Top 10 cheapest compact cars in 2022

10. Volkswagen Golf

We had our doubts whether the Volkswagen Golf would make it on the top 10 cheapest compact cars. This compact model can be considered a premium compact car, durable and reliable. It's the best choice if you are looking for a car that will last you several years.

It certainly made it on the top 10, but the price can be considered cheap in today's standard. However, just a decade ago the Volkswagen Golf had a starting price of 15.000 euro. That isn't the case anymore.

The Volkswagen Golf starts from 27.000 euro including dealer discounts. For this price you get a basic and entry level Golf with an 89hp manual petrol engine. The Golf however has a lot of different engines and trim levels. The most top of the line specification is the Volkswagen Golf R that is listed on the car search engine from 66.000 euro including dealer discount.

 

9. Skoda Scala

The Skoda Scala is slightly larger in size to the Volkswagen Golf, but better priced!

If you are looking for best value, the Skoda brand is an excellent place to shop. Because any Skoda model you choose is very competitively priced in the premium segment (Audi & Volkswagen). The Skoda Scala is the direct alternative to the Volkswagen Golf. Underneath they are exactly the same cars, only the exterior and interior is refined to the standards of a Skoda.

On paper the Volkswagen Golf should feel more premium and high-end. But in reality the difference in quality is very minimal. Skoda does an excellent job in using cheaper materials on places you do not see or notice very often.

The Skoda Scala starts from 24.000 euro including dealer discount. Unlike the Golf, there is no sporty version. So the most expensive Skoda Scala is priced around 37.000 euro including dealer discount.

8. Seat Leon

The Seat Leon is the Spanish alternative to the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Scala. All cars are mechanically the same as they are part of the same group (Volkswagen Group). The Seat is the cheapest option, but definitely the most stylish one. Seat has its focus on design, over quality (like Volkswagen) or over practicality and space (like Skoda).

The lack of quality is very noticeable in the Seat Leon. The interior plastics are harder and don't feel as nice. Also the way doors close, the build quality and overal sound is not as premium. You can easily notice these area's when you compare the Seat Leon and Volkswagen Golf back to back.

The price of the Seat Leon through the mycarena car search engine is 25.000 euro including dealer discount for the cheapest model. The more expensive FR model will go for 39.000 euro. Again far from the premium price you can potentially pay on a Volkswagen Golf.

7. Audi A1

If you want the highest quality in the compact cars segment, the Audi A1 is the most luxury small car you will find in this class!

The Audi A1 is similar to the Volkswagen Polo in size, but can be equipped with a lot of different options and powerful engines for the ultimate small compact car. The Audi A1 is listed from 25.000 euro including discount on the mycarena car search engine.

If you want a sporty trim and a powerful engine combined with an automatic engine. You can expect to pay around 40.000 euro.

The interior of the A1 is similar in class to the more luxurious Audi models. So for those wanting to have a luxurious city car as a second vehicle, the Audi A1 is an excellent option. But if you are looking for the best value, there are much better options available.

The Audi A1 is coming to an end unfortunately, the current model available today is the last A1 to be created. Audi wants to sell larger and more high-end premium cars. The brand wants to increase its value by being more exclusive. While the Skoda and Volkswagen brand should be the go-to brand for small compact affordable cars.

6. Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo is an excellent and affordable choice if you are looking for a small compact car. It's far from being the cheapest, but it offers the most quality for its price. The car is made to last thanks to use of durable materials as you would expect from a Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen Polo is smaller than the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Scala or Seat Leon. It's similar in size to the Audi A1, but sits slightly higher with more headspace compared to the Audi A1.

The Volkswagen Polo is available from 20.000 euro including dealer discount through the mycarena car search engine. The more expensive Volkswagen Polo with an R-Line trim will go for 34.000 euro including dealer discount.

5. Seat Ibiza

The Seat Ibizia is the cheaper alternative to the Volkswagen Polo. Mechanically, both cars are identical underneath. They share the same engine and a lot of mechnical parts. The exterior and interior is where both cars differentiate from each other.

