While £400 per month is plenty to get you behind the wheel of a brand-new car, you’ll get more for your money by picking something a bit older.
New cars lose a big chunk of money in the first couple of years on the road, so this list features some cars that were quite expensive when they left the factory. From state-of-the-art electric cars to spacious family SUVs, there’s plenty of exciting choice on this list. For more options, browse our whole selection of cars for £300-£400 per month or our cars for £349 per month or less with a £349 deposit.
Renault Scenic E-Tech
Jumping in straight to the top of this list is the Renault Scenic E-Tech, which is one of the best SUVs around – electric or otherwise. A near-400-mile range means it could even work for you if you can’t charge at home, and you won’t mind spending time at a charger while sitting in the sumptuous interior. There’s plenty of tech to keep you entertained on long journeys, and Google Maps integration to make sure you’re never stuck in a surprise traffic jam again. The styling is sophisticated, the boot is nearly class-leading and rear-seat space is jaw-dropping.
If an electric car isn't feasible, check out the Renault Austral – which promises almost 60mpg without needing to be recharged.
Shop used Renault Scenic E-Tech cars for sale or read our Renault Scenic E-Tech review
Audi Q4
You can find various VW Group electric cars for under £400 per month, and we'd pick the Audi Q4 because it's the most premium-feeling of the lot. Not to mention the easiest to use, with an intuitive infotainment system and proper buttons for the climate controls.
We'd opt for the bigger-battery 82kWh version for its 300-mile range, unless you know you can live with the smaller battery's 200-mile offering. The big battery also charges to 80% seven minutes faster, so you'll be on the road quicker and with more miles at your disposal.
Shop used Audi Q4 cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our Audi Q4 review
Volkswagen Passat
The latest VW Passat is simply superb – in fact, it's simply a Skoda Superb underneath. But that's no bad thing, and the latest Passat is the best yet. Especially with a plug-in hybrid engine. You get the refinement of a fully electric car, up to 82 miles of electric range and even fast-charging – which makes the plug-in Passat far more versatile than most PHEVs. And the petrol engine helps versatility, too – with both power sources topped up you could theoretically go 750 miles before you needed to stop again. The Passat impresses with sublime long-distance driving manners – even the Life model has massaging seats, for example – plus acres of rear-seat space and a massive boot.
Shop used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale or read our Volkswagen Passat review
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y needs little introduction – it was the world's best-selling car in 2023 and 2024. No wonder you'll see dozens on every journey. It takes everything good about the Model 3, but adds family-size practicality and the versatility of a hatchback tailgate (rather than the Model 3's letterbox-like opening). Nab the Long Range AWD model and you'll get a massive range – up to 351 miles – plus sports-car performance with 0-62mph taking just 4.8 seconds! Of course, buying a Model Y also gives you access to Tesla's Supercharger network – one of the most reliable and effortless charging networks.
Shop used Tesla Model Y cars for sale or read our Tesla Model Y review
Volvo XC40
Petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid or even fully electric – if you like the Volvo XC40’s chunky, youthful styling, there’s an engine to suit you. Whichever you pick, you’ll get a smart, tranquil interior with a portrait touchscreen and a perfect mix of digital and analogue. As you’d hope from a premium car, the tech and materials on offer both impress, while the XC40 is still a fairly practical machine for people and stuff.
Shop used Volvo XC40 cars for sale or read our Volvo XC40 review
Peugeot 3008
This is the newer-shape Peugeot 3008, which is available as either a hybrid or as a fully electric car. The e-3008 is the one to get, in our opinion, because of its 327-mile range and heavy initial depreciation – making it fantastic value as a used car. And with such a high range figure and impressively fast charging capability, you could feasibly live with the e-3008 even if you have to rely on public charge networks. New, even bolder styling is matched by an interior that includes a ‘floating’ 21-inch screen. The hybrid, meanwhile, promises to be economical for a car of this size, and gets you around without the worry of plugging in.
Need two extra seats? The boxier Peugeot 5008 can also be picked up for under £400 per month.
Shop used Peugeot 3008 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 3008 review
Skoda Kodiaq
One of our favourite seven-seaters, the Skoda Kodiaq is probably the ultimate family car. The interior is the perfect mix of posh and hard-wearing – you’re not going to be too bothered about the crumbs and mess that your kids cause, but it feels luxurious up front. It’s really roomy, and the boot is vast with the rear seats folded down. There’s still a torquey diesel engine on offer for easy power, load lugging and towing, and a slick-shifting DSG automatic gearbox too.
Or, check out the related SEAT Tarraco and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.
Shop used Skoda Kodiaq cars for sale or read our Skoda Kodiaq review
Cupra Leon
The Cupra Leon is a sporty and premium-feeling hot hatch that's like a more flamboyant version of the VW Golf GTI. For well under £400 per month, you can pick from plug-in hybrid or powerful petrol engines, and hatchback or estate body styles. All are well equipped, while the very top-spec cars get beefy brakes and bucket seats with carbon fibre on the backs. The Leon is great to drive, with confident steering and quick gearchanges.
Shop used Cupra Leon cars for sale or read our Cupra Leon review
Nissan X-Trail
A likeable and laidback SUV, the Nissan X-Trail will seamlessly slot into family life. It's a spacious model with impressive practicality and an easy-to-use interior that balances up-to-date tech with premium-feeling materials. The E-Power hybrid engine is worth picking: it's the most economical X-Trail and comes with the smoothness of electric driving – but you simply refuel it like a standard petrol car. Five-seat and seven-seat versions are available, although the latter is best treated as extra seats for occasional short journeys – the third row is very tight.
Shop used Nissan X-Trail cars for sale or read our Nissan X-Trail review
Audi A5
The Audi A5 is a truly sophisticated choice. Its bodywork is as crisp as a freshly ironed shirt, its interior is grown up and everything about the A5 is smart. If it was a person, you’d never see it wearing trainers. And, as such, don’t expect it to be hot on the heels of a supercar down a country road – but it’ll soak up long motorway journeys without any fuss whatsoever.
Shop used Audi A5 cars for sale or read our used Audi A5 review
Read our top picks for other monthly budgets
- 10 of the best cars for under £150 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £200 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £250 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £300 per month
Affordable finance on used cars
Check out Motorpoint's huge selection of nearly new and used cars, all with a range of flexible finance options.
