Top 25: Cheapest new cars on sale
If you’re looking for the cheapest new cars on sale in the UK today, you’ve found them. Here are the cars that won't break the bank to buy and make ideal first cars or urban runabouts.
Dacia Sandero
From: £6995
Set your expectations as low as the Sandero’s starting price and you’ll be amazed at how much better it is than that. The cheapest new car in the UK, it’s far from the tin box you might expect it to be. Solid, comfortable and actually well equipped further up the range, this Clio-based five-door is the cool face of austerity. However, in Access trim it lacks the kit we all take for granted nowadays - even a radio is optional.
Dacia Logan
From £8495
While the Logan loses out to the Sandero as the cheapest new car in the UK, it’s probably better value by virtue of its size. The Logan shares most of its parts with the Sandero, but it adds an enormous load space (573 litres, stretching to 1518 litres with the rear seats down), making it a fantastic no-nonsense estate.
Skoda Citigo
From £8890
The Skoda Citigo will be replaced by an electric model in 2020, but act quickly and you can still buy a petrol version of one of the best city cars on the market. Spacious, economical and fun to drive, even the base-model Citigo is all the car you really need.
MG3
From £9495
Forget about MG as a manufacturer of sports cars or rehashed Rovers; today it's a Chinese budget brand. The MG3 is its most affordable model, and it's actually pretty good. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is a little rough and ready but the interior's decent, and there are plenty of options to make it stand out.
Toyota Aygo
From £9825
The Toyota Aygo is quite a trendy little car, but that doesn't mean it isn't a sensible option too. It's reliable, and its 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is very economical in the real world. Combine that with a funky and practical interior and you could do a lot worse for the right side of £10,000.
Kia Picanto
From £9895
The Kia Picanto is one of the easiest small cars to recommend thanks to its spacious interior, generous equipment levels and lengthy warranty. It's not just on paper that the Picanto makes sense... it's surprisingly fun to drive and we like its quirky looks.
Mitsubishi Mirage
From £9999
The Mitsubishi Mirage is cheaper than it used to be and now has extra kit as standard. While there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the Mirage, it still feels like a dated design compared to competitive value-for-money rivals like the Kia Picanto.
Hyundai i10
From £10,025
There's a new Hyundai i10 on its way, but the outgoing model still feels well engineered, is fun to drive and is much better on the motorway than you'd expect a budget small car to be. Combine that with some tempting offers and a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, and the i10 has an awful lot going for it.
Fiat Panda
From £10,080
The current Fiat Panda has been on sale since 2012 and it's showing its age now. A zero-star Euro NCAP crash rating in 2018 really should have been its death knell, but it soldiers on. It's not all bad, though - it's cheap to run, there are some great finance deals to be had and it's surprisingly practical.
Citroen C1
From £10,270
Deciding between the Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108 comes down to personal preference. They're all very similar, sharing a platform and factory, but we like the C1's quirky styling. The 1.0-litre petrol engine is eager around town yet economical and surprisingly good on the motorway.
Volkswagen Up
From £10,480
The Volkswagen Up hasn't changed much since it was launched in 2012 but it's still one of the most desirable little cars on the market. With steel wheels, pop-out rear windows and a distinct lack of glossy plastic on the dashboard, the entry-level Take Up feels noticeably basic, but it's still a very refined and spacious car for the money.
Dacia Duster
From £10,995
Like all the cars featured here, the Duster's crept up in price in recent years. But it still offers incredible value, with a high driving position, a big boot and decent running costs. The interior is much better than it used to be, and there's a new entry-level TCe 100 petrol engine which ought to be pretty economical.
Ford Ka+
From £11,300
Unusually for an affordable Ford, the Ka+ has been a bit of a flop. It might be significantly cheaper than a Fiesta, but not enough to tempt buyers away from the UK's best-selling car. So much so that it's now being axed. Act quickly, though, and you might be able to get a good deal on a new one. It wouldn't be a bad purchase, with low running costs and a practical interior.
Fiat 500
From £12,165
The Fiat 500's been around in its current form for 10 years and we're not sure what buyers continue to see in it, but we're not a 17-year-old girl. It's not very practical and there are better value options out there, but it's still a very stylish car for the cash. Apparently.
Peugeot 108
From £12,265
Like the very similar Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo, the Peugoet 108 is a characterful city car that offers excellent value for money. Peugeot does a version with a full-length retractable cloth roof too, called Top, which is near enough a convertible – great for the summer months, without compromising boot space.
MG ZS
From £12,495
If you want as much physical car as possible for your money, the MG ZS is a very good choice. It's one of the few cars here up to the job of transporting a family, and standard equipment levels are pretty good. There's even an electric version with a range of 163 miles available for £21,995. No wonder thousands of buyers have already placed orders.
Skoda Fabia
From £12,535
Quite simply one of the best runabouts money can buy, owing to being really good at everything. It might not be as fashionable as the latest SEAT Ibiza or Ford Fiesta but the Fabia represents excellent value for money. We'd recommend upgrading to the SE trim for its alloy wheels, parking sensors and DAB radio.
Suzuki Ignis
From £12,999
The Suzuki Ignis is a quirky urban runaround with distinctive looks, a cleverly packaged interior and an economical 1.2-litre petrol engine. If you want to stand out from the crowd, the Ignis is an excellent choice, and there are some good savings to be had.
Suzuki Swift
From £12,999
We reckon the Suzuki Swift is one of the most overlooked small cars on the market. It might not be as plush as a Ford Fiesta, but it's not as expensive either. It's great to drive and you get loads of equipment for your money. It'll be reliable, too, and there are some good deals available. If you're on a budget, the Suzuki Swift is an excellent choice.
Renault Clio
From £14,295
There's a new Renault Clio now on sale and, while it might not look that different, it's a huge improvement over its dated predecessor. Even the cheapest model, the Clio Play, gets cruise control and electric front windows - although you'll need to upgrade to the Iconic for such treats as navigation and rear parking sensors.
SsangYong Tivoli
From £14,495
This could be the best budget crossover you've never heard of. SsangYong is a Korean firm, well loved by owners, and the Tivoli is its alternative to the Nissan Juke and Suzuki Vitara. As well as being a bargain price, it's more practical than rivals, and its seven-year warranty should put your mind at rest about buying from a brand you've never heard of.
Honda Jazz
From £14,760
We're big fans of the Honda Jazz. It's very versatile, with clever 'magic seats' and easy access. It'll be reliable, too, although we're a little disappointed that the Sport model introduced last year was short-lived. Exchange rates mean it's not a bargain in the same way as some cars featured here, but it's still cheaper than a Fiesta...
Fiat Tipo
From £14,905
Bigger than most of the cars featured here, the Tipo looks incredible value for money alongside cars like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. It feels a little old-fashioned but you'll struggle to spend more than £20,000 on a Tipo - and there's a constant supply of bargain pre-reg examples available.
Volkswagen Polo
From £15,045
The Volkswagen Polo has always been a strong choice for anyone wanting a well-made small car with a 'big car' feel. The latest model is particularly good, and needn't break the bank - with prices starting at around £15,000. You don't get much in the way of standard equipment for the kind of money, but even the entry-level Polo S is a good little car.
Vauxhall Corsa
From £15,550
There's a new Vauxhall Corsa now on sale, with prices starting at £15,550. Standard equipment for the entry-level SE model includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and a seven-inch touchscreen radio. That's pretty good.
