Listed: The UK's cheapest cars

Close News 1 min read 22 August 2024 Follow @mscullion2 The cheapest new cars even just a couple of decades ago would have been sub-par, uneconomical and unreliable. In 2024, however, even the cheapest come from manufacturers with a proven track record, dealerships up and down the country and a decent warranty, while the best cheap cars themselves are genuinely brilliant. The values of cars both new and used have been newsworthy in recent times because of their episodic increases and decreases. Related articles Used electric car prices are rock-bottom, while the RRP of new cars skyrockets. The now off-sale Ford Fiesta increased in list price by £10,000 from 2013 to 2023, for instance. If you haven't looked at new car prices for more than a decade, you may be surprised. Nevertheless, these are the very cheapest new cars on sale, ordered by their list prices. The cheapest cars 1. Dacia Sandero8Pros ComfortableLots of spaceErgonomic interior Cons Poor safety rating compared with rivalsQuite noisyBadge will still put some people off RRP: £13,795Dacia’s big-seller (the second best-selling car in Europe for 2023) is cracking value as well as Britain's cheapest new car.It’s a fully fledged supermini, complete with seating for five and a 328-litre boot, offering the same kind of space as a Skoda Fabia. It’s surprisingly fun, too. There’s comparatively little body roll and it really flows across a road. It’s not quite class-leading in terms of fun, but for the price, little can beat it.Base-spec cars come with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine or LPG for eco warriors on a shoestring. The gearbox may be a tad clunky, but the brakes bite well, even in the wet.Read our Dacia Sandero reviewSave money on a Dacia Sandero with What Car? Latest Reviews View all car reviews Read our review Car reviewDacia SanderoBritain’s cheapest car suddenly looks a whole lot more appealing – but is it?Read our review Back to top 2. Citroen C37Pros Stylish for this end of the marketComposed rideSoft seats Cons Off-sale soonRivals handle betterVague long-throw shift on gearbox RRP: £14,150This end of the market is typically not where flair tends to live. But the C3 drops a dollop of verve on to this list with its recognisably Citroën nose, Airbumps dashed across the side and a 'floating' roof design – a touch borrowed from much larger and more expensive SUVs.There are two engines to choose from. Top choice is the 108bhp 1.2-litre petrol. A sub-10sec 0-62mph time means it's one of the faster cars on this list, ultimately making it a bit more suited to motorway schleps.The cheapest C3 is an online-only model called the You, which comes only with the slower 83bhp 1.2-litre engine.The ultra-soft, ultra-long suspension is really well suited to low speeds, hopping over sleeping policemen with ease, and the deep, soft seats make it one of the most comfortable cars at this price range.3. Dacia Spring8Pros Especially cheap for an EVLighter than other electric carsGood boot space Cons Low-ish charging speedLack of seat adjustabilityFair bit of wind noise RRP: £14,995The Dacia Spring is the first electric car ever to make its way into this list, undercutting numerous petrol alternatives. You do have to accept some compromises for that affordability, though. The entry-level car gets a meek 44bhp motor, so it takes 19sec to hit 62mph from a standstill, and the 26.8kWh battery yields just 137 miles of range. But to write off the Spring for its performance would be to miss the point. The pre-facelift car, which wasn't offered in the UK, had many of the same constraints but remained a great option for commutes and errands around the city.Pre-orders are being taken now and deliveries are scheduled to begin in October.Read our Dacia Spring reviewSave money on a Dacia Spring with What Car? Back to top 4. Dacia Sandero Stepway8Pros Ergonomically soundSpacious cabinFrugal engines Cons Poor safety scoresOverly light steeringRelative lack of kit RRP: £15,295The Sandero Stepway is an easy thing to grasp conceptually when you see the best-selling cars lists. Europeans love an SUV and the Stepway adds raised suspension, bigger bumpers and roof rails to the regular Sandero in order to make it more rugged-looking – a bit like when a Londoner straps on a set of walking boots for a meander around Hyde Park.Like the regular Sandero, the Stepway is an ergonomic joy. Dead ahead from the driving seat are a set of clear dials, while a simple touchscreen flanks it to the left. Heating controls are physical dials - huzzah.The Essential trim level lacks phone mirroring but does at least get you a phone holder. As with the regular Sandero, you can choose LPG compatibility for no extra cost.Read our Dacia Sandero Stepway reviewSave money on a Dacia Sandero Stepway with What Car?5. Kia Picanto7Pros Fun to driveInterior is