The 10 cheapest new cars you can buy - reviewed and rated (2024)

Version1.0 1 [4 seats]|List price£13,705|Target Price£13,387

The cheapest new car you canbuy in the UKis the Kia Picanto, and it's afinecar for the money.

It's good to drive, with tidy handling and a comfortable driving position, while the interior issmart to look at. As you might expect, the equipmentlist is fairly sparse (the entry-leveltrim doesn't even come withair conditioning). You do, however, get automatic lights, remote central locking and electric front windows as standard.

Despite being quiteunderpowered, the entry-level 66bhp 1.0-litre engine iscompellingthanks to its economical nature. But if your budget can stretch to it, we'd recommend going for the turbocharged 99bhp unit; it's noticeably quicker and much more flexible at low revs.

Read our in-depthKia Picantoreview

0-62mph: 11.6 sec

MPG/range: 52.3mpg

CO2 emissions: 109g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 328 litres

Insurance group: 14E

Version1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel Essential|List price£13,795|Target Price£13,569

The position of Britain's cheapest new car is constantly changing, and the Dacia Sandero is a car that's often found in the top spot. However, in this instance, the Kia Picanto has just topped it.

But what's the Sandero like? Well, it's actually abetter car than the Picanto. It's more practical andmore comfortable, while the entry-level trim is betterequipped;Essential trim comes withcruise control, front electric windows and air conditioning.

ThisBi-Fuel version can run alsoon cheaper liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)as well as regular unleaded, which means it should also be very cheap to run if you live near a petrol station that stocks it. It's worth notingthat Euro NCAPgave the Sandero just two stars for safety.

Read our in-depthDacia Sandero review

Version1.2 PureTechYou |List price£14,150|Target Price £14,150

Citroën recently added theentry-level You trim to the C3 range, and for the money, you get a stylish car inside and out.

However, because it's a stripped out version of the regularC3, the You versioncomes with very littleequipment as standard. The only 'luxuries' you get arecruise control, manual air-conditioning and heated side mirrors. The Dacia Sandero is far better value.

In other areas, the C3 is poor to drive, the entry-level engine is underpowered, and it'snot very practical. You also have to pay extra for some important safety kit, includingautomatic emergency braking (AEB).

Read our in-depthCitroën C3review

0-62mph: 10.9 sec

MPG/range: 43.3mpg

CO2 emissions: 147g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 285 litres

Insurance group: 7E

Version1.5 VTi-Tech Excite|List price£13,820|Target Price£13,326

The MG3 is very keenly priced – so much so that it's the cheapest car on this list with our Target Price discount factored in. Despite that, it'svery well equipped for the money;Excite trim includesan 8.0in touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and rear parking sensors as standard.

Mind you, the MG3 isheavily compromised inmanyother areas. For instance, the ride is bumpy and uncomfortable, while this entry-level engine is wheezy and not very economical. It also has a poor safety rating, havingscored just three starsall the way back in 2014 whenEuro NCAP safety tests where less stringent than today. It's worth noting that it's soon to be replaced by an all-new MG3 Hybrid.

Read our in-depthMG3review

Version1.0 Mild Hybrid Panda [Touchscreen] |List price£14,775|Target Price £14,123

The Panda has charminglooks and a low price, but it's very disappointing to drive. The mild hybrid engine is slow and unrefined, plus the bouncy and fidgety suspension meansit's quitewearing to drive on longer journeys.

Despite it's boxy shape, it's also not very practical. Okay, there's a good amount of head room for front and rear passengers, but leg room and boot space is pretty poor.The Hyundai i10 is more practical.

The worst thing about the Panda, though, is its abysmal safety rating; it wasgivenzero stars out of fivebyEuro NCAPin 2018. So,overall we'd recommendyou stay well clear of it.

Read our in-depthFiat Pandareview

Version1.0 TCe Essential |List price£15,295|Target Price£15,007

The Sandero Stepway is essentially aDacia Sanderobut with some extra ruggedness, including a moreheavily sculpted bonnet, roof rails, chunky plastic wheel arch extensions andan increased ride height.

