Slideshow
The 10 cheapest new cars you can buy – reviewed and rated
Searching for a bargain? Look no further, because these 10 cars prove you can get something that's interesting, practical and fun at a still affordable price
Shafiq Abidin
Updated: 23 September 2026
The 10 cheapest new cars you can buy – reviewed and rated
Think buying a new car is expensive? Think again. Because as our list of Britain’s cheapest cars shows, there’s a huge selection of great options which won’t break the bank.
A new car is often considered to be the second-biggest purchase many of us will ever make, but it’s more than possible to buy a new car, ordered to your specification and with a full warranty, for under £20,000 right now.
The Dacia Spring is currently the cheapest of the lot, and can be had for a smidge under £12,000 thanks to the Government’s electric car grant. Even cheaper options do exist, such as the Citroen Ami and Fiat Topolino, but since these are quadricycles and not ‘true’ cars in a conventional sense, we’ve elected to leave them out.
There’s a whole host of new cars coming soon too, and many of them will be small cars and electric cars – such as the forthcoming Renault Twingo and Smart #2 – that will look to disrupt this very list. But for now, keep reading for a lowdown of the cheapest cars on sale in the UK, plus an overview of each car that we’ve gathered from our extensive tests.
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10: Fiat 500 Hybrid
Version Icon | List price £18,995
The Fiat 500 was actually taken off sale in 2024, with the brand wanting its famous city car to move forward as a pure-EV. It has since gone back on its decision, so alongside the 500e, you’ll now find this: the 500 Hybrid. It’s available with a 64bhp 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine and six-speed manual gearbox from the off.
The interior remains typical of we’ve come to expect from the 500 over the years: stylish, modern and with touches of retro goodness woven in. The view out is excellent, there’s splashes of funky colouring along the dashboard, the 10.3in infotainment system gets smartphone connectivity, and there’s a number of storage pockets dotted around the interior.
What's more, at the time of writing, Fiat is offering the Torino Launch Edition for the same price as the entry-level Icon. This limited-run model gains bespoke exterior styling elements, badging and woven fabric and vinyl seats.
10: Fiat 500 Hybrid
Strengths
- Stylish, well-thought-out interior
- A breeze to drive around town
- Good visibility
Weaknesses
- Only one engine and gearbox available
- Sluggish on country roads and motorways
- Tight rear seats and small boot
9: Citroën C3
Version Collection | List price £18,870
The Citroën C3 wears more of a SUV stance than many other cars on this list, although if it's a proper small SUV you're looking for, the combustion-powered C3 Aircross will be a better bet. It can't match the C3 on price, and you won't feel short-changed when you consider the amount of standard equipment you'll get for your money.
In entry-level Collection trim, that includes LED headlights, air-con, a rear parking camera and alloy wheels. Whichever version you choose, you'll enjoy a surprising amount of interior space, and a boot that's on par with the Renault Clio in terms of space.
On the road, the C3 places comfort over cornering, which on Britain's pothole-riddled streets, that's no bad thing. The entry-level engine is our pick of the range, because it's nippy enough around town, but has plenty in reserve for a motorway cruise.
9: Citroën C3
Strengths
- Cheaper to buy than many of its rivals
- Decent fuel economy, especially from the mild hybrid
- Good all-round practicality for the class
Weaknesses
- Not especially comfortable or fun to drive
- No Euro NCAP safety rating yet
- Boot would benefit from a false floor
8: BYD Dolphin Surf
Version Active | List price £18,675
The BYD Dolphin Surf is a small electric car which competes with the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03. And while it's more expensive than both, it’s also larger and makes for the better car.
There are some caveats to that, though. That's because the cheapest Dolphin Surf has a 30kWh battery which is good for 137 miles under official figures — less than the Spring (140 miles) and T03 (165 miles). If you can stretch a little further, the larger batteries in the Boost and Comfort trims bring a little more usability.
Still, the Dolphin Surf has a decent interior, its infotainment system is better than what you'll find in the Dacia and Leapmotor, and unlike those cars, the steering wheel adjusts for reach and height. It only has two seats in the rear, albeit with a lot of legroom back there.
