The Cheapest Cars of Every Type in the UK

The Dacia Sandero has lost its title as the UK’s cheapest new car - the Leapmotor T03 is now a few hundred pounds less, thanks to big discounts. But the Sandero is still the cheapest petrol car you can buy new, and it’s surprisingly good. The tech and interior feel a bit old-school, but the 1.0-litre engine is lively, and it’s spacious for its size. Just note the safety rating isn’t as strong as some newer small cars with more modern safety features.

The Dacia Jogger is basically the cheapest seven-seater you can buy, saving you thousands compared to rivals. It’s a mix between an estate, MPV and SUV, which makes it super roomy, even adults fit comfortably in all three rows, but it still drives like a regular hatchback. The 1.0-litre engine can feel a bit weak if the car’s fully loaded, so the 1.6 hybrid is the smarter choice. Nothing else gives you this much space for the money, though if you want something with more style, a used VW Touran could be a good alternative.

The Dacia Duster is a total bargain - it looks chunky and cool, and the interior design feels fun even if the materials are a bit cheap. You can get it as a hybrid, with four-wheel drive, or even run on LPG in the cheapest version, handy if you want to save on fuel.

The Dacia Bigster is basically a bigger, more practical Duster, think Nissan Qashqai size. It’s the most upmarket Dacia yet, with options like a powered tailgate and big sunroof, but it still keeps that tough, budget-friendly vibe. You can pick between full or mild hybrids, plus there’s a 4x4 version. The interior feels a bit cheap in places, but when it’s so much cheaper than rivals, it’s hard to complain.

Chery might be new to the UK, but it’s one of China’s biggest car makers, and it’s coming in hot with the Tiggo 8, now the cheapest seven-seat SUV you can buy. It comes as a petrol or a plug-in hybrid, and it actually looks pretty upmarket for the price.

The Citroën C4 X mixes SUV vibes with a saloon-style boot. It’s longer and sleeker than the regular C4, and while the boot’s huge, it’s not quite as practical overall. From the front, it’s identical to the C4, so it feels smarter than you’d expect for the price. You can pick from efficient petrol and diesel engines, or go all-electric with the e-C4 X, though that version costs more.

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer keeps estates alive with a comfy drive, efficient engines, and supportive seats. It’s not the most exciting car, but if you’re into practicality, the massive 600-litre boot is a real win.

The Leapmotor T03 is now the UK’s cheapest car overall, not just the cheapest EV, thanks to a big price cut. It’s tiny, with space for four and a small boot, plus only 165 miles of range, and it struggles on the motorway. But it comes well-equipped and is spot-on for city driving. If you want something bigger and more versatile, the Citroën e-C3 is the better shout.

The Ford Puma Gen-E is now the cheapest electric small SUV you can buy, thanks to a £3,750 EV grant – it’s even cheaper than the petrol Puma. Range is up to 233 miles, and it’s roomy too, with a huge boot and clever waterproof ‘Gigabox’. Plus, it keeps the fun, agile drive of the regular Puma, making it a great city-friendly EV.

The Leapmotor C10 is a big, family-sized SUV with loads of kit and plenty of space, especially in the back. It’s not the most exciting to drive and its 263-mile range is just okay, but with Leapmotor’s discount alongside the £3,750 EV grant, it’s great value. A Skoda Elroq is smaller but nicer to drive and just as good on range.

The MG3 is the cheapest full hybrid you can buy in the UK. Unlike mild hybrids, it can actually run on electric power alone. With 190hp, it’s surprisingly quick, almost hot hatch levels, and its big battery makes it feel EV-like at times. It’s well-equipped and fuel-efficient, though the Toyota Yaris is still the stronger all-around choice.

The Chery Tiggo 7 is a smaller, five-seat sibling to the Tiggo 8, using the same plug-in hybrid setup with up to 56 miles of electric range. Paired with a big petrol tank, it can go a long way between fill-ups. It’s a spacious SUV packed with kit for a low price, though, like the Tiggo 8, some cost-cutting shows through.