18-reg countdown: best new cars under £20,000
- Gareth Herincx
- @garethherincx
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The new car market is bracing itself for the release of the new 18-plate registrations, due on March 1.
March is the biggest month for new car sales, so we’ve chosen 25 sub-£20,000 showroom stars (in order of price) to give you some inspiration if you’re looking to change car.
There are more than a few city cars and supeminis, plus some old favourites and examples of the fastest-growing sector – compact crossovers – including the brand new Volkswagen T-Roc, Seat Arona and Hyundai Kona…
Kia Picanto
New in 2017 and better than ever, Kia’s sassy, well-equipped, refined and nippy city car is backed up by an unbeatable seven-year warranty. Priced from £9,495, go for a ‘3’ trim level or above and choose the thrummy three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine.
Skoda Citigo
Priced from £8,780, Skoda little city car is great value, fun to drive and surprisingly spacious. Closely related to the Seat Mii and VW up!, we’d recommend going for the slightly higher spec, powerful SE L 1.0 MPI 75PS GreenTech (£11,060).
Nissan Micra
The all-new Nissan Micra is something of a revelation – not just because it looks good, but it drives well too and there are loads of personalisation options. Go for the a 90PS 0.9 -litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine in Acenta grade which is good for 64mpg and priced at around £13,965.
Seat Ibiza
Looking like a baby Leon at first sight, the new Ibiza is a fantastic surprise. Stylish, safe, spacious, refined, well equipped and entertaining to drive, it’s simply one of the best superminis on the market. Go for the 95ps 1.0-litreTSI petrol engine in SE trim, priced at around £14,595.
Fiat 500
Quirky and oozing retro chic, Fiat’s iconic 500 is just as much fun as it looks. The cracking little 0.9 TwinAir engine is good for 74.3mpg with emissions of just 90g/km. In mid-range Lounge spec it costs around £14,615.
Citroen C3
Not only does the new Citroen C3 look distinctive and funky, it drives well too and boasts a particularly comfortable ride. Go for the eager PureTech 82 (1.2 petrol engine) in Feel trim, priced at around £14,695.
Suzuki Swift
Launched in 2017, the latest version of Suzuki’s popular supermini offers great value for money – it’s also roomy, fast and fun to drive. Stretch to the 1.0 SZS SHVS Boosterjet, priced from £15,499, for 60mpg real world fuel economy.
Volkswagen Polo
Bigger, better equipped and more refined, the all-new VW Polo is one classy supermini. It has to be too because it’s up against the acclaimed new Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza. Choose the entertaining 95PS 1.0-litre turbocharged TSI petrol engine in SE trim. Priced from £15,930.
Renault Clio
Sleek, safe, distinctive and fun to drive, the Clio is a popular supermini choice, plus it comes with a four-year warranty. Priced at £16,225, the 0.9-litre turbo petrol Energy TCe 90 ECO is capable of 67.3mpg.
Ford Fiesta
The seventh generation Fiesta is better than ever, now boasting the latest tech and connectivity, plus it’s also roomier and just as engaging to drive. Opt for the eager three-cylinder 1.0 (EcoBoost) turbo petrol in sporty ST-Line trim if you can. Priced from £16,595.
Kia Stonic
The new Kia Stonic is an impressive addition to the compact crossover sector and deserves to be on any shortlist. Good looking, generously equipped, well built and easy to drive, it also comes with Kia’s unbeatable seven-year warranty. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo engine in ‘2’ trim comes in at £16,995.
MINI
An evergreen MINI Cooper could be yours from around £17,340 if you choose the 1.5-litre petrol option. Fun and easy to drive, quirky and with great badge appeal, it’s also built in Britain.
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai’s dynamic looking Kona is another new addition to the small crossover sector, squaring up against rivals including the Nissan Juke and Seat Arona. Safe, easy to drive and with definite road presence, go for the punchy little 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine and SE trim priced around £17,745. Oh, and don’t forgot that generous five-year warranty.
Renault Zoe
If you tootle around or have a short commute, then you can drive Renault’s cute Zoe from just £14,245, though it will cost closer to £18,000 when you add the battery (or it can be leased per month). There’s isn’t a more chic, fun and easy way to switch to 100% electric for the price.
Seat Ateca
The new Ateca isn’t just a bit of rugged eye candy, it’s a very capable crossover. Spacious, stylish, safe and versatile, it’s entertaining to drive. It goes surprisingly well – even with a (115PS) 1.0-litre turbo petrol. The entry-level model comes in at £18,670, which is a lot of car for the money.
Honda Civic
The 10th generation Honda Civic is a class act. Boasting distinctive, radical styling and plenty of tech, it’s rewarding to drive, spacious and safe – and built in Britain. Again, opt for thrummy three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo petrol in SE trim or above. Priced from £18,890.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
The Insignia Sports Tourer is a big, handsome estate offering value for money combined with practicality, comfort and economy. The impressive entry-level 1.5-litre petrol turbo engine in Design trim comes in at £19,135.
Peugeot 2008
A stylish rival to the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, the popular 2008 crossover is spacious, practical and well built. The 1.2-litre PureTech 110 S&S petrol engine in Allure specification will set you back £19,225.
Volkswagen Golf
Now in its seventh generation, the evergreen VW Golf is better than ever. The SE TSI 1.0 110 PS petrol turbo comes in at £19,320, and for that you get a classy family hatchback with serious badge appeal.
Suzuki Vitara
Sharp looking, easy to drive and well equipped, the Vitara is a bargain 4×4 if choose the 1.6 SZ-T ALLGRIP, priced from £19,799.
Seat Arona
Seat’s entry in the hotly contested compact crossover sector is easy and fun to drive, good looking, well equipped and spacious. Go for the 1.0 TSI (turbo petrol) 115PS in sporty FR grade which squeaks in just under budget at £19,895.
Mazda CX-3
Mazda’s distinctive compact crossover is classy, fun to drive, well built and practical. The 1.5 SKYACTIV-D 105PS (diesel) SE Nav is capable of 71mpg with CO2 emissions of just 105g/km and comes in just under budget at £19,895.
Vauxhall Astra
Good-looking, practical, comfortable to drive and value for money, the Astra is a patriotic hatchback choice because it’s built at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. The Tech Line 1.6CDTi (110PS) S/S ecoTEC diesel has 86mpg fuel economy, emits only 88g/km of CO2 and is priced at £19,955.
Skoda Octavia
Skoda’s biggest selling model is spacious, well built and great value. A fantastic family car choice and our pick of the range – the SE 1.4 TSI 150PS – is our of range at £20,030. Definitely worth a haggle to get it in under budget.
Volkswagen T-Roc
The all-new VW T-Roc is stylish, spacious, well equipped, handles well and comes with a strong choice of engines. Aim for the SE 1.0 TSI 115PS, but prepared to drive a hard bargain because it’s a fraction over budget at £20,425.