The best cars for less than £10 per day

What can you get for a tenner these days? Well, if you’re prepared to use this as your daily budget – the amount some people spend on their lunch – then you will be able to afford the monthly payments on the best new cars in the business.

Welcome to our list of the finest vehicles you can buy for less than £10 a day. We’ve rounded up the best Personal Contract Purchase finance deals across models from all areas of the market, selecting 12 interesting and talented vehicles depending on your needs, to prove that price needn’t be a barrier.

• Best new car deals 2018

In most cases, we’ve based these manufacturer offers on a sensible deposit and a three-year contract limited to 10,000 miles per year.

We calculated the monthly cost, multiplying it by 12 to get the annual outlay and then dividing this by 365 to show you just what can be yours for less than £10 per day. And the results are remarkable.

Best new cars for less than £10 a day

Skoda Citigo - £5.34 per day

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List price: £11,020Customer deposit: £1,100
Deposit contribution: £1,500Monthly payments: £162.30Daily cost: £5.34

• • For: Incredible value for money, relative practicality, grown-up manners on the road.
• • Against: Not a five-seater, smartphone infotainment solution won’t suit everyone. 

This deal is actually closer to £5 a day, which is incredible value for the best city car currently on sale, the Skoda Citigo, in high-spec SE L trim. Put down an affordable £1,100 deposit and the maker will add £1,500 to the equation up front. This works out at just £5.34 per day.

For this minimal outlay you get a 59bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. It’s not fast (0-62mph takes 14.4 seconds), but it delivers where you want it to around town, with decent response and torque to help you deal with urban driving. However, it’s not out of place on the motorway, either, because the Citigo will happily cruise along with traffic in relative refinement for such a small car.

SE L spec features all the kit you’d want in a city car, too; parking sensors, heated seats, air-conditioning, Bluetooth and 15-inch alloys are all standard.

Skoda has realised that most buyers in this market have a smartphone and would prefer to save a bit of cash and use the tech in their mobile device for infotainment. It works well here and gives you real flexibility, something that characterises the Citigo.

For a cheap hatch, it deals with scars on city roads well and is nicely settled at higher speeds. There’s a surprising level of space and practicality in five-door form, too. Rear legroom is good and although it’s not a full five-seater, the Skoda will easily accommodate two adults in the back for short to medium journeys.

That it’ll cost you less than a sandwich every day makes it an attractive deal.

Ford Fiesta - £7.26 per day

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List price: £16,440Customer deposit: £2,385
Deposit contribution: 0Monthly payments: £220.97Daily cost: £7.26

• • For: Sporty ride and handling balance, excellent smartphone tech.
• • Against: No official deposit contribution, boot not as big as in some other superminis.  

The Ford Fiesta is Britain’s best-selling car, and for good reason. It’s great to drive and practical, and if you buy on Ford’s PCP scheme with the terms we’ve selected, you can get the keys for just £7.26 per day.

Our £2,385 deposit means you’ll put around 15 per cent down, which is still an affordable amount. While Ford won’t match that with its own contribution, there’s still plenty on offer. Zetec trim doesn’t get sat-nav, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the car’s slick 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Ford pushed the focus on practicality in this eighth-generation Fiesta, so with more cabin room and a 292-litre boot, this supermini can now even be used as a small family car. Refinement is a match for some models from the class above, but it’s the way the Fiesta rides and handles that gives it an edge.

The steering has all the feel you could want from a supermini, while its damping reinforces the car’s sportier character with lovely body control. However, it doesn’t sacrifice comfort. In town the Ford is composed and controlled, and this is where its agility comes from once you leave the busy urban streets behind.

Our £7.26-per-day price is really just a guide here. Although Ford doesn’t offer an official deposit contribution on its finance calculator, we’d try negotiating with your dealer for an even bigger discount to lower your daily outlay. 

SEAT Ateca - £8.44 per day 

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List price: £20,820Customer deposit: £2,100
Deposit contribution: £1,500Monthly payments: £256.80Daily cost: £8.44

• • For: Sharp handling, lots of standard kit, styling doesn’t compromise practicality.
• • Against: Ride is on the firm side, rival  models have more attractive interiors. 

While our deals so far have all been based roughly on a 15 per cent deposit, with just a 10 per cent down payment of £2,100 on SEAT’s 1.0 TSI 115 Ecomotive Ateca in SE trim, you could land one of the best mid-size SUVs on the market for just £8.44 a day.

It’s the choice for keen drivers, with the car’s MQB platform and sportier set-up (even on Comfort suspension) delivering sharp handling, because the Ateca remains resolutely flat in corners for an SUV. The steering is precise and while body control is good, it does mean ride comfort suffers a little.

However, it’s not something you’ll find difficult to put up with, especially given the level of flexibility on offer. The roomy cabin and 510-litre boot mean the Ateca will literally swallow anything an active family throws at it.

