Whether you're a young first time buyer or generally just feeling the pinch from the current economic climate, then chances are that if you happen to be looking for a new car, you want something cheap and affordable.
If pricing is your priority then it could be tricky working out just what are your cheapest options within this highly congested market.
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So to help, here is a guide to the ten cheapest new cars to buy today in UK showrooms. We've given you a selection of makes so there should be plenty of choice.
Needless to say, no diesels, automatic transmissions, hybrids, seven-seaters or convertibles feature here. Not or are there any engines over 1.2-litres in size. These are strictly city cars like the Ford ka and the Nissan Pixo, the latter is (at the time of publishing) the cheapest car on sale in the country today.
The prices featured on this list are strictly on-the-road, in other words, they are the manufacturer's recommended retail price after all taxes, delivery charges and the cost of the road fund licence have been added on.
No other extra costs or retail incentives/other special discounts which may exist right now are included in this list. So what you have is literally the most inexpensive way of getting into a new car in the UK.
#10 - Ford Ka 1.2 Studio 3dr
On-the-road price:
£8,545
The entry-model to the little three-door Ford Ka is very simple and uses the same 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine which is available across the whole range.
Even in the cheapest and most basic Studio trim, the petrol-powered Ka offers the same performance figures as any other specification. It even features stop-start technology, which automatically turns off the engine when the car is at a standstill, saving fuel in the process.
Overall though this specification is still very basic indeed, there are no electric windows or central locking, and this is also the only trim to not feature body-coloured mirrors and door handles.
Top speed:
99mph
0-60mph sprint time:
12.9 seconds
Fuel economy:
57mpg
CO2 emissions:
115g/km
Annual road tax rate:
Nothing for the first year, then £30 every subsequent year
#9 - Chevrolet Spark 1.0 + 5dr
On-the-road price:
£8,475
The Spark + was not always the starting model in the range but since Chevrolet has stopped production of the original standard trim; this is as basic - and as cheap - as you can get.
Nevertheless this remains a very cheap hatchback and it uses a modest 67bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, which is actually pretty nippy particularly driving through town.
The Spark + also has a decent level of equipment compared to most standard city cars, featuring electric windows, a CD-Radio player and air-conditioning.
Top speed:
96mph
0-60mph sprint time:
15.5 seconds
Fuel economy:
55.4mpg
CO2 emissions:
119g/km
Annual road tax rate:
Nothing for the first year, then £30 every subsequent year
#8 - Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic 5dr
On-the-road price:
£8,345
The standard-spec Hyundai i10 is not only cheap but offers decent value for money. The hatchback's 1.2-litre petrol engine is connected to a five-speed manual gearbox, offering perky performance while keeping running costs low.
Like the majority of cheap city cars though the interior is unexciting, but you do at least get a decent level of equipment, certainly compared to other entries on this list.
The Classic specification includes air conditioning, electric front windows and a CD/Radio player.
Top speed:
105mph
0-60mph sprint time:
11.8 seconds
Fuel economy:
61mpg
CO2 emissions:
108g/km
Annual road tax rate:
Nothing for the first year, then £20 every subsequent year
#7 - Perodua Myvi SXI (manual) 5dr
On-the-road price:
£7,999
Malaysian car manufacturer Perodua doesn't consider the UK market a priority at the moment and therefore has little presence. One of its creations however, the Myvi supermini, is still available to Britain's motorists and it's a reasonable if unspectacular city car.
The 86bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine is nippy enough for city driving, but its CO2 output is noticeably higher than any of the other cheap cars on this list, meaning you'll pay a lot more in annual road tax.
The standard equipment list is surprisingly long, including alloy wheels, a CD player and even leather seat trim. Safety kit is sparse however. Interior quality and refinement may disappoint as well.
Top speed:
102mph
0-60mph sprint time:
12.6 seconds
Fuel economy:
44mpg
CO2 emissions:
151g/km
Annual road tax rate:
£170 for the first year and annually
=#4 - Proton Savvy 1.2 Style 5dr
On-the-road price:
£7,995
Just one specification of the Proton Savvy exists and it's a little supermini which was first launched back in 2005. Its goal is to challenge established city car rivals like the Ford Ka example and act as a cheap alternative.
While it certainly is one of the cheapest cars on sale in the UK today, it's fair to say the low price is about the only thing that's going for the Savvy. The standard equipment list isn't sparse actually, featuring alloy wheels, parking sensors and a CD player.
Meanwhile the 75bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine offers a reasonable if slow drive, but the low quality cabin and refinement really does show the car's age.
