Times are tough and many cash-strapped car-buyers are looking for bargains that won’t break the bank. But there are still new car deals to be had at prices below £20,000.

In an exclusive line-up for Mail+ readers, the Daily Mail motoring editor Ray Massey picks his favourite 20 affordable new cars on the market, from a ‘spicy’ Kia to an award-winning Clio and an electric vehicle under £15,000.

And don't miss his bonus model which is technically the UK’s cheapest four-wheeler.

1. SUZUKI SWIFT HYBRID - FROM £18,699

The Suzuki Swift hybrid can be yours from around £18,699 - or you can get the more expensive Ultra grade for £19,799

Two versions of the all-new, fourth-generation Japanese hybrid hatchback, from this much-underrated largely ignored brand, have just gone on sale.

Among them is the best-selling Motion model. Its high standard specification includes a rear upper spoiler, LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, 9-inch media display including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, navigation, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, rear view camera, rear parking sensors and Dual Sensor Brake Support (upgraded).

Its 1.2-litre Mild Hybrid 3 cylinder engine offers up to eight per cent fuel efficiency improvement with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km and combined fuel consumption of 64.2mpg with manual transmission.

It accelerates from 0-62mph in 12.5 seconds up to a top speed of 103mph.

The slightly more expensive Ultra grade is £19,799, adds 16-inch polished alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, rear passenger heater outlet and electric folding door mirrors incorporating side-turn indicators.

Special feature: Traffic Sign Recognition and Blind Spot Monitor

2. KIA PICANTO - FROM £15,595

The new third-generation Kia Picanto is priced from £15,595 for the entry-level '2' trim

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

Available to order now ahead 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 manual gear-box.

The range-topping 1.2litre, 77bhp ‘GT-Line S’ with a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) costs from £18,445 to £19,145 – putting the entire range under the £20,000 barrier.

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

Riding on 14-inch or 16-inch wheels, with seven exterior paint finishes, all cars come well-stocked with equipment as standard – which only increases as you progress though the range.

Special feature: Forward collision avoidance assist - including for pedestrians and cyclists

3. RENAULT CLIO TCE 90 - FROM £17,995

Two of the three Clio trim levels fall within the £20,000 limit – the Clio evolution TCe 90 from £17,995 and the Clio techno TCe 90 from £19,395

Nicole and Papa, characters created to advertise the Renault Clio in the 1990s, would be delighted by this award-winning, entry-level petrol-powered Clio which is cheaper than the hybrid models.

Its frugal 1.0 litre, 90 horse-power, turbo-charged 3 cylinder pure petrol engine linked to a smooth 6-speed manual gear-box offers acceleration from 0-62mph in 12.2seconds up to a top speed of 112mph, and fuel-efficiency of up to 54.3mpg.

Two of the three trim levels fall within the £20,000 limit – the Clio Evolution TCe 90 from £17,995 and the Clio Techno TCe 90 from £19,395, which was named best small car in the annual WhatCar? awards.

Judges praised its ‘exceptional value’, generous equipment, stylish interior practical boot and driving.

The base car is well stocked with cruise-control with speed-limiter, 7-inch touchscreen with navigation and smartphone replication and rear parking sensors. The techno trim adds front and rear parking sensors.

The range-topping Esprit Alpine trim (which I road tested recently) falls tantalisingly just outside at £20,595 but might be worth the marginal extra cost of a trade-up.

Special feature: An award-winning entry-level car

4. DACIA SPRING - FROM £14,995

The new all-electric Dacia Spring priced from £14,995 is the UK’s most affordable electric vehicle

Budget brand Dacia has stolen the crown from Skoda as the most affordable car brand – becoming the Aldi or Lidl of the automotive world.

As the value-for-money arm of France’s Renault Group, the Romanian-car-maker has developed a near-cult status for its keenly priced no-frills, no-nonsense but fun cars which are packed with personality.

It’s also raised its game on safety and interior spec.

The new all-electric Dacia Spring, priced from £14,995, is the UK’s most affordable electric vehicle, among the most affordable cars overall, and is available to pre-order now ahead of first deliveries in autumn.

Special feature: It’s all to do with price

5. DACIA SANDERO - FROM £13,795

The Dacia Sandero costs from £13,795 and is a flexible family hatchback

This small and flexible family hatchback city car was named best budget car in the Autocar Awards 2023.

It has three trim levels based on the Renault Clio and is at home as much in the city as on the open road.

Special feature: An award-winning budget car

6. DACIA SANDERO STEPWAY - FROM £15,295

The Dacia Sandero has good safety assists and is practical even if it costs only £15,295

Behold the Sandero’s more robust and rufty-tufty sibling, with roof-bars and a higher ground-clearance.

Hill-start assist, air conditioning and emergency brake assist all come as standard.

