We’ve all hankered for a great-looking car at some point in our lives, but more often than not the appeal is limited by an inaccessible price tag. But not all classy-looking motors are too expensive to get your hands on.
From family-friendly, funky crossovers to exotic Italian sports cars, here are our top 10 cars that look a million dollars, but only cost a few thousand…
10. Dacia Sandero Stepway
Most family-sized crossovers are priced at a premium compared to their hatchback cousins, but the Sandero Stepway is far and away the best value quasi-SUV on the market right now. With a raised ride height, chunky body protection and plenty of room for five passengers, you can get behind the wheel of a cool looking car for less than £10k.
9. Range Rover Evoque
There are few badges with as much kerbside appeal as Range Rover, so you may be surprised to learn that you can get behind the wheel of an Evoque for the same price as a mid-range Audi A4 or BMW 3-Series. It makes the baby Range Rover an appealing choice for fleet users, and it’s fun to drive, too.
8. Audi TT
The Audi TT remains one of the coolest coupes on the planet, but it’s also far from excessively expensive. Opt for the 2.0-litre coupe model and you get a car with enough poke to hold its own, with jaw-dropping good looks, all for the price of a mid-sized compact executive car. If you don’t need the extra space, it’s hard to ignore.
7. Kia Stinger
The Stinger takes Kia into previously unchartered territory, in the form of a big four-door coupe akin to the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe and Audi A5 Sportback. But the Stinger is much cheaper, without anything in the way of compromise. It has a wonderfully agile rear-wheel-drive chassis and great performance. South Korea just got cool.
6. Alfa Romeo Giulia
When it comes to creating cars that are jaw-droppingly beautiful, Alfa Romeo is a true master. The rear-wheel-drive Giulia is as fabulous to drive as it is to look at, yet it doesn’t come with an inflated price tag. It’s simply the best-looking saloon car you can buy for less than £30k, and that alone is a reason to consider it.
5. Skoda Superb
The biggest model in Skoda’s line-up is also one of the brand’s most convincing, with exceptional build quality and great attention to detail. It’s incredible value for money, but the days of Skoda being a budget compromise are long gone – it’s a competent and refined executive car in its own right, and is even more enticing if you’re in the market for a large estate.
4. Ford Mustang
Now available in right-hand-drive, the US-built Mustang is a proper old-school V8 muscle car. But whilst it has the kerbside appeal of a mega-money supercar, it’s available for less than £40k. It’s also surprisingly well screwed together, and as for that V8 engine note… A uniquely brilliant car, if you can live with its prodigious thirst.
3. Skoda Kodiaq
If you're looking for a good value SUV that has enough space to carry up to seven people, while also offering loads of equipment to keep you safe, informed and entertained - then look no further than the Skoda Kodiaq. With a premium finish for little outlay, good driving feel and enough space for all the family, the high-end quality of the Kodiaq is difficult to overlook.
2. Jaguar F-Pace
Jaguar’s first-ever SUV needs to attract new customers to the brand, so as a result it’s extremely competitively priced. But there are no compromises here – the F-Pace is exquisitely well-made, with harmonious design and a great cabin. It’s practical, too, bringing the Jaguar brand into the reach of the family motorist. A great SUV and a good value one, too.
1. Fiat 124 Spider
There’s something utterly beguiling about the idea of an Italian sports car, even more so one that channels the heritage of one of the most iconic roadsters of all-time. There’s a lot to like about the 124 Spider, not least the fact it shares much of its invisible bits with the excellent Mazda MX-5. But the best thing about it by far is the price – it’s incredible value.