Not everyone can afford the latest Lamborghini. So what could you drive while saving for that dream car? Listed below are the 5 best value cars on the market in 2018. We’re looking at brand new cars, not the second hand market. There’s some great value to be had at the moment and while these aren’t supercars, they are great runners, reliable under the bonnet, and most are no slouches. Your wallet will be thanking you too, particularly after a visit to the petrol station. A range of cars have been included, from SUVs to sporty hatchbacks – take a look:

Hyundai i10 Hatchback

Hyundai i10 rear view

The i10 is a very underrated little car. The small hatchback may not be great for the man with a big family to taxi around but for students or new drivers, there isn’t much better. The best thing about this small hatchback is its combination of small size for city driving while also coming with five doors and five seats as standard. Interior space really isn’t much of an issue, unlike most city cars on the market. The Hyundai i10 has a base model that starts around £10,000, there’s no denying that this car is great value for money!

You’ll want to opt for the 1.2 engine, rather than the 1.0. The extra power makes a big difference in a car that only weighs 930kg. The acceleration on the 1.2 is exactly what you need for city driving, pulling away quickly isn’t a problem in the i10. When it comes to fuel, you’ll be looking at around 60 miles per gallon (according to CarBuyer). Drivers of the i10 often compliment its high build quality in relation to the price of the hatchback. Of course, there’s going to be speedier, more stylish city cars on the market – but this tops the list when it comes to value.

Dacia Sandero

Dacia sandero image

The base model Sandero is the cheapest new car currently on the UK market. That definitely warrants its place on this list. The Sandero is more than that though, it’s a big car that’s a very smooth drive and has been constructed to perfection. The fact you can buy a brand new car for less than £6,000 is pretty incredible alone. The Sandero is very cheap to run and doesn’t compromise space just to keep the car cheap.

dacia sandero small model in whiteThis isn’t a car that’s going to be quick off the line, it’s more designed to be a large car for the family with big boot space and cost-effective journeys wherever you’re heading. You’ll find the interior to be pretty basic but durable. Of course, there are extra features available including a built-in sat nav, parking sensors and cruise control.

All things considered, the Sandero offers a lot of car for your money and is definitely worth a test drive if you’re looking for a brand new machine at a very affordable price.

 

Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki Swift sport in red

The new Suzuki Swift sport has been redesigned and it looks incredible. A true sporty hatchback that stands out from the crowd. This car has been created to deliver affordable performance, why compromise on speed and style with a smaller car? Prices should start at around £15,000 which isn’t as cheap as some of the other cars on this list, but the extra cash is worth it for a car that can deliver 0-60mph in under 8 seconds. You’ll find the interior to be clean and simple, not too much to shout about but the exterior does the talking.

In AutoCar’s review, they described the Swift’s acceleration with the following; ‘even on a modest throttle opening in the lower trio of gears, the Swift Sport surges forward with the kind of joyful, uncomplicated zeal that reminds you of pre-injection hot hatches if you’re old enough’. Don’t forget this a car equipped with a turbocharger and has been made even lighter than the previous model (despite all the extra features). If you’re looking for a sporty hatchback but you’re unable to stretch to the premium prices of a Golf GTI, the small Suzuki definitely comes well recommended.

Dacia Duster

Dacia duster in the snow

Can’t own a big 4×4 if you’re buying a car on a tight budget? The Dacia Duster blows that out of the water. This SUV matches the Nissan Qashqai in terms of size, but you can own one for half the price. For less than £10,000 you’ll have a spacious interior to enjoy and big car that’s perfect for families or those who live near flood-prone country roads! The base model doesn’t come with many features, you’re mostly paying for top notch build quality and the basic comforts you’d expect from a big car. Lots of additional features are available such as air conditioning, parking sensors, sat-navs and much more as you upgrade through the models.

The Dacia boasts an extremely comfortable ride, particularly when cruising on long motorway journeys. You’ll be looking at between 40-50mpg depending on the engine you choose. There’s a standard 1.6 option alongside a turbocharged 1.2 which is both more powerful and more efficient. The Duster has a big presence on the roads and while some may label it as basic, others will like the rugged look of the SUV. Read more about this Dacia and the different models on its official page.

VW Scirocco

white vw scirocco

Including the Scirocco on the list may surprise some and while it is the most expensive car on this list, you get a huge amount of performance for your money. For thrills on a budget, nothing comes close to the powerful Scirocco. The car looks high-end and definitely turns heads out on the road; VW have done well with this one and that’s probably why the design has barely changed over the past few years. While the base model only has 1.4 litre engine, it certainly packs a punch and you won’t have any trouble keeping up with the majority of cars on the road.

The VW is surprisingly spacious and the 1.4 litre won’t cost you a fortune to run. You also have the added bonus of a large boot, which many budget coupes simply don’t offer. It really is a lot of fun to drive, mainly due to the responsive handling. You’ll also find that the Scirocco holds its value well on the second-hand market, so you won’t be losing too much money if you keep the car in good condition. Check out some of the used cars on the market.

 

So, those are 5 great value cars for sale in the UK. You don’t have to go second-hand when working with a budget and there are some great bargains out there. The best car for you will depend on your situation and exactly what you’re looking for. It’s clear to see that both performance and size don’t need to be compromised. Know any other great value cars? Leave a comment below!