Cheapest new cars in 2026: 16 models ranked by German price
The cheapest new car in Germany in 2026 is the Dacia Sandero: ADAC, Germany's motoring club, lists the TCe 100 Essential at €13,590 in its August 2026 overview of new cars below €20,000. Only 16 models from mainstream brands stayed under that line, against 35 in 2021, and not one of them wears the badge of a brand based in Germany. The cheapest of those brands' cars, the Volkswagen Polo, starts at €20,380 (August 2026).
The table ranks all 16 models by their German base price. Below it, ten of them that have a 1cars model page are described in the same order. Each entry shows what the cheapest version actually offers: power, gearbox, seats, boot, warranty and, where a source gives one, the Euro NCAP result. Price is the only ranking criterion on this page. For the best cars in this budget by overall merit, see the best small city cars, and for the lowest total bill over several years the cheapest cars to run.
Quick answers
- Cheapest of all: Dacia Sandero – €13,590 with five seats and a 100 PS turbo engine.
- Cheapest electric car: Dacia Spring – €16,900 until September 2026.
- Cheapest entry version with an automatic: Fiat Grande Panda 1.2 Turbo eDCT – €19,990.
- Longest warranty: Kia Picanto and MG3 – seven years or 150,000 km.
| # | Model and cheapest version (ADAC, August 2026) | Germany, from |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dacia Sandero TCe 100 Essential | €13,590 |
| 2 | Citroën C3 Turbo 100 You | €16,290 |
| 3 | Fiat Pandina 1.0 GSE Hybrid Pop | €16,490 |
| 4 | Dacia Spring Electric 70 Essential | €16,900 |
| 5 | Kia Picanto 1.0 Core | €17,590 |
| 6 | Dacia Jogger ECO-G 120 Essential (five seats) | €17,990 |
| 7 | MG3 1.5 | €17,990 |
| 8 | Leapmotor T03 | €18,900 |
| 9 | Dacia Duster Eco-G 120 Essential | €18,990 |
| 10 | KGM Tivoli 1.5 GDI-T Nomad 2WD | €18,990 |
| 11 | Citroën C3 Aircross Turbo 100 You | €19,190 |
| 12 | Renault Clio TCe 115 Evolution | €19,900 |
| 13 | SEAT Ibiza 1.0 MPI | €19,910 |
| 14 | Fiat 500 Hybrid 1.0 Firefly Pop | €19,990 |
| 15 | Fiat Grande Panda 1.2 Turbo Pop eDCT | €19,990 |
| 16 | Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric Evolution | €19,990 |
German list prices without discounts or registration costs. Prices in other European markets differ, and dealers often sell below list price. The table therefore shows the order of entry prices, not the final price a buyer pays.
Which one to choose: the Sandero for the most space per euro, the Picanto or the MG3 for the longest warranty, the T03 for the longest electric range below €20,000 and the Grande Panda for an automatic gearbox in the entry version.
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1. Renault Sandero
Lowest price of all: Dacia Sandero
- Production years
- 2007–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, LPG / CNG
- Power output
- 55–83 kW (75–113 PS)
Sold in Europe as the Dacia Sandero and elsewhere as the Renault Sandero, the third-generation car was facelifted in October 2025. The TCe 100 Essential costs €13,590 in Germany and has a 74 kW (100 PS) turbo three-cylinder with 200 Nm and a six-speed manual. ADAC lists 9.7 s to 100 