, the Soul’s available 142 horsepower motor scoots the little trucklet around with ease. The interior styling is just as sharp as the exterior’s and the optional 315 watt stereo system lets everyone know you’re coming. The Soul comes with standard features like air conditioning and power locks and windows that you usually have to pay extra for ~ and don’t forget about the power train warranty, with 100,000 miles you can have many worry-free summers full of cruising.

Ford Fiesta
$13,995 – $20,690
Fuel Economy City/Highway: 29/40

The brand new 2011 Ford Fiesta is already being called the best small car in America. It’s available in two body styles, sedan and hatchback (with 4 real doors!), and is loaded with premium features unheard of in this class of car. The Fiesta’s gas mileage is stellar and the European styling inside and out ensures you’ll always stand out from the crowd. Like many Ford vehicles, the Fiesta is available with Microsoft Sync, one of the coolest features on any car at any price. It can do everything from controlling the stereo through voice command to giving you turn-by-turn directions and reading your text messages out loud through the car’s speakers. Very, very cool.

Nissan Cube
$13,990 – $21,190
Fuel Economy City/Highway: 27/31

You’re different, in a good way. You want a car that’s different, in a good way. Meet the Nissan Cube. It’s curvy yet boxy design defies convention and its nature-inspired interior boasts many unique features. You’ll find calming ripples throughout the cabin and the available interior mood lighting gives you 20 different hues with which to set the scene. Surprisingly, the Cube can be ordered with some options that are usually reserved for cars costing tens of thousands of dollars more. The keyless entry feature senses when you’re close to the car and automatically unlocks the doors, plus you can even start the car without ever taking the key out of your pocket. Can your car do that?