Best new car deals: Today’s top buys for all budgets
Thinking of buying a new car? These are some of the best deals on the market right now…
We Brits love buying a new car, and paying for it in installments. In fact, around eight out of 10 new car purchases are on finance as many car buyers like to split up payments into manageable monthly chunks. Searching for the best car finance deals, though, can be a slog. There’s so much choice on the market and quite a few different ways to pay.
There’s no need to fret as our experts have trawled up the very best car deals available on today’s market, and assembled them right here to make your car buying journey much easier.
We’ve done the hard work for you and looked at the latest deals around, both from our own Auto Express Find a Car service, which includes deals from dealers around the UK, and directly from the manufacturers to find the best new car deals on offer. Some of these deals boast a significant amount off the car’s list price, while others offer temptingly low monthly payments and even lower interest rates on finance.
We’re focusing on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deals here, since this a hugely popular kind of car finance plan for those buying new cars who prioritise low monthly payments. Those who prefer to lease rather than buy a car can visit our best car leasing deals page.
There are three main areas for you to consider when looking at PCP finance deals – the deposit, monthly repayments, and optional final payment are all key to getting a great deal. If you’re not sure about what those are, read our handy PCP finance guide.
It’s also important to know the length of the finance agreement, mileage limit, any deposit contributions from the manufacturers and the APR interest rate – as this can affect your suitability. Most of our deals assume you’ll be putting down a deposit of around 10 to 15 per cent, and will be covering around 8,000 miles a year but the flexibility of PCP car finance means you’ll be able to adjust the deals to your own requirements.
Best new car deals right now on Auto Express
Our Find a Car service brings together car deals from the UK’s top dealer groups and manufacturers. Our experts have picked out the best offers currently available on new cars below…
Citroen C3 Origin
- Model: C3 Origin 1.2 PureTech Plus
- Auto Express cash offer: £14,750
- Saving off RRP: £3,350
While the new Citroen e-C3 is our Car of the Year, the older combustion-powered model lives on as the Citroen C3 Origin, and this car is still an attractive buy for the budget-conscious. This supermini is rather spacious for its size, and it’s one of the most comfortable cars in its class by quite a long way. This deal from Derby Citroen has a £3,350 cash saving.
Ford Puma
- Model: Puma 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid mHEV Titanium
- Auto Express cash offer: £24,025
- Saving off RRP: £2,500
The Ford Puma is officially one of Britain's best-selling cars, and this small SUV certainly makes a strong case for itself. Not only is the Puma practical and loaded with tech, but its Ford Fiesta underpinnings also make it surprisingly enjoyable to drive. It shouldn’t be too demanding when it comes to running costs, either. SMC Ford currently have a £2,500 discount on offer.
Hyundai i10
- Model: i10 1.0 63 Advance Navigation
- Auto Express cash offer: £15,579
- Saving off RRP: £451
Modern city cars may still be comparatively tiny in size, but they’ve come a very long way in terms of quality and tech. The Hyundai i10 is a key example of this evolution as it offers plenty of the features you’d expert to find in a far larger model, only here it’s wrapped up in a package that’s an absolute breeze to park in the tightest of spaces. The i10’s cleverly designed cabin means four adults can be seated comfortably, too. In short, this is a great all-rounder that’s bagged our City Car of the Year award twice.
Kia XCeed
- Model: XCeed 1.5T GDi ISG 138 2
- Auto Express cash offer: £23,212
- Saving off RRP: £1,723
If you can’t quite decide between a traditional hatchback or an SUV, the Kia XCeed crossover is a blend of both. There are various members of the Kia Ceed family, the XCeed adding beefed-up styling and a bit more practicality to the standard Ceed’s sensible family car formula. It’s good to drive, too, while that 7-year/100,000-mile warranty continues to speak for itself.
Nissan Juke
- Model: Juke 1.0 DiG-T N-Connecta
- Auto Express cash offer: £23,176
- Saving off RRP: £3,069
If you despise generic cars, the quirky Nissan Juke could be the one for you. While this small SUV isn’t quite the class-leader it once was, it’s still a highly distinctive car that won’t be too harsh on your bank account. The N-Connecta trim offered here brings its fair share of posh touches, too, including ambient lighting, climate control and keyless go.
Peugeot E-208
- Model: E-208 100kW 50kWh Auto Allure
- Auto Express cash offer: £23,880
- Saving off RRP: £6,070
If you’re thinking about making the jump over to an electric car but aren’t too keen on some of the showier models out there, the Peugeot E-208 offers a sense of reassuring familiarity. This electric supermini looks virtually the same as its petrol-powered counterpart both inside and out, only here there are no exhaust emissions to worry about. The 50kWh battery offered here can return up to 225 miles on the WLTP combined cycle, so long journeys shouldn’t be a concern, either. Guilford Peugeot is currently offering this big discount.
SEAT Arona
- Model: Arona 1.0 TSI SE Technology EZ
- Auto Express cash offer: £19,496
- Saving off RRP: £4,029
If you’re looking for a family car but still crave just a hint of sportiness, the SEAT Arona is one of the better small SUVs when it comes to the driving experience. This doesn’t come entirely at the cost of practicality, though, as there’s still a respectable amount of room inside the Arona. The boot stands at 400 litres with all seats in place, while there’s enough space in the back seats for the little ones or the occasional adult passenger. This deal from Ingram SEAT looks very tempting.
