10 of the Cheapest Cars and Crossovers With Adaptive Cruise Control
Cruise with confidence, even if you have to stick to a budget.
Nissan
Adaptive cruise control is an unsung hero when it comes to tedious commutes or long road trips. It allows you to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead, and in some cases, it can even bring you to a complete stop if necessary. While this technology used to be reserved for luxury and high-end vehicles, it has trickled down to more affordable, mainstream rides. You can find several cars that include the feature for less than $30,000. Here's a rundown of some of the most affordable new vehicles with adaptive cruise control.
Hyundai
2023 Hyundai Elantra SEL with Convenience package, $26,000
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is a decent all-around sedan, but its appeal is the equipment on mid-trim models. Adaptive cruise control is only available on SEL models equipped with the $1,900 Convenience package, allowing the four-door to cruise in style.
Honda
2023 Honda Civic | Civic Hatchback LX $25,000 / $26,000
The latest version of the Honda Civic is notable for plenty of reasons, including its funky cabin design and fuel-friendly powertrain, but today we'll focus on its standard Honda Sensing technology. This suite of safety features includes the handy adaptive cruise control. Not only is the four-door Civic sedan a bargain at about $25,000, but the slightly more practical hatchback version is a similar deal, coming in at just $1,000 more, and it also includes the feature.
Toyota
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross L, $24,000
The Toyota Corolla Cross is relatively new on the scene, but it packs lots of cool tech into an affordable package. The entry-level Corolla Cross L costs about $24,000 and includes Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of driver-assist features. One of the standout components is the dynamic radar cruise control, which is Toyota's name for adaptive cruise control.
Mazda
2023 Mazda 3 Sedan 2.5, $24,000 | 2023 Mazda 3 Hatch 2.5, $25,000
Don't forget about the Mazda 3, which has an entry-level price just north of $22,000. That 191-hp 2.5-liter-equipped model may not be as fast or exciting as the turbo model, but it includes adaptive cruise control as standard equipment. If a hatchback better suits your lifestyle, then don't sleep on the Mazda 3 Hatchback, which starts around $25,000.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Kicks SV, $24,000
Nissan is a champion of cheap and cheerful rides, and the Kicks crossover is one of the more practical offerings. While base models are fairly spartan in terms of equipment, upgrading to the SV trim includes features like adaptive cruise control. Not bad at all for under $24,000. While the 122-hp engine may sound a bit limiting, the Kicks weighs just under 2,700 pounds, making it fairly efficient and responsive.
Kia
2023 Kia Forte GT Line with GT-Line Technology Package, $23,000
Kia has built a reputation for offering well-packaged cars for a relatively low price. The compact Kia Forte starts at around $20,000, but shoppers looking for adaptive cruise control must upgrade to the GT-Line model and add on the GT-Line Technology Package. However, don't mistake the GT-Line for the actual GT model, as the GT-Line features a 147-hp engine, while the GT packs a turbocharged 1.6-liter that puts out 201 ponies.
Toyota
2023 Toyota Corolla LE, $23,000 | 2023 Corolla Hatchback SE $24,000
The basic Toyota Corolla LE with its 169-hp 2.0-liter engine may sound like a penalty box, but fortunately, it includes adaptive cruise control as standard equipment. That's a nice surprise considering the $23,000 price tag. Available in sedan or hatchback form the Corolla is efficient and capable in traffic.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Sentra SV, $22,000
The Nissan Sentra can be easily forgotten among its higher-profile rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. But to keep it competitive, Nissan is offering technology including adaptive cruise control, though you'll have to spring for the $22,000 SV trim to get it. Even though the Nissan compact has just 149 horsepower, it can net 39 mpg on the highway, while featuring a budget-friendly price.
Subaru
2023 Subaru Impreza Sedan CVT, $22,000 | 2023 Subaru Impreza Hatchback CVT, $23,000
The Subaru Impreza is another oft-forgotten offering in the compact car segment. However, all CVT-equipped Impreza sedans and hatchbacks include the safety system known as EyeSight. EyeSight makes use of two cameras mounted in the windshield to provide several safety aids and driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control. While the Impreza can be considered a bit bland, it is impressive that Subaru can offer tech like this in both the sedan and hatchback models for just over $22,000 and under $23,000, respectively.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Versa SR, $21,000
Finally, the most affordable vehicle with adaptive cruise control is the Nissan Versa. However, not every version of the Versa includes the feature. You have to spring for the higher SR trim, which brings the total price to nearly $21,000, which is almost $4,000 more than the base Versa S.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Sami Haj-Assaad is an award-winning automotive journalist who has contributed to several automotive, electric vehicle, luxury lifestyle, and technology publications. His work isn't just limited to the written word, as he's also hosted YouTube videos and podcasts. Having grown up in the '90s, he has a strong sense of attachment to that era's style, though he also loves to geek out about the modern, futuristic tech and powertrains rolling out today.
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