The cheapest cars you can buy new 2025

Buying a car is exciting and there are plenty of pluses to having a brand-new one. You get something just for you no one else has owned. You get the full manufacturer warranty in case anything goes wrong. And you get to the latest tech. But new cars aren’t cheap. Or are they?
Smaller cars tend to be cheaper than larger ones, so if you’re set on saving money, more compact vehicles are the way to go and they are often cheaper to run, too. There are plenty of deals to be had on new cars, whether you are leasing, buying on finance or paying in full, so your new car could cost you less than you’d expect. Here we’ve picked out some of the cheapest new cars based on the recommended retail price and discounts we’ve spotted advertised on Auto Trader.

Fiat’s retro-inspired 500 is popular with new drivers and city dwellers alike with its characterful style giving it plenty of kerb appeal. The list price of a new petrol Fiat 500 is not quite as cheap and cheerful as it once was. However, at the time of writing Fiat is currently selling off its remaining stock before updating its line-up so you can pick up a brand-new 500 on Auto Trader with a significant discount. This (for now) makes it one of the cheapest new cars you can buy. Additionally, there is of course the 500e, which is one of the most affordable electric cars if your budget stretches further.
Your brand-new Fiat 500 can be Found At Auto Trader

The Vauxhall Corsa is another staple of British roads, with its popularity enduring for over 40 years, there’s still plenty to like. All Corsas come with a decent amount of equipment as standard, plus there’s a range of petrol, hybrid and fully-electric models to choose from. There are often great deals to be had whether you buy, lease, or finance your Corsa, so you could pick one up for less than you’d expect.
Your brand-new Vauxhall Corsa can be Found At Auto Trader

Given Dacia’s focus on value, it’s no surprise to find the Sandero has the lowest recommended retail price of any car you can buy. The entry-level 'Essential' Sandero is low on creature comforts and forgoes a central touch-screen but does still have a suite of safety features including emergency braking, lane departure warnings and a speed limiter. However, moving up to ‘Expression’ trim gets you a lot more mod cons such as parking sensors and automatic wipers, all for less than the price of a Kia Picanto. If you have a little more to spend, there’s also the chunkier Sandero Stepway, which still offers great value but adds crossover styling.
Your brand-new Dacia Sandero can be Found At Auto Trader

The Spring is the second Dacia on our list and it is also the cheapest electric car you can buy – a clear sign going electric is becoming more affordable. Following the familiar no frills Dacia ethos but swapping an engine for a battery pack, the Spring covers the basics and has an official range of up to 140 miles. While it’s surprisingly roomy, it lacks refinement and there are plenty of small petrol cars in this list which will provide more versatility. However, if you are looking for an electric runabout for zipping around town, the Spring could be just the ticket.
Your brand-new Dacia Spring can be Found At Auto Trader

We love the Kia Picanto, it’s everything you need in a city car: fuel efficient, fun to drive and great value for money. Like the closely-related Hyundai i10, the pint-size Picanto comes with a good amount of kit, a range of trim levels and its low insurance group helps to keep running cost down. Then there’s the seven-year/100,000-mile warranty to give you total peace of mind. Plus, the Picanto’s latest facelift gives it a more stylish and grown-up look. Affordable motoring done properly.
Your brand-new Kia Picanto can be Found At Auto Trader

The second EV on this list is the Leapmotor T03. You might not have heard of Leapmotor yet, but it’s a new entrant from China which has teamed up with Stellantis – owner of familiar brands such as Fiat, Vauxhall, and Peugeot – to sell its cars in the UK. Like the Dacia Spring, the T03 is extremely basic but it does offer an affordable way to go electric and will work best for those who tend to do local journeys.
Your brand-new Leapmotor T03 can be Found At Auto Trader

The Hyundai i10 has a fractionally higher starting price than its twin the Kia Picanto, but it’s still great value. The entry-level model has all the basics covered and you’ll even get nice to haves such as a reversing camera, parking sensors and sat nav. Prices creep up as you move up the grades, but you get lots for your money goes a long way. Unlike the Picanto, the top of the range N line i10 gets a slightly peppier turbocharged engine which will appeal if maximising power is a priority, but we’d recommend sticking with the more budget-friendly options.
Your brand-new Hyundai i10 can be Found At Auto Trader

We lived with a Toyota Aygo X for four months and were so impressed with it, we didn’t want to give it back. The little Toyota proved itself around town and out on the motorway, even providing luxuries such as wireless phone charging and a heated steering wheel. Granted, ours had a high trim level, but even the cheapest versions come with a nine-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aygo X is another example of cheap and cheerful at its best.
Your brand-new Toyota Aygo X can be Found At Auto Trader