SE spec gets a great level of kit, given you’ll easily be spending less than the cost of a few drinks every day. SEAT’s Media System Plus is standard; this features an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also the usual DAB, Bluetooth, cruise and climate control, plus safety is a real strength, thanks to standard autonomous braking with pedestrian detection and a host of airbags.

You can add extras, such as LED headlights and heated seats, and while these will inevitably hike the daily price, there’s headroom here to still spec a car to your tastes that comes in under the magic £10-per-day marker.

Volkswagen Golf - £8.56 per day

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List price: £20,725Customer deposit: £3,110
Deposit contribution: £1,500Monthly payments: £260.42Daily cost: £8.56 

• • For: Quality and refinement, broad spread of ability thanks to turbo petrol.
• • Against: Golf’s boot is not as big as some rivals’ – but it’s still adequate.

Volkswagen’s Golf is the undisputed champion of the family hatchback class – and it could be yours for just £8.56 per day.

The 1.0 TSI engine made its debut in the Mk7.5 Golf last year in response to the swing back towards petrol power after the Dieselgate emissions scandal. While its 108bhp power output might not sound all that much, it has a stout 200Nm of torque thanks to its small turbo, so it rolls along with a relaxed feel, delivering adequate performance. The 0-62mph sprint takes 9.9 seconds.

However, it’s the way that the Golf isolates you from everything that’s so nice. It’s a high-quality product that feels it inside, but this refinement and unruffled ride don’t cloud how good the Golf is to drive. Precise steering, a rewarding gearchange for a family hatch and good body control mean you can carry more speed than you’d imagine – as well as five people and plenty of luggage, thanks to the 380-litre boot.

SE Navigation spec is the sweet spot in the range, balancing kit and cost. Sat-nav is standard as part of an eight-inch colour touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All-round parking sensors, adaptive cruise and autonomous braking feature, too.

With a 15 per cent deposit of £3,110, plus a £1,500 contribution from VW, the car won’t break the bank to buy on finance, and should be cheap to run thanks to 58.9mpg claimed economy, as well as CO2 emissions of 109g/km.

Peugeot 208 GTi - £8.73 per day

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List price: £23,550Customer deposit: £3,500
Deposit contribution: £2,200Monthly payments: £265.53Daily cost: £8.73

• • For: Agility matched with fun, potent powertrain, still usable.
• • Against: Three-door only, gearbox could be more precise. 

The new Ford Fiesta ST might be on the horizon and the Toyota Yaris GRMN is ramping up the pressure in the compact hot hatch class, but both cars will have to go some to beat the level of affordable fun offered by the Peugeot 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport.

The Peugeot Sport chassis tuning includes a 10mm lower ride height, meaning even more focus, with the car’s quick steering matched by the level of grip from the sticky Michelin tyres.

Add the 205bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine – which boasts solid mid-range torque and yet still loves to rev – and a 6.5-second 0-62mph time, and you can see how hard this little pocket rocket punches.

A Torsen limited-slip differential works beautifully with the firmer, more focused chassis set-up, too, giving excellent traction out of corners.

While the 208 is stiff, the high-quality damping means the car is still usable day-to-day. It’s a true successor to the legendary 205 GTi that carved Peugeot out as a player in this area.

The 208 GTi is only available as a three-door, so you sacrifice a little bit of practicality, but it adds to the sporty appeal and a big enough boot ensures it does what a hot hatch should, covering near enough every base – including efficiency, with a claimed 52.3mpg.

At £8.73 per day with a 15 per cent deposit (plus a £2,200 contribution from Peugeot), performance has never been so affordable. 

Mazda MX-5 - £8.84 per day

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List price: £20,195Customer deposit: £3,029
Deposit contribution: £1,500Monthly payments: £268.92Daily cost: £8.84

• • For: Revvy naturally aspirated engine, gearbox and chassis, convertible roof.
• • Against: Cramped cabin, lack of practicality, still too raw for some.

The Mazda MX-5 is synonymous with fun. It’s the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car, having shifted more than one million units since it was launched at the end of the eighties. And with finance deals on offer like the example we’ve picked out, it’s not hard to see why.

We’ve gone for the revvier 129bhp 1.5-litre petrol model; although it doesn’t have the ultimate firepower of its larger 2.0-litre-engined sibling, it still cracks the 0-62mph sprint in 8.3 seconds. That’s helped by an incredibly low 975kg kerbweight, which also boosts agility, another MX-5 strong suit.

There’s some noticeable roll, but you can enjoy the Mazda’s delectable rear-wheel-drive balance at sane speeds and play with the car thanks to the lovely, direct steering with just enough power to make it engaging.

The sweet six-speed manual gearbox is a joy to use to keep the naturally aspirated engine in its sweet spot. This zingy 1.5-litre motor loves to rev and rasps with a crisp note to its rev limiter.

