Whether you’re taking the autoroute all the way to Paris or just nipping to the boulangerie, these cars are the crème of the crop.
Our list includes hybrid and electric models, as well as a smattering of performance cars, all with a certain va va voom that you don’t often get in German or Japanese rivals.
Here are our favourite French cars. Most are available as great-value nearly new and used cars from Motorpoint with low mileage and warranty cover.
Renault Clio
Serving up the style in the supermini segment, the Renault Clio is one of the best small cars on sale. Besides Gallic grace, the latest Clio also offers a more sophisticated interior than you’ll find in many of its rivals. The Clio is also one of a select few superminis to offer a hybrid engine, which allows you to whisper through town without using much fuel at all. Depending on the engine you choose, the Clio also offers a bigger boot than any other small car – in other words, the Clio is très bien.
Shop used Renault Clio cars or read our Renault Clio review
Citroen C4
The Citroen C4 used to be so bland that it was easy to forget where you’d parked it. Not the latest version, however, which brings a coupe-SUV style to the family hatchback class. Under the striking metalwork, there’s a choice of petrol and diesel engines, plus a fully electric e-C4 version with a 227-mile range. Used C4s are good value, and electric ones don’t tend to cost much more than petrol ones.
Shop used Citroen C4 cars or read our Citroen C4 review
Peugeot 2008
Many small SUVs play it safe. Not the Peugeot 2008, with its LED fangs, lion-claw brake lights and crystal-like rear indicators. In the unusual interior, Peugeot’s small steering wheels sits right below a digital instrument cluster and next to a large, free-standing touchscreen. There’s lots of tech, but thankfully a few shortcut keys to make it easy to navigate around the screen’s various functions. The 2008 comes with a slightly chunkier style than the C4, but offers the same range of frugal petrol and diesel engines and a zero-emission e-2008 option.
Shop used Peugeot 2008 cars or read our Peugeot 2008 review
DS 4
If you’d like the look of the Mercedes A-Class but want something that’s not parked on every street corner, the DS 4 deserves a look. It wouldn’t look out of place at Paris Fashion Week with piercing headlights and dramatic creases on the bodywork. The DS 4 also boasts a lavish interior with a futuristic centre touchpad to control the infotainment system. What’s more, you get a comfortable, sophisticated driving experience with some of the fluidity of classic French cars.
Shop used DS 4 cars for sale
Citroen C5 Aircross
It might have SUV styling and a lofty ride height, but the Citroen C5 Aircross hasn’t forgotten about the brand’s history of practical cars. It’s one of the only mid-size SUVs on sale to feature three individual rear seats, each with its own Isofix points, and the whole row can slide back and forth. Not that you’ll need to do that very often, as there’s still a 580-litre boot, even with the seats pushed back – more than most of its rivals. The C5 Aircross also favours comfort with innovative suspension and foamy seats.
Shop used Citroen C5 Aircross cars or read our Citroen C5 Aircross review
Peugeot 408
Where has France’s design verve come from, and can we have some please? The Peugeot 408 has the raised height of a crossover, the sleekness of a saloon and the driving manners of a sporty coupe. It’s hard to classify but easy to like. There's a high-quality interior trimmed in elegant materials, plus a well-balanced driving experience that blends sportiness and motorway comfort. C’est fantastique!
Shop used Peugeot 408 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 408 review
Citroen Berlingo
How can something so achingly practical look so interesting? Dare we even say charming? The Citroen Berlingo is the ultimate choice for families who don’t know how to pack light. It’s full of clever storage areas, including one behind the steering wheel and optional overhead storage – like you’d find in a caravan or aeroplane. Five or seven-seat versions are available, and so’s an electric powertrain so you can enjoy the quirky French space without any engine noise or exhaust pollution.
Shop used Citroen Berlingo cars for sale
Renault Scenic E-Tech
No longer a forgettable people carrier, the new Renault Scenic is now a fully electric SUV. With around 300 miles of real-world range, you can easily tackle longer trips with the family in tow. Just like Peugeot and Citroen, Renault has really found its styling joie de vivre, and the interior is as light and airy as you’d hope. It’s practical, too – the Scenic offers a whopping 545-litre boot space and plenty of room for passengers to stretch out.
Read our Renault Scenic E-Tech review
Alpine A110
Alpine is Renault's sporty brand and its A110 sports car uses the same engine as the Megane RS hot hatch. But the relatively humble underpinnings are matched to a focus on light weight and agility, so the Alpine A110 is fast and dramatic enough to rival the Porsche 718 Cayman and Toyota GR Supra.
Bugatti Chiron
We can dream of having a used Bugatti Chiron at Motorpoint – even though we might be waiting quite a while! The Chiron is hypercar royalty and one of the very fastest and most powerful cars in the world. You’ll need to put aside a few million pounds for one.
