2025's best-looking affordable cars

As shallow as it may seem, a car's styling plays a massive part in how we feel about it - arguably the biggest part. At least at first, anyways. Who, aside from the most contrarian person, would deliberately buy a car they think is ugly? So yeah, we know that looks are entirely personal and subjective. And we also know how easy it is to find a proper striking car if you've got, say, a Ferrari-type budget. But nonetheless, we've picked out some cars that we think look great, and that won't break the bank...

Everything Peugeot produces is designed with French flair and the 208 is no exception. It has bags of appeal inside and out. Available in petrol, hybrid, or pure electric versions, the starting prices look high, but there are deals to be had on finance. To keep costs down, the petrol engine would be the cheapest choice, but the e-208 offers an improved driving experience and is highly economical if you can charge at home.
Find out more about the Peugeot 208 here

The Fiat 500 has sold on its Italian charm ever since its launch in the '50s. Today's modern update remains one of the prettiest cars on the road. Fiat knows this, so in 2023 decreed that it would only paint cars in bright and beautiful colours; if you're after a grey car, a Fiat 500 isn't for you. The petrol 500 is the cheapest, but it's feeling its age now - it's almost 20 years old, which is thrice as long as most car production runs. If your budget can stretch, the newer electric 500e is much more modern (especially inside) and comes with a stunning rose gold paint option.
Find out more about the Fiat 500 here

The Aygo X is a compact and nimble little hatchback with crossover styling. It’s a great city car, not least because its unusually high driving position means visibility is great It's more like an SUV, in that sense - albeit a teensy little one. Two tone paint and large rubber-clad wheel arches give the outside a distinctive and slightly rugged look, while some fun curvy shapes add personality within. We had one on long-term test and we loved its eager driving style and how frugal it was to run.
Find out more about the Toyota Aygo here

The Kia Picanto is one of the cheapest new cars you can buy, slightly undercutting the Dacia Sandero, even. It’s a nice-looking little car and, although the entry-level trim is rather basic, the higher-grade models offer far more mod-cons. GT-Line cars look particularly smart with a contrasting pinstripe across the front grille and along the side sills. Alternatively, you could consider the Hyundai i10. It is closely related to the Picanto, and entry-level cars come better equipped, though they are more expensive.
Find out more about the Kia Picanto here

Okay, so it's not traditionally "good looking". In fact, if you said it was ugly, we wouldn't put up much of a fight. But the Inster is striking, at least. It's not ordinary. And fundamentally it's just a VERY good car, and you can read all about why that isin our five-star review here. For less than £25,000 it's a spacious, cute and well-specified electric car with much more refinement and quality than the pricetag justifies. In fact, it might just be the bast small electric car on sale, if it wasn't for the...

Take a bow, Renault. The 5 is a miniature masterpiece. 2025's electric homage to the classic Renault city car has no obvious flaws. It's packed with interesting styling details, inside and out, but without ever crossing into cheesy pastiche. The wide wheel arches, stunning LED light flourishes, retro-inspired interior, easy-to-use tech, five-door practicality, fun driving experience, decent battery range, great starting price... where were we, again? Oh yes, Renault 5... it's proper good, for many reasons. And it looks cool.
Watch our video review of the Renault 5 here

Smart has recently reinvented itself. So, it’s out with the tiny ForTwo and in with a whole new line up of electric cars, starting with the #1. This funky compact crossover costs slightly more than a Vauxhall Mokka Electric but it is cheaper than the Volvo EX30. It’s much more stylish on the inside than the Vauxhall and the infotainment system is hosted by a friendly cartoon fox who is there to offer assistance. It’s a bit like the Microsoft Office paperclip back in the 1990s, but cute rather than annoying.
Find out more about the Smart #1 here

The Clio retains all its va va voom and the base petrol variant means it’s affordable too. However, if your budget allows there’s a hybrid version that offers more refinement. We enjoyed living with the previous Clio and the current model is more sophisticated with its textured front grille and premium-feel interior. The highest level Esprit Alpine trim is especially smart.
Find out more about the Renault Clio here

After more than two decades of BMW ownership, the Mini remains a firm favourite for those looking for a small car with a big personality. Just be mindful as you work your way down the options list, though. It's not quite on Porsche's level, but the extras don’t come cheap. To keep things affordable, you can always check out the vast array of pre-loved Minis for sale, as there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for you.
Find out more about the Mini Hatch here

MG has really embraced electric cars and the MG4, with its sub-£30,000 starting price, offers great value for money. The inside feels modern, albeit a little grey scale, but the outside is truly striking. Its sharp lines give it real visual impact. Choose one of the bright coloured paint options, like ‘Volcano Orange’ or ‘Holborn Blue’, and your MG4 is sure to be a real head-turner.
Find out more about the MG4 here