Getting a new car is exciting, but it can be costly. That's why many people choose to buy used cars instead. Some think that for the price of the cheapest new car, you could get a slightly used car with better features. But is this really the case and is this a wise move?
New cars bring a different kind of value and benefits. They come with a full warranty, offering a level of reassurance that a used car simply can't match. The fact that no one has driven them before is an added bonus. And in today's market, new cars are packed with features that make them hard to resist.
Our experts have looked at the cheapest cars in Britain and made a list of new vehicles that are good value for money. The news is even better if you're eligible for a Motorfinity discount. This special offer can make these new cars even cheaper.
Our experts evaluated these vehicles using parameters such as overall cost, price differences between trims, value for money, reliability, comfort, space, driving experience, fuel efficiency, safety, and running costs.
Britain's Cheapest New Car 2024
Dacia Sandero
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £13,795.00
Savings: £305.00
Motorfinity Price: £13,490.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £210.89
Make an Enquiry
Dacia Sandero is one of the cheapest new cars you can buy, yet it still offers good features and quality for the price.
There is no compromise on reliability. Dacia has a strong reputation as a brand, ranking 11th out of 32 brands on What Car reliability survey, outperforming many well-known car makers.
The ride is comfortable, adeptly smoothing out road imperfections. It's a car that's easy to handle, with a touch of excitement, appealing to a wide range of drivers and their needs.
Space is a priority, with ample room for both passengers and luggage, and boot space of 328 L and 1,108 L with seat area is surprisingly large for a compact car.
The Sandero's fuel efficiency is excellent for a vehicle of its class. The TCe 90 petrol engine version achieves 47.1 miles per gallon (mpg). A version that uses cheaper LPG fuel further lowers overall running costs.
The equipment and overall build quality are impressive in terms of price. Even the entry-level variant has cruise control and advanced safety features, making it an attractive choice.
Toyota Aygo X
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £16,140.00
Savings: £1,592.00
Motorfinity Price: £14,548.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £199.99
Make an Enquiry
The Aygo X offers unique, urban crossover styling, making it stand out in the small city car segment. It possesses all the characteristics that one wants from a city car.
The Aygo X's handling is among the best in its class. It offers nimble and responsive control, with light steering that instils confidence in your driving, especially for quick turns and parking.
Fuel efficiency is another strength. It achieves a real-world fuel economy of over 50 mpg, making it very competitive in its class.
.webp)
Like other Toyotas, there's no compromise on the driving experience despite being Toyota's cheapest car. It's very responsive in traffic, thanks to its small engine and lightweight, which make it agile in stop-start city driving. The ride is firm, and body control is suitable despite its height, minimising lean in corners.
As a Toyota product, it benefits from its reputation for reliability and quality.
Overall, the Aygo X is a compact package that's not just stylish, but also highly efficient. This makes it an excellent choice for users looking for a city car that's both economical and easy to drive.
Fiat Panda
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £0.00
Savings: £0.00
Motorfinity Price: £0.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: Not Available
Make an Enquiry
The Fiat Panda is another budget-friendly car on this list. It costs significantly less than many rivals and offers great overall value for money.
It's a fuel efficiency champion, with its mild hybrid engine achieving up to 58.9 mpg. This impressive economy not only helps you save more money on fuel but also gives you a sense of control over your expenses.
The Panda's unique style distinguishes it from standard boxy hatchback rivals in this budget. Its charming design stands out, giving it a distinctive personality.
The Panda is supreme for city and daily driving needs. Its light steering and compact size make it ideal for navigating tight city streets and parking in small spaces. The tall body and large windows provide excellent all-round visibility, easing manoeuvrability.
Lower cost doesn't mean less entertainment. Higher trims offer a user-friendly 7.0-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration.
Overall, the Panda offers a simple, cheerful, and affordable option for those seeking more than a basic runabout, with Italian flair.
Renault Clio
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £18,095.00
Savings: £2,246.00
Motorfinity Price: £15,849.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £256.61
Make an Enquiry
The Renault Clio is another affordable option that provides great overall value for money. It's one of the best-looking hatchbacks in this budget, with a stylish design that gives it a modern and fresh look.
Both the petrol and hybrid versions offer impressive fuel economy, with the hybrid achieving up to 67.3 mpg.
Even base models come with a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, while higher trims offer a larger 9.3-inch screen with crisp graphics.
The Renault Clio's build quality distinguishes it from competitors. It scores a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and has standard features like automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist.
The vehicle offers you the power of choice, with a selection between an efficient 1.0-litre petrol engine or a smooth 1.6-litre hybrid for better fuel economy, empowering you to choose the best option for your needs.
Practicality and comfort are top-notch. The Clio offers a surprisingly spacious boot for its class, with 391 litres of capacity in non-hybrid models. Its supportive seats enhance comfort.
Suzuki Swift
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £0.00
Savings: £0.00
Motorfinity Price: £0.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £187.19
Make an Enquiry
Despite its low cost, the Suzuki Swift offers fun driving and strong engine performance. It excels in fuel efficiency, with the 2WD manual version achieving 64.2 mpg officially and outperforming many rivals in real-world tests.
All versions include mild hybrid technology, featuring a small electric motor to assist the petrol engine and improve efficiency.
Quality is not compromised in the Suzuki Swift. Even the entry-level trim comes packed with 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ensuring you get all the essential features without any compromise.
The interior showcases an appealing blend of colours and textures, offering a cosy and intimate feel compared to other budget options.
