My favourite 20 new cars for under £20,000 – by the Mail’s motoring expert RAY MASSEY

Instances are robust and lots of cash-strapped car-buyers are in search of bargains that received’t break the financial institution. 

However there are nonetheless new automobile offers available at costs beneath £20,000.

In an unique line-up for Mail+ readers, Day by day Mail Motoring Editor Ray Massey picks his favorite 20 reasonably priced new automobiles available on the market, from a ‘spicy’ set of wheels by Kia to an award-winning, entry-level Clio and an electrical car (EV) costing lower than £15,000 – in addition to a bonus mannequin which is technically the UK’s least expensive four-wheeler.

1. SUZUKI SWIFT HYBRID – FROM £18,699

Two variations of the all-new, fourth-generation Japanese hybrid hatchback, from this much-underrated largely ignored model, have simply gone on sale.

Amongst them is the best-selling Movement mannequin. Its excessive customary specification features a rear higher spoiler, LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, 9-inch media show together with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, navigation, adaptive cruise management, heated entrance seats, rear view digicam, rear parking sensors and Twin Sensor Brake Help (upgraded).

Its 1.2-litre Delicate Hybrid 3 cylinder engine provides as much as eight per cent gas effectivity enchancment with CO2 emissions of simply 99g/km and mixed gas consumption of 64.2mpg with handbook transmission.

It accelerates from 0-62mph in 12.5 seconds as much as a high pace of 103mph.

The marginally costlier Extremely grade is £19,799, provides 16-inch polished alloy wheels, computerized air-con, rear passenger heater outlet and electrical folding door mirrors incorporating side-turn indicators.

Particular characteristic: Site visitors Signal Recognition and Blind Spot Monitor

2. KIA PICANTO – FROM £15,595

The spicy third-generation Kia Picanto supermini from the top-selling Korean car-maker went on sale in Could.

Obtainable to order now forward of first deliveries from July, the entry-level Picanto ‘2’ is priced from £15,595. Powered by a 1.0 litre, 62bhp, 3 cylinder petrol, it has a 5-speed handbook gear-box.

The range-topping 1.2litre, 77bhp ‘GT-Line S’ with a five-speed automated handbook transmission (AMT) prices from £18,445 to £19,145 – placing the whole vary beneath the £20,000 barrier.

The opposite two choices are the ‘GT Line’ 1.0 petrol from £16,745 and the Picanto ‘3’ from £17,545.

Driving on 14-inch or 16-inch wheels, with seven exterior paint finishes, all automobiles come well-stocked with gear as customary – which solely will increase as you progress although the vary.

Particular characteristic: Ahead collision avoidance help – together with for pedestrians and cyclists

3. RENAULT CLIO TCE 90 – FROM £17,995

Two of the three Clio trim ranges fall inside the £20,000 restrict – the Clio evolution TCe 90 from £17,995 and the Clio techno TCe 90 from £19,395

Nicole and Papa, characters created to promote the Renault Clio within the Nineteen Nineties, could be delighted by this award-winning, entry-level petrol-powered Clio which is cheaper than the hybrid fashions.

Its frugal 1.0 litre, 90 horse-power, turbo-charged 3 cylinder pure petrol engine linked to a clean 6-speed handbook gear-box provides acceleration from 0-62mph in 12.2seconds as much as a high pace of 112mph, and fuel-efficiency of as much as 54.3mpg.

Two of the three trim ranges fall inside the £20,000 restrict – the Clio Evolution TCe 90 from £17,995 and the Clio Techno TCe 90 from £19,395, which was named greatest small automobile within the annual WhatCar? awards.

Judges praised its ‘distinctive worth’, beneficiant gear, fashionable inside sensible boot and driving.

The bottom automobile is properly stocked with cruise-control with speed-limiter, 7-inch touchscreen with navigation and smartphone replication and rear parking sensors. The techno trim provides entrance and rear parking sensors.

The range-topping Esprit Alpine trim (which I street examined just lately) falls tantalisingly simply outdoors at £20,595 however is likely to be well worth the marginal further price of a trade-up.

Particular characteristic: An award-winning entry-level automobile

4. DACIA SPRING – FROM £14,995

The brand new all-electric Dacia Spring priced from £14,995 is the UK’s most reasonably priced Electrical Car

Price range model Dacia has stolen the crown from Skoda as probably the most reasonably priced automobile model – changing into the Aldi or Lidl of the automotive world.