8: BYD Dolphin Surf
Strengths
- One of the cheapest EVs on sale
- Bigger-battery versions have a respectable range
- Well-equipped from entry
Weaknesses
- Heavy predicted depreciation
- Feeble range of entry-level Active version
- Front space is slightly limited for taller drivers
7: Honda Super-N
Version Advance | List price £18,025
Widely considered to be the spiritual successor to the much-loved Honda E, the Super-N’s tiny dimensions and simulated gearbox make it one of the most fun small EVs around to drive. There’s a big blue ‘Boost’ button on the steering wheel too, which, when activated, jumps the Super-N up momentarily from 63bhp to a dizzying 94bhp – and that also slashes the 0-62mph time from 14.5secs to under 10.
So it’ll be a hoot on the road, but to live with? Things may get a little more complicated there. It offers a fairly restricted 128-mile range, and in the colder months, that’ll likely dip to under 100. The 162-litre boot is also quite small compared to key rivals like the BYD Dolphin Surf (308 litres) and Leapmotor T03 (210 litres).
If you can get on board with those drawbacks, the Super-N does have a lot of positives elsewhere though. Its single trim level comes incredibly well-equipped, featuring an excellent Bose speaker system, heated front seats, keyless entry and that funky purple paint. Oh, you’ll also benefit from an eight-year dealer-activated warranty.
7: Honda Super-N
Strengths
- Easy to park, with great visibility
- Low price, yet, generously equipped
- Ultra-flexible Magic rear seats
Weaknesses
- Limited sub-130-mile official range
- Tiny boot
- No Euro NCAP safety rating (and there probably won’t be one)
6: MG3
Version SE | List price £17,495
The reason small cars are being frozen out by manufacturers is because it’s hard to sell cheap cars profitably, and that makes MG’s decision to renew the MG3 for a third-generation all the more commendable. It hasn’t shied away with equipment for even the more modest trim levels, either.
You’ll find an entry-level with a 1.5-litre petrol engine for a little under £17,500, which produces 113bhp and allows for a 0-62mph time of 8.0sec flat. Not bad at all. But while it’s good in a straight line, the MG3 is less so elsewhere: the ride is firm, the steering feels a little slow and the engine can get noisy once you’re up to speed.
The MG3 does claw some points back in the cabin, where the fit and finish is tidy. Featuring a 10.25in touchscreen, you’ll even get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, bluetooth and sat-nav all as standard. Interested?
6: MG3
Strengths
- Attractively priced
- Interior looks fairly smart
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Disappointing to drive
- Rivals have bigger boots
- Very poor EuroNCAP testing result
5: Kia Picanto
Version Pure | List price £17,095
Petite, petrol-powered city cars are something of a rarity these days. The Hyundai i10 was phased out in early 2026; the Suzuki Ignis in 2025; and the Smart ForTwo in 2024. The Ford Fiesta and the VW UP! were retired even sooner than that. So it’s mighty impressive that the Kia Picanto is still left standing.
It’s doing more than just that, actually, because the Picanto was facelifted last year and now features more kit as standard. Those include an 8.0in infotainment system and 4.2in digital driver display, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity, and a whole host of safety technology. Fair to say, there’s a lot to like about the Picanto.
Although it's pretty underpowered, since its 1.0-litre three-cylinder produces just 62bhp, it's surprisingly fun to drive around the corners. The unconventionally tall but wedge shape makes it super agile. If your budget would allow however, we’d suggest opting for the 1.2-litre engine – it’s both quicker and more flexible at low revs.
5: Kia Picanto
Strengths
- Really tidy handling
- Decent real-world fuel economy
- Great infotainment and well-equipment as standard
Weaknesses
- Engine line-up is among the slowest of any new car
- Quite firm low-speed ride
- A Dacia Sandero is much roomier
4: Dacia Sandero Stepway
Version Essential | List price £16,065
Think Dacia Sandero, but…more. The Stepway sits higher up than the original car, and features a more sculpted bonnet, integrated skid plates and all-important roof rails. All these changes amount to a Sandero that, on face value at least, looks like it’s ready to conquer Everest.
And since it is effectively the same as the standard Sandero inside, it retains most of the admirable qualities: spacious interior, big boot, comfortable ride etc. Plus, the entry-level retains that Bi-Fuel 1.0-litre petrol engine, which means you can switch between LPG and unleaded at will.
Aside from its Spring-shaped sibling, the Stepway is also noticeably cheaper than similarly-themed small, high-riding hatchbacks like the Honda Jazz Crosstar. By over £6k where that particular example is concerned, no less.
4: Dacia Sandero Stepway
Strengths
- Comfortable ride
- Spacious interior
- Astonishing price
Weaknesses
- Poor safety rating
- Mainly cosmetic changes for the money over a regular Sandero
- Noisy TCe 90 engine
3: Dacia Sandero
Version Essential | List price £14,765
It has been almost two decades since the Dacia Sandero launched in Europe, and its metamorphosis has been incredible to watch. What was once the butt of the joke in the automotive kingdom was crowned Europe’s best-selling car overall in 2024 and 2025, and only the Renault Clio is currently standing in its way to a third successive crown.
The Sandero’s main strengths are that it’s frugal, spacious, practical and comfortable. Opt for the standard Essential trim and you’ll get cruise control, LED headlights and lightly tinted windows as part of a relatively thin kit list. Mechanically, this grade comes with a 99bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that can run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). If you live near a petrol pump that stocks this stuff, you’ll be saving a fair bit. Otherwise, regular unleaded will still work.
Unfortunately, the big drawback with the Sandero – and most Dacia models for that matter – is its safety rating: Euro NCAP awarded it just two stars back in 2021, despite sharing the same underpinnings as the Clio (since Renault owns Dacia). For all its qualities, this could be considered the achilles heel for the Sandero.
3: Dacia Sandero
Strengths
- Amazingly good value
- Lots of space for passengers and luggage
- Comfortable ride
Weaknesses
- Poor safety rating compared with rivals
- There are more entertaining small cars to drive
- Some other small cars are quieter
2: Leapmotor T03
Version 37.7kWh | List price £12,995 (includes £3000 manufacturer grant)
Expectations weren’t that high when the Leapmotor T03 landed in the UK last summer, but in the time since, this small electric car has displayed some admirable qualities. It’s comfortable, well equipped, has a surprising amount of head room and offers a competitive 165-mile range – and all that despite being the second-cheapest car on sale.
The trim lineup is refreshingly simple too, because the only option you’ve got consists of a 95bhp front-driven electric motor and a 36kWh battery. As mentioned, the range is good, but the acceleration… isn’t. 0-62mph takes 12.7secs, so you certainly won’t be troubling the fastest-accelerating cars on sale.
Stepping inside, the interior feels surprisingly airy – no doubt thanks to how tall it is – and you can actually fit two adults in the back. Everything within the T03 feels well-built too, and what’s more, you get an infotainment screen (10.0in) unlike in the Dacia Spring. It may cost around £1000 more than that car, but the T03 absolutely justifies the premium.
2: Leapmotor T03
Strengths
- Well priced
- Lots of standard kit
- Comfortable ride
Weaknesses
- Range suited to city drivers
- Not particularly fast
- Driving position could be better for taller drivers
1: Dacia Spring
Version Expression | List price £11,990 (includes £3750 manufacturer grant)
The cheapest electric ‘car’ per se that you can buy right now is the Dacia Spring. And guess what? It’s also an electric car. Oh, how the tables have turned. You’ll get a choice of two power levels - 70bhp or 100bhp - mated to a 26.8kWh (total) battery that delivers up to 140 miles of range. That’s more than the Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range (130 miles) but less than the Leapmotor T03 (165 miles).
It’s a sensible option for urban dwellers searching for a simple car, but do remember, it’s exactly that. So while the entry-level Expression trim comes with a 7in digital driver display, steel wheels and rear park assist, the air con and rear windows are both manually operated, and there’s no infotainment system.
The Spring isn’t great to drive either, suffering from vague steering and a poorly controlled suspension, while a 10-80% charge at a public CCS station takes a disappointing 45 minutes. Perhaps the biggest flaw with this car however is its safety rating. Euro NCAP gave it a one star in 2021, and despite updating the car since then, Dacia’s reluctance to get it re-tested speaks volumes about confidence.
1: Dacia Spring
Strengths
- Cheaper than other electric cars
- Range is enough for commuting
- Respectable performance around
Weaknesses
- Terrible safety rating
- Cramped interior
- Poor to drive
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