Like most items, cars have gone up in price over the years as they continue to get bigger and also to accommodate the latest technologies.
Not so long ago a £20,000 budget could have comfortably bought an MPV or large family car, but as prices have increased, this amount of money will now not access quite as many cars as you might expect, with popular models like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf now above this threshold.
That said, there’s still a range of great new cars available for under £20,000. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.
Ford Fiesta – from £16,645
The Ford Fiesta continues to be one of the most popular cars in the UK for good reason, and its affordability is certainly a big draw to it.
Available in three- or five-door layouts, the Fiesta is good to drive and is available with some fantastic turbocharged petrol engines within this budget. With generous equipment levels and a roomy interior by class standards, it’s well worth a look.
Enquire on a new Ford FiestaMini 3-Door Hatch – from £16,605
Though Minis might be considered as more of a premium model, they’re actually quite good value in the supermini class thanks to their £16,605 starting price. You also get plenty of standard kit, including cruise control and a large 8.8-inch touchscreen system.
But the main draw to the Mini is its fun and youthful styling, while this small hatchback is also great to drive as well. Though not the most practical car in its sector, you can choose a roomier five-door model if you need extra space.
Enquire on a new MiniVauxhall Astra – from £19,740
You’ll notice many cars on this list are quite small, but if you need something a bit roomier and still within this £20,000 budget, your options are actually quite limited, However, one of your best options is the Vauxhall Astra, and though this model might soon be replaced, the outgoing car still looks the part and is good to drive as well.
This budget will limit you to the Griffin model, though that’s no bad thing as it gets a long list of equipment included, such as LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels and heated front seats.
Enquire on a new Vauxhall AstraHyundai i10 – from £13,195
If you really don’t need a big car, though, a city car will more than fit the bill, and one of our top picks is the Hyundai i10 – undoubtedly one of the more ‘grown-up’ options in this class. And yet, despite measuring just 3.7m long, it can comfortably seat four adults and even has a decent-sized boot.
Its small engines also make the i10 very cheap to run, while standard equipment is very generous for the price, with all but entry-level cars coming equipped with an excellent eight-inch touchscreen.
Enquire on a new Hyundai i10Skoda Scala – from £17,585
Skoda’s cars usually represent great value for money and the brand’s Ford Focus-sized Scala is no exception. That’s because it essentially gives customers a large hatchback for the price of a supermini.
Its 467-litre boot is the largest of any on this list, while the Scala also looks the part and gets you plenty of equipment for your money.
Enquire on a new Skoda ScalaCitroen C3 Aircross – from £17,320
You might think crossovers (or small SUVs as they’re often known) come with a steep price, but there are actually several available for £20,000 or less. One of our favourite options is the Citroen C3 Aircross.
With its funky styling and comfortable ride, it’s unlike many others in this class, while has recently benefited from a mid-life update, gaining a bolder look, new in-car technology and even more comfortable list.
Enquire on a new Citroen C3 AircrossDacia Sandero – from £7,995
A special mention has to go to the Dacia Sandero, which is currently the UK’s most affordable new car, with its £7,995 starting price significantly undercutting all its rivals. However, this latest generation of Sandero is roomier than ever, while if you splash out on higher-spec trims you get an impressive amount of technology for the price.
Though not the most exciting car in its class, or indeed especially ‘premium’ inside, neither of these can be expected when you consider what a bargain the Sandero is. You can even choose it as a more rugged-looking Stepway version for not a lot of extra money.
Enquire on a new Dacia SanderoSeat Arona – from £19,260
Seat’s range of crossovers are some of the best on the market, and it's the smallest Arona that just sneaks in under this £20,000 budget. It’s certainly one of the most stylish cars in its class, while good to drive compared to many rivals.
Another car to recently benefit from an update, the Arona also gets you plenty of kit for your money, with standard kit including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and 8.25-inch touchscreen all included on entry-level models.
Enquire on a new Seat AronaHonda Jazz – from £19,045
Honda treads a rather different path in the supermini class compared to rivals, favouring practicality and ease of use above all else. The Jazz is almost like a small MPV in terms of size, and is therefore very roomy for a model in this segment.
Now exclusively available with hybrid powertrains, the Jazz should give you impressively low running costs, while also being one of the safest cars in its segment thanks to a generous list of driver assistance features included.
Enquire on a new Honda JazzVolkswagen Polo – from £17,800
Volkswagen’s Polo supermini has continued to get better and better over the years, and the current Polo is a superb option. With its roomy interior, classy design and well-built interior, it’s a perfect example of just how well-rounded a small car can be these days.
Though Volkswagen is readying a revised version shortly, the outgoing example remains a fine choice in its own right, and is helped by its strong turbocharged petrol engines and refined driving experience.
Enquire on a new Volkswagen Polo