Kelley picks '10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000'

(June 20, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Shoppers in the market for a cool, affordable new car can get some help from the experts at Kelley Blue Book who have recommended  the "10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000."  Each year, the KBB.com editors collectively pool their wisdom and expert opinions as they choose the 10 coolest affordable new cars, and this year the 2013 Hyundai Veloster ranks number one on the list.

The Ford Focus finished second and the Kia Soul third.

"Quite frankly, automakers keep making it easier to pay them less," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. "While many inexpensive cars are
decidedly uncool, the world's manufacturers are putting more personality and distinction into their lower-priced offerings. 

"Not only have small cars never looked so good, but they have also never been more filled with cool content.  Take the Hyundai Veloster that is No. 1 on our list this year because of its its highly unique exterior design coupled with a stylish and tech-laden interior."

Two criteria — fun-to-drive and fun-to-own — are critical among the deciding factors of what the editors freely admit is a very subjective "cool factor," the over-arching number-one criterion for a vehicle to place on this list. 

Each vehicle is available for purchase at $18,000 or less, using Kelley Blue Book's exclusive Fair Purchase Price as the yardstick (Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price is the price consumers typically are paying a dealer for a new car, based on actual new-vehicle transactions and adjusted regularly for changing market conditions).

KBB.com's 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 of 2013:

1. Hyundai Veloster, 2. Ford Focus, 3. Kia Soul, 4. Honda Fit, 5. Dodge Dart, 6. Mazda3, 7. Fiat 500, 8. Volkswagen Jetta, 9. Honda Civic, 10. Chevrolet Spark.