The Seat Ibiza is styled to be fancier and unique compared to the Volkswagen Polo that goes for a more corporate look. If you seek for more style, the Seat Ibiza is your best option to pick from.

However, if you want interior quality. The Seat Ibizia is noticeably less premium inside. You will feel more cheaper plastics in the Seat compared to the Volkswagen Polo. If you value interior touch and feel. Then the slightly more expensive Volkswagen Polo might be better for you.

The cheapest Seat Ibiza goes for 18.000 euro including dealer discount through the mycarena search engine. The most expensive you can go with the Seat Ibiza is 30.000 euro including dealer discount.

4. Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 is the smallest Hyundai available by the Korean brand.

The brand trusts its product to be reliable and lasting! That's why all new Hyundai cars come with a 5 year full coverage warranty. Any Hyundai buyer can drive stress free for 5 years, without any fear of having to pay for repair works.

The Hyundai i10 is a lot smaller than the Volkswagen Polo (or Fabia/Ibiza). This model is a class below the Polo and is the smallest type of car you can buy on the market today. It's similar in size to a Fiat 500.

You can find the cheapest Hyundai i10 through the mycarena car search engine. The price for a Hyundai i10 starts at around 18.000 euro excluding a dealer discount.

Although it is ranking number 4 in our list of cheapest compact cars in 2022. We don't believe the value is worth it.

3. Hyundai i20

Oddly enough, the larger Hyundai i20 is similar in price to the Hyundai i10. If you had to make a decision, definitely go for the larger Hyundai i20.

The Hyundai i20 competes with the Skoda Fabia, Seat Ibiza, Volkswagen Polo and Audi A1 in size. Just like the i10, also this new model benefits of 5 year full warranty on any issues you may encounter. This enormous benefit over the German brands is definitely a sensible reason why you would choose this model.

Style wise, the Hyundai i20 is rather funky. It has a very different design, some may like or absolutely hate it. The price for the Hyundai i20 starts from 17.500 euro excluding any dealer discounts.

2. Skoda Fabia

This time around, the Skoda is the cheapest option in its size/class of small compact cars.

The Skoda Fabia is mechanically the same to the Audi A1, Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza.

You can find a new Skoda Fabia through the mycarena car search engine from 17.000 euro including discount. The most expensive Skoda Fabia goes for 34.000 euro.

If you had to choose between the four similar options (A1, Polo, Ibizia and Fabia) the Skoda Fabia gives you most value. Mechanically, all four options are identical. Only the exterior and interior is tweaked according to the brands preference. In this case, if you want the most space and practicality. Then the Skoda Fabia is the best option.

The Audi A1 is the best option if you look for quality inside the cabin. The Polo is the all-rounder best in quality and value. The Seat is when you desire a very stylish compact looking car. While the Skoda is the best option if you are searching for value only!

1. Volkswagen up!

Here it is, the cheapest compact car of 2022 on the mycarena car search engine: the Volkswagen up!

The Volkswagen up! is one of the last few models that is relatively cheap. Although over time it has also increased in price with a current starting price of around 16.000 euro including dealer discount. It's only 1.000 euro cheaper than the Skoda Fabia on second place. However, for the best value we reccomend the Skoda Fabia instead of the Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen up! was first released in 2013 and received a minor update in 2017. The Volkswagen up! will not be continued and instead replaced by the fully electric Volkswagen ID.1. This will be the smallest electric city car by Volkswagen and will be the cheapest electric compact car available. It will be cheap for electric car standards, but you can expect a price starting from 30.000 euro. That is double the price of a current petrol powered up!.

In terms of quality, the Volkswagen up! is very primitive. Don't expect any luxurious materials in the car, instead everything is designed to be affordable.

If you are looking for the cheapest compact car, the Volkswagen Up! is currently the cheapest car in 2022 available on the mycarena car search engine!