10 Cheap, Bright and Colorful Cars

They say that money doesn’t buy happiness, but there’s nothing quite like driving off in a brand new car and knowing you got a good deal. Shopping for a cheap new car often means that the end result will be a compact or subcompact, but there are plenty of perks in the small car market these days. Auto manufacturers are proud of their stylish compact car offerings and have chosen exterior hues to help these models get the attention they deserve. Bright oranges, glossy purples, tart limes and other candy colors are all available on a budget of under $15,000, and bring a sense of whimsy to even the most bare-bones base models.

Let’s take a look at the best cheerful and colorful new cars in the $15,000 range, as well as a few other splurge-worthy compact cars at slightly higher price points.

The Mitsubishi Mirage was introduced for the 2014 model year, and at a base MSRP of $12,995, it’s one of the least expensive new cars in the United States. The 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage is a subcompact hatchback with room for five passengers, with a modest 74-horsepower, 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. The Mirage comes with a five-speed automatic transmission, but opting for the continuously variable automatic gearbox will boost fuel economy to 37 mpg city and 44 mpg. Those ratings are definitely something to smile about for new car shoppers on a tight budget. Even better, the cheap little 2015 Mirage boasts a great paint palette. Plasma Purple (pictured above) is one of the most unique and feminine colors available on the compact market, but Kiwi Green is a good option for the male demographic.

The 2015 Ford Fiesta proudly represents the brand’s under-$15,000 entry point, and also happens to be one of the best-handling cheap new cars out there, thanks to a smartly tuned suspension system. The five-seat Fiesta is available as a sedan, starting at $13,965, and a hatchback, starting at $14,365. Both models, in base trim, come with a 1.6-liter inline-four, paired to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. This motor puts out a competitive-for-the-class 120 horsepower and also offers solid fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg in stop-and-go traffic and 36 mpg in highway cruising. The 2015 Ford Fiesta features sporty styling to accentuate its athletic handling characteristics, all the better to show off bright colors like Blue Candy (pictured) and Green Envy.

At a starting MSRP of $20,700, the 2015 MINI Cooper is on the premium end of the compact car segment, and perhaps a bit beyond the budget of many new car shoppers. However, the MINI Cooper is practically an ode to happiness on wheels, and since its introduction, it’s been decorating the streets of the United States with enough paint colors to rival a Sherwin-Williams store. Even casual fans of the MINI brand have probably noticed that the color palette is refreshed frequently, so there’s always something to look forward to. This model year is no different, and the brightest options on the 2015 MINI Cooper are Volcanic Orange (pictured) and Electric Blue, both of which become an eye-catching blur when the 134-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine gets up to speed.

Launched in 2012, the Toyota Prius c represents the most affordable version of the brand’s acclaimed Prius hybrid lineup. Starting at $19,540, this subcompact hatchback is a cheap way to earn excellent fuel mileage as well as some environmentally friendly street cred. And it’s no accident that the 2015 Prius c comes in colors reminiscent of the local farmer’s market… or the beach. Juicy hues like Electric Lime Metallic (pictured), Sun Fusion, Tangerine Splash Pearl and Sparkling Sea Metallic make the Prius c a cheap and cheerful way to reap the benefits of EPA ratings of 53 mpg city and 46 mpg highway. That’s courtesy of the Toyota’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor pairing, matched with a continuously variable transmission. Time to round up four friends and head out for a picnic.

With its compact footprint, modest powerplant, and snug accommodations for four, it’s clear that the 2015 Chevrolet Spark is aimed squarely at urban commuters. And Chevy’s doing all it can to brighten up the urban landscape. It’s worth noting that in 2012, a metallic rosy shade named Techno Pink represented 10 percent of the Sparks on the road, and perhaps as a result of its success, it appears Chevy’s now embracing the softer side of brights. Lemonade and Grape Ice are mellow and distinctive, and Lime (pictured) offers a bit more saturation. Starting at $12,270, the 2015 Chevrolet Spark offers a humble 84 horsepower by way of a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. EPA ratings for the Spark check in at 31 mpg city, 39 mpg highway.

At a base price of $15,665, the two-door, four-seat Scion iQ is another affordable small car designed for city dwelling. It comes with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission, good for 94 horsepower, 36 mpg city, and 37 mpg highway. Hot Lava (pictured) is far and away the best color available on the 2015 Scion iQ. The subcompact hatch is cute on its own, but this not-quite-orange, not-quite-red shade is unlike anything else on the small car market and makes the Scion boldly stand out. And here’s a heads up — the slow-selling iQ will be discontinued after the 2015 model year, so it might be worth looking for the leftovers at a bargain.

The 2015 Honda CR-Z is another hybrid subcompact and, therefore, it also creeps above our $15,000 target. The two-seat 2015 CR-Z starts at $20,145, and provides 130 horsepower from its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor. Like most hybrids, it comes standard with an efficient continuously variable transmission. Unlike most hybrids, though, the CR-Z also offers a six-speed manual gearbox. True, the manual option will slightly erode the CR-Z’s fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, but when’s the last time a hybrid driver enjoyed fancy footwork with a clutch pedal? Look for the 2015 Honda CR-Z in glossy Deep Violet Pearl (pictured) to make this affordable little hatchback stand out from the bland and neutral crowd.

For the 2015 model year, the Kia Soul edged up to an MSRP of $15,190, but as the only crossover option on this list, it still might be worth considering. The Soul’s been known for its funky and fluid color menu since it arrived in the United States, and is perhaps best enjoyed in the popular Alien II (pictured) or Solar Yellow to get the full effect of the model’s upbeat personality. This cheap compact is fun inside, too. It provides seating for five, plus decent cargo space for the class, and its 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine provides 130 horsepower. Transmission offerings are a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, and fuel mileage is listed at 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

The 2015 FIAT 500 is another versatile and affordable subcompact car with a great range of colors to accentuate its sporty profile. In base trim, the FIAT 500 starts at $16,845, and that low cost of entry provides a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. With 101 horsepower, the FIAT 500 offers a spirited driving experience, yet it’s thrifty enough to squeeze out fuel economy of 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Shoppers might be tempted toward the popular Verde Chiaro, a stylish pale green that evokes the car’s unmistakable Italian heritage. But Giallo Moderna Perla (or Yellow Modern Pearl, pictured) and Rame (Copper) are sunnier alternatives. And the shimmery Verde Azzurro (Blue-Green) might as well have been dipped in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Honda Fit has been redesigned for the 2015 model year, and the subcompact hatchback is even better than before. The new and improved Fit checks in with an affordable base MSRP of $15,650 and comes in peppy eye-catching hues like Mystic Yellow Pearl (pictured) and Passion Berry Pearl. While the exterior choices alone are a compelling draw, at least from the outside, the cheap and colorful Honda Fit offers plenty of other perks to both driver and passengers. Believe it or not, there’s room inside for five, and a feature called Magic Seat creates enough flexibility to provide up to 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The Fit boasts 130 horsepower from its 1.5-liter four-cylinder, with fuel economy of up to 33 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. Transmission options are a six-speed manual and a continuously variable automatic.