However, the MX-5’s calling card is its folding soft-top roof. It adds another dimension to the driving experience, and the simple manual mechanism makes it easy to enjoy the fleeting moments of British sunshine, while also helping keep the cost down compared with electric-hooded rivals.

Put down a 15 per cent deposit and a high-spec SE-L Nav MX-5 will cost you just £8.84 per day. That’s a bargain. 

Nissan Leaf - £9.30 per day 

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List price: £24,290Customer deposit: £5,000
Deposit contribution: £1,000Monthly payments: £283.00Daily cost: £9.30

• • For: Instant performance at low speed, more usable than ever, improved quality.
• • Against: Range and styling still won’t be enough for everyone.

Electric cars really are becoming more viable propositions for many, so it could be time to switch to an EV, such as the brand new Nissan Leaf.

The Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car, and for good reason. This new, second-generation model builds on the success of the original with ome cutting-edge tech. Nissan has introduced its ‘e-pedal’, which provides enough deceleration when you lift off the accelerator to bring the car to a stop.

The interior and infotainment are a big step up and the Leaf is as spacious as a conventional family hatch, boosted by its 435-litre load capacity.

However, a car’s range is a big part of practicality with an EV, and with the new Leaf’s 40kWh battery meaning a claimed 235-mile total range, there’s more than enough flexibility here.

Instant performance from the 148bhp electric motor means 0-62mph takes 7.9 seconds, with excellent acceleration off the line. The near-silent powertrain ensures refinement is strong as well.

A full recharge with the Leaf takes 7.5 hours using a wallbox or between 40 and 60 minutes for an 80 per cent top-up using a 50kW rapid charger.

With a 20 per cent deposit of £5,000 on the Acenta model – which gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus a reversing camera – Nissan will throw in £1,000 on top. So you’ll pay just £9.30 per day for one of the newest and most advanced cars on the market, with a very usable mileage limit of 7,500 per year.

Porsche 718 Cayman - £9.43 per day

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List price: £42,897Customer deposit: £8,579
Deposit contribution: £1,000Monthly payments: £286.91Daily cost: £9.43

• • For: Immersive chassis and steering, great gearchange, surprising usability.
• • Against: Not much standard kit, engine lacks some character. 

Yes, you really can get a Porsche on finance for less than £10 per day –and there’s no wild deposit here. We’ve selected a 20 per cent up-front payment (£8,579, but still not that steep, given the car’s £42,897 list price), while Porsche will add £1,000, too. Crunch the numbers and the magic daily figure equals £9.43.

That’s not a lot of money for the best sports coupe in the business. While the 718 Cayman’s move to turbocharged flat-four engines has come in for criticism because it sacrifices some of the older six-cylinder car’s character, you can’t argue with the performance.

The manual model we’ve selected will sprint from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds – this is the version to go for, thanks to the level of involvement and the quality of the shift. It’s mechanically just right and is matched by the steering, which delivers a clear message of how much grip the front tyres are generating.

Chassis balance is beautiful, but the 718 does the everyday things so well, too. With a total of 425 litres of boot space split between a compartment in the nose and an area behind the rear seats, it’s surprisingly practical.

The infotainment touchscreen has sat-nav and CarPlay. It’s simple to use and is well integrated into the dash. There’s not much other standard kit, but concentrate on what you’re getting here: a pure-bred sports car for the same daily price as a diesel exec saloon. 

BMW 3 Series - £9.50 per day

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List price: £35,060Customer deposit: £6,459
Deposit contribution: £5,628Monthly payments: £289Daily cost: £9.50

• • For: Performance and efficiency in equal measure, spacious cabin, all-round ability.
• • Against: Engine is noisy when cold and can be grumbly under acceleration.

Some things don’t change in the car world, and BMW’s 3 Series is about as consistent as they come when it comes to its market appeal.

With smart styling, a high-quality cabin, impressive agility for something that’s equally as adept as a long-distance cruiser and an image that means many people still will want one, the 3 Series is a strong ownership proposition.

So what if we told you that for £9.50 per day you could own one? The deposit is a little higher, at £6,459, but BMW will add a fairly sizeable £5,628 on the most attractive model in the 3 Series range: the 320d M Sport automatic. This is over a slightly longer 48-month term, but most dealers will contact you after two or three years to try to secure your repeat business, so view this as more of a fluid timeframe when it comes to changing.

M Sport models get a sporty bodykit plus sat-nav and LED headlights. There’s plenty of space for a family of four and the dynamics you’d expect of a sporting saloon, although this diesel version still claims fuel economy of up to 60.1mpg.

BMW also says it will sprint from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, helped by the swift and smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is definitely the transmission choice to go for here, especially if you’re a business user who’ll be covering a high mileage.

