These cars are cheaper in America than a Volkswagen Polo in the Netherlands

Euro value falls

The euro is doing badly. At the time of writing, the European currency has fallen to exactly $1.0000. In short: 1 euro is worth exactly the same amount as 1 dollar. The last time the coins were worth the same amount was in 2002. After that, the euro grew into a strong currency and was always worth more than a U.S. dollar.

Compare prices

Now that both currencies are worth the same amount, you can easily compare prices of goods in America and Europe. In some cases, that hurts as a European. For example, the euro’s steep decline became painfully obvious when Apple announced the prices of the latest iPhone in September. Due to the current status of the euro, Apple has significantly increased the price of iPhones in euros so that the profit on a phone remains the same. In America, the iPhone 14 retains the same suggested retail price of $799 – that is, $799 converted – as last year’s iPhone 13. In the Netherlands, however, the tech giant is asking a minimum of 1019 euros for their new phone, while last year you could walk out of a Dutch Apple Store with a new iPhone for 909 euros.

A lot of car for little money

But let’s talk about cars. What do you get in the US if you go car shopping on a budget of up to 26,000 euros, i.e. $26,000? That’s about the minimum price you have to pay for a Volkswagen Polo in the Netherlands. We list the U.S. offerings of the five major brands by volume.

Nissan

Nissan has been doing well in the US for years. Last year, the Japanese automaker sold 919,090 cars there. This makes it the fifth largest brand in the country by volume. Five models start under $25,000 at Nissan USA. The Nissan Versa is the absolute entry-level car, with a starting price of $15,580. The Sentra ($19,950), Kicks ($20,290), Altima ($24,900) and the Rogue Sport ($24,960) also have friendly starting prices. If you live in the right state, you can also get a Nissan Leaf for a low amount. Some states subsidize electric cars so much that you can score a Leaf for 20,300 euros.

Honda

In Europe, Honda seems to be giving up the fight. The brand still offers five models in the Netherlands, but when was the last time you saw a brand new Honda on the road? We do understand that the Japanese are setting almost all their sights on America, because there the brand is number four in terms of the number of cars sold. Americans have a choice of 13 Honda models. The Civic is the cheapest, with a starting price of $22,550. In the Netherlands, you have to put down at least 35,680 euros for a Civic. Other models with starting prices under $26,000 include the Civic Hatchback ($23,550), HR-V ($23,650) and the Honda Insight ($25,760).

Chevrolet

At Chevy, a budget of about $25,000 gives you a choice of five models: the Spark ($13,600), Malibu ($23,400), Trax ($21,700), Trailblazer ($22,100) and the Colorado ($25,735). A tough Chevrolet Camero falls just outside, with a starting price of $26,100. It remains an extraordinary thought, a Camero almost as expensive as a Volkswagen Polo in the Netherlands. The best-selling Chevy model is, of course, a pickup. 519,774 Americans transferred at least 30,400 euros for a Silverado in 2021.

Ford USA

At Ford USA, for over $25,000, you can choose from three models: the Ecosport, Maverick and Ranger. Two of these three models you can also get in our country, the Ecosport (NL price: 30,640 euros) and the Ranger (39,330). The Dutch price of the Ranger excludes VAT and BPM. In America, Ford charges $22,040 for an Ecosport and $25,980 for a Ranger. For the Ranger’s “little” brother, the Maverick, Americans must put down $20,995. For an extra $435, you get a 250-hp 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder in this pickup, which is also in a base Mustang and the Ford Focus ST. By the way, for a Mustang in America you pay a minimum of 27,470 euros.

Toyota

Kia has been the best-selling car brand in the Netherlands since 2020; in America it is almost always Toyota. In 2021, the brand sold 1,933,099 cars in the USA. At Toyota, the U.S. price list begins with the Corolla. Pretty much bang for the buck, then. We in the Netherlands can only dream of a four-door sedan with a neat luggage compartment for only $20,425 – again, thou euro. In the Netherlands, you pay half as much for this model. The Corolla Hatchback, Corolla Cross, Corolla Hybrid, C-HR, Prius and Camry are also on sale in the USA under $26,000. No wonder you find a Toyota on every street corner in that country. However, a budget pickup does not have the brand there. Americans should transfer at least 27,000 euros to the local Toyota dealer for a Tacoma. Ah, for that money you can’t even get a small mid-size car in the Netherlands.