Picanto, Aygo, C1: most affordable cars for commuters

Are you driving to work? We identify the best cars if you're commuting every day.

Many of us rely on our motors to get to work, but what makes a good commuter car? Sure, it helps if it’s comfortable, but the running costs are also a big factor.

And that’s where a new study from uSwitch comes in, which has broken down the costs involved to identify the most affordable cars for commuters.

To work out the most affordable cars, uSwitch brought together a range of costs, including:

• Miles per gallon;
• Annual fuel cost;
• Annual insurance cost;
• Annual breakdown cover;
• Annual maintenance costs;
• First year road tax costs.

From here, it then calculated a total annual running cost.

Let’s take a look at the 10 most affordable cars for commuters according to the study.

10. Suzuki Swift

The Swift sneaks into the top 10, with a total annual running cost of £1,458.33.

The study found that the car tends to average around 57.2 miles per gallon of fuel, which is among the lowest of those in the top 10, while insuring the vehicle will typically set you back £280.62.

It’s a decent motor too, according to the reviewers at WhatCar?, offering a solid choice if you’re in the market for a small car. Its RRP starts at £14,999.

9. Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 delivers around 55.6 miles to the gallon, the smallest of the top 10, which leads to higher annual fuel costs than any of the others in the list.

On the plus side however, it has some of the lowest annual insurance and maintenance costs, leading to a total annual running cost of £1,448.96.

WhatCar? are a big fan of the Fiat 500, awarding it a full five-star rating, while its RRP starts at £13.425.

8. Toyota Prius

The Prius offers fantastic fuel economy, delivering a whopping 67.2 miles to the gallon, helping you keep fuel costs to a minimum. It’s a pricy motor to insure though, costing an average of £392.54 according to uSwitch.

As a result, its total running costs for a year will set you back £1,446.27.

It’s a motor that has won plenty of praise from WhatCar? reviewers, with great looks and plenty of practicality. The Prius isn’t a cheap motor to buy though, with RRPs starting at £24,880.

7. Toyota Corolla

It’s another Toyota in seventh spot, and like the Prius, the Corolla is not exactly a bargain motor. Its RRP starts at £24,485, though for that you get a motor that offers many of the same benefits, but with more conventional looks, according to the WhatCar? reviewers. 

As with the Prius, it’s a costly car to cover, with insurance likely to set you back £331.94 per year, while its maintenance costs are on the high side at £222.85. In total it will cost £1,443.84 per year, the study suggests.

6. Hyundai i10

The i10 has the second highest road tax costs at £180, which offsets the savings from its relatively cheap insurance costs. In total you’re looking at paying £1,439.55 per year.

It’s a stonking city car too, offering good value for money with an RRP at £13,025.

5. Toyota Yaris

The Yaris has the highest road tax costs at £220, as well as the highest maintenance costs and the second highest insurance bill. However, it also delivers the best mileage at 68.8 miles per gallon.

In total it will cost you £1,420.18 per year.

The Yaris offers a top experience for motorists, and has an RRP starting at £20,210.

4. Toyota Aygo

It’s yet another Toyota in fourth spot, with the Aygo beating the rest of its stablemates. The study found its annual running costs come to £1,418.58, helped by its low insurance costs and maintenance bills.

The WhatCar? reviewers criticised its “leisurely” engine, though it has a comfy interior.

Its RRP starts at £13,345.

3. Peugeot 108

Our first Peugeot takes third place, with total running costs amounting to £1,405.32. It has decent mileage at 58.9 miles per gallon, as well as modest insurance and maintenance costs.

The 108 is described by the WhatCar? reviewers as being a “near triplet” to the Aygo and the Citroen C1, with all of them being built in the same factory and having the same engine. What’s more, the latest versions enjoy greater tech options as well as improved styling.

It has an RRP starting at £13,320.

2. Citroen C1

The C1 is just a little cheaper to run than its near triplet, the 108, costing £1,383.50 according to uSwitch. Drivers benefit from great mileage at 58.9 miles to the gallon, while its road tax will cost you just £160 in that first year.

It’s not necessarily the best city car though, winning just a two-star rating from the WhatCar? team.

Its RRP starts at £12,945.

1.Kia Picanto

Top spot goes to the Picanto, which will cost you just £1,372.63 a year in running costs. It benefits from the combination of great mileage, low insurance and maintenance costs and a low road tax bill.

It’s another city car, so something of a rival for motors like the i10 or the Aygo, and has an RRP starting at £11,200.