Limited Options: The Last Affordable Car in the U.S. Faces Discontinuation

The Mitsubishi Mirage is now the only new car in the United States with an average sale price under $20,000, as Americans increasingly opt for SUVs and trucks over small cars. The Mirage, which costs less than half the average price of a new vehicle, is facing dwindling sales and potential discontinuation. The scarcity of small cars at dealerships, coupled with a pandemic-related chip shortage and the rising prices of new and used cars, has made it difficult for price-conscious buyers to find affordable options. While some other cars and SUVs have average prices slightly above $20,000, the days of the sub-$20,000 new car may be gone for good.