As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, many people will be rethinking their finances.
This includes what they want from the car, and will likely drive many people in the direction of lower-cost and more affordable models. While used cars might be more appealing in this respect, if you still want the comfort of a new car, and the benefit of a manufacturer warranty lasting for a minimum of three years, there are a number of options available for less than £15,000.
Here are the UK’s 10 most affordable cars.
1. Dacia Sandero – £12,595
Dacia has quickly built up a fantastic reputation for its cars low-cost and supreme value for money, and ever since the Renault-owned brand was introduced to the UK in 2013, its Sandero supermini has held the title as the UK’s most affordable new car.
While prices have risen in recent years to account for the fact its cars are now fitted with more equipment and safety equipment than ever, the Sandero remains an absolute bargain with its £12,595 starting price.
Enquire on a new Dacia Sandero2. MG3 – £13,295
In a similar vein to Dacia, MG is also known for its cars' superb value for money, and it’s little wonder that this is now one of the UK’s fastest-growing car brands. Its MG3 supermini, with its £13,295 starting price, also holds the position as Britain’s second cheapest new car.
The MG3 is surprisingly stylish considering its low price, while the level of equipment you get for your money is impressive – all versions come with 16-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. A seven-year warranty is also included.
Enquire on a new MG33. Kia Picanto – £13,400
You’ll also get a seven-year warranty with Kia’s compact Picanto – one of the best city cars on the market. Surprisingly spacious for its size, the Picanto is also good to drive and is offered in a host of different grades, all at affordable prices.
The £13,400 starting price will limit you to a low-spec ‘1’ model, so buying further up the grade ladder is recommended if you want features like alloy wheels and air conditioning.
Enquire on a new Kia Picanto4. Hyundai i10 – £13,430
The Hyundai i10 is a rough sibling to the Kia Picanto, but this city car is newer – in terms of generation – and brings a modern look and more current interior. You’ll also get more standard kit from it, too, including front and rear electric windows, lane assist and air conditioning.
The i10 is like a tardis inside too, offering levels of space more in-line with models from the class above, while also coming with Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
Enquire on a new Hyundai i105. Dacia Sandero Stepway – £13,795
If you like the value for money that the Sandero offers, but just find its looks a bit plain, it might be worth splashing out an additional £1,200 to get the Stepway version. Actually more popular than the regular Sandero, it offers chunkier looks thanks to its roof bars, raised suspension and plastic cladding.
Yet it retains the regular car’s spacious interior, solid interior feel and decent on-road manners, and makes it a fantastic low-cost option.
Enquire on a new Dacia Sandero Stepway6. Citroen C3 – £13,995
With Citroen discontinuing its low-cost C1 city car earlier in the year, it’s the C3 supermini that’s now this French firm’s most affordable car. Citroen also took this into account by introducing an entry-level trim, called the ‘You!’, which is £3,500 more affordable than the next available C3.
It’s only available through Citroen’s online store, though it still gets a decent level of kit, including LED headlights and a small five-inch touchscreen. You are, however, limited to the entry-level engine.
Enquire on a new Citroen C37. Volkswagen Up! – from £14,070
It might have been more than 10 years since the Volkswagen Up! made its debut, but this city car is still more than able to hold its own. The Up! looks the part, while offering an efficient petrol engine and is easy to drive as well.
For its £14,070 starting price, you still get a decent level of equipment, too, including 15-inch alloy wheels and a media display. More eye-catching Beats and R-Line versions are available for not too much more money as well.
Enquire on a new Volkswagen Up!8. Fiat Panda – from £14,485
Fiat has a fantastic reputation for offering low-cost cars for the masses, and the Panda is a fine example of this. It might be getting on a bit in age now, but where value and affordable motoring are concerned, it remains an attractive proposition.
Recent updates have now given the Panda further technology, including a seven-inch touchscreen on higher-spec models.
Enquire on a new Fiat PandaFiat 500 – from £14,990
But in Fiat’s line-up, it’s the 500 city car that dominates this brand’s sales. Famed for its styling, it remains hugely eye-catching, even many years after it first went on sale. It sneaks in at just under £15,000, though that will limit you to a low-spec ‘Pop’ model.
It does, however, come with a very efficient mild-hybrid powertrain as standard, which is able to return more than 60mpg and promises to be very frugal as a result.
Enquire on a new Fiat 500Dacia Duster – from £15,295
So far all of these models have been relatively compact choices. However, if you want something offering far more interior space for not a lot more money, you should take a look at the Dacia Duster.
It’s the UK’s most affordable new SUV, and packs a very sturdy and spacious interior with a big boot and lots of rear seat space. Its £15,295 starting price makes it remarkably cheap, though you are limited to an entry-level version that is relatively sparse on the equipment front.
Enquire on a new Dacia Duster
