Don't want to spend hours researching new cars under 20k that drive well and that are not a compromise?
This comprehensive list is compiled by the Motorfinity experts and includes a list of vehicles that fit your budget and that are not a trade off. These cars don't have any less features than high end cars, are comfortable to drive, have lots of extras, have excellent safety rating and YES do not feel cheap when you step into them.
If you've got a bit more to spend, feel free to check out our guides on cars under £30,000 and under £40,000– there's some really great options in there.
New or Used Car Under £20,000
In your £20,000 budget, the decision to buy new or used depends on your priorities. New cars come with the latest technology, full warranties, and no history of wear and tear, but they also depreciate faster. A used car in this budget can often be a higher-spec model or a more premium brand, offering better value for money. A used car always carries the risk of hidden problems and a shorter warranty period.
If reliability and having the latest features are paramount, a new car might be the way to go.
Best New Cars Under £20,000
Renault Clio
Retail Price: £17,995.00
Savings: £2,243.00
Motorfinity Price: £15,752.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £222.55
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The first brand new car on the list is Renault Clio. Priced at £16,281, It offers excellent value for money for a new car under £20,000. It excels in both city driving and on longer journeys, offering a comfortable ride with robust acceleration and outstanding handling.
The interior is well-appointed with supportive seats, and models priced below £20,000 feature comfortable black cloth upholstery, enhancing driving comfort. Additionally, the Clio boasts a modern infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, a rare luxury in cheap car market, making it ideal for extended trips.
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In terms of safety, the Renault Clio has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating, highlighting its reliability and safety credentials. The car is also fuel-efficient, particularly in its petrol and diesel variants. It emits 117-120 g/km of CO2 and returns up to 54.3 mpg, an impressive figure for its category.
Seat Ibiza
Retail Price: £22,520.00
Savings: £3,543.00
Motorfinity Price: £18,977.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £261.97
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The Seat Ibiza is another in the list among best value cars.
With a retail price of £20,785, becomes an exceptional bargain through Motorfinity, offering a saving of £3,279 to bring it well under the £20,000 mark. The entry level model comes under the £20,000 budget but that doesn't mean it is any less desirable.
This vehicle is renowned for its comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. It features a relatively advanced infotainment system, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, DAB Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
In terms of design, the Seat Ibiza doesn't disappoint. The design team at Seat has created a modern and visually appealing exterior that doesn't compromise on style.
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Fuel efficiency is another strong point for the Ibiza, with a combined fuel consumption of 48-54 mpg, which is commendable for its class.
Volkswagen Polo
Retail Price: £21,915.00
Savings: £2,705.00
Motorfinity Price: £19,210.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £230.77
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The Volkswagen Polo, though initially priced above £20,000, becomes significantly more affordable through Motorfinity's exclusive discount, positioning it well under the £20,000 budget. Describing the Polo as merely a budget car is an understatement; it is premium class.
In terms of driving comfort and features, the Polo represents exceptional value. It delivers a refined driving experience, enhanced by a digital instrument display, an infotainment touchscreen, cruise control, LED headlights, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. These features equip it well for comfortable, extended journeys.
Safety is a priority with the Polo, as evidenced by its five-star Euro NCAP rating. The vehicle's 1.0-litre petrol engine strikes a balance between economy and performance, ideal for both urban and motorway driving, meeting the essential criteria for fuel efficiency in a budget car.
Regarding maintenance, the Polo comes with a standard or 60,000-mile warranty, offering reassurance in the initial years. Its placement in insurance group one makes it one of the most affordable cars to insure, further reducing overall maintenance costs.
The Polo's popularity ensures a wide availability of parts and servicing options, resulting in more competitive pricing and lower costs.
Toyota Aygo X
Retail Price: £17,180.00
Savings: £841.00
Motorfinity Price: £16,339.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £208.96
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The Toyota Aygo x is undeniably the prime pick among city cars and benefits significantly from the renowned Toyota reliability. It stands out in the market, especially where budget constraints are crucial.
The trim that we have selected is the top of line trim Toyota Aygo X Exclusive edition, what makes it different is that it offers enhanced multimedia and convenience features, such as a larger touchscreen, wireless phone charger, and advanced safety features like Emergency Steering Assist and parking sensors. These features makes this specific trim a strong contender in this list.
The Aygo X competes well in terms of comfort and modern amenities, featuring standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a rear view camera across all models.
Its engine performance is commendable for its price range and doesn't feel underpowered.
Interior quality in the Aygo X impresses with its user-friendly design and thoughtful features. Despite utilising hard plastic, the finish is excellent. The steering wheel's quality leather covering adds a refined touch.