We’d also recommend the adaptive dampers if your budget can stretch to them. Whether you add them or not, at this price you can’t go far wrong. 

Vauxhall Insignia - £9.74 per day 

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List price: £21,090Customer deposit: £2,990
Deposit contribution: £0Monthly payments: £296.35Daily cost: £9.74

• • For: Space, ride and refinement, lots of technology for the money.
• • Against: Gearbox shift action could be sweeter, some poorer materials around cabin. 

Vauxhall’s Insignia Sports Tourer has to be one of the best-value propositions on the new car market. We’ve picked out the 1.5-litre petrol turbo version in Design Nav trim, which delivers strong performance and a great level of kit for a lower-spec model.

You get an eight-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Bluetooth and Vauxhall’s OnStar connected concierge service. There’s also cruise and climate control and loads of safety tech, including autonomous braking and pedestrian detection.

Add to that the estate’s cavernous 560-litre boot (1,665 litres with the seats folded), and the level of versatility on offer is difficult to fault. Keep hold of the car for 48 months and with an alarmingly affordable deposit of  £2,990, you’ll pay just £9.74 per day.

The engine is smooth, thanks to the surge of torque, and is economical. The six-speed manual isn’t the greatest box, but it doesn’t prove a barrier to making progress. So revel in the relaxed ride and executive levels of refinement and the Insignia Sports Tourer is one of the most cost-efficient ways to transport you, your family and all their stuff.

Vauxhall has really bridged the gap to its rivals. Compared with competitors such as the Skoda Superb Estate, it’s eminently more affordable, which makes it a great deal if you want a cheap load lugger with few compromises. 

Jaguar XJ - £9.82 per day

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List price: £59,995Customer deposit: £19,000
Deposit contribution: £10,558Monthly payments: £298.69Daily cost: £9.82

• • For: Refinement and impressive agility, good level of standard kit, smooth engine.
• • Against: Ride could be more supple still, a little cramped compared with rivals.  

Can you really get a luxury saloon such as the Jaguar XJ for less than £10 a day? If you work the numbers to your advantage, the answer is yes.

This does mean you’ll have to put down a chunky £19,000 deposit, but when you realise Jag will also contribute a £10,558 stake up front, the daily price of just £9.82 makes it a brilliant deal. This is based on a 36-month contract, limited to 10,000 miles per year.

Even in ‘entry-level’ Luxury spec, the Jag comes loaded with high-end kit. LED lights, electrically adjustable heated leather seats, four-zone climate control and a 10.2-inch infotainment system with WiFi hotspot capability are included. So are emergency braking, cruise control, a reversing camera and keyless entry with soft-closing doors for that luxurious touch. The 296bhp 3.0-litre V6 is a joyous engine, too, delivering effortless performance and a huge 700Nm swell of torque from low down that makes motorway cruising easy. Efficiency is also respectable; Jaguar claims 49.6mpg.

No matter what area of the market it sits in, a Jag should always be a dynamic proposition, and the XJ is no different. While this sophisticated saloon can whisk its occupants from one end of the country to the other in total luxury, the chassis is surprisingly fun when you begin to push a bit harder.

The smooth-shifting transmission is snappier in manual mode, and the XJ takes on a different personality. For the money, this is a car with many positives. 

Hyundai Ioniq - £9.85 per day

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List price: £24,995Customer deposit: £5,000
Deposit contribution: £1,500Monthly payments: £299.48Daily cost: £9.85

• • For: Flexibility of plug-in powertrain, impressive real-world efficiency, kit list.
• • Against: Firm ride, styling not to all tastes, material quality could be better. 

Hyundai’s Ioniq is the most affordable family plug-in hybrid on the market; so much so that we’re running one on the Auto Express fleet.

Unlike rivals such as the Toyota Prius Plug-in, passenger and boot space aren’t affected, because the Hyundai is a full five-seater with a 341-litre luggage bay.

Any PHEV has to deliver decent efficiency and here the Hyundai excels. A claimed 256.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 26g/km mean it’ll be a cheap choice to run, especially for business users. While we wouldn’t expect to match such economy on the road, we did return an impressive 71.1mpg on our first road test.

Those low running costs extend to Hyundai’s PCP deals. On a contract limited to 6,000 miles per year you’ll pay just £9.85 per day with a £5,000/20 per cent deposit. In Premium spec the Ioniq PHEV gets an eight-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging and heated seats – everything you’d want from your car, basically.

As with Nissan’s Leaf, you can recharge the battery in up to six hours using a home supply or just two hours 15 minutes with a faster wallbox. Either way, you get a 39-mile claimed electric-only range.

Of course, the Ioniq’s 1.6-litre petrol engine evaporates any range anxiety you might have, meaning you can cruise in relative comfort for miles if you’re not making a local zero-emissions journey.