The 10 best Dacia Spring alternatives we found on the used market
December 06, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
Budget-friendly electric cars are getting easier to come by these days. The Vauxhall Frontera Electric represents great value for money, the MG4 is a lot of car for not a lot of cash and then there’s the Dacia Spring – the cheapest electric car you can buy in the UK at just £14,995.
The next cheapest EV is the MG 4 – but that’s still over £10,000 more expensive. For zipping around town, the little Dacia makes a lot of sense, however there are a few flaws.
The Spring is pretty sparsely equipped, and it’s not the most sophisticated car either. The 140-mile range will be enough for most people’s commutes, but it won’t be ideal if you want to venture further afield on a regular basis. If you’d rather have better range and more equipment for the same money, you may want to check out some used alternatives.
There are loads of great second-hand cars out there for £15,000 and under, and we’ve picked out 10 of the best – as well as a wildcard choice for the brave amongst you.
The best used alternatives to the Dacia Spring:
- Peugeot e-208
- Fiat 500e
- Kia e-Niro
- Mini Electric
- BMW i3
- Ford Fiesta
- Toyota Yaris Hybrid
- Suzuki Swift Sport
- Mazda MX-5
- Skoda Octavia vRS diesel
1. Peugeot e-208
We’re starting strong with the Peugeot e-208. We found a 2022 GT model for just under £15,000, and there’s a lot to like about this super-stylish electric hatchback beyond its striking looks.
It’s comfortable to drive, well-equipped and has a lovely interior, and you get up to 217 miles on a charge – making it much more usable than the Dacia. The rear seats may be a bit tight, but at least you get a good-sized boot and there’s plenty of space up front.
2. Fiat 500e
If you’re after something as small as the Spring, but want chic retro styling and more standard kit, you could get yourself a Fiat 500e for less than £15,000. We found a nice 2022 example for £14,900.
You get plenty of standard equipment, a stylish cabin and decent range for such a small car – it’ll do up to 194 miles on a charge. You don’t get much in the way of practicality thanks to a tiny boot and cramped rear seats, but it’s still a desirable little EV for city slickers.
3. Kia e-Niro
The Spring’s compact dimensions makes it ideal for nipping around town, but if you’re after something more spacious then check out a used Kia e-Niro. We found a low-mileage 2020 example for £14,700.
You get good driving range, plenty of cabin space and you’ll even have three years worth of warranty left for added peace of mind. The e-Niro proves popular with taxi drivers. So just be wary of examples with intergalactic mileage because they could’ve led a hard life.
4. Mini Electric
There aren’t many EVs which are as fun to drive as the Mini Electric. It’s a right laugh to chuck down a twisty b-road, and it’ll bring a smile to your face when sitting still as well because the interior is just so lovely.
The Mini does suffer from a similar issue to the Spring in that its range is only really suitable for town driving, but if you’re after a stylish city runaround then it’s a hard car to beat. We found a 2021 model in sporty-looking Cooper S trim for just over £14,000.
5. BMW i3
The BMW i3 is about as far away from a Dacia Spring as you can get. While the Spring is a no-frills small city car, the BMW i3 was one of the most advanced EVs on the market when it was launched.
Its futuristic exterior styling is backed up by an equally modern interior, and the i3 is packed with tech. You get 189 miles of range, which might not seem like much but there is also the option of a range-extending hybrid model if you want to go further afield.
6. Ford Fiesta
If an electric car just doesn’t suit your lifestyle, the humble petrol-powered small hatchback may be right up your alley. The Ford Fiesta is one of the best as well, offering peppy handling and loads of kit for an affordable price.
It may not be as practical as some alternatives, but the Fiesta makes up for this with its nippy range of engines and sporty styling. Our £15.000 budget will get you into a 2022 ST-Line model with low mileage. Bargain.
7. Toyota Yaris Hybrid
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is a great choice if you’re after a no-nonsense, economical small car. The hybrid system is one of the best in the business, offering smooth performance and low running costs, and you get loads of kit as standard.
All Yaris models come with adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alloy wheels and keyless go. It’s also good fun to drive, although it’s not the most spacious in the rear.
8. Suzuki Swift Sport
The Swift Sport was recently discontinued in the UK, but it makes a great used purchase if you’re after something which is both affordable and fun. The low weight and sharp steering make it a right laugh on a twisty road, but it’s still practical enough for day-to-day use.
Okay so the boot isn’t massive, but you do get a decent amount of rear seat room for a car of this size and the Swift Sport comes generously equipped as standard. We found a couple of 2022 examples for less than £15,000.
9. Mazda MX-5
Maybe you want to have a bit of fun on a budget? Well you can enjoy wind-in-the-hair thrills for less than the price of a Spring with the Mazda MX-5 – one of the best sports cars around. It’s a hoot on a twisty road, while still being comfortable enough to use every day.
Obviously you are compromising on practicality thanks to the titchy boot and lack of rear seats, but if it’s just you and a significant other there are few cars which will put such a big smile on your face for the money. We found the desirable 2.0-litre sport model within budget as well.
10. Skoda Octavia vRS diesel
If you’re after maximum practicality for the money, as well as a decent bit of performance, the Skoda Octavia vRS fits the bill. It offers cavernous practicality, long-distance comfort and an impressive turn of pace, all for less than £15,000.
You can choose between petrol and diesel variants of the vRS, but the diesel is the best all-rounder if you’ve got your sensible head on thanks to the excellent fuel economy. A £15,000 spend will get you into a 2016 vRS diesel, or if you up your budget to £17,000 you can get a facelift 2018 model with more tech – and that’s still the same as a top-spec Spring.
Wildcard: Jaguar XKR
Jaguar is going all-electric in 2025, so now is a great time to grab one of the iconic brand’s best GT cars before they rocket up in value. The XKR has a thunderous 4.2-litre V8 under its elegant bonnet, and it’s a fantastic long-distance cruiser.
You’ll need to take a brave pill before buying an old Jag, because it’ll be a lot more expensive to run than the little Dacia. You’ll be looking at cars built between 2006 and 2009 for this sort of money, so make sure to leave plenty of cash aside for the inevitable repairs. Still, it’s very pretty, isn’t it?
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