Special feature: Roof-bars and a higher ground-clearance

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7. DACIA DUSTER SUV - FROM £17,295

The Dacia Duster SUV comes in at £17,295 and has recently been refreshed inside and out

The versatile Dacia Duster SUV offers a recently refreshed interior and exterior design as well as new Y-shaped automatic LED headlights. It is also currently on a special offer PCP leasing deal with a £4,949 deposit and 24 monthly payments of £98. 

Special feature: New seat design provides more cushion and lumbar support

8. DACIA JOGGER - FROM £18,295

The Dacia Jogger is a good budget-friendly buy for seven-seat family life

In 2023, the seven-seater Jogger – available as a petrol or hybrid – was named best family car in the Autocar Awards. It can even be specified with a special Sleep Pack (£1,815 including blinds and storage bag) and tent extension to create an in-car bed for overnight camping. 

Special feature: The seven seats

9. MG3 - FROM £14,335

The MG3 Excite costs from just £14,335 new and the Exclusive Nav from £16,035

Celebrating its centenary this year, MG is a legendary British sports car brand founded in 1924 that is now owned by Shanghai-based, state-owned Chinese motor giant SAIC.

But the company’s been making waves with a line-up of affordable and practical cars – as well as a new head-turning £60,000 Cyberster roadster – that have struck a chord with UK motorists thanks to being well kitted-out and proving great value for money with a trio of sub-£20,000 cars.

In a curious twist, there are currently TWO generations of the MG3 5-door hatchback available to buy simultaneously.

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

Special feature: The historic brand

10. MG3 Hybrid+ - from £18,495

If you want to save money on running costs then the MG3 Hybrid+ is a cheaper alternative to the MG3 for less than £20k

The new and just-launched MG3 Hybrid+, available only as a hybrid, combines a 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and a 3-speed automatic gearbox.

Acceleration from 0-62mph in eight seconds.

The SE trim starts from £18,495, while the higher-specced Trophy is just outside the limit at £20,495.

Making up the MG trio is the MG ZS compact family SUV costing from £18,335, which is powered by the same 1.5 litre petrol engine that propels it from 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds up to a top speed of 109mph while still delivering 42.7mpg.

Special feature: A new design that will cut your fuel bills

11. CITROEN C3 RANGE – FROM £14,150

The Citroen C3 is very cheap for a compact hatchback, costing from £14,150

This popular C3 compact hatchback range currently comes in three models. Comfort – in drive and seating - is at the heart of the experience. But Citroen, part of the giant Stellantis group, is about to replace it with a new fourth generation model. So haggle hard for a discount and you may see even bigger savings as the existing models run out.

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

Along with the Citroën C3 Origin Plus PureTech version, costing £17,805, and the C3 Origin Max PureTech, from £19,755, it is powered by a 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engine, averages between 47.7mpg and 53.4mpg fuel efficiency and accelerates from rest to 62mph in 12.5 seconds up to a top speed of 103mph.

The next fourth generation Citroen C3 will be available to order in the UK this summer along with an e-C3 electric version. Prices are yet to be confirmed.

Special feature: A comfortable ride

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

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

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For more adventurous families who want a more rugged option, the C3 Aircross is the higher-riding, assertively styled SUV variant of the C3 family, with a useful 520-litre hatchback boot to complement the comfortable interior and seats.

The C3 Aircross YOU PureTech 110 S&S trim level costs from £17,830.

Its frugal 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and manual gear-box delivers 0-62mph performance of 10.1 seconds and a top speed of 116mph, with up to 54.2mpg fuel economy

Special feature: A useful 520-litre hatchback boot

13. FIAT 500 - FROM £16,800

The Fiat 500 needs little intro, and it won't break the bank as it starts from £16,800

The award-winning Fiat 500 super-mini is friendly car which saved the Italian car company – and that is no overstatement. It’s a modern incarnation of the original ‘Cinquecento’ 500 produced from 1957 to 1975.

With a host of ways in which to personalise its features, there are two variants which fit the bill at under £20,000. The Fiat 500 1.0 Mild Hybrid 70hp costs from £16,800 while the Fiat 500 Top 1.0 Mild Hybrid 70hp is priced from £18,300.

Both have 1 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engines with mild hybrid technology and 6-speed manual gear-boxes and average up to 51.1mpg, making them nippy city and commuter cars that reduce your trips to the filling station.

Special feature: One of the best looking small cars on the planet

14. FIAT PANDA – FROM £14,740

Available in two versions, prices start from £14,740 or the Fiat Panda 1.0 Mild Hybrid 70hp which manages a petrol-saving 58.9mpg

The cuddly, if boxy, Panda is a practical proposition for urban and suburban families who want space in a compact form. Riding on 15-inch wheels, the five-door, five-seater supermini has three head-rests in the rear for maximum comfort.

Available in two versions, prices start from £14,740 or the Fiat Panda 1.0 Mild Hybrid 70hp which manages a petrol-saving 58.9mpg.

The more brash top-of-the-range Fiat Panda Cross (with the same 70hp, 1.0 litre Mild Hybrid set up) costs from £16,240 and manages only fractionally less mpg.

