Don’t spend more than you have to – a £150 monthly budget is enough to get behind the wheel of some very impressive cars.
There's a good chance you spend more than £150 per month on TV subscriptions and takeaways – but what if we told you that you could get into a nearly new or used car for the same monthly cost?
Most of these cars won't only be affordable to buy, but they'll be cheap to run too, with small efficient engines bringing decent fuel economy and low insurance costs.
Small, affordable hatchbacks are what you’ll get for £150 per month with a 10% deposit – that’s what we’ve focused on – although if you’re happy to increase your deposit, a much wider selection of cars and SUVs becomes available.
Alternatively, if you’re a bit more flexible on the monthly payment but don’t have much deposit to put in, check out our cars available for £199 or less with no deposit.
Fiat 500
We start with one of the most characterful cars on the road. The Fiat 500 will brighten up any miserable commute with its chic styling, funky interior and zippy handling. There are plenty available for under £150 per month, so you can pick your perfect trim level and colour. We like the Lounge version, with its long equipment list including parking sensors and cruise control. Get one with the 1.0-litre mild-hybrid engine and you’ll be able to manage up to 57mpg.
If you’ve got a designated parking space next to your house, consider picking the electric 500e. This is an even better city car, thanks to its effortless acceleration, automatic gearbox and cheap recharging costs. Small-battery ones manage around 100 miles of real-world driving while the bigger 42kWh battery lets you go further afield; both feel more modern inside than the petrol 500.
Shop used Fiat 500 cars for sale or read our Fiat 500 review
Citroen C3 Aircross
The Citroen C3 Aircross is a funky little thing that punches well above its price. It’s one of the most comfortable small SUVs, and its high driving position gives you a reassuring view of the road ahead. We’ve spotted both petrol and diesel engines available for roughly £150 per month, and both are among the most economical SUVs. The interior is pared back and simple, with the must-have smartphone functionality available through the screen. There’s a decent amount of rear-seat space and a pretty big boot, too.
Shop used Citroen C3 Aircross cars for sale
Kia Picanto
Perhaps the most impressive city car currently on sale, the Kia Picanto does everything a big car does but in a deliciously easy-to-park footprint. It’ll seat four adults with (some) room to spare, there’s enough space in the boot for a small weekly shop and high-spec cars get sat nav and even heated seats. But it still has the small-car flickability and fun handling. And all that is wrapped in the balance of a seven-year warranty.
Shop used Kia Picanto cars for sale or read our Kia Picanto review
Hyundai i10
Hyundai’s i10 is the complete small car – it’s tiny on the outside and easy to park, but big enough to fit four adults in. And, unlike some of the cars on this list, they won’t need a shoehorn to get in and out. It’s reliable and cheap to run, and will happily sit on the motorway as long as you don’t mind stirring the upper reaches of the engine. What’s really impressive is the amount of tech the i10 gives you – even the cheapest version gets a big touchscreen to connect your phone to, cruise control and air conditioning.
Shop used Hyundai i10 cars for sale or read our Hyundai i10 review
Toyota Aygo X
We’re starting to see examples of the Toyota Aygo X for sale around the £150 per month mark, which is great news. The Aygo X is a much more accomplished car than the older Aygo, with better build quality, a nicer interior design and more passenger space. A touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a reversing camera, is among the generous standard equipment. The raised ride height makes it a bit more comfortable over potholes than the Aygo, while tried-and-tested parts keep the insurance cost low.
Shop used Toyota Aygo X cars for sale or read our Toyota Aygo X review
Nissan Leaf
Surely one of the best-value electric cars, the Nissan Leaf is a top choice for around £150 per month. It’s a family-size hatchback with plenty of rear-seat space and a bigger boot than the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf – plus it’s cheaper to buy than those cars and much cheaper to run, too. With a cheap energy tariff, the Leaf will cost just a few pounds for a charge at home, which should give you up to 160 miles of clean, smooth driving. What’s more, the Leaf has slick acceleration, making it one of the fastest cars on this list, and its electric powertrain means it should be very reliable.
Shop used Nissan Leaf cars for sale or read our Nissan Leaf review
MG5
The MG5 is an electric estate car that is cheap to run, reliable, spacious and clearly excellent value. It’s perfect if you see your car as a tool or a workhorse to get things done. A real-world range of around 200 miles should be achievable from the 61kWh battery, and 100kW fast-charging means that a 10-80% top-up from a motorway fast charger should take around half an hour. Even the entry-level Excite model gets air con, a reversing camera, cruise control and sat nav.
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Ford Fiesta
If you’re happy with something a little older and with slightly more miles on the clock, you simply cannot go wrong with a Ford Fiesta. It’s practical enough to work as a small family car, with more space than these smaller city cars, and it’s also one of the most fun-to-drive cars of our picks. Even a 1.0-litre Fiesta in entry-level Zetec trim will put a Cheshire Cat grin on your face – and it still doesn’t cost much to run. Alloy wheels, a heated windscreen and air-con are just some of the standard features.
Shop used Ford Fiesta cars for sale or read our Ford Fiesta review
Peugeot 108
Underneath, the Peugeot 108 is the same as the Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo, but the dinky Peugeot manages to feel slightly more sophisticated than its siblings. It’s still cheap and cheerful inside, with durable materials and just enough tech to feel modern – there’s smartphone mirroring and a reversing camera, keeping you connected and helping you squeeze into the tightest parking spaces. All 108s come with a frugal 1.0-litre petrol engine, but there’s also the option of a ‘Top!’ version with a folding fabric roof.
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