10 Best Cheap Cars with Heated Seats

2016 Honda Fit interior heated seat button ・ Photo by Honda

Gone are the days when only luxury cars offered the option of heated seats. Our list of the 10 least expensive cars with heated seats includes a range of affordable imports and domestics, with entry-level vehicles from Ford, Chevrolet, and Mitsubishi leading the way. The best-selling Toyota Corolla missed our top 10, with standard heated front bucket seats included on the XLE ($21,825) and XSE ($22,680) range-topping trim levels. Some manufacturers make it easy to add heated seats, while others require multiple option packages. For example, the Kia Soul+ ($19,400) is available with heated/ventilated front bucket seats and heated rear seat bases, but the option package costs - $1,800 for the Audio package + $2,800 for the Primo package - blast it out of contention. The Hyundai Elantra Eco ($20,650), on the other hand, is equipped with heated front bucket seats as standard equipment.

Fiat 500 Lounge

The most expensive entry on our list of inexpensive cars with seat heaters is one of the smallest and most uniquely styled. Heated front bucket seats are standard in the 2017 FIAT 500 Lounge ($20,395). Occupants of the whimsically-named Fiat 500 Lounge bask in the sun under a fixed glass roof, while the Alpine audio system sets the mood. Distinctive leather-upholstered bucket seats feature 1-level seat heating. While the Fiat 500 Pop starts at just $16,995, you’ll need to opt for the Lounge trim to gain seat heating. The Fiat 500’s naturally-aspirated 1.4-liter engine and 5-speed manual transmission deliver an EPA-rated 31 city/40 highway miles per gallon. A drop-top Fiat 500 Cabrio Lounge with heated seats will set you back $24,495.

Photo by FIAT

Nissan Sentra SV

You’ll need to specify a pair of options packages to gain seat heaters on the 2017 Nissan Sentra SV ($18,790). The SV All-Weather Package ($300) includes heated front seats and dual power heated outside mirrors, but it requires the Driver’s Assist Package, which costs an additional $1,020. That’s $18,790 + $300 + $1,200 = $20,290 if you’re keeping score. The Driver’s Assist package is packed with valuable features, including NissanConnect with navigation and mobile apps, SiriusXM Traffic/Travel Link, and blind spot mirrors, along with rear cross traffic alert. The 2016 Nissan Sentra was rated a Top Safety Pick+ for 2016 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when equipped with optional front crash prevention. It’s EPA rated at 27 city/35 highway with a 6-speed manual and 29 city/37 highway with a CVT.

Photo by Nissan

Honda Fit EX-L

Widely renowned for its roomy and versatile interior, the five-door hatchback 2017 Honda Fit EX-L ($20,265) comes standard with two-level heated front bucket seats and leather upholstery. The EX-L model also includes a power moonroof, Honda LaneWatch, a multi-angle rearview camera, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, among other features. Unfortunately, heated seats are not offered with manual transmission Fits and are only available in the range-topping EX-L trim level. The 2017 Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and is EPA rated at 33 city/40 highway when equipped with the CVT automatic transmission. Fancy a Civic? You’ll need to opt for the EX-T ($21,500), as it’s the least expensive Civic sedan with heated front seats for 2017.

Photo by Honda

Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S

The 5-speed manual 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S sedan ($18,715) is available with heated front bucket seats as part of the affordably priced Cold Weather option package ($395), which also includes heated windshield washer nozzles. The Jetta S is upholstered in black and palladium gray cloth. It offers one of the roomiest interiors on our list of inexpensive cars with heated seats. The SE trim level ($20,895) features Titan Black or Cornsilk Beige V-Tex Leatherette upholstery and includes heated front seats, along with a rearview camera, blind spot mirrors, a sunroof, and a slew of additional features. The 2017 Jetta is EPA rated at 28 city/40 highway with the manual transmission. A 6-speed automatic adds $1100 and a turbodiesel (TDI) variant is not offered for 2017.

