Ten cheapest cars YOU can buy brand new – from £7k EV to £15k perfect family motor with huge boot
THERE'S no denying that cars have become more expensive in recent years.
The average price for a new motor has tipped over £40,000, all but wiping out cash buying.
According to the latest statistics from the SMMT, a whopping 84% of all new car purchases are done on finance.
But if you want to actually own your car outright without having to settle for a 10-year-old model, there are still some bargain options out there.
Here are 10 of the cheapest new cars you can buy as ranked by consumer experts , with all of them coming in under £18,000.
Suzuki Ignis - £17,949
You'd be forgiven for thinking that the cheapest cars on the market might all be pokey hatchbacks, but you can still nab some 4x4 models for the right price.
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The growing trend for small and crossover SUVs means that basically every major manufacturer now has at least one in its lineup.
These models offer plenty of space while not growing too large and ungainly for urban driving, making them ideal family cars.
The "surprisingly spacious" Ignis offers all that, plus a 7" infotainment touchscreen, air con and sliding rear seats in its SZ-T trim.
And while it won't win any drag races, with an 82 horsepower mild hybrid system under the bonnet, it's got more than enough nip to get around town comfortably, as well as great fuel economy.
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Citroen C3 Aircross - £17,470
Continuing the small SUV theme, the Aircross is just about the cheapest 'big car' you can buy.
With tinted rear windows, cruise control and, like the Ignis, a 7" touchscreen, it doesn't feel too light on extras.
Just beware that the infotainment screen can be "fiddly" and you have to plump for the more expensive trims to access the handy sliding bench seat in the back.
Toyota Aygo X - £16,140
Not many firms do practical, affordable hatchbacks like Toyota.
Styled like an SUV, it could be mistaken for larger than it actually is.
That being said, it does offer a little more room than the standard Aygo.
And since it was only added to the range in the last few years, it comes with loads of modern safety tech, including lane assist and an automatic emergency brake.
WhatCar? did rank it a little low for its "lacklustre performance" but if speed isn't a big deal for you then you can't really go wrong with it.
Kia Picanto - £15,595
In a car market dominated by France, Germany and Japan, South Korea doesn't always get as much love as it should.
There's a good reason that the Picanto has been on the market and enjoying success for more than 20 years.
Nimble, practical and affordable, it's also not short on style or driveability.
Plus, the 2025 version comes with all the creature comforts as standard.
Hyundai i10 - £15,530
A close cousin of the Picanto, the i10 offers a slightly more refined driving experience as well as some extra legroom for passengers.
As with its relative, you can't expect it to sit comfortably for hours at motorway speeds but there's still more than enough power to get you where you need to go.
Some leather trim on the entry-level model is also a nice touch, making the interior feel a bit more premium without breaking the bank.
Dacia Sandero Stepway - £15,295
Romanian firm Dacia is the undisputed top dog when it comes to pricing.
Spoiler alert, but three of its cars make the top five on this list, starting with the Sandero Stepway.
This is the premium spec of the brand's most popular model, yet still comes in under £16,000.
With a more off-road focus, a large boot and excellent ride quality, it's great for outdoorsy families looking to enjoy wallet-friendly adventures.
Dacia Spring - £14,995
Technically the most affordable electric car in the country, it's another win for Dacia with the Spring.
It offers a 26kWh battery with a single-charge range of about 140 miles.
Plus you're exempt from congestion and emissions charges too, making it a great city car.
Now, as WhatCar? points out, you will get more range, more features and better practicality from something like a Citroen e-C3.
But since the Spring is around £7,000 cheaper, it really depends how much you're willing to give up for such a massive saving.
Citroen C3 Origin - £14,150
The latest C3 is, unfortunately, a little out of the price range for this list.
But Citroen has shrewdly kept the last generation in its lineup rather than phasing it out.
Badged as the C3 Origin, it doesn't come with many of the luxuries we might expect from a new car in 2024, but it's hard to beat it on price.
That being said, it can be "lethargic" to drive according to WhatCar?, while modern safety tech is an optional extra.
Dacia Sandero - £13,795
Hard luck C3 Origin, but Dacia has stormed in to claim the crown of the cheapest new car in Britain.
The Sandero offers a similar package to the Stepway, but with more of a city focus and a small price cut.
It's comfortable, practical and reliable, as well as being quite pleasant to drive.
And it's certainly not slow with a 0-60 of 11.6 seconds.
Even better, it can run on , which is cheaper than regular unleaded, meaning you can also make big savings at the pumps.
Citroen Ami - £7695
Now, many might be confused as to what the Citroen Ami is doing here.
We've already declared Dacia the holders of both the cheapest EV and the cheapest car overall.
But the Ami sneaks into the top spot in both categories because it's not actually a car at all.
Thanks to its minuscule size and tiny battery, it's legally classified as a motorised quadricycle by the DVLA.
This means that it can be driven on an AM moped licence (achievable from the age of 16) and can be offered at under £8,000.
However, it does only have space for two people, as well as 28mph top speed and a 46-miles range.
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It's a charming novelty and perfect for short city trips, but not good for much else.
Besides which, since it's not a car it doesn't have to meet the same rigorous standards as the other entries on the list which could put off more safety-minded drivers.