Top speed:
98mph
0-60mph sprint time:
13.9 seconds
Fuel economy:
49.6mpg
CO2 emissions:
134g/km
Annual road tax rate:
£120 for the first year and annually
=#4 - Volkswagen Up! 1.0 60 Take Up 3dr
On-the-road price:
£7,995
Launched in early 2012, the Up is Volkswagen's all-new competitor for the popular city car market.
The Up has already impressed a lot of motoring critics around the globe, and has even scooped the 2012 World Car of the Year accolade amongst numerous other awards.
This starting specification for the three-door Up is short on equipment, there's no air-con or rev counter, and the 59bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine offers subdued pace. However owners could appreciate the stylish looks and the smooth, agile drive.
The limited equipment list does include a CD player, body coloured bumpers and side airbags.
Two other city cars, the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo, share the same platform with the VW Up and will go on sale later on in 2012. They will both undercut the Up in price with the Mii starting from £7,845 and the Citgo at £7,630.
Top speed:
99mph
0-60mph sprint time:
14.4 seconds
Fuel economy:
62.8mpg
CO2 emissions:
105g/km
Annual road tax rate:
Nothing for the first year, then £20 every subsequent year
=#4 - Citroen C1 1.0 VT 3dr/Peugeot 107 1.0 Access 3dr
On-the-road prices:
£7,995
There are two cars which fill this slot because the C1 and 107 not only cost the same but are virtually the same cars, with the only real differences coming in the styling and badges.
Both city cars have received a facelift in 2012 and both use a 67bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine. With this both cars also record the same fuel economy and CO2 output.
There are slight differences in performance however; the C1 will cover the 0-60mph sprint slightly quicker, in 13.7 seconds compared to the 107's 14.2 seconds time. The 107 however edges the C1's top speed of 98mph, clocking in at 100mph.
Both specifications feature an identical equipment list which includes a CD player and body coloured bumpers but not much else.
Another cheap car which shares the same platform with the C1 and the 107 is the Toyota Aygo. A facelifted version of this car will go on sale later on in 2012 with the main differences laying in styling.
Top speed:
C1 - 98mph, 107 - 100mph
0-60mph sprint time:
C1 - 13.7 seconds, 107 - 14.2 seconds
Fuel economy:
65.7mpg
CO2 emissions:
99g/km
Annual road tax rate:
Free every year
#3 - Suzuki Alto 1.0 SZ2 5dr
On-the-road price:
£7,820
The entry-level Suzuki Alto is a small, cheap and basic supermini aimed at young first time buyers.
This car certainly does that with its easily manageable 68bhp 1.0-litre engine and its low insurance group number of two.
For such a cheap price though you won't get much else, not even air-conditioning or height adjustable seats.
On a more positive note you do get a CD player, as well as front electric windows and body coloured bumpers.
One other thing to keep in mind is that the Alto only gained a three star rating in a 2009 Euro NCAP crash test.
Top speed:
96mph
0-60mph sprint time:
13.5 seconds
Fuel economy:
64.2mpg
CO2 emissions:
103g/km
Annual road tax rate:
Nothing for the first year, then £20 every subsequent year
#2 - Kia Picanto 1.0 1 3dr
On-the-road price:
£7,795
The latest standard-trim three-door Kia Picanto uses a 68bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine which is weak but at the same time frugal and allows the car to undercut the 100g/km barrier for CO2, saving customers money on road tax.
As you'd probably expect, the equipment list is overall limited, as the standard Picanto misses out on alloy wheels and air-conditioning, but happily the full safety kit is included.
That means you get six airbags as well as gadgets like electronic stability management and a hill-start assist.
Top speed:
95mph
0-60mph sprint time:
13.9 seconds
Fuel economy:
67.3mpg
CO2 emissions:
99g/km
Annual road tax rate:
Free every year
#1 - Nissan Pixo 1.0 Visia 5dr
On-the-road price:
£7,250
The cheapest new car on sale in the UK today is the Nissan Pixo, a little and basic city car which shares the majority of its components with another model featured on this list, the Suzuki Alto.
Like the Alto the standard Nissan Pixo uses a 68bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine and matches the same figures for top speed, fuel economy and CO2 output. The Pixo is slightly slower - taking half a second more to cover the 0-60mph sprint.
Since it's the cheapest car on sale in the UK, the Nissan Pixo Visia has an obvious appeal. For this super cheap price however you will have to overlook a few shortcomings such as the fact the Pixo only has two airbags.
The Visia trim does come with a CD player though, as well as four cupholders and anti-lock brakes.
Top speed:
96mph
0-60mph sprint time:
14 seconds
Fuel economy:
64.2mpg
CO2 emissions:
103g/km
Annual road tax rate:
Nothing for the first year, then £20 every subsequent year