But it does come packed with a lot of extra kit including black roof rails and exterior side trim, dark-tinted rear windows for added privacy, front fog lights, rain sensors and rear parking sensors.

Special feature: A compact family hatchback with flexible space

15. VAUXHALL CORSA – FROM £18,505

The multi-award-winning Vauxhall Corsa – currently within £20,000 

Two variants of one of Britain’s best-selling car – the multi-award-winning Vauxhall Corsa – currently fall within £20,000.

The Vauxhall Corsa YES Edition, 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) model costs from £19,635 and offers fuel efficiency of 51.4mpg.

Its design trim includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch colour touch screen, lane departure warning, cruise control, as well as rear parking sensors.

Special feature: Flies the flag for a British brand

16. HYUNDAI I10 – FROM £16,030

All three variants of the perky and recently refreshed five-door Hyundai i10 supermini hatchback come in at under £20,000

All three variants of the perky and recently refreshed five-door Hyundai i10 hatchback come in at under £20,000 – so you are lost for choice. Top German engineers at the firm – including ex-BMW motorsport experts – have also been helping inject more sporty oomph into the Korean brand.

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

The set is available in a mix 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 manual or automatic gearboxes.

Perfect for parking in busy urban areas, this smart city car measures just 3.67m long by 1.68m wide and is packed with levels of tech and driver aids – including heated front seats and wireless phone charging – more commonly seen on larger and more expensive vehicles.

Special feature: Perfect for parking in busy, urban areas

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

Prices range from £16,130 for the Aygo Pure, £17,170 for the Edge and £19,050 for the manual Exclusive

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

All use a 3 cylinder, 1.0 litre petrol engine with a top speed of 98mph for the manual and 94mph for the CVT (auto), with acceleration from 0-62mph of 14.9 seconds and 14.8 seconds respectively. Fuel economy is up to 58.8mpg for the manual and 56.5mpg for the auto.

Prices range from £16,130 for the Aygo Pure, £17,170 for the Edge and £19,050 for the manual Exclusive, though the auto version of the range-topper trim busts the budget by £155.

Special feature: Top speed of almost 100mph

18. SEAT IBIZA – FROM £19,724

SEAT is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Ibiza hatchback and its base level SE model just makes it under the wire at £19,724

Spanish car-brand SEAT is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Ibiza hatchback and its base-level SE model just makes it under the wire at £19,724, running on 15-inch wheels with cloth comfort seats, electric front windows, and rear parking sensors among the included kit.

Powered by a 95 horse-power, 1.0 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engine linked to a 5-speed manual gear-box, it promises cash-saving 55mpg fuel efficiency.

Special feature: Cash-saving 55mpg fuel efficiency

19. SKODA FABIA - FROM £19,730

Just one trim-level version of the Skoda Fabia slides under the £20,000 mark - the frugal 80 horse-power Fabia SE Comfort 1.0

Once the budget car champion, upwardly mobile Skoda has now become so posh that it has just one trim-level version of one model that slides under the £20,000 mark – the frugal 80 horse power Fabia SE Comfort 1.0 MPI 5-gear manual with an on-the-road price of £19,730 and CO2 emissions of 119 g/km and fuel-efficiency of up to 55.8mpg.

Special feature: Low insurance group

20. MAZDA 2 - FROM £18,625

The Mazda 2 hatchback from this reliable if unflashy Japanese car maker falls within the £20,000 limit - the 75 horse-power Mazda 2 Centre-Line costs £18,625

Often overlooked, three 1.5 litre petrol manual versions of the Mazda 2 hatchback from this reliable, if unflashy, Japanese car-maker fall within the £20,000 limit: 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 model – the Mazda 90hp Exclusive Line – is just outside the £20,000 limit at £20,375. 

Special feature: A nature-inspired design

SPECIAL MENTION: CITROEN AMI - FROM £7,695 

Prices start from £7,695 for the entry-level AMI; £8,495 for the funkier AMI POP and £8,695 for the AMI Tonic - but it's not technically a car

Technically the UK’s cheapest four-wheeled transporter, the quirky all-electric Citroen AMI is not a car – officially, it is classed as a ‘light quadricycle’.

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

The vehicle has a 46.6 mile range. However, its 6kW motor does not permit it to go faster than 28mph – and it’s a real bone-rattler on the road if you get even close to that.

It’s compact to the point of being minuscule in automotive terms. Tape-measure out, it’s just 2.41 metres long, 1.39 metres wide and 1.52 metres high. Most of it is sculpted plastic on a metal frame. It may be basic, but it’s undeniably clever and very well executed.

To save costs, the two wide doors are identical. But they are hinged differently either side so open in opposite directions. The side windows open manually and tilt upwards outside – just like the original 2CV.

While there’s no boot, storage includes cargo nets in the door recesses, bright-orange removable inlay trays below the windscreen and a hook for handbags or takeaways.

Special feature: The UK’s cheapest four-wheeled vehicle