SEAT Ibiza
- Model: Ibiza 1.0 TSI 95 SE Technology
- Auto Express cash offer: £17,916
- Saving off RRP: £2,879
It may be one of the older superminis on today’s market, but the SEAT Ibiza still boasts an overall sense of quality that keeps it firmly in the running. While the cabin was originally a cause of slight disappointment, a midlife facelift saw this redesigned with superior materials, so the Ibiza is now a genuinely pleasant place to sit, even on longer journeys. The 1.0 TSI engine is also rather frugal with an official combined economy figure of 55mpg. You can currently save almost £3,000 on an Ibiza at Ingram SEAT
Best new car deals from manufacturers
Now let’s take a look at the best PCP finance deals currently being offered directly from the UK’s top manufacturers…
BYD Dolphin
- Model: Dolphin Active
- Per month: £259
- Initial payment: £259
- Finance type: PCP
- Duration: 49 months
- APR: 0%
- Mileage: 6,000 per year
- Final payment: £12,420
While it’s neither the fastest nor the most exciting EV out there, the BYD Dolphin does offer pretty great value for money. The Active model up for grabs here is the entry-level trim, but it still claims up to 211 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle from its 44.9kWh battery pack. Step inside and the cabin feels like a far more expensive affair than it actually is, while the rotating screen is a nifty (if slightly gimmicky) feature.
Take a look at the BYD Dolphin deal
Dacia Duster
- Model: Duster Expression TCe 130 4x2
- Per month: £111
- Initial payment: £5,311
- Finance type: PCP
- Duration: 25 months
- APR: 4.9%
- Mileage: 6,000 per year
- Final payment: £14,804
Dacia builds some of the cheapest cars on sale in the UK, and the latest Duster is no exception. It’s still very budget focussed, but this small SUV now offers even more space and equipment than before. Admittedly, there’s little in the way of luxury here, but if you want a straightforward, durable and no-nonsense car, you’ll struggle to find a bigger bargain.
Take a look at the Dacia Duster deal
Hyundai Tucson
- Model: Tucson Advance 1.6T 160PS 6MT
- Per month: £222.84
- Initial payment: £10,000
- Finance type: PCP
- Duration: 25 months
- APR: 0%
- Mileage: 10,000 per year
- Final payment: £16,651.74
To win our Mid-size SUV of the Year award is a big deal, but to win it four times in a row is a whole other level of achievement. That is exactly what the Hyundai Tucson has managed to achieve thanks to a plethora of plus points such as its distinctive styling, upmarket cabin, huge versatility and efficient powertrains. If only it was a bit more fun to drive.
Take a look at the Hyundai Tucson deal
Mazda 2 Hybrid
- Model: 2 Hybrid Centre Line
- Per month: £229
- Initial payment: £4,300
- Finance type: PCP
- Duration: 48 months
- APR: 0%
- Mileage: 8,000 per year
- Final payment: £9,923
The Toyota Yaris is one of the most efficient superminis on the road, but if you want to save a few extra pennies on the purchase price then you’ll be better served by the Mazda 2 Hybrid. As you can see, this car is physically and mechanically identical to the Toyota, but it manages to undercut it on cost — at least for now.
Take a look at the Mazda 2 Hybrid deal
MG4
- Model: MG4 EV SE 125kW 51kWh
- Per month: £159
- Initial payment: £9,967
- Finance type: PCP
- Duration: 37 months
- APR: 0%
- Mileage: 8,000 per year
- Final payment: £11,304
Electric cars aren’t exactly cheap to buy brand-new, but the MG4 is a bona fide bargain compared to its rivals. This family hatchback offers a very similar amount of kit and practicality to the pricier Volkswagen ID.3, and there’s even a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty to boot. The 51kWh on offer here is powered by the line-up’s smaller battery, but it’ll still officially cover 218 miles between charges.
Renault Scenic
- Model: Scenic E-Tech Techno 87kWh long range
- Per month: £228
- Initial payment: £12,299
- Finance type: PCP
- Duration: 25 months
- APR: 0%
- Mileage: 6,000 per year
- Final payment: £23,227
The Renault Scenic has shed its MPV skin in favour of a more contemporary SUV shell. Its powertrain has been kicked into the future, too, as fully-electric power is the only option here. Have no fear, though, this is still very much a sensible family car at heart. The Scenic is spacious and well-equipped, but there’s an added bonus with this deal as the Long Range model claims a stonking 379 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle.
Take a look at the Renault Scenic deal
Suzuki Swift
- Model: Swift Mild Hybrid Motion
- Per month: £139
- Deposit: £4,996
- Initial payment: PCP
- Duration: 25 months
- APR: 0%
- Mileage: 8,000 per year
- Final payment: £10,867
Cheap superminis are gradually becoming less common than they once were, but the latest Suzuki Swift is keeping this sector alive for now. It’s a bit more humble than some of the other superminis on this list, but the Swift still comes with its fair share of modern tech including advanced safety kit like autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and traffic sign recognition. The mild-hybrid powertrain is a bit of a party piece, too, as it’ll officially return over 60mpg.
