You might think saving money on a new car puts the brakes on getting something truly cool to drive, but rest assured, affordable and cool can live in harmony.

That's the thinking behind Kelley Blue Book's 2009 list of the "Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000."

The cars that made this year's list -- typically a gas-sipping and obviously affordable bunch -- are cooler than they have ever been, said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's Web site.

"The auto manufacturers have made the low-priced segments the most personality-filled in the industry," Nerad said. "In addition to cool, affordable rides that are loaded with technology and amenities, shoppers have more opportunities than ever to choose a car that reflects their individual lifestyle for 2009."

Nine of the 10 cars on this year's list are flexible five-door hatchbacks, or available as such, and two of the models are all-wheel-drive, 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.

For 2009, three vehicles -- the Kia Soul, Nissan Cube and smart fortwo -- are new to the list, and two of this year's repeat winners -- the Honda Fit and Mazda3 -- have undergone redesigns. The Mazda3 is the only model that can boast about being named a Coolest New Car Under $18,000 for six years in a row, which also is every year since the car's inception.

Besides the Soul, Cube, fortwo, Fit and Mazda3, the rest of the list includes the Ford Focus, Scion xB, Subaru Impreza, Suzuki SX4 and Volkswagen Rabbit.