They say your car will be your second biggest investment, next to your house. Since this is the case, you want to get the best performance for your hard-earned cash. If you’ve been on the lookout for the best deal over the last few years, car prices have gone way up compared to what they used to be. Thankfully, car prices in 2023 have started to trend downward. According to KBB, the average price paid for non-luxury vehicles is about $44,750.

While it could be stressful and challenging to narrow down your choices, you will still be able to find budget cars that give you the best value for your money. If you’re looking for a brand-new car, you might not be able to buy one that’s faster than a Porsche. However, there are cheap model year 2023 cars that will not only get you from point A to point B but also deliver high performance that can get some adrenaline pumping.

In terms of value, these affordable cars give you excellent horsepower per dollar on its sticker price. Simply put, these entry-level vehicles will not cost you your arm and leg to get some spirited performance when you step on the pedal. Note that we have limited our list to 2023 model-year cars below $30,000 with decent horsepower.

We collected information from different car manufacturers and reputable websites such as Edmunds, Car And Driver, and J.D. Power to create a list of high-performance 2023 budget cars.

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10 2023 Nissan Sentra S

MSRP: $21,295

The first generation of the Nissan Sentra hit American shores in the early 1980s, and the brand’s longevity is a testament to the car’s reliability. The 2023 Nissan Sentra S is a solid choice for those looking for a small sedan that’s stylish on the outside and comfortable on the inside. There are no big changes but the 2023 Sentra S comes packed with features that give you good value for your money. Aside from getting great quality and reliability scores from consumers, this compact sedan comes with a good list of driver-assistance technologies to enhance ride safety.

Performance

The 2023 Nissan Sentra S also displays some vigor with a two-liter inline-four engine that outputs 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 in eight seconds and hit a top speed of 127 MPH.

9 2023 Hyundai Elantra SE

MSRP: $22,065

Another small sedan available to consumers looking for budget cars with reliable performance is the 2023 Hyundai Elantra SE. Aside from having an eye-catching exterior, the Elantra comes with a roomy cabin. It’s a good daily driver that can seat five adults. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated engine that cranks out a decent 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.

Performance

The Elantra SE trim features an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, forward collision-avoidance assistance, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, and lane-keeping assist, among others. It also comes standard with 15-inch wheels, projector-halogen headlamps, and LED daytime running lights. The fuel economy of the 2023 Elantra is also good at 30 MPG in the city, 40 MPG on the highway, or 34 MPG combined.

8 2023 Volkswagen Jetta Sport

MSRP: $22,650

If you said pass to the Sentra and the Elantra, another viable alternative would be the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta Sport. With improved technology and refreshed styling, the 2023 Jetta comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant that outputs 158 horsepower, a good 11 horses more than its older sibling. This well-assembled compact German sedan will not burn a big hold in your pocket. Aptly positioned below the GLI trim, which is about $10,000 more expensive.

Performance

You can hit 60 MPH from a standstill in 7.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 128 MPH. While it’s not as potent as the highest Jetta trim, it comes with a roomy interior and behaves well on the road. With the Jetta Sport’s velvety smooth engine, it feels more expensive than its tag price suggests.

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7 2023 Corolla Hatchback SE

MSRP: $23,155

If you’re looking for versatility and affordability, the 2023 Corolla Hatchback SE, is a good deal. Since its introduction in 2018, this compact hatchback will not stand out from the rest of the vehicles in its segment but offers Toyota reliability nonetheless. When you get behind the wheel of the Toyota, you’ll appreciate its soft, comfy seats that are perfect for everyday driving. For a budget car, it is pretty quiet on the road at all speeds.

Performance

Its inline-four engine churns 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter block transfers its power to the front wheels via a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission. While it wouldn’t be able to keep up with the brood of fastest sports cars in the world nor stand a chance of running away from police cars that can hit 200 MPH, the Corolla Hatchback SE gives you adequate speed on the highway and is able to keep the pace with ease.

