Mazda3 leads Kelley Blue Book list of 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000

(June 30, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — Affordable new cars have never been so cool, as detailed in this year's list of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000, hand-selected by the editors at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com.  The redesigned Mazda3 is number one for 2014, and it notably has been featured on KBB.com's annual affordable "cool cars" list every year of the vehicle's 11-year existence.

The Hyundai Veloster was rated number two and the Kia Soul number three.

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 y
ardstick.  Updated weekly and based on current market conditions like vehicle availability, local demand and seasonal buying trends, the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price shows shoppers what others have been paying for a new car recently and is included in KBB.com's Price Advisor tool, which provides range-based market pricing.

"Low-priced new cars are getting cooler with each passing year and the mass-appeal, bread-and-butter small cars are becoming increasingly stylish and tech-savvy," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. 

"On the strength of a well-received redesign for 2014, the Mazda3, which could be called king of the Coolest Cars Under $18,000, reclaims its spot at the top of our annual list.  Stylish and fun from day one, the Mazda3's engineering innovation that results in great benefits like high fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive make it cooler than ever."

KBB.com's 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 of 2014

Rank  2014 Model-Year Vehicle
1  Mazda3
2  Hyundai Veloster
3  Kia Soul
4  Honda Civic Coupe
5  Volkswagen Jetta
6  Fiat 500
7  Dodge Dart
8  Ford Fiesta
9  Chevrolet Sonic
10  Nissan Versa Note