This time, we’ll be presenting a ranking of the cheapest standard-priced cars as of 2024 ( Reiwa 6). We’ll be presenting models that are currently available for sale. Standard-sized cars are more durable and have more driving comfort than kei cars, so we hope this will be helpful for first-time car buyers, second-car buyers, and those who absolutely need a new car rather than a used one.
Top 10 cheapest standard cars released in 2024
When we looked at standard cars on sale as of January 2024 ( Daihatsu cars are still in the lineup ), we found that the cheapest was the Toyota Yaris at 1,470,000 yen. Incidentally, the cheapest cars up until 2023 were the Daihatsu Boon and Toyota Passo at 1,275,000 yen. The Mirage has also been discontinued, meaning there are no more cheap models available.
Although the cheapest cars are all compact cars from each manufacturer, each manufacturer has adopted its own unique technology, ensuring spaciousness inside the car and allowing it to seat five people, and further improving fuel efficiency through weight reduction and engine performance.Even when considering long-term maintenance, these are all very attractive models with excellent cost performance.
| Ranking | Manufacturer | Car name | grade | Price (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st place | Toyota | Yaris | X (2WD) |
1,470,000 yen |
| 2nd place | Mazda | MAZDA2 | 15C (2WD) |
1,548,800 yen |
| 3rd place | Toyota | Roomy | X (2WD) |
1,566,500 yen |
| 4th place | Daihatsu | Thor | X (2WD) |
1,566,500 yen |
| 5th place | Suzuki | Ignis | HYBRID MG (2WD) |
1,611,500 yen |
| 6th place | Suzuki | Solio | G (2WD) |
1,647,800 yen |
| 7th place | Honda | fit | BASIC (2WD) |
1,655,500 yen |
| 8th place | Daihatsu | Rocky | L (2WD) |
1,677,000 yen |
| 9th place | Toyota | Rise | X (2WD) |
1,717,000 yen |
| 10th place | Suzuki | Swift | XG (2WD) |
1,727,000 yen |
Top 10 Cheapest Standard Cars – Latest Car Information
The top four cars are all very economical, costing around 1.5 million yen even when purchased new. What’s even more attractive is that each manufacturer offers a full range of safety features. For those familiar with new cars from a while back, some may feel that the prices have risen considerably, but safety features are standard even on the base grade, so it’s safe to say that the prices are reasonable.
Yaris
fit
Swift
MAZDA2
What car model do you recommend?
My personal recommendations are the Toyota Yaris , Honda Fit , and Suzuki Swift . The reason is that despite being base grades, they are equipped with a full range of safety features, and although they have the basic base configuration and minimal equipment, they have only recently undergone a full model change, so they have good resale value.
About Suzuki Swift
Suzuki will fully redesign the new Swift and announce it on December 6, 2023, with the CVT model going on sale on December 13, 2023. The manual transmission model will be released on January 17, 2024. The model will come equipped with many of the latest features and priced between 1,727,000 and 2,332,000 yen.
The exterior design has been changed.
It features a memory navigation system with a large 9-inch HD display .
The Swift is the first to feature an electric parking brake and auto brake hold .
The latest “Z12E type 1.2L 3-cylinder engine” is equipped with a new highly efficient “CVT” and a newly developed mild hybrid.
Adopts ” Dual Sensor Brake Support II “.
Exterior
The exterior will retain its original concept, but will feature a more refined design. The 2024 Swift will have a total length of 3,860mm, a total width of 1,695mm, a total height of 1,500mm, and a wheelbase of 2,450mm. It will be almost identical to the previous model, and will use the next-generation lightweight platform “HEARTECT,” which, like the previous fourth-generation model, combines light weight with high rigidity.
interior
The interior has the same layout as the Baleno, with white plastic trim extending to the doors with an interesting texture, giving it a more modern look. It features a 9-inch display audio with a thick bezel , and is compatible with the connected services Suzuki Connect and Drive Recorder. A USB power socket [Type-C] is standard on all models, and it also comes with a driver monitoring system and a fully automatic air conditioner with nanoe X. There is a CD slot above the multiple USB charging ports on the center console. It also comes with an electric parking brake and auto brake hold (HYBRID MZ). It also comes with a voice guidance function that will notify the driver when a door is open or when the gas is low.