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Fuel efficiency is a key strength of the Aygo X, particularly beneficial for road trips. Its only drawbacks are the limited space in the rear passenger area and boot, which might be a concern for longer journeys.
For smaller families or couples, its performance and driving experience make it a compelling option.
Safety-wise, the Aygo X is well-equipped. It includes features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assist, alongside a respectable Euro NCAP score, ensuring comprehensive safety measures.
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Seat Leon
Retail Price: £25,455.00
Savings: £4,382.00
Motorfinity Price: £21,073.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: Not Available
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The Seat Leon is an excellent choice if you're seeking a reliable and comfortable hatchback with an outstanding safety rating and superb driving experience.
It boasts ample space in the rear, a comprehensive feature set, and an infotainment system equipped with modern amenities such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior quality is notably upscale and superior compared to its competitors. For road trips, the Leon's spacious rear seats and sufficient boot space make it highly suitable. It stands out for its spaciousness, reliability, and exceptional build quality, both inside and out.
The £20,000 budget model of the Seat Leon is fuel-efficient, offering 52.3 mpg, which is commendable.
Maintenance costs are lower due to Seat's popularity and the brand's proven reliability. The entry-level variants fall into insurance groups 12-13, which are known for lower insurance costs, further enhancing its appeal in its category.
The Seat Leon's standard pricing slightly exceeds £20,000; however, through Motorfinity, our discounts vary periodically, often allowing the price to drop below the £20,000 mark.
Mazda 2
Retail Price: £18,624.00
Savings: £1,666.00
Motorfinity Price: £16,958.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £213.92
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The Mazda 2 stands out in its category, offering more than expected for the price. It features a luxurious interior, providing a sense of quality far beyond what is typical for a budget car. Even the entry-level models are well-equipped, matching or surpassing rivals in refinement, ride comfort, handling, performance, and practicality.
Comfort is a key attribute of the Mazda 2's interior, with adjustable seats and steering wheel, and notably comfortable seat cushions.
Unlike many budget and compact cars, the Mazda 2 excels in visibility, offering clear views to the front, sides, and rear. Its 8-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto enhance the overall experience.
The interior design is a pleasing blend of soft-touch materials and high-quality plastics.
Fuel efficiency is a standout feature, with the Mazda 2 achieving an impressive 56.8 to 59.9 mpg, impressive for its class. Maintenance costs are reasonable, and with an entry-level insurance group rating of 15, the Mazda 2 proves to be a cost-effective option in terms of ongoing expenses.
Vauxhall Corsa
Retail Price: £19,635.00
Savings: £1,106.00
Motorfinity Price: £18,529.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £268.94
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The Vauxhall Corsa is another value-for-money contender in the small car segment. It's well-appointed with efficient engines, ample boot space, solid interior quality, and notably spacious front passenger area – a significant advantage for a budget car.
In terms of driving experience, the Corsa excels, particularly in urban environments. It boasts comfortable seating and suspension across all trims, enhancing the ride quality. The car's handling and manoeuvrability are outstanding, complemented by remarkably responsive steering, making it a top choice for budget-conscious drivers.
The interior quality is both modern and functional. Vauxhall has achieved an excellent build quality that looks neither cheap nor basic, maintaining consistency across all trims, including the higher-end models.
It's equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto Connect. The touchscreen's size is considerable for a car in this segment, offering clear visibility and ease of use.
Ideal for road trips, especially for couples or small families, the Corsa also boasts a commendable four-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Fuel economy, ranging from 51 to 63 mpg, is exceptional for its class.
Citroen C3
Retail Price: £21,105.00
Savings: £1,643.00
Motorfinity Price: £19,462.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £259.67
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The Citroen C3 distinguishes itself with its unique styling, broad customisation options, and satisfactory driving experience, making it a standout choice in its category.
Notably, the interior of the C3 is exceptional in this price range, with standout quality features.
The use of faux leather for door handles imparts a feel far removed from that of a budget car.
The seats are designed for comfort, resembling armchairs in their softness, enhance the overall driving experience.
While the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system may have limited functionality, the interior as a whole adequately fulfils most requirements.
The C3 is well-suited for road trips, offering comfortable space for small families or couples. Its ride quality is notably soft, ideal for smoothing out bumps and quickly responding to potholes and sharp edges - attributes that contribute to a pleasant journey on longer drives.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the C3 achieves a commendable 46.1 to 51.3 mpg, making it competitive in its class. Its overall maintenance costs are reasonable.
The C3 is highly rated for its affordability in running costs, making it an economical choice.
Motorfinity and Cars Under £20,000
We're proud to offer exceptional discounts on a range of cars under £20,000. Our strong relationships with various manufacturers allow us to present these vehicles at highly competitive terms.
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