The best-value cars in the UK, according to owners
Car changing is a big deal
Buying a car is one thing – living with it is another. Based on the latest owner satisfaction survey, these are the cars owners say offer the best value for money.
When you’re buying a new car, it’s easy to focus on the upfront price. But real value only becomes clear after months – or years – of ownership. Running costs, reliability, practicality and everyday usability all play a part in determining whether a car is truly worth the money.
So which cars deliver the best value? Based on feedback from more than 100,000 UK motorists, the latest Driver Power survey reveals the cars owners say offer the best value for money, balancing low ownership costs with high satisfaction.
Here are the top 10 cars owners think offer the best value for money:
- MG HS
- Dacia Sandero
- Dacia Duster
- Hyundai i10
- Tesla Model 3
- Vauxhall Grandland
- MG4
- Renault Clio
- BMW 3 Series
- Ford Focus
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
1. MG HS
Taking the top spot is the MG HS. This SUV is spacious, well-equipped, and comes in a plug-in hybrid version with fantastic electric range. However, it’s not very fun to drive, and the infotainment is fiddly.
That hasn’t stopped owners from praising its value for money, though. One respondent said it was “practical and reasonably priced”, while another liked it for its “fuel efficiency, comfort, and style”.
2. Dacia Sandero
Good news! Claiming second place is the Dacia Sandero. This hatchback isn’t just spacious and practical – it’s comfortable to drive, too. However, it lacks some driver assistance technology, and the entry-level model is fairly basic.
That said, we think it’s incredible value for money – and owners agree. One owner described it as “cheap and cheerful,” while another said the Sandero is “cheap to run, roomy, and I love the colour.”
3. Dacia Duster
From one Dacia to another, the Dacia Duster rounds out the podium. This SUV is a great-value family car, and it also has some actual off-road ability. Just don’t expect as much clever tech as you’ll find in alternatives, or a plug-in hybrid option.
It still offers excellent value for money, however. One owner praised the Duster for its “price and what you get for it”, while another said it comes at a “good price for a very good car”.
4. Hyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 might have just missed out on the podium, but it’s still highly rated by its owners for its excellent value. This cracking city car comes with cute looks and lots of room inside. That said, we think it’s got a dire automatic gearbox.
Owners still praised it for its value for money. One respondent liked that “it’s compact, and economical to run and maintain”. Another echoed this, saying: “It’s cheap to run, very functional and nicely stylish for a city car.”
5. Tesla Model 3
Rounding out the top five is the Tesla Model 3, which also ranked as the best car to own in this year’s Driver Power survey. This electric saloon offers strong value, with a range of up to 466 miles on a single charge. However, almost every function is controlled through the central touchscreen, which we’re not great fans of.
That said, owners were full of praise for the car and value, with one saying: “As a Performance model, it’s ridiculously fast! Very reliable and cheap to run.” Another said it’s “easy to charge, maintain and drive, with low running costs.”
6. Vauxhall Grandland
Up next is the Vauxhall Grandland. This SUV has a quality interior, decent practicality and is comfortable to drive. However, it’s a bit dull, and the petrol engine feels underpowered.
Owners rated it highly for its value, though. “It’s a nice, comfortable car that’s reasonably cheap to maintain and run,” one owner said. Another added: “I love the fuel economy, I love the gadgets it has and the driving experience.”
7. MG4
MG4 owners rated this electric hatchback highly for its value. It comes with up to 338 miles of range on a single charge, its interior is easy to use, and it’s fun to drive. However, it does have a small boot, and we find it noisy on the motorway.
Even so, we don’t doubt its excellent value for money, and its owners agreed. One said they liked it for its “value for money, ease of driving, and comfort”, while others said it comes with “plenty of equipment that would be options with other brands” and is “competitively priced”.
8. Renault Clio
Renault also makes it into the top 10, this time with a stylish small hatchback. The Renault Clio has a high-quality interior and a massive boot for its class, but it lacks rear-seat space, and we don’t think it’s as comfortable as its alternatives.
That hasn’t stopped owners liking it for its value for money. One respondent said the Clio is “cheap to run and insure”, while another lauded it for being “fuel efficient and easy to drive”.
9. BMW 3 Series
Also making it into the top 10 is the BMW 3 Series. This saloon is a brilliant all-rounder, is best in class to drive, and its Touring estate version is exceptionally practical. However, the plug-in hybrid models lose a lot of boot space, and some optional extras are expensive.
It may be the most expensive car on this list to buy, but owners still applauded it for its value for money. “I like its power, torque, ride quality and handling,” said one owner, while another praised its looks and “general performance”, adding that BMW’s build quality made it good value.
10. Ford Focus
Last up is the Ford Focus. This popular hatchback may have been discontinued, but it’s still great fun to drive, has a spacious cabin and features an infotainment screen that’s easy to use. However, the boot is only average for its class.
Owners who have held onto their cars still consider the Focus great value for money. One respondent said, “It’s easy to drive, looks good, has good power and is reliable,” while another praised it for being “comfortable, fast, reliable and economical.”
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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