Photo by Volkswagen

Ford Focus SE

For a reasonable $19,160, you can equip the 2016 Ford Focus SE Sedan ($18,515) with the SE Cold Weather Package ($645) to gain heated mirrors, all-weather floor mats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, in addition to heated front bucket seats. Opt for the 5-door SE Hatchback for an additional $500. Choosing the Focus SE trim level adds the voice-activated SYNC infotainment system with six speakers (the Focus S trim level has a basic 4-speaker sound system). The 2016 Focus is EPA rated at 27 city/39 highway with the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter and 6-speed automatic transmission and 30 city/41 highway with the 6-speed manual transmission and optional 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

Photo by Ford

Chevrolet Sonic

Heated front seats are a $750 option in the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic LT manual sedan ($17,530) and LT automatic sedan ($18,170) and standard in the Sonic Premier manual sedan ($19,720). The 7-inch Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sonic was rated a Top Safety Pick for 2016 by the IIHS when equipped with optional front crash prevention. The Driver Confidence option package ($495) includes forward collision alert, rear park assist, and lane departure warning. The 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter 2017 Chevy Sonic is EPA rated at 28 city /38 highway miles per gallon with a 6-speed manual transmission. The naturally aspirated 1.8-liter is rated at 25 city/33 highway.

Photo by Chevrolet

Smart Prime Coupe

Need to sneak a car into the tightest city parking spaces? The remarkably tiny “micro-urban” Smart Prime Coupe might just be what you’re looking for. The 2017 Smart starts at just $14,650, but you’ll need to opt for the Prime Coupe ($17,490) or Proxy Coupe ($18,480) to gain heated seats. The Prime features a panoramic sunroof (lest you get claustrophobic) and black leather upholstery. Power is supplied by a turbocharged 3-cylinder that produces 89 horsepower. While the Smart’s turning radius is tight at 22.8 feet, it’s not as thrifty at the pump as you might think. It pays to do the math. The automatic is EPA rated at 34 city/39 highway miles per gallon and pricey 91 octane fuel is required.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Chevrolet Spark

The tiny 2017 Chevrolet Spark 2LT ($17,425) is one of the least expensive new cars equipped with heated front bucket seats as standard equipment. The Spark’s 7-inch Chevrolet MyLink touchscreen infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A rear vision camera is standard. The Driver Confidence option package ($195) includes lane departure warning and forward collision alert. The naturally aspirated 1.4-liter Spark is EPA rated at 30 city/39 highway with a 5-speed manual transmission and 30 city/38 highway with a CVT automatic. While the Spark is one of the cheapest new cars on the market with a starting price of $13,000, you’ll have to opt for the 2LT to get heated seats with leatherette upholstery.

Photo by Chevrolet

Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE

Front seat heaters are standard in the affordable 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE 4-door sedan ($16,995). The Mirage G4 SE features a 6.5-inch infotainment system with a standard rearview camera and is one of the most inexpensive vehicles to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the Mirage G4 SE is no speed demon, it’s remarkably fuel efficient. The 78-horsepower naturally aspirated 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine is mated to a CVT transmission and carries an EPA rating of 35 city/42 highway miles per gallon. Mitsubishi backs up the tiny engine with a generous 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. Call it cheap if you like, the Mirage G4 starts at a remarkably low $13,995.

Photo by Mitsubishi

Ford Fiesta SE

The 2017 Ford Fiesta SE sedan ($15,320) and 5-door hatchback ($15,620) manual are the least expensive new vehicles available with heated seats available in 2017. You’ll need to add the value-priced Comfort Package ($290) - which features 1-level seat heaters and heated side view mirrors - to stay warm and toasty. That works out to a total of $15,610 for the sedan and $15,910 for the 5-door hatch. Heated front seats are standard in top-of-the-line Fiesta Titanium sedan ($18,040) and hatchback ($18,340). A 6-speed automatic adds $1,095. The 201A Equipment Group ($995) includes sport cloth upholstery, adjustable driver’s lumbar support, and SYNC 3, along with a host of other features. The Fiesta SE is EPA rated at 28 city/36 highway miles per gallon with the 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

Photo by Ford