Because the value-for-money arm of France’s Renault Group, the Romanian-car-maker has developed a near-cult standing for its keenly priced no-frills, no-nonsense however enjoyable automobiles that are filled with persona.

It’s additionally raised its recreation on security and inside spec.

The brand new all-electric Dacia Spring, priced from £14,995, is the UK’s most reasonably priced Electrical Car, among the many most reasonably priced automobiles total, and is out there to pre-order now forward of first deliveries in Autumn.

Particular characteristic: It’s all to do with worth

5. DACIA SANDERO – FROM £13,795

The Dacia Sandero prices from £13,795 and is a versatile household hatchback

This small and versatile household hatchback metropolis automobile was named greatest funds automobile within the Autocar Awards 2023.

It has three trim ranges based mostly on the Renault Clio and is at residence as a lot within the metropolis as on the open street.

Particular characteristic: An award-winning funds automobile

6. DACIA SANDERO STEPWAY – FROM £15,295

The Dacia Sandero has good security assists and is sensible even when it prices solely £15,295

Behold the Sandero’s extra strong and rufty-tufty sibling, with roof-bars and the next ground-clearance.

Hill-start help, air-con and emergency brake help all come as customary.

Particular characteristic: Roof-bars and the next ground-clearance

7. DACIA DUSTER SUV – FROM £17,295

The Dacia Duster SUV is available in at £17,295 and has just lately been refreshed inside and outside

The versatile Dacia Duster SUV provides a just lately refreshed inside and exterior design in addition to new Y-shaped computerized LED headlights. Additionally it is at the moment on a particular supply PCP leasing take care of a £4,949 deposit and 24 month-to-month funds of £98. 

Particular characteristic: New seat design gives extra cushion and lumbar help

8. DACIA JOGGER – FROM £18,295

The Dacia Jogger is an efficient budget-friendly purchase for seven-seat household life

In 2023, the seven-seater Jogger – accessible as a petroleum or hybrid – was named greatest household automobile within the Autocar Awards. It may even be specified with a particular Sleep Pack (£1,815 together with blinds and storage bag) and tent extension to create an in-car mattress for in a single day tenting. 

Particular characteristic: The seven seats

9. MG3 – FROM £14,335

The MG3 Excite prices from simply £14,335 new and the Unique Nav from £16,035

Celebrating its centenary this 12 months, MG is a legendary British sports activities automobile model based in 1924 that’s now owned by Shanghai-based, state-owned Chinese language motor big SAIC.

However the firm’s been making waves with a line-up of reasonably priced and sensible automobiles – in addition to a brand new head-turning £60,000 Cyberster roadster – which have struck a chord with UK motorists due to being properly kitted-out and proving nice worth for cash with a trio of sub-£20,000 automobiles.

In a curious twist, there are at the moment TWO generations of the MG3 5-door hatchback available for purchase concurrently.

There are three trim ranges: Excite from £14,335 and Unique Nav (which incorporates sat-nav, sports activities seats, cruise-control and rear parking sensors) from £16,035.

Particular characteristic: The historic model

10. MG3 Hybrid+ – from £18,495

If you wish to lower your expenses on operating prices then the MG3 Hybrid+ is a less expensive various to the MG3 for lower than £20k

The brand new and just-launched MG3 Hybrid+, accessible solely as a hybrid, combines a 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder petrol engine with an electrical motor and a 3-speed computerized gearbox.

Acceleration from 0-62mph in eight seconds.

The SE trim begins from £18,495, whereas the higher-specced Trophy is simply outdoors the restrict at £20,495.

Making up the MG trio is the MG ZS compact household SUV costing from £18,335, which is powered by the identical 1.5 litre petrol engine that propels it from 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds as much as a high pace of 109mph whereas nonetheless delivering 42.7mpg.

Particular characteristic: A brand new design that may minimize your gas payments

11. CITROEN C3 RANGE – FROM £14,150

The Citroen C3 could be very low-cost for a compact hatchback, costing from £14,150

This widespread C3 compact hatchback vary at the moment is available in three fashions. Consolation – in drive and seating – is on the coronary heart of the expertise. However Citroen, a part of the large Stellantis group, is about to switch it with a brand new fourth technology mannequin. So haggle arduous for a reduction and you may even see even greater financial savings as the present fashions run out.

The Citroën C3 Origin You PureTech 83 S&S is the most affordable from £14,150.

Together with the Citroën C3 Origin Plus PureTech model, costing £17,805, and the C3 Origin Max PureTech, from £19,755, it’s powered by a 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engine, averages between 47.7mpg and 53.4mpg gas effectivity and accelerates from relaxation to 62mph in 12.5 seconds as much as a high pace of 103mph.

