Dacia Sandero

At launch the starting price for the entry-level Sandero is an astonishing £7,995, with monthly payments cheap enough to make it look good value against travelling by train or bus, never mind against second-hand superminis from bigger brands. True, that version is incredibly basic with its steel wheels and unpainted bumpers but even the most expensive Sandero is cheaper than an entry-level Hyundai i10, Nissan Micra or Suzuki Swift. Starting prices for the Fiestas, Clios and others the Sandero competes with in size terms can be as much as half as much again. Running costs are also pretty keen, the mid-range TCE 90 doing over 50mpg by official figures while the Bi-Fuel version gives you the option of running on cheaper LPG (or liquefied petroleum gas) thanks to an additional fuel tank. With both full it can travel as far as 800 miles without having to refuel, according to Dacia’s claims.