It’s exhausting to seek out somebody who doesn’t assume car costs are getting uncontrolled. Ever because the pandemic, the costs of each new and used vehicles have been skyrocketing, with American shoppers’ complete auto debt surging to $1.68 trillion on the finish of 2025—up 37% since 2018.
In keeping with Kelly Blue E-book, the typical value of a brand new automotive in Could was just over $49,000. CarGuru’s knowledge shows that the typical value for a used automotive is now topping out at greater than $29,000, as of July 6.
However what in the event you may get a brand new, totally electric vehicle for effectively under the typical value of a brand new and even used automotive—say, $13,995? The excellent news is you can now—however with some massive caveats.
Stellantis opens U.S. orders for its cute $13,995 Fiat Topolino EV
This week, Chrysler proprietor Stellantis announced it had opened orders for its 2026 Fiat Topolino. The automotive has a ton of enchantment, particularly in the event you like the kind of small micro-vehicles generally discovered on the streets of Italy and Japan.
However the perfect factor concerning the Fiat Topolino is its value. The lovable, tiny automotive begins at simply $13,995. It is available in two fashions: the usual Fiat Topolino with a tough high and doorways, or the Fiat Topolino Dolcevita, with a roll-back mushy high and ropes as a substitute of doorways. Each autos are additionally totally electrical.
Stellantis’ announcement that it was starting gross sales of the Fiat Topolino wasn’t surprising. Again in December, the Netherlands-headquartered firm announced it was bringing the micro car to the U.S.—and the corporate made the announcement only a week after President Donald Trump praised Japan’s tiny vehicles, known as kei vehicles.
“They’re very small. They’re actually cute,” Trump said of the vehicles on the time throughout a White Home assembly with automaker leaders, per CNBC.
Now for the catch
Sadly, whilst you can order the brand new Fiat Topolino for a producer’s advised retail value of simply $13,995, in its bare-bones state, you might be restricted to the place you may really drive it.
You see, at its $13,995 base value, the Fiat Topolino can solely attain speeds of 19 mph. Which means, legally, you may solely drive it on personal property, reminiscent of gated communities and resorts.
Nevertheless, Stellantis is providing a Low Pace Automobile (LSV) conversion equipment for the Topolino, which will likely be accessible by the top of summer season and can enhance its most pace to 25 mph. This selection will price one other $990, elevating the advised retail value of the Topolino to $14,985, notes CNBC.
Nevertheless, the LSV conversion additionally means the Topolino will change into avenue authorized on public roads with pace limits of 35 mph or much less. Even with the LSV conversion, you continue to aren’t going to be taking the tiny, cute automotive on the freeway, but it surely could possibly be the proper alternative for these in main cities like New York, the place pace limits are low and parking house is at a premium.
In case you assume the automotive could be a viable commuting choice for you, you may e-book a check drive at a neighborhood vendor by way of the FiatUSA website.
