Top 10 Cheapest Cars With Cooled Seats
As another summer of sticky backs arrives, you may want to consider a car with ventilated seats.
Here’s a list of the top ten most affordable cars with cooled seats, a feature that used to be reserved for high-end luxury cars. Now you can get them in just about any kind of car, with the most affordable car on this list costing barely over $25,000. Every entry on this list includes destination charges, too. Read on for the full, varied list.
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10. Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus: $36,875
Kicking off the list is the well-liked Mazda CX-5. Stretch to the S Premium Plus trim and you’ll have chilled buns. It’s important to point out the CX-5 is the only model on this list with standard AWD, too—though others can add it, sometimes still undercutting the Mazda.
9. Hyundai Sonata Limited: $36,240
Next on the list is an increasingly rare breed: the mid-sized sedan. Hyundai’s Sonata offers up ventilated seats in its top trim. It even gets a snazzy facelift for 2024.
8. Toyota Prius Limited: $35,560
Three different brands so far, as the next in line is the dramatic new Toyota Prius. Moving further upmarket as a sort of hybrid halo model, the stylish wedge offers cooled seats on the top Limited trim.
7. Kia Sportage SX Prestige: $35,115
The proliferation of the SUV means you’ve got a few options for ventilated—and elevated—seating. The Kia Sportage is next on the list, with its SX Prestige trim bringing the goods. You’ll have to pay an extra $1,800 if you want AWD, but that comes with another luxo feature: a heated windshield.
6. Chevrolet Equinox Premium (w/ Confidence and Convenience Package): $34,940
If all that matters to you is space and those ventilated seats, the Chevrolet Equinox is the lowest-priced SUV of its size on the list. You’ll have to spec the Confidence and Convenience Package, but that nets you useful driver assists and tech upgrades, too.
5. Kia Niro Hybrid SX: $33,915
A quick warning to readers: you’re entering the Kia zone. The Korean automaker is the undisputed champion of putting ventilated seats in more affordable automobiles. Four of the top five spots belong to Kia with the only other entry being… well, an unusual one. Starting Kia off is the Niro SX.
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4. Kia Seltos SX: $31,315
Freshly restyled for 2024, the Kia Seltos continues to pile on the value. The top SX trim lists for a hair under $30,000, or $31,315 once you factor in the mandatory destination charge.
3. Kia K5 EX: $30,315
Compared to the other mid-size sedans on this list, the Kia K5 is a downright bargain. That’s because the brand includes a cooled seat at a lower trim level, prioritizing a ventilated seat over some other equipment.
2. Chevrolet Camaro 2LT 2.0L Manual: $30,295
Yes, a muscle car breaks up the Kia-fest. While the Camaro isn’t long for this world, it continues to be an outstanding value, offering sports car performance for the price of an entry-level family SUV. The cheapest way into ventilated seats is the 2LT in manual, four-cylinder turbo coupe from, but you can always drop more on the auto, V6, or even the convertible.
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1. Kia Forte GT-Line w/ Premium and Sport Premium Packages: $25,715
The undisputed champion of cooled seat affordability is the Kia Forte. It undercuts the next least expensive car on this list by nearly $5,000. It is the only compact car on this list and is the definite gateway to a cool backside on a budget.
Recent Updates:
January 2019 – Updated article for relevancy.
November 11, 2021 – updated introduction for accuracy. Updated footer. Resized headings. Removed Nissan Maxima. Added Toyota Camry, Added Toyota RAV4. Updated Hyundai Sonata Image and text for accuracy. Removed Dodge Charger. Removed Jeep Compass. Added Mazda6. Update Ford Mustang Text and image for accuracy. Remove Kia Optima. Added Kia Niro. Removed Kia Soul. Updated Kia Sportage text and image for accuracy. Updated Hyundai Tucson image and text for accuracy. Added Kia K5. Update Kia Forte Image and Text for accuracy.
May 26, 2023 – Updated introduction for relevance. Dropped Camry, RAV4, Tucson, Mustang, and Mazda6; added CX-5, Prius, Equinox, Seltos, and Camaro.
A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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They are also if, like my husband, one has RA.
Are any of these actually cooled seats as in A/C cooling the air passed through or are they all just ventilated seats that have fans to circulate cabin air?