The list of the cheapest new cars for sale offers a reality check, with electric cars now dominating the top five – so is it worth taking one for a spin?
Geraldine Herbert test drives the Leapmotor TO3. Photo: Paul Herbert-Kane
There is still a general belief among some people that electric cars are wildly expensive, a certain financial folly dreamed up by policymakers and people who alphabetise their recycling. And yet, a quick glance at the cheapest new cars for sale currently presents quite the reality check.
Take the current top five. At the top of the list sits the Dacia Spring at about €15,990 – an electric car with a range of over 200km. Right behind it is the BYD Dolphin Surf Active at €17,985 – another electric car. Next in the list is Dacia’s Sandero from €18,890, and after that you arrive at the Leapmotor T03 at €18,950, our test car this week, and the Kia Picanto now nudging over €20,000. Small, solid, petrol hatchbacks used to be the ‘cheap seats’ but increasingly aren’t.