The subsequent fourth technology Citroen C3 will likely be accessible to order within the UK this summer time together with an e-C3 electrical model. Costs are but to be confirmed.

Particular characteristic: A snug journey

12. CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS SUV – FROM £17,830

The C3 Aircross is the higher-riding, assertively styled SUV variant of the C3 household and begins at £17,830

For extra adventurous households who need a extra rugged choice, the C3 Aircross is the higher-riding, assertively styled SUV variant of the C3 household, with a helpful 520-litre hatchback boot to enhance the comfy inside and seats.

The C3 Aircross YOU PureTech 110 S&S trim degree prices from £17,830.

Its frugal 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and handbook gear-box delivers 0-62mph efficiency of 10.1 seconds and a high pace of 116mph, with as much as 54.2mpg gas economic system

Particular characteristic: A helpful 520-litre hatchback boot

13. FIAT 500 – FROM £16,800

The Fiat 500 wants little intro, and it will not break the financial institution because it begins from £16,800

The award-winning Fiat 500 super-mini is pleasant automobile which saved the Italian automobile firm – and that’s no overstatement. It’s a contemporary incarnation of the unique ‘Cinquecento’ 500 produced from 1957 to 1975.

With a number of the way by which to personalise its options, there are two variants which match the invoice at beneath £20,000. The Fiat 500 1.0 Delicate Hybrid 70hp prices from £16,800 whereas the Fiat 500 Prime 1.0 Delicate Hybrid 70hp is priced from £18,300.

Each have 1 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engines with gentle hybrid expertise and 6-speed handbook gear-boxes and common as much as 51.1mpg, making them nippy metropolis and commuter automobiles that scale back your journeys to the filling station.

Particular characteristic: Among the finest trying small automobiles on the planet

14. FIAT PANDA – FROM £14,740

Obtainable in two variations, costs begin from £14,740 or the Fiat Panda 1.0 Delicate Hybrid 70hp which manages a petrol-saving 58.9mpg

The cuddly, if boxy, Panda is a sensible proposition for city and suburban households who need area in a compact kind. Driving on 15-inch wheels, the five-door, five-seater supermini has three head-rests within the rear for max consolation.

Obtainable in two variations, costs begin from £14,740 or the Fiat Panda 1.0 Delicate Hybrid 70hp which manages a petrol-saving 58.9mpg.

The extra brash top-of-the-range Fiat Panda Cross (with the identical 70hp, 1.0 litre Delicate Hybrid arrange) prices from £16,240 and manages solely fractionally much less mpg.

Nevertheless it does come filled with numerous further package together with black roof rails and exterior aspect trim, dark-tinted rear home windows for added privateness, entrance fog lights, rain sensors and rear parking sensors.

Particular characteristic: A compact household hatchback with versatile area

15. VAUXHALL CORSA – FROM £18,505

The multi-award-winning Vauxhall Corsa – at the moment inside £20,000 

Two variants of certainly one of Britain’s best-selling automobile – the multi-award-winning Vauxhall Corsa – at the moment fall inside £20,000.

The Vauxhall Corsa YES Version, powered by a 1.2 litre turbo (100 horse-power) engine is priced from £18,505 and averages a pocket-pleasing 53.3mpg. And the Vauxhall Corsa Design 1.2 litre (75 horse-power) mannequin prices from £19,635 and provides gas effectivity of 51.4mpg.

Its design trim consists of 16-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch color contact display screen, lane departure warning, cruise management, in addition to rear parking sensors.

Particular characteristic: Flies the flag for a British model

16. HYUNDAI I10 – FROM £16,030

All three variants of the perky and just lately refreshed five-door Hyundai i10 supermini hatchback are available in at beneath £20,000

All three variants of the perky and just lately refreshed five-door Hyundai i10 hatchback are available in at beneath £20,000 – so you’re misplaced for selection. Prime German engineers on the agency – together with ex-BMW motorsport consultants – have additionally been serving to inject extra sporty oomph into the Korean model.

Advance trim begins from £16,030, Premium from £17,330 and the sporty range-topping N-Line from £18,630.

The set is out there in a mixture of frugal 1.0 litre, 3 cylinder, 63 horse-power and 90 horse-power petrol engines, and 1.2 litre, 4 cylinder, 79 horse-power petrol engines, with 5-speed handbook or computerized gearboxes.

