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The best cars for (about) £150 per month

  • Compact SUVs, superminis and city cars within budget
  • Cars starting from around £150 per month
  • Offers on PCH leasing finance highlighted

Written by Keith Adams Published: 16 April 2024 Updated: 16 April 2024

What are the best cars for about £150 per month? If you’re looking for the best finance deals, you’ve come to the right place. Despite relentlessly rising living cost, it’s still entirely possible to bag yourself a great car for a relatively small monthly outlay.

There are issues, though. The narrowing choice of smaller, cheaper cars, and a general shifting of the market, mean the number of cars for £150 per month isn’t what it once was. There are some good leasing deals at this price point, but you do need to do your shopping to find something suitable on a special offer.

All the cars in this list are priced between £150 and £175 per month, with a realistic blend towards the top end. Upping your budget to £200 per month will unlock a broader choice of cars, while stretching to £300 per month will open up many more leasing deals and the ability to put down lower deposits.

This list just highlights personal contract hire (PCH) – or lease – deals, where the monthly prices are lower, as this is a very competitive price point. So do keep checking in for the latest prices.

Best new cars for around £150 a month 2024

Former award winner is still fresh, interesting and fun

The Renault Clio has been a multiple Parkers award-winner over the years and a perennial European best-seller. This is the fifth-generation model and it’s the best yet – a thoroughly mature small car with a big boot, quality interior and good driving manners. Now facelifted, there’s even more reason to recommend it.

There’s a hybrid model available, which is unusual for a supermini, but the basic 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol what you'll get at this price point. That's no bad thing, though. The entry-level petrol version is a belter, offering value and economy in fun-sized dollops.

To find out more, read our full Renault Clio review

Pros

  • Spacious for its size
  • Impressive economy
  • Plenty of equipment

Cons

  • Could be more refined
  • A little noisy on the motorway

Roomy, good looking and comfortable to drive

The Peugeot 2008 feels different, a little bit special, and super-modern when compared with some of its rivals. Its striking interior complements the exterior design very well, and adds to the sense of relaxed calm you get with this family SUV.

The PureTech 130 engine is the best all-rounder, since it’s plenty powerful and impressively refined, with manageable running costs too. The manual 'box you get with this car will suit most, as it's a slick-shifting transmission that's so nice to use in everyday driving.

To find out more, read our full Peugeot 2008 review

Pros

  • Eye-catching design
  • Decent range of engine options
  • Cabin and boot are spacious

Cons

  • 3D dials take getting used to
  • Driving position won’t suit all

Good to drive, cheap to run and enjoyable to own

The SEAT Ibiza is good value in its latest form and feels very grown-up to drive without losing the sense of fun you expect in a small car. It has a well-specified interior with genuine space for four, plus a comprehensive selection of frugal yet nippy engines to choose from.

What’s more, it’s keenly priced and offers one of the best drives in the supermini class. It's certainly up there with the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208 for desirability.

To find out more, read our full SEAT Ibiza review

Pros

  • Low prices and good deals
  • Lots of equipment available
  • Easy to drive, but also fun

Cons

  • Interior plastics lack quality
  • Entry-level cars feel quite basic

Excellent space, value and economy

The Hyundai i10 has been around for a while, but it's still a cracker. Great to drive, hugely spacious for such a small car and very well equipped, it might be expensive in terms of pounds per inch – but it’s proof good things can come in small packages.

The high-tech Hyundai comes with plenty of driver assistance and infotainment tech, as well as a range of super-efficient petrol engines. It doesn’t just have to be confined to the city, either. We’d very happily undergo a long journey in an i10.

To find out more, read our full Hyundai i10 review

Pros

  • Exceptional interior space
  • Classy, easy-to-use dashboard
  • Lots of safety equipment

Cons

  • Avoid the automatic gearbox
  • Higher trim levels are pricey

Still oh-so cool, dripping with city chic

Let's not beat around the bush here – the Fiat 500 isn't the front-runner it once was. There are newer, better city cars out there that offer more practicality, stronger performance and more technology for less money. Albeit without the 500’s enduring style.

But the Fiat 500 is still an appealing little thing, with an economical mild-hybrid engine and cheeky, timeless styling. But take the emotional pull out of the equation, and you can do better.

To find out more, read the full Fiat 500 review

Pros

  • Cheeky retro styling
  • Compact dimensions
  • Efficient mild-hybrid engine

Cons

  • Awkward driving position
  • Noisy at motorway speeds

Sensible offering, recently updated

The latest Corsa handles well, it has an acceptable amount of space for the class and a good range of technology, including a very simple infotainment system. We also like its 1.2-litre petrol engine for its impressive blend of performance and economy.

Sadly, the ride’s harsh and the optional automatic gearbox is clunky. There isn’t much storage space in the cabin and there’s nowhere to put your phone while its connected to the touchscreen.

To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Corsa review

Pros

  • Impressive fuel economy
  • Spacious in the front
  • Lots of standard equipment

Cons

  • Interior feels a little low-rent
  • Lack of cabin storage space

Soon to be replaced – grab one while you can

Rather like Citroens of old, the C3 is a bit of a marmite car. It has quirky styling, a soft ride that’s rather at odds with the rest of the supermini pack, and a distinct lack of sporting attitude that actually helps it stand out from the crowd a little more.

The entry-level C3 You powered by the PureTech 83 engine will be the most affordable, offering brilliant economy and adequate performance. Of all the cars here, this one offers the most comfort.

To find out more, read our full Citroen C3 review

Pros

  • Quirky styling stands out
  • Personalisation options
  • Comfortable ride and interior

Cons

  • Touchscreen is distracting
  • Cramped rear seat space

* These deals are indicative examples of some packages available as of 16 April 2024, but are subject to change without prior notice. Everyone’s financial circumstances are different and the availability of credit is subject to status. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Parkers cannot recommend a deal for you specifically.


Keith Adams is the Editor of Parkers. During his career he has been the editor of Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics and Honest John Classics, as well as writing for CAR magazine, Practical Classics, Octane, Autocar and The Independent among others. Keith lives in rural Lancashire and enjoys buying and selling cars and reading and writing about them.