Economy car is a term mostly used in the United States for cars designed for low-cost purchase and operation. Typical economy cars are small, lightweight, and inexpensive to both produce and purchase.
As of 2025[update], the Mitsubishi Mirage is the cheapest new car for sale in the US with a claimed 43 mpg‑US (5.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg‑imp)
1902 Oldsmobile Curved Dash runabout
Henry Ford with Model T, 1921
Ford assembly line, 1913. The magneto assembly line was the first.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is a range of cars produced by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi from 1978 until 2003 and again since 2012. The hatchback models produced between 1978 and 2003 were classified
Economy car
…As of 2025, the Mitsubishi Mirage is the cheapest new car for sale in the US with a claimed 43 mpg‑US (5.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg‑imp) Economy car is a term mostly used in the United States…
Mitsubishi Colt 1200 3-door (Europe)
1988 Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 GLX Automatic
Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (Europe, pre-facelift)