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Last updated September 27, 2024 by Darren Cassey

Best cheap cars 2024

If the cost of living is getting you down, fear not – our expert car reviews team has put together a list of the best cheap cars that are satisfying to own but won’t burn a hole in your wallet.

Car prices are skyrocketing, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of affordable options out there. If you’re looking for a cheap new car but want one you can be proud to own, enjoy driving, and still fit a few bags in the boot, read on.

Carwow’s experts have looked at the cheapest cars on sale and filtered out the ones you should avoid to create the definitive list of the best cheap cars you can buy in 2024.

2024

Smart Spender Award

1. Dacia Jogger

9/10

Dacia Jogger review

Just because you want a cheap car doesn’t mean you have to settle for a small car. The Dacia Jogger is ridiculously good value, because it's a seven-seat SUV/estate combo that's priced to compete with much smaller cars. It feels a bit cheap inside but it's good to drive and has so much space that it's easy to forgive some scratchy plastics. There’s also a fuel-sipping hybrid model, offering rock-bottom running costs for a bit more cash up front.

2. Renault Clio

9/10

Renault Clio review

The Renault Clio is one of the best-value cars you can buy, because not only does it look smart, it has a massive boot for a car of this size. It also has a more upmarket interior than most alternatives at this price. Opting for the economical hybrid pushes the price up a bit, but it's still good to drive with the basic petrol engine. Rear seat space is a bit tight, though.

2024

Family Values Award

3. Citroen C5 Aircross

9/10

Citroen C5 Aircross review

The Citroen C5 Aircross is one of the more expensive cars in this list, but what you get for the money is very impressive. It's comfortable like all the best Citroens, and while there are cheap materials to be found inside, it feels good quality overall. More importantly, you get a massive boot that can take everything family life could throw at it. This is a practical SUV priced like an upmarket city car.

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2024

Urban Living Award

Highly Commended

4. MG4 EV

9/10

MG MG4 EV review

Battery range up to 323 miles

The real appeal of the MG4 EV is that it's an electric car for less money than most petrol cars of a similar size. And it's not like it's a bad one - it was Highly Commended in the Carwow Car of the Year awards for 2024. Why? Well, it offers a decent range despite the price, and it's great to drive, too. The MG4 EV was one of the first genuinely good cheap EVs, and continues to be one of the best despite the arrival of more and more alternatives.

5. Citroen e-C3

9/10

Citroen e-C3 review

Battery range up to 199 miles

The Citroen e-C3 is a really likeable little electric car. It has chic styling on the outside and a simple, minimalist interior. It’s set up with comfort in mind, which makes it ideal for cruising around town dealing with the UK’s potholed roads. Its boot is about average among alternatives, but rear seat space is pretty good because its tall body means you have more headroom than hatchback alternatives. It’s just a shame it doesn’t go particularly far on a charge.

6. Skoda Fabia

9/10

Skoda Fabia review

The Skoda Fabia follows the same recipe as most Skodas - make it more spacious than its dimensions should allow, mega practical, and packed to the brim with clever touches. Here you get neat additions like a parking ticket clip on the windscreen and an umbrella under the driver's seat. It feels bigger and more upmarket than most other small cars and is comfortable on long trips. The trade off is that it's not the most fun on a country road.

7. SEAT Ibiza

8/10

SEAT Ibiza review

Okay, so some of the interior materials in the SEAT Ibiza feel a bit scratchy – they are not up to the standard you’d see in other Volkswagen group cars, for example. But you do get a decent amount of space in the back and the Ibiza has a big boot, too.

8. Dacia Sandero

8/10

Dacia Sandero review

There was once a time when the Dacia Sandero ruled the world of cheap cars, but over the years its price has slowly increased to reflect improved fit and finish and the removal of the proper budget specification. It's still an excellent deal, though, being another small car with big car space. The boot has an annoyingly massive lip to lift things over, but it's practical enough inside to carry tall adults without them feeling cramped.

9. MG HS

8/10

MG HS review

The MG HS might be the most expensive car in this list, but don’t let that fool you – it’s incredibly cheap for the size of car. Despite costing not a lot more than some hatchbacks, you get a spacious SUV with a big boot, and the plug-in hybrid is a bargain for company car buyers thanks to its massive electric range. It’s let down a bit by the driving experience though, and the infotainment isn’t great to use.

10. MG3

8/10

MG MG3 review

Typically when cheap cars offer a hybrid engine, it’s an expensive upgrade. However, the MG3 is exclusively offered with a hybrid engine, so that low purchase price is matched by low running costs. The previous MG3 was, quite frankly, awful – but the latest version is a massive leap in quality. It’s surprisingly rapid, too.

Cheapest cars on sale 2024

If saving cash is all you’re worried about, here are the cheapest cars available on Carwow (at the time of writing).

1. Citroen Ami

5/10

Citroen Ami review

Battery range up to 47 miles

The Citroen Ami isn't technically a car, but it's too much fun to not include on this list. It's left-hand drive and has the refinement of a brick, while the 28mph top speed means it's not one for road tripping. But its quirky looks will turn heads wherever you go, and if you just need a fun electric runaround for the city, it's the perfect way to indulge your inner child.

2. Dacia Sandero

8/10

Dacia Sandero review

The Dacia Sandero might be undercut by the Citroen Ami, but it has regained its place as the most affordable car on sale in the UK right now. Despite its low price, the Sandero appeals because the interior is solid and really spacious, and it’s good to drive, too.

3. Citroen C3 Origin

6/10

Citroen C3 Origin review

The great thing about Citroen is that it offers affordable cars that don’t look like they’re cheap, so you get the benefits of a low price while still looking stylish. That’s still true of its cheapest car, the C3 Origin, which is also comfy to drive. It’s a bit of a squeeze in the rear seats, though.

4. Fiat Panda

4/10

Fiat Panda review

The Fiat Panda gets funky styling inside and out, though it does feel as cheap as the price suggests. You also don’t get a huge amount of kit and little in the way of space, but at least the economical engine will keep running costs low.

5. Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring review

Battery range up to 140 miles

At the time of writing, the Dacia Spring has only just gone on sale, so we’ve not been behind the wheel yet. However, it’s by far the cheapest electric car you can buy this side of a Citroen Ami. It’s tiny and has a low range, so it’s likely to be best-suited to life as a second car that’s only driven around the city, but you do get surprisingly generous kit for your cash.

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Cheap cars FAQs

What are the best cheap cars to run?

The smaller the car, the less you’ll need to spend on both fuel and road tax. A smaller car is lighter and therefore more frugal on fuel. The Hyundai i10 or Renault Clio have efficient engines and return impressive fuel usage figures. Despite their size, they’re incredibly practical and would tick the boxes for most people’s day-to-day needs. They’re also a lot better for the environment. So not only can you feel better about the car you’re driving, but you won’t need to pay as much in road tax.

What are the best cars for cheap insurance?

Cars that are cheap to insure are simply some of the safest available, and most economical to repair. Cheap and slow is the way to go. Every car down to each specific engine option is categorised into a group - taking performance and the cost of repair into account. These insurance groups range from 1 to 50. If you’re on a budget, try to get a car with a low insurance group number - the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo have a few models in group 1.

How do I get the cheapest price on a new car?

Through Carwow, obviously… but you can save even more. Every model of car has options, packages and different engines to choose from. To save money on a new car just think carefully about what you need and avoid the temptation to go for the top spec. Through our website you can find easy to understand descriptions of these options to help you pick what’s best for you.

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