These are some of the cheapest cars to run
By Motor Match • 15/08/2023
If you are looking to reduce your monthly costs, a cheaper car is a good way to go about it. Here, we’ve picked out some of the best cars for just that.
The current cost of living crisis is seeing people up and down the country tighten their belts and look after their finances amid high costs for heating, fuel and, well, just living in general.
Cars are usually a primary expense for most people, whether you’re looking at a new, used car, or reduced used car, and are factored into many households’ monthly outgoings. But what if you want to reduce those monthly costs when it comes to fuel and insurance? Here, we’ve picked out some of the best cars for just that.
Volkswagen Up!
It’s hard to go wrong with a Volkswagen Up! It’s good to drive, smartly designed and is surprisingly spacious inside for such a compact car. Plus - and most importantly for our list - it’s very frugal to run. You could get up to 54mpg, in fact, which means that trips to the pump will be few and far between.
The vast majority of Up! models sit within insurance group 1, too, helping to make those premiums as low as possible too.
Hyundai i10
Hyundai’s i10 has been a go-to option for cost-saving drivers for a while now and the latest model is no different. We really like the styling of this new model too, with its integrated fog lamps and blacked-out areas giving it a premium feel.
But to the crux of the matter - is it cheap to drive? Thankfully, it is. You should see up to 52.3.mpg combined while most versions reside around group 3 for insurance. Hyundai also offers a great five-year unlimited mileage warranty with the i10.
Fiat 500
When you think of the Fiat 500 you probably imagine this retro-inspired car’s dinky proportions and classy design. But on top of these factors, you’ve also got some impressively low running costs.
Of course, the electric 500 will deliver great results, but the petrol versions are still remarkably frugal. You could get up to 60 mpg in the latest mild-hybrid model, though these fuel-sipping versions do sit in a slightly higher group 10 for insurance.
Mazda 2
If it’s efficiency you’re after, then the Mazda 2 has always been a fine option. It’s also superbly well made inside, with high-quality materials put together with a level of finish that isn’t usually present in this segment.
Pick the most frugal version and you could see up to 60mpg combined, though be wary that the Mazda 2 does range from group 13 to 16 for insurance, which is quite high for a supermini of this size.
Audi A3
Even if you’re looking to save money, there’s no reason why you can’t opt for a more premium model. The A3 has all of the features you’d expect from an Audi such as high levels of technology and loads of good materials, but it’s also available with some very clean engines which can help reduce fuel bills.
Petrol-engined A3 models can return up to 55.4mpg, while plug-in hybrid versions will better this but only when fully charged. The only downside to the A3 is its insurance group; even the cheapest versions sit within still-high group 14.
Kia Ceed
Kia is the kind of brand you opt for if you’re after a car that won’t let you down. It has a superb reputation for reliability, after all, while all of its cars come with a very impressive seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty, providing peace of mind to new drivers.
The Ceed is one of Kia’s ‘core’ models. The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol available on the current model is wonderfully frugal with a claimed MPG of 51.4, though an insurance group 14 means premiums will be higher.
Peugeot 208
Peugeot’s 208 has made itself known as one of the more striking-looking options in the compact car segment. It’s bristling with features, too, including Peugeot’s clever i-Cockpit setup that pairs two high-definition screens inside the cabin.
It’s a brilliantly efficient car, too, with petrol versions able to achieve up to 56.7mpg. The lowest insurance group that you’ll find the 208 within is 12, too.
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