Like the Sandero, it's a brilliant small car with aspacious interior for its size, a big boot and a comfortable ride. It also comes with a similar line-up or engines and trim levels. The version quoted here features an 89bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, which offersacceptable performance for the classwith a decent amount of low-end punch.

Essential trim offers the same amount of kit as the regular Sandero, which means you getcruise control, front electric windows and air conditioning as standard.

Read our in-depthDacia Sandero Stepwayreview

0-62mph: 12.6 sec

MPG/range: 51.4mpg

CO2 emissions: 125g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 252 litres

Insurance group: 6E

Version1.0Advance |List price£15,530|Target Price£14,767

The Hyundai i10 is one of the best small cars you can buy on a budget. No matter which version you go for, you get a relatively spacious andsmart-looking interiorand a comfortable ride.

It's also very practical for its size, with a good amount of leg room for rear passengers. The boot is a good size, too, althoughthe Kia Picanto's is ever so slightly bigger.

The entry-level 1.0-litrethree-cylinder petrol engine is strong enough in town and is efficient.Advancetrim comes with automatic lights, air conditioning,electric door-mirror adjustmentand a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearlever as standard.

Read our in-depthHyundai i10 review

0-62mph: 14.9 sec

MPG/range: 58.9mpg

CO2 emissions: 110g/km

Seats: 4

Boot: 226 litres

Insurance group: 6A

Version1.0 VVT-i Pure |List price£16,140|Target Price£15,003

From the pictures, it can be easy to mistake the Toyota Aygo X for a small SUV. However, in reality it's actually a small car in terms of its size.

Having been launched in 2022, the Aygo X is one of the newest small cars. As such, it comes withloads of safety kit as standard, includingautomatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keepassist and six airbags. The entry-level Pure trim is alsowell equipped, and comes withautomatic headlights, air conditioning and 7.0in touchscreen infotainment.

On the whole, the Aygo X is good to drive, with a tight turning circle and tidy handling. However, the 71bhp 1.0-litre engine isslow and unrefined.

Read our in-depthToyota Aygo X review

Version1.0 Mild Hybrid 500 |List price£16,800|Target Price £15,932

The petrol-poweredFiat 500 has been around for some time now, and it continues to be a stylish and economical small car.

However, it is starting to feel its age. On faster roads, for instance, the 500 feels very much out of its depthwith its roly-poly handling and an unsettled ride. The 1.0-litre mild hybrid engine also needs working hard to keep up with faster traffic.

In town,it's a different story. The 500 is very easy to drive, with thelight steering and small dimensions making itnice and easy to manoeuvre. No matter the environment, though, the 500 is uncomfortable(thanks to its awkward driving position) and not very practical.

Read our in-depthFiat 500 Hybridreview

0-62mph: 12.7 sec

MPG/range: 56.9mpg

CO2 emissions: 112g/km

Seats: 4

Boot: 260 litres

Insurance group: 21D

Version1.2 Dualjet 12V Hybrid SZ-T|List price£17,949|Target Price£17,518

If you're looking for a cheap small SUV, then the Suzuki Ignis is a great option. It's pretty tiny, but that doesn't mean it's cramped inside or poorly built. Indeed, the Ignis is surprisingly spacious for its size, plus it feelssolidly built – even ifthe interior materials are hardand scratchy.

The version quoted here is the entry-level car, which means it hasan 82bhp1.2-litrepetrol engine. Despite its modest power, it doesn't feel as slow as you mightthinkthanks to the mild hybridsystem, which uses a small electric motor to help boosttheengine at low revs.

SZ-T is our recommended trim,which includes a 7.0intouchscreen infotainment system, 16in alloy wheels, sliding rear seats and air-con. It's notthat wellequipped, but it does make the most of the Ignis's keen pricing.

Read our in-depthSuzuki Ignisreview

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