Suzuki Swift specs
The Swift is equipped with the latest Z12E-type inline 3-cylinder 1.2L 3-cylinder engine + motor mild hybrid engine. Maximum output is 60kW (82PS) / 5,700rpm, maximum torque is 108Nm (11kgfm) / 4,500rpm. WLTC mode fuel economy is 24.5km/L (CVT) . Furthermore, the body size is within the 5-number size.
| Specifications | New Swift |
|---|---|
| full length | 3,860mm |
| Overall width | 1,695mm |
| Overall height | 1,500mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,450mm |
| engine | Inline 3-cylinder 1.2L DualJet naturally aspirated direct injection engine + motor S-enecharge (mild hybrid “SHVS”) |
| Maximum power | 60kW (82PS) / 5,700rpm |
| Maximum torque | 108Nm (11kgfm) / 4,500rpm |
| Motor maximum output | 2.3kW (3.1ps) / 1,000rpm |
| Motor Max Torque | 60Nm (6.1kgm)/100rpm |
| transmission | CVT/5MT |
| Minimum turning radius | 5.8m (2WD vehicle) |
| WLTC mode fuel economy | 24.5km/L (CVT) 25.5km/L (5MT) |
About Yaris
Toyota has completely redesigned the fourth-generation Vitz and at the same time renamed it the new Yaris, which will be announced in Japan on December 20, 2019, and released on February 10, 2020. The gasoline 4WD model will be released in April 2020.
- It adopts the newly developed TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) ” GA-B platform .”
- The new generation ” inline 3-cylinder 1.5L direct injection Dynamic Force Engine M15A type ” uses the compact ” THS II “.
- It is equipped with the second-generation Toyota Safety Sense , an advanced preventive safety technology .
- The car comes standard with a display audio system and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A DCM in-car communication device is also included as standard.
The previous Vitz is a globally popular car model that was officially announced and launched on December 22, 2010. It is undergoing a full model change exactly nine years after its release . Toyota applied for the name “YARIS” with the Japanese Patent Office on April 16, 2018 , and with this full model change, the name will be changed from Vitz to the same as it is used overseas. This will result in the discontinuation of the Vitz brand, and the car will be reborn as the globally unified brand “YARIS . ” This shows the importance of Toyota’s compact cars in the coming aging society .
Exterior
Selling global cars in Japan as part of a global strategy, rather than just Japan-exclusive models, and standardizing them worldwide will also lead to cost reductions. Toyota plans to change its sales network and standardize its models, eliminating waste to the fullest extent possible. The fourth-generation new “Yaris (Vitz)” was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019, held from October 24th to November 4th, 2019 .
This time, the new car employs the newly developed ” GA-B platform ” based on the ” TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) ,” resulting in a larger interior space than the previous model. The newly developed platform achieves excellent aerodynamic performance and results in a 50kg (development target) weight reduction, a 15mm lower center of gravity, and more than 30% increased body rigidity, making it a significant improvement over the previous model. It achieves a weight of 940kg to 1090kg, falling below 1000kg. Despite being a 5-number size (length: 3940mm, width: 1695mm, height: 150mm, wheelbase: 2550mm), the new car boasts a spacious interior and is expected to feature more luxurious specifications than the previous model. It also achieves world-class fuel economy of 36.0km/L in WLTC mode.
interior
Display audio is standard and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are adopted. DCM in-car communication device is also standard. Furthermore, the dedicated communication device DCM is standard on all vehicles, and the T-Connect service is provided free of charge for three years. The luggage compartment size is 1,000mm wide, 630mm long (when five people are riding), and 692mm to 830mm high. All vehicles have a 60/40 split folding rear seat. An AC100V 1500W “accessory outlet” can be added to the hybrid model (optional 44,000 yen).
Yaris minor change specs
| Specifications | New Yaris Hybrid |
New Yaris gasoline vehicle |
New Yaris gasoline vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| full length | 3,940mm | 3,940mm | 3,940mm |
| Overall width | 1,695mm | 1,695mm | 1,695mm |
| Overall height | 1,500mm (2WD) 1,515mm (4WD) |
1,500mm (2WD) 1,515mm (4WD) |
1,500mm (2WD) 1,515mm (4WD) |
| Wheelbase |
2,550mm | 2,550mm | 2,550mm |
| engine | Inline 3 1.5L + motor M15A-FXE type |
In-line 3-cylinder 1.5L engine M15A-FKS type |
Inline 3-cylinder 1.0L engine 1KR type |
| Maximum power | 67kW (91ps) / 5500rpm |
88kW (120ps) / 6600rpm |
51kW (69ps) / 6000rpm |
| Maximum torque | 120Nm (12.2kgfm) / 3800-4800rpm |
145Nm (14.8kgfm) / 4800-5200rpm |
92Nm (9.4kgfm) / 4400rpm |
| Motor maximum output |
Front: 59kW (80ps) Rear: 3.9kW (5.3ps) |
– | – |
| Motor Max Torque |
Front: 141Nm (14.4kgm) Rear: 52Nm (5.3kgm) |
– | – |
| WLCT mode fuel economy |
36.0-35.4km/L (2WD) 30.2km/L (4WD) |
21.4-21.6km/L 19.2km/L |
19.6-20.2km/L |
| Drive system | 2WD/4WD (E-Four) |
2WD/4WD | 2WD |
| Passenger capacity | 5 people | 5 people | 5 people |
| Minimum turning radius |
4.8m to 5.1m | 4.8m to 5.1m | 4.8m to 5.1m |
transmission |
Electric continuously variable transmission |
Direct Shift- CVT 6-speed MT |
CVT |
About Fit
Honda has completely redesigned the new Fit and will release it on February 14, 2020. It adopts the “i-MMD (e:HEV) two-motor hybrid system.” The new “CROSSTAR” model features a crossover-style exterior design. “Honda Connect” is being adopted for the first time in Japan.