Good for parking in busy city areas, this good metropolis automobile measures simply 3.67m lengthy by 1.68m extensive and is filled with ranges of tech and driver aids – together with heated entrance seats and wi-fi telephone charging – extra generally seen on bigger and costlier autos.

Particular characteristic: Good for parking in busy, city areas

17. TOYOTA AYGO X HATCHBACK – FROM £16,130

Costs vary from £16,130 for the Aygo Pure, £17,170 for the Edge and £19,050 for the handbook Unique

There are three trim variations of the five-door Aygo X supermini hatchback priced from beneath £20,000.

All use a 3 cylinder, 1.0 litre petrol engine with a high pace of 98mph for the handbook and 94mph for the CVT (auto), with acceleration from 0-62mph of 14.9 seconds and 14.8 seconds respectively. Gas economic system is as much as 58.8mpg for the handbook and 56.5mpg for the auto.

Costs vary from £16,130 for the Aygo Pure, £17,170 for the Edge and £19,050 for the handbook Unique, although the auto model of the range-topper trim busts the funds by £155.

Particular characteristic: Prime pace of virtually 100mph

18. SEAT IBIZA – FROM £19,724

SEAT is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the Ibiza hatchback and its base degree SE mannequin simply makes it beneath the wire at £19,724

Spanish car-brand SEAT is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the Ibiza hatchback and its base-level SE mannequin simply makes it beneath the wire at £19,724, operating on 15-inch wheels with material consolation seats, electrical entrance home windows, and rear parking sensors among the many included package.

Powered by a 95 horse-power, 1.0 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engine linked to a 5-speed handbook gear-box, it guarantees cash-saving 55mpg gas effectivity.

Particular characteristic: Money-saving 55mpg gas effectivity

19. SKODA FABIA – FROM £19,730

Only one trim-level model of the Skoda Fabia slides beneath the £20,000 mark – the frugal 80 horse-power Fabia SE Consolation 1.0

As soon as the funds automobile champion, upwardly cell Skoda has now turn out to be so posh that it has only one trim-level model of 1 mannequin that slides beneath the £20,000 mark – the frugal 80 horse energy Fabia SE Consolation 1.0 MPI 5-gear handbook with an on-the-road worth of £19,730 and CO2 emissions of 119 g/km and fuel-efficiency of as much as 55.8mpg.

Particular characteristic: Low insurance coverage group

20. MAZDA 2 – FROM £18,625

The Mazda 2 hatchback from this dependable if unflashy Japanese automobile maker falls inside the £20,000 restrict – the 75 horse-power Mazda 2 Centre-Line prices £18,625

Typically missed, three 1.5 litre petrol handbook variations of the Mazda 2 hatchback from this dependable, if unflashy, Japanese car-maker fall inside the £20,000 restrict: the 75 horse-power Mazda 2 Centre-Line (£18,625); the 90 horse-power Centre-Line (£19,525) and the 90 horse-power Homura trim (£19,835). A fourth mannequin – the Mazda 90hp Unique Line – is simply outdoors the £20,000 restrict at £20,375. 

Particular characteristic: A nature-inspired design

SPECIAL MENTION: CITROEN AMI – FROM £7,695 

Costs begin from £7,695 for the entry-level AMI; £8,495 for the funkier AMI POP and £8,695 for the AMI Tonic – nevertheless it’s not technically a automobile

Technically the UK’s least expensive four-wheeled transporter, the quirky all-electric Citroen AMI is just not a automobile – formally, it’s classed as a ‘mild quadricycle’.

Costs begin from £7,695 for the entry-level AMI; £8,495 for the funkier AMI POP and £8,695 for the AMI Tonic.

The car has a 46.6 mile vary. Nevertheless, its 6kW motor doesn’t allow it to go quicker than 28mph – and it’s an actual bone-rattler on the street for those who get even near that.

It’s compact to the purpose of being minuscule in automotive phrases. Tape-measure out, it’s simply 2.41 metres lengthy, 1.39 metres extensive and 1.52 metres excessive. Most of it’s sculpted plastic on a metallic body. It could be primary, nevertheless it’s undeniably intelligent and really properly executed.

To save lots of prices, the 2 extensive doorways are similar. However they’re hinged in another way both aspect so open in reverse instructions. The aspect home windows open manually and tilt upwards outdoors – similar to the unique 2CV.

Whereas there’s no boot, storage consists of cargo nets within the door recesses, bright-orange detachable inlay trays beneath the windscreen and a hook for purses or takeaways.

Particular characteristic: The UK’s least expensive four-wheeled car