6 2023 Honda Civic Sport

MSRP: $25,050

The Honda Civic has been an icon of affordable transportation, and it has been in its best form in recent years. While the 2023 model year is practically a carryover of last year’s iteration, it is still your ever-reliable ride with slick overall styling with a good list of safety features, plus punchy driving manners. If you are looking for a fun drive, the Honda Civic Sport will give you the quicker than a quicker-than-average sedan vibe.

Performance

The budget-friendly Civic Sport sedan relies on a 2.0-liter inline-four engine under its hood. This block outputs 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. With these specs, it can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 132 MPH. Aside from decent horsepower, the best-selling compact ride offers a spacious interior, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarpLay and Android Auto, LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, paddle shifters, and Sport driving mode.

5 2023 Mazda3 2.5 S Select Sedan

MSRP: $25,115

Affordable sedans do not have to be boring, and the 2023 Mazda 3 2.5 S with Select Package is a good-looking example with a good dose of refinement to boot. Outside, the Mazda 3 has an eye-catching design while the interior showcases premium materials that will help it keep up with more expensive vehicles in the market.

Performance

Responsible for its lively driving dynamics is the 2.5-liter engine under its hood that outputs 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5 S trim comes with LED headlights, folding rear seats, an 8.8-inch infotainment system, forward collision, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Select Package gives the ride a set of 18-inch rims, synthetic leather seats, keyless ignition, and a blind-spot warning system.

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4 2023 Kia Forte GT

MSRP: $25,515

The Kia Forte is a compact sedan known to be an affordable and fun-to-drive car. The nameplate was introduced in 2008 but it took a while to find its bearings in a segment dominated by the likes of the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. For the 2023 model year, nothing much is new since it is fresh from its mid-cycle update.

Performance

The Kia Forte GT delivers solid performance with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 201 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. Its sporty nature will provide you with an enjoyable daily commute. Going from 0 to 60 MPH takes just under seven seconds and it can hit a top speed of 123 MPH. There’s a good reason the Korean car manufacturer did not introduce a ton of updates for this year’s iteration of the Kia Forte– its value proposition still offers the best bang for the buck.

3 2023 Chevrolet Malibu LS

MSRP: $26,095

The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu is the only sedan in the bow-tie brand’s lineup. It is offered in four trims: the LS, RS, LT, and 2LT. The entry-level LS, just like its three other siblings, is powered by a four-cylinder engine that outputs 163 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

It covers all the basics from 16-inch alloy rims, keyless entry and ignition, cruise control, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto on an eight-inch infotainment display. It also comes standard with a host of driver assist features, such as automatic high beams, lane departure mitigation, and forward collision mitigation.

Performance

The Malibu mid-size sedan is quite an old nameplate, but you can squeeze some good horsepower to the dollar. Its 1.5-liter block is not the zippiest but can bring you from 0 to 60 in 8.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 129 MPH.

2 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS

MSRP: $27,795

If you are looking for a budget car under $30,000 with the best horsepower per dollar, you can’t go wrong with the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS. This entry-level Camaro is not a luxury car with a V-8 mammoth under the hood but instead comes with a turbocharged four that outputs 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Sending this power to the rear wheels translates to satisfying performance numbers. It gets to 60 MPH from a standstill in 5.4 seconds and can hit a top speed of 149 MPH. Known for its excellently-built chassis, the Camaro is a well-balanced coupe that’s agile on the road.

Performance

The Camaro 1LS also comes standard with automatic LED headlights, 18-inch alloy rims, power-adjustable bucket seats, rear-vision camera, and a seven-inch infotainment system, among others.

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1 2023 Honda Accord LX

MSRP: $28,390

The Honda Accord is a well-accepted and beloved nameplate in the United States and the rest of the globe. The midsize family sedan received a complete redesign for the 2023 model year. It is a solid choice if you want an affordable car that looks good, has a roomy interior, and is packed with decent performance.

Aside from the sporty stance, the Honda Accord LX trim is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant that cranks out 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. It’s not the fastest of the bunch, but it is precise, grippy, and confident on the road.

Performance

The entry-level Accord also comes with a remote engine start, hill start assist, direct ignition system with immobilizer, front and rear stabilizer bars, and 17-inch rims. It also comes packed with Honda Sensing technologies such as collision mitigation, forward collision warning, road departure warning, and lane departure warning, among others.