Exterior
The new fourth-generation Fit keeps the same concept as the previous model, but has been extended in length, making the interior more spacious and improving usability. It’s not quite as long as the new Freed , but it has a total length of 3,995mm. There are five different types: “BASIC,” “HOME,” “NESS,” “LUXE,” and “CROSSTAR.” NESS is a sports type, and comes from the word “fitness.” HOME is inspired by the image of a comfortable home.
Like the new Freed , the new CROSSTAR is the only grade with a ground clearance that is 5mm to 25mm higher than other grades, a total length of 4,090mm, and a total width of 1,725mm, making it a 3-number size crossover-style exterior design . The CROSSTAR features a specially designed front grille, front and rear bumpers, and aluminum wheels. The door outer handles and door mirrors are painted silver, and the side sill garnish has been changed to black. Exclusive roof rails have also been added.
Fit “HOME”
Fit “HOME” after minor change
Fit “LUXE”
Fit “LUXE” after minor change
Fit “CROSSTAR”
Fit “CROSSTAR” after minor change
interior
The interior panels have a horizontal, straight-line design, and the wipers are less visible from inside the car, improving visibility. When you get in the car, you’ll see that the wipers and other parts are positioned out of the way, giving the impression of improved visibility .
The front pillars feature a different cross-section than conventional models, allowing for load distribution to the body in the event of a collision. The front A-pillars are incredibly thin, almost to the point of being unnatural, but they certainly offer minimal obstruction to visibility when turning right or left. The interior features a new-generation ” body stabilizing seat ” for the front seats, developed with a view to being installed in high-end sedans . This seat structure provides a soft, comfortable seating position that reduces fatigue even during long drives. The ” Auto Brake Hold ” function maintains the vehicle stationary even when the driver’s foot is removed from the brake pedal, and is released when the accelerator is pressed, making it useful in traffic jams . The ” telescopic and tilt steering mechanism ” allows for optimal driving positioning for both large and small passengers. The ” parking brake system ” employs four sensors in the rear bumper to detect obstacles behind the vehicle and provide audible and visual alerts. The rear seats, like the first generation, have maintained a center-tank layout, giving the impression of spaciousness.
Advanced Equipment
This is the first car in Japan to be equipped with Honda CONNECT, an in-vehicle communication module exclusively for Honda vehicles . It allows remote operation via smartphone, and in the event of an emergency such as an accident, the car itself will connect to an emergency support center, enabling quick and accurate response and trouble-shooting support.
The advanced safety driving support system , Honda SENSING , now features a new front wide-view camera, and in combination with a total of eight sonar sensors installed at the front and rear of the vehicle, Honda has added a near-collision mitigation brake system, a first for Honda, which is now standard equipment on all vehicles.
About the Fit minor change specs
Honda has made minor changes to the Fit, releasing it on October 7, 2022. By changing the 1.3L DOHC i-VTEC engine to a 1.5L direct-injection DOHC i-VTEC engine , maximum power and torque have been increased, resulting in a more comfortable ride.
| Specifications | New Fit | New Fit |
|---|---|---|
| full length | 3,990mm (4,090mm) | 3,990mm (4,090mm) |
| Overall width | 1,695mm (1,725mm) | 1,695mm (1,725mm) |
| Overall height | 1,515 to 1,565 mm (1,545 mm) | 1,515 to 1,565 mm (1,545 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 2,530mm | 2,530mm |
| engine | 1.5L i-VTEC engine | 1.5L i-VTEC engine + new i-MMD (e:HEV) |
| Maximum power | 96kW (131PS)/ 6,600rpm |
72kW (98PS) / 5,600-6,400rpm |
| Maximum torque | 155Nm (15.8kgfm)/ 4,600rpm |
127Nm (13.0kgfm) / 4,500-5,000rpm |
| Motor maximum output |
– | 80kW (109PS) / 3,500-8,000rpm |
| Motor Max Torque |
– | 253Nm (25.8kgfm) / 0-3,000rpm |
transmission |
CVT | Electric continuously variable transmission |
| Drive system | 2WD (FF) / 4WD |
2WD (FF) / 4WD |
| Passenger capacity | 5 people | 5 people |
| WLTC mode fuel economy | 20.2km/L (2WD) 18.2km/L (4WD) |
29.4km/L (2WD) 24.0km/L (4WD) |
Summary of cheap standard cars
Even if you’re not looking for an entry-level model, the Swift , Yaris , and Fit are all highly recommended as they are generally priced under 2 million yen. The Raize and Rocky are particularly popular SUV models, but as of January 2024 they have been discontinued due to a scandal. However, the fact that they can still be purchased for around 2 million yen is a great advantage for potential buyers. We hope this information will be helpful when making your purchase.
