Over the past decades, cheap cars were often unreliable and prone to breakdowns. However, nowadays, affordable cars come with high-quality standards and even offer features that used to be exclusively available in luxury vehicles.
In fact, some budget-friendly cars offer features that many luxury vehicles cannot even match.
Modern cheap cars feature better materials, advanced engineering, and innovative technology, resulting in improved reliability and longevity. They are also easy to maintain and offer excellent driving comfort and entertainment.
That's not all. Some cars have advanced infotainment systems, comfortable seating, and good audio. They are also fuel-efficient and great for long-distance driving and commuting.
These budget-friendly cars also have advanced features like parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and smartphone connectivity. Their great safety ratings make them ideal for families and young drivers.
Whether you're looking for a car for daily commuting or weekend road trips, plenty of excellent options are available that provide excellent value for money.
In this article, we will delve into some of the best affordable UK cars that boast outstanding features.
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Hyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 is a highly sought-after car due to its efficiency despite being the priciest on this list. It costs £15,420, but its build quality is reminiscent of a classic vehicle, making it very easy to operate and run errands.
The i10's interior is of exceptional quality, typical of Hyundai products. This car's spacious interior provides ample room for passengers, making it feel more substantial than its size suggests.
It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which enhance entertainment. Additionally, it features a duff automated manual transmission, making it an excellent option for novice drivers looking for reliable cars.
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Dacia Sandero Stepway
The Dacia Sandero Stepway has a price tag of about £15,295, which seems like quite the steal at first glance.
Despite being a more affordable car in the UK, the Sandero Stepway boasts some unique features that help it stand out. For instance, it is an SUV that comes with a raised suspension, bigger bumpers, and roof rails, all of which contribute to its rugged appearance.
One noteworthy aspect of this car is its top-notch ergonomics, especially considering its price point. It has clear dials and a touchscreen that lets you easily control the car. An added bonus is that you can choose LPG compatibility without incurring any additional expenses.
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Dacia Spring
Electric cars are gaining popularity in the current car market, and the Dacia Spring is one of the best value-for-money options at £14,995. However, it's worth noting that this car is still in the pre-order stage, and deliveries won't begin until October of this year.
As an electric car, the Dacia Spring has some compromises, such as slower acceleration. Its modest 44bhp motor means it takes 19 seconds to reach 62mph from a standstill.
Additionally, the 26.8kWh battery offers just 137 miles of range, which may not be enough for some drivers who want to go further without recharging.
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Citroën C3
The Citroën C3 offers many customization options and is priced affordably at £13,995, making it one of the most budget-friendly cars in the UK.
Its elegant floating roof design lends it an air of luxury and sophistication, while its signature Citroën nose and aids bumps designs add to its aesthetic appeal. What's more, the C3 is also one of the most comfortable SUVs on this list, with its deep, soft seat and ultra-long suspension, making it an excellent choice for low speeds.
If you're looking for performance, the C3 doesn't disappoint, with two engine options: the 108bhp 1.2-litre petrol and the 83bhp 1.2-litre engine. The 108bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine is particularly fast, offering a sub-10 sec 0-62mph time, making the C3 one of the fastest cars in this category.
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Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto is the most affordable car on this list but offers fewer customization options. It is compact and lightweight, similar to other car brands like the Toyota Aygo X and Hyundai i10.
Due to the limited personalization options, it comes with a 1.0-litre non-turbocharged unit, which is one of the reasons why it's among the cheapest cars to insure.
However, the car is slower compared to its peers. With the manual, it takes around 15 seconds to complete the 0-60mph run, and with the automated manual, it takes around 16 seconds. The car costs £13,695 but comes with Kia's seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.