Inexpensive cars don't often get labeled as fun, but a new list from Kelley Blue Book picks 10 cars that may set the bar for how inexpensive cars get looked at.

Kelley Blue Book announced on Tuesday its list of the Top 10 coolest new cars under $18,000. Eight of the cars on this year's list are flexible five-door hatchbacks, or available as such. The collective options list includes navigation, hard-drive music storage, voice-controlled iPod integration, Bluetooth phone connectivity, push-button start and leather seating -- some of which were introduced on high-end luxury cars just a few years ago.

"The vehicles on our Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 list are very fun to drive and feature-filled; first-time buyers and frugal down-sizers have never had it so good," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. "Manufacturers are finding ways to nicely equip their entry-level vehicles while still keeping the price reasonably low, and consumers are reaping the benefits more and more each year."

In choosing the cars on the list, the Kelley Blue Book editors looked at safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort, technology, the vehicle’s fun-to-drive-factor, as well as the subjective "cool" factor. The editors compiled the list of qualifying vehicles using Kelley Blue Book’s New Car Blue Book Values, and every vehicle on the list can be purchased for less than $18,000.

The cars on this year's list are:

• 2008 Ford Focus
• 2008 Honda Fit
• 2008 Jeep Patriot
• 2008 Mazda3
• 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
• 2009 Pontiac Vibe
• 2008 Scion xB
• 2008 Subaru Impreza
• 2008 Suzuki SX4
• 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit