Every Brand’s Cheapest Car on PCP: M to V

Model:                   Mazda 2

Trim/Engine:          Centre-Line, SkyActive-G 1.5 (petrol, mild hybrid)

Price When New:   £17,765

Upfront Deposit:     £1,800

Monthly Price:           £275

Final Payment:          £8,900

Overview:

The Mazda 2 is a decent little motor with plenty to offer. Although there are rivals that are more practical, more comfortable and offer better handling, the Mazda 2 comes well-equipped, offering 15-inch alloys, climate control, cruise control, power-folding door mirrors and an eight-inch infotainment screen with SatNav. The entry-level 1.5-litre engine delivers impressive fuel economy, but it's relatively underpowered. Nevertheless, it'll still be suitable for driving in rush hour; the school runs and popping into town. The interior is nice, but most of its competitors have more to offer.

Model:                             A-Class (Hatchback)

Trim/Engine:               Sport Executive, A180 1.3 (petrol, mild-hybrid)

Price When New:   £31,905

Upfront Deposit:     £3,200

Monthly Price:           £495

Final Payment:          £15,950

Overview:

The Mercedes A-Class is a desirable and much-improved car, offering family-friendliness with a performance feel. Entry-level Sport Executive trim comes well-equipped as standard. It offers 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, power-folding door mirrors, two 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster housed in one unit, a wireless charger, heated front seats, reversing camera and 64-colour ambient lighting, plus a leather sports steering wheel. The Benz offers decent handling and a comfortable ride, and the 1.3-litre engine is reasonably good, albeit not especially powerful. It comes with an automatic gearbox, too. Of course, given it has a Merc badge on the front, the model is expensive, but it's a very tempting purchase for some.

Model:                   MG3

Trim/Engine:          Excite, 1.5 VTI-tech (petrol)

Price When New:   £13,820

Upfront Deposit:     £1,400

Monthly Price:           £214

Final Payment:          £6,900

Overview:

MG has raised eyebrows recently with some of its newer vehicles, especially the all-electric MG4. The MG3, though, pre-dates that success and lacks most of the MG4's impressive traits. As a result, it’s difficult to recommend it. Its successor, reportedly arriving at the end of 2024, will hopefully exceed it in every way. It’s reasonably good-looking, nevertheless, and you still get 16-inch alloys, electric windows, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, air conditioning and rear parking sensors. The 1.5-litre engine isn’t anything to write about, though it should be fine if most of your journeys are made in heavier traffic. The interior is short on luxury but still looks nice, but rivals offer superior ride comfort.

Model:                   MINI 3-Door Hatch

Trim/Engine:          Cooper Classic, 1.5 (petrol)

Price When New:   £22,935

Upfront Deposit:     £2,300

Monthly Price:           £356

Final Payment:          £11,450

Overview:

The Mini might not be all that small anymore, but it’s still a desirable car that uses plenty of tech from parent company BMW. It’s got a nice interior and gets 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, an 8.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, digital radio, air conditioning and electric windows. The 1.5-litre unit is turbocharged and performs well, with 135PS and a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds. It's reasonably economical, handles well, and even though some of its foes have superior practicality, it's a decent motor. But bear in mind it's only a four-seater! If you need more, there’s a five-door version, which adds £660 to the sticker price.

Model:                   Juke

Trim/Engine:          Visia, DIG-T 114 (petrol)

Price When New:   £20,985

Upfront Deposit:     £2,100

Monthly Price:       £326

Final Payment:          £10,500

Overview:

Nissan’s Juke combines funky looks with practicality and quality. Entry-level Visia trim gets 16-inch steel wheels, a basic infotainment system with digital radio, Bluetooth, USB charger, cruise control and LED headlights. The 1.0-litre engine has 113PS and is quite pokey, given its small size. The Juke's handling isn't bad, nor is the ride comfort, but some of its competitors can beat it in both categories. The Juke ticks plenty of boxes, and although it’s not class-leading in any particular area, it’s got plenty of personality and comes reasonably well-equipped as standard.

Model:                   208

Trim/Engine:          Active Premium Plus, 1.2 Puretech 75 (petrol)

Price When New:   £20,360

Upfront Deposit:     £2,050

Monthly Price:           £316

Final Payment:          £10,200

Overview:

Nowadays, the Peugeot 208 has transformed into a beautiful vehicle, with an aggressive, sporty front end featuring claw-like day-running lights. It’s no wonder it was named Europe’s best-selling car earlier this year. At entry-level, the 208 comes generously equipped, featuring 16-inch alloys, automatic air conditioning, power-folding door mirrors, automatic headlights and wipers, a seven-inch touchscreen with SatNav, voice control and digital radio, plus leather steering wheel, automatic air conditioning and a 3.5-inch digital instrument display. The engine is a little underpowered, but it’s economical, while the 208 provides a comfortable ride, though some of its competitors are more fun.

Model:                             718 Cayman

Trim/Engine:               718 Cayman, 2.0 (petrol)

Price When New:    £51,800

Upfront Deposit:      £5,200

Monthly Price:           £802

Final Payment:          £26,000

Overview:      

The Porsche Cayman is an excellent small car that provides an entry point into the German sportscar manufacturer’s repertoire for a bargain price – or at least, ‘bargain’ in Porsche terms. Porsche doesn’t do trim levels as such, though. You have a base spec and then pick from hundreds of add-ons. If you resist those, then you’ll get 18-inch alloys, two-way electrically adjustable Race-Tex sports seats, Bi-Xenon headlights, a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with SatNav plus 300PS from its 2.0-litre turbocharged lump and a 0-60mph time of 4.6-seconds. It’s great to drive, too, with excellent handling and lots of grip, though, of course, it’s short on practicality, given it’s only a two-seater.

Model:                   Clio

Trim/Engine:          Evolution, TCe 90 (petrol)

Price When New:   £19,095

Upfront Deposit:     £1,900

Monthly Price:           £297

Final Payment:          £9,550

Overview:

The Renault Clio is an excellent jack of all trades. While that also means it's a master of none, that's a harsh assessment as it's got loads going in its favour. It has quirky-ish looks, and although the 1.0-litre engine needs to be worked hard to get any performance out of it, it’s fine for the school run and as an around-town runabout. At entry-level, it comes generously equipped with 16-inch alloys, a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with SatNav, cruise control, automatic wipers and tinted rear windows. It’s not the quickest nor the most fun to drive, but it handles reasonably well and is pretty comfortable, though some of its challengers offer more boot space. The Clio is due a facelift very soon.

Model: Ibiza

Trim/Engine: SE, 100 MPI 80PS (petrol)

Price When New: £18,595

Upfront Deposit:  £1,850

Monthly Price: £289

Final Payment: £9,300

Overview:

The SEAT Ibiza is an admirable small car, boasting sharp handling and a spacious, well-designed, modern cabin. The 80PS powerplant is strong for its size, but those whose commute includes motorway driving will find it a tad underpowered, though at least it’s economical. It comes well-equipped, with 15-inch alloys as standard, air conditioning, an 8.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with DAB radio and electric front windows. It's, without a doubt, one of the best small hatchbacks on the market today.

Model: Fabia

Trim/Engine: SE Comfort, 1.0 MPI 80PS (petrol)

Price When New: £18,600

Upfront Deposit:  £1,850

Monthly Price: £289

Final Payment: £9,300

Overview:

The Skoda Fabia may not be the prettiest motor on the road, but it’s got chiselled, shapely proportions which give it a sporty look. Sadly, the interior is somewhat dated, but it still comes with a generous equipment list as standard, with entry-level SE Comfort getting 15-inch alloys, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with digital radio, height adjustable front seats with lumbar support, LED front lights, grey fabric seats and a leather steering wheel. The 1.0-litre petrol engine isn't rapid, and it isn't entertaining to drive, but it’s good enough for low-speed journeys and, with a big boot and a spacious cabin, it’s got practicality in spades.

Model: EQ ForTwo

Trim/Engine: Premium, 82PS (electric)

Price When New: £22,225

Upfront Deposit:  £2,200

Monthly Price: £346

Final Payment: £11,100

Overview:

We’ve talked a lot about small cars, but the Smart EQ ForTwo is tiny. As a result, it’s only big enough for two seats (as its name suggests) though the boot space is on par with the Hyundai i10. It's reasonably cheap and is easy to thread through busy town centres. Entry-level Premium gets a nice but small interior. It comes with a superb level of equipment, including 16-inch alloys, electrically adjustable door mirrors, a panoramic roof, a multi-function steering wheel, heated seats, reversing camera, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with digital radio and a 3.5-inch digital instrument cluster. Its range, however, is just 81 miles from a full charge of its 17.6kWh battery (60 is more realistic in practice). It feels quicker than it is, but its handling and ride comfort isn't on par with its competitors.

Model: Tivoli

Trim/Engine: Ventura, 1.5 (petrol)

Price When New: £20,055

Upfront Deposit:  £2,000

Monthly Price: £311

Final Payment: £10,050

Overview:

The Ssangyong Tivoli is a left-field choice, but this small crossover SUV promises much on a relatively modest budget. The entry-level model gets 16-inch alloys, leather-look and cloth seats, rear parking sensors, and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with a digital radio. It also boasts keyless entry, electric windows, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control, power-folding door mirrors, air conditioning, a heated steering wheel, front seat warmers plus a leather covered steering wheel and gear lever. It’s got plenty of poke thanks to its 162PS turbocharged unit. There’s plenty of room inside, too, but many rivals can still beat it for quality, handling, spaciousness, economy and ride comfort.

Model: XV

Trim/Engine: SE, 2.0i E-Boxer (petrol, self-charging hybrid)

Price When New: £33,195

Upfront Deposit:  £3,300

Monthly Price: £507

Final Payment: £16,600

Overview:

The Subaru XV isn’t the best-looking car, but it’s a highly functional all-wheel drive crossover SUV that’s very well-equipped at entry-level. You get 18-inch alloys, automatic wipers and LED headlights, power-folding door mirrors, a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, and aluminium pedals. The car also vaunts heated six-way (driver) and four-way (front passenger) adjustable seats, electric windows, dual-zone air conditioning, paddle shifters and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with digital radio plus a 4.3-inch digital instrument display. It handles well, though despite having 150PS, it could be pacier given its ‘keen-driver’ characteristics. Some of its rivals have bigger boots, too.

Model: Swift

Trim/Engine: SZ-L, 1.2 Dualjet (petrol, mild-hybrid)

Price When New: £16,599

Upfront Deposit:  £3,300

Monthly Price: £203

Final Payment: £8,300

Overview:

The Suzuki Swift may not be the most desirable supermini, but it’s got improved looks nowadays and offers excellent value for money. It offers 16-inch alloys, LED headlights and taillights, adaptive cruise control, a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, digital radio, a rear-view camera, air conditioning and a leather steering wheel. You only get 83PS from the engine, but the car doesn't weigh much, so it feels more potent than that, though most of its rivals are quicker. The handling isn't much to shout about, and many of its competitors offer superior ride comfort and much nicer interiors. Nevertheless, it’s reasonably practical, relatively economical and a good option if you want to minimise costs.

Model: Aygo X

Trim/Engine: Pure, 1.0 VVT-I (petrol)

Price When New: £15,990

Upfront Deposit:  £1,600

Monthly Price: £248

Final Payment: £8,000

Overview:

Following the discontinuation of the Aygo, the Aygo X (pronounced ‘cross’) remains, offering an off-road-styled version of the little Toyota. It could be more spacious, especially in the back. Still, it comes with a long equipment list, including 17-inch alloys, a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, air conditioning, a rear-view camera and adaptive cruise control. The interior looks funky but could be more luxurious. The engine only produces 72PS, so it’s hardly quick, but it's okay for rush-hour driving and popping to the shops. The handling is good, plus its small size makes for a tight turning circle.

Model: Corsa

Trim/Engine: Design, 1.2 75PS (petrol)

Price When New: £19,085

Upfront Deposit:  £1,900

Monthly Price: £297

Final Payment: £9,550

Overview:

The small Vauxhall hatchback has been around for years and has been getting better and better. Nowadays, the Corsa is a decent car, offering 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 3.5-inch digital instrument cluster, cruise control, leather steering wheel, electrically adjustable door mirrors and air conditioning. It’s got a fairly big boot but only average rear seat space. It handles reasonably well but is a little short on fun, and the 75PS power unit is economical but lacking in grunt. The ride comfort is okay, but rivals can beat it – and that sums up the Corsa nicely. It’s good at what it does and ticks plenty of boxes, but some of its competitors can do it better.

Model: up!

Trim/Engine: up! 3 door, 1.0 65PS (petrol)

Price When New: £14,630

Upfront Deposit:  £1,500

Monthly Price: £227

Final Payment: £7,300

Overview:

The Volkswagen up! is the smallest VW you can buy. The basic kit at entry level could be better, with 15-inch alloys, a five-inch screen (not touch-sensitive), digital radio, air conditioning, LED day-running lights and a rear-view camera. However, at least you get Bluetooth connectivity and a USB socket. The engine produces just 65PS and doesn't provide much overtaking power, but it's fine if it'll be mainly used around town. It's so tiny that practicality isn't a strong point, though it's very comfortable to ride in, the handling is sprightly and fun, plus the running costs are low. The interior is nice too. A five-door version is also available, which adds about £400 to the sticker price.

Model: EX30

Trim/Engine: Plus, single motor (electric)

Price When New: £33,795

Upfront Deposit:  £3,400

Monthly Price: £524

Final Payment: £16,900

Overview:

Volvo’s brand-new EX30 promises much – its price is excellent value, given it’s a premium all-electric SUV crossover. The entry-level model offers a 214-mile range from its 49kWh battery (expect less in practice), but that might suffice, while a 5.7-second 0-62mph time delivers performance in abundance. You get a 12.3-inch Google-derived infotainment system, which controls most of the car’s functions, which include adaptive cruise control. It’s so new that, although it’s available to order now, it won’t be arriving until early next year, so it hasn’t been tested yet. Nevertheless, we’re hopeful it’s decent to drive - and we understand an even lower-priced model will launch next year. A minimalistic interior is promised, along with decent practicality.