Take a look at the Suzuki Swift deal
How to find the best car deal for you
Now let’s take a look at some top tips for working out which car to buy and how best to pay for it…
What type of car do I want?
The Zero-Emission Vehicle mandate (ZEV) was introduced in January 2024, dictating that 22 per cent of all new cars sold in the UK must be pure-electric. And while you may not be ready to ditch the diesel just yet, if you think now might be the time to make the switch, there’s likely to be some striking deals on EVs in the coming months.
Then there’s the shape and size of car you’re after. Nowadays there are niches within niches; it’s no longer as simple as small, medium or large. SUVs and crossovers are fashionable, and account for an increasing share of the market, but do you really want or need the raised ride height? That’s before you consider the higher running costs associated with bigger vehicles or 4x4s.
Choosing a car with strong residuals could also stand you in good stead if you plan to switch your car after two or three years – even if you’re locked into a finance deal. A punchy guaranteed future value can lower your monthly payments, meaning you end up spending less in the long run.
How does PCP finance work?
More than 90 per cent of the new cars sold in the UK are purchased using some kind of finance, so while list prices are often referred to, monthly figures and deposits are arguably more relevant. Most car makers have their own version of a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and they all work in the same way.
PCPs are best thought of in three parts: the deposit, the monthly repayments, and the optional final payment. The deposit is the cash you’ll put down up front. This can either be a straightforward lump sum, the value of your part-exchange, a deposit contribution from the manufacturer, or a combination of all three.
The size of the deposit will affect the size of your monthly repayments. These are typically made over a 24, 36 or 48-month period, but can be scaled up or down to suit your circumstances. The final part is the optional final payment, which is sometimes referred to as the ‘balloon payment’. Your deposit and monthly payments only go part of the way to paying off the car; in fact, they’re actually paying off its depreciation over the time you’ll have it. To own the car you’ll need to pay the full amount off, but not every buyer does.
Many drivers use the car’s ‘equity’ as the deposit on their next one. This ‘equity’ is made up of overpayments you may have made, since makers often overestimate how much a new car will depreciate to play it safe. This quirk of PCPs means you might not necessarily have to find a big deposit each time you take out a new deal.
If you don’t want to own the car outright or roll any ‘equity’ into a new deal, your third option is to hand the car back with no additional payments, and walk away.
Other ways to finance
Few buyers have the means or motivation to spend tens of thousands of pounds in one go. So while PCP deals are the most popular finance option, retailers also have an alternative, called Personal Contract Hire (PCH).
Personal Contract Hire
Also known as personal leasing, PCH deals require less capital up front. After an ‘initial rental’ or up-front payment, you make a series of regular payments until the agreement ends, after which you hand back the car and walk away.
While there’s no large deposit, unlike a PCP, which offers a reasonable degree of flexibility, a PCH will tie you in for the duration, with no option of handing the car back early without a financial penalty.
Hire purchase
Fewer people choose Hire Purchase these days, but it’s still possible to take out an old-fashioned HP agreement on a new car.
Put down a deposit then make monthly repayments that, unlike with a PCH or PCP deal, pay off the value of the car. At the end of the term you own the car outright.
HP agreements are secured against the vehicle, so tend to offer more attractive interest rates than those offered with unsecured bank loans, for example.
Cash, cards & loans
The days of cash being king are long gone in the new-car market and you may find the deals offered via this purchase method are less attractive than those available were you to take out a PCH or PCP deal.
Credit cards offer a level of consumer protection but have heavy interest rates. A bank loan with an attractive interest rate is another route. You’ll pay cash for the car, so dealer discounts are harder to come by.
Should I buy my car from a dealer or online?
It’s no longer necessary to set aside a weekend to make your way around 10 different dealers, test driving cars and negotiating the perfect price. Online brokers are growing in popularity, and without the overheads associated with sky-high showroom rents and huge workforces across multiple sites, they can often undercut the salesman on the franchised forecourt.
What’s more, buying from a broker doesn’t exclude you from the usual warranty cover and aftersales service – and many will offer manufacturer-backed maintenance plans.
But car makers are increasingly aware that customers are shunning dealers in favour of a simpler, less confrontational buying experience. It’s for this reason that many are moving (or have already moved) to an agency model, whereby they cut out the middleman and sell direct to the consumer. In doing so, the price you see is the price you pay; there’s no negotiation, and no high-pressure sales environment. For many customers, this will make buying a car much simpler.
Choosing the right car for you
The cars listed above are our considered recommendations, but they won’t suit everyone. You should spend time ensuring that the model you choose has the space, style, economy, and performance you need.
Once you’ve drawn up your shortlist, call round dealers to book test drives, and put the car to good use. Make sure you, and anyone else who will be driving it, is satisfied and can find a suitable driving position behind the wheel.
Take the kids along to ensure they can get comfortable, too, and that it’s easy to get child seats in and out. And if you have hobbies with specific requirements, make sure the car is up to the job.
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