Best cheap saloon cars

There are so many different shapes of car, it can be hard to decide which is for you, but a saloon car is often the perfect middle ground. 

You usually get a large boot, sleek body style and plenty of space for passengers inside too. 

Not sure which saloon specifically is the right one for you? Here are some of the best used saloon cars you can buy. 

What are the best cheap saloon cars? 

• VW Passat 

• Skoda Octavia 

• Peugeot 508 

• Mazda 6 

• Jaguar XE 

• Audi A3 Saloon 

• BMW 3 Series 

• Mercedes A-Class Saloon 

The best cheap saloon cars to buy today 

VW Passat 

The VW Passat is the go-to saloon car for many people all over Europe – from families to businesspeople. Not only is it affordable and dependable, but it’s packed full of great tech. 

A used example will cost you in the region of £20,000 but this could be less, or more, depending on the spec and your preference. You can even get a Passat estate if that suits you better. 

If you’re coming from a Golf, the interior will feel very much the same, and that’s a good thing. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it’s got all the tech you’ll need too. 

• Read our VW Passat review

Skoda Octavia 

Sitting on the same platform as the Passat, the Octavia is an even more affordable option with many of the same features but just a different badge. 

Like the Passat, it’s also available as an estate car, but if you don’t need the extra space, this is the one to go for – especially at around £15,000 for a great used example.  

With a 600-litre boot (just 40 litres smaller than the estate), very reliable engines and an umbrella in the door like a Rolls Royce, it’s a no-brainer. 

• Read our Skoda Octavia review

Peugeot 508 

The Peugeot 508 is a handsome mid-sized ‘fastback’ saloon (this basically means it has a more sloping roofline, a bit like a coupé) that has a smart look and is a big car for Peugeot, so it’s even more exciting that you can get a nearly new one for less than £20,000. 

You can get a 508 with either a petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid, so you’re not short of choice there.  

All this plus a 487-litre boot means a used 508 is a stellar choice for families and working professionals alike. 

• Read our Peugeot 508 review

Mazda 6 

The Mazda 6 is a bit of an ‘if you know, you know’ choice, but it’s sneakily become one of the more attractive picks both price (less than £20k) and features-wise. Not to mention that it looks great in the metal.  

When it comes to more expensive rivals (like the ones listed below), the 6 holds its own on the road and feels great to drive.  

Plus, thanks to its respectable 480-litre boot, the Mazda 6 is ideal for family life. 

• Read our Mazda 6 review

Jaguar XE 

If Jaguar’s new design direction isn’t for you, why not consider a nearly new Jaguar XE? Not only can you nab one for as little as £10,000 but they’re one of the poshest cars you can get full stop. 

With the prancing big cat displayed proudly on the steering wheel, the rest of the interior wraps around you like a leather cocoon while keeping the driver at the heart of it all. 

On top of that, it’s a hoot to drive thanks to Jag’s sporty suspension and revvy engine options. 

• Read our Jaguar XE review

Audi A3 saloon 

Usually bought as a Sportback (which is what Audi calls its hatchbacks), the Audi A3 Saloon is the longer version with more boot space at 425 litres. 

If you fancy yourself a rally driver or want some extra grip in tricky conditions. it’s worth noting that you’ll lose 40 litres of boot space if you opt for the quattro all-wheel drive version. 

Inside, the A3 Saloon is spacious enough for up to five people, though there is a bit more headroom in the Sportback because of its boxier roofline. 

Then, when you hit the road, it’s a breeze – especially with its S tronic automatic gearbox option. 

• Read our Audi A3 Saloon review

BMW 3 Series 

The BMW 3 Series saloon is, without a doubt, the most common saloon car on UK roads, which should tell you that it means business.  

And, while it ticks every box as a company car eating up motorway miles, it’s a great pick for families too.  

Used examples go for as little as £15,000, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be on your list. Just look inside at the quality and you’ll see why it’s so impressive. 

Its 480-litre boot is fairly standard for a saloon car in this class but it beats the C-Class, one of its fiercest rivals, by 25 litres. 

• Read our BMW 3 Series review

Mercedes A-Class Saloon 

The Mercedes A-Class hatchback is so popular it overshadowed the saloon for so long, but now customers are realising the saloon is also a great option. 

Buying a used one means you can spend A-Class money on a C-Class/E-Class-like design. For a nearly new example, you’re looking at around £20,000. 

Unfortunately, it has the smallest boot of our picks at 405 litres but that is still 35 litres more than in the hatchback and plenty for most people. 

• Read our Mercedes A-Class review

Find affordable saloon cars for sale 

If you’re ready to dive into affordable used saloon ownership, then why not check out our selection at cinch? 

We have plenty of cars to choose from, and lots of information on each, so you know you’re making the right decision before you click ‘buy’. 

Want to test one out? You can head on over to one of our cinch Stores and take your next motor for a spin.