The team at KBB (Kelley Blue Book) has just put together a top-ten of what its specialists believe are the ten coolest cars one can buy for under $18,000. It’s straightforward sounding enough, and the cars it highlights may surprise some, like its tenth place contender, the Nissan Versa Note, which is deemed ‘cool’ because it’s “exceptionally roomy and flexible.”

At number nine, they place the Chevy Sonic and praise it for being more fun to drive than most of its competitors and for the feeling it exudes while behind the wheel, that of being a larger car than it actually is.

Number eight is the Ford Fiesta, for reasons Europeans have known for a while now, followed by the Dodge Dart, in regards to which they say “most of the cool comes from the inside” – the design, tech and quality materials stand out here.

Next up, at number six, they rate the Fiat 500 for having real character and costing less than a MINI. The VW Jetta places fifth for being “the most affordable European sedan” on the market. One step up from the Jetta, we have the Honda Civic Coupe which they say is cool for being a two-door based on an already cool four door.

KBB’s top three is completed by the quirky and tech-filled Kia Soul, the bold and asymmetrical Hyundai Veloster and, at number one, the excellent all-new Mazda 3.

Obviously, if you feel like they missed any models you think are worthy of being added to this list or if any cars seem out of place, the comments section follows below.

By Andrei Nedelea

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