Seat Ibiza
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £19,725.00
Savings: £2,974.00
Motorfinity Price: £16,751.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £244.94
Make an Enquiry
The Seat Ibiza needs to be on this list. It is one of the finest small cars, offering excellent handling, ample interior space, and low running costs.
It comes in various variants, all with unique characteristics. The 1.0 TSI 95 engine provides a good balance of performance and efficiency. At the same time, the SE Technology or FR trim levels offer the best value for money.
The Ibiza's practicality is class-leading. It's surprisingly roomy for a small car, especially in the rear seats. The 355-litre boot (expanding to 1,165 litres with seats folded) is one of the biggest in the small car class.
Fuel efficiency is also worth mentioning. The 1.0 TSI 95 variant achieves an impressive 54.0 mpg in real-world testing.
Citroen C3
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £0.00
Savings: £0.00
Motorfinity Price: £0.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £256.87
Make an Enquiry
If you're after distinctive styling, a vehicle well-suited for long drives, good visibility, and a complete practical package, all on an affordable budget, then the Citroen C3 is an appealing option.
A trait not commonly found in low-budget cars is their suitability for motorway or highway drives. The Citroen C3 is different. Its soft suspension provides a smooth motorway ride, making it an excellent long-distance companion.
Additionally, the 108bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine performs well with a 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds.
The C3's higher trims are well-equipped. The Plus and Max trims offer generous standard equipment, including a 7-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, and rear parking sensors.
Practicality is its USP, making it one of the most spacious cars in its segment. Both front and rear seats have plenty of head and leg room for tall occupants.
Citroen has a strong reputation as a reliable brand. The vehicle comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, with an extended five-year/100,000-mile warranty also available.
Mazda 2
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £18,625.00
Savings: £1,689.00
Motorfinity Price: £16,936.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £224.45
Make an Enquiry
The Mazda 2 is another appealing choice in the budget car segment. It is known for its fabulous handling, good looks, and enjoyable driving experience.
The Mazda 2 is built to meet every need. It offers multiple engine options, including three power outputs: 74bhp, 89bhp, and 113bhp, to suit different preferences.
Fuel efficiency is top-notch - the 89bhp and 113bhp engines are mild hybrid options, offering up to 60mpg on paper.
The Mazda 2 is undoubtedly one of the most stylish vehicles in this car segment. Its 2019 facelift addressed previous design issues. The new alloys and headlights make a strong statement. The design is modern yet unique, avoiding the copy-paste look of many hatchbacks in the market. It's simple but different and elegant, too.
Suzuki Ignis
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £0.00
Savings: £0.00
Motorfinity Price: £0.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £281.90
Make an Enquiry
The Suzuki Ignis, another car on this list that deserves praise, provides great value for money and reassures with its strong reliability. It offers impressive fuel efficiency, unique styling, an all-wheel drive option, mild hybrid technology, and solid build quality, making it a very appealing choice in the affordable car segment.
The car achieves real-world fuel efficiency of up to 54.5 mpg, making it very economical to run.
The equipment quality is top-notch. The top-spec SZ5 trim has many features, including keyless entry, climate control, sat nav, and advanced safety systems.
Being the cheapest small SUV in this price range also makes the Ignis an attractive choice. It gives buyers a break from the similarly designed hatchbacks primarily available in this budget.
_1682338311.jpg)
Seat Arona
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £25,875.00
Savings: £5,228.00
Motorfinity Price: £20,647.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £315.49
Make an Enquiry
If you're seeking a good driving experience and something different from standard hatchbacks within a limited budget, the Seat Arona should be on your shortlist.
This agile vehicle is more entertaining to drive than most of its direct rivals.
Good driving doesn't compromise comfort or practicality. The Arona offers more legroom than some competitors and has surprisingly roomy back seats for its class. Boot space is generous, too, with an impressive 400-litre capacity.
Fuel efficiency is noteworthy, with the 1.0 TSI 95 achieving 45.9mpg in real-world testing.
The interior quality is good. The Seat Arona received its facelift variant in the summer of 2021, which improved the interior material and overall quality.
The vehicle's forward visibility is impressive for its class, too. The higher trims also offer parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
Motorfinity and the Budget Cars
At Motorfinity, we provide exclusive discounts on brand-new hatchbacks for our eligible audience. You can save on average £7,000 on all hatchbacks makes and models.
Looking for a car that fits your budget? Explore our tailored deals across various price ranges. Whether you're searching for vehicles under £20,000, £30,000, £40,000, or £50,000, we have options to suit every budget. Browse our selection today
Searching for the best new car deals? Explore our comprehensive guide to July's top discounts and start saving big today!
Are you eligible?
Our nation’s Armed Forces, Veterans, Emergency Services, NHS, Police and Prison Services, the Education and Social Care sectors and more form our eligible audience.
Related Reads
Best New Cars for Under £40,000 in 2024 That Feel a Lot More Expensive
3 minutes
In the automotive world of 2023, a handful of brand-new car models have emerged as exceptional value, offering a driving experience and luxury typically associated with much higher price tags.
Read More
Affordable Family Cars 2024
Estimated Read Time: 2 minutes 30 sec
Explore the best affordable family cars of 2023 in our detailed review.
Read More
Cars Under 20k
This comprehensive list is compiled by the Motorfinity experts and includes a list of vehicles that fit your budget and that are not a trade off. These cars don't have any less features than high end cars, are comfortable to drive, have lots of extras, have excellent safety rating and YES do not feel cheap when you step into them.
Read More