Best affordable family cars in the UK
If you’re looking to buy a family car without breaking the bank, take a glance at our comprehensive guide to the most affordable family cars in the UK
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Whether you’re looking for an upgrade or you need your first set of family wheels, there are lots of great affordable family cars to pick from to suit a wide range of needs.
The best used low-price family cars come in a range of shapes and sizes, including super-nimble city cars and more spacious superminis, but they all share one thing in common – just how affordable they are.
Read on for our list of the best cheap family cars, and what makes each one of them so special.
Dacia Sandero – a robust affordable family car
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The Dacia Sandero is a testament to the Romanian brand’s commitment to building budget-friendly and robust cars, but because it shares a lot of parts with the Renault Clio, it’s also backed by reliable and efficient parts.
The interior is sensibly laid out, though some entry-level models are a bit sparse. Having said that, even top-spec versions are affordable, plus they’re often no more expensive to insure.
Despite a clear emphasis on value for money, the car doesn’t forgo key safety kit, earning previous-generation models a four-star Euro NCAP rating.
You’ll find a range of highly economical petrol and diesel engines borrowed from Renault, so they’ve been tried and tested in plenty of other popular models. The 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol offers a good blend of pace and economy.
Ford Fiesta – a compact and cheap family car
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The Ford Fiesta is Britain’s most traded used car, and for good reason. It’s an excellent pick for virtually any driver, from first-time buyers to retirees and, more crucially, families.
Its compact design doesn’t compromise on interior space, with plenty of room for rear-seat passengers, though sitting three abreast will be something you’ll only want to do on an as-needed basis (as with any other supermini).
Direct steering and responsive pedals make it a joy to drive in and around the city, so even when you’re driving alone, the Fiesta makes for a really pleasant car.
Though the diesels offer the greatest fuel economy, many drivers opt for the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrols, badged ‘EcoBoost’, which are pretty punchy but can still get 50mpg on a long trip.
Hyundai i10 – an affordable family car for city driving
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Designed with city living in mind, the Hyundai i10’s small size makes it extremely manoeuvrable in those tight car parks, but despite this, the interior is pretty roomy thanks to a fairly boxy (but stylish) design.
Not only is the i10 affordable, but it should also be cheap to run for a long time. It’s backed by a five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty, so you can rest assured that any manufacturing defects will be sorted promptly, even if you didn’t buy the car new.
Hyundai was previously a brand known for building budget-friendly cars, and while they remain comparably affordable, they’re loaded with more car tech than ever before, so newer range-topping models come with real luxuries, even including a heated steering wheel.
Kia Picanto – a cheap family car that can handle long distances
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If a five-year warranty isn’t enough, then Kia covers all of its cars, including the Picanto, for seven years. As well as being a reliable car, it’s one that’s cheap to run and fun to drive.
Its punchy and fuel-efficient engines are well-suited for long-distance travel, and while the turbocharged petrol can feel quicker, the regular petrols are just as capable and are more commonly available.
It shares a lot of mechanical parts with the Hyundai i10, but Kia designs its cars to look slightly more sporty, so you’ll have no reason to be embarrassed sitting behind the wheel of this affordable family car.
Peugeot 208 – the lowest-priced used family car?
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The Peugeot 208 is renowned for its ultra-stylish design, whether you’re looking for a current model or a previous-generation version. In fact, all of Peugeot’s cars stand out against their competitors thanks to some extremely eye-catching styling flairs.
The brand’s 1.2-litre petrol engines are also some of the nicest to drive, but take note that many earlier models had less power. Newer, turbocharged versions are much better suited to carrying a car full of passengers. In fact, the diesels should be able to exceed 60mpg, or more, on a long trip.
Because it’s a slightly bigger car than many others on this list, you’ll get more kit as standard. It’s also rated slightly higher in terms of safety, with current and previous-generation versions being awarded four and five stars by Euro NCAP.
Renault Clio – a perfect affordable car for families with small children
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Small children or not, any family will value the Clio’s five-star safety rating, which also applies to the newer and slightly heavier hybrid models.
Like the Peugeot, the Clio is stylish and looks slightly playful thanks to an oversized Renault badge on the bonnet. Newer versions also have smart-looking C-shaped LED daytime running lights.
The hybrid might be slightly more efficient, but the 0.9- and 1.0-litre petrols can be just as economical and are generally much cheaper to buy. We think it’s better to stick to petrol and choose a higher trim level if you’re conscious of your budget – top-spec models get suave portrait-oriented infotainment screens.
Suzuki Celerio – an efficient and cheap family car
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Fuel economy is a standout feature of the Suzuki Celerio, which is the lightest car on this list and is comfortable under one tonne in all configurations.
Because of its weight and dimensions, it’s nimble and highly manoeuvrable, making it a great pick for those living not just in town but also slightly rural areas on the outskirts, which are plagued with tight country lanes.
The Celerio’s simplicity and minimalism doesn’t go unnoticed, but you still get access to all the basics including a radio and air-conditioning. You’ll have to look out for higher-spec models – which are also cheap to buy – for more kit. Luckily, they all sit in low insurance groups.
Vauxhall Corsa – the most affordable family car in the UK?
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While the Fiesta is almost always the UK’s number one most-sold used car, the Corsa regularly makes an appearance in the top three, and is usually in second place.
It’s extremely popular because it’s available in a wide array of configurations, including sporty three-door models and even hot hatch variants, which means families, couples and solo drivers can all benefit from Vauxhall’s reliable manufacturing.
Vauxhall packs lots of safety features into the Corsa, as well as a generous amount of kit, even in older models, so you won’t have to look far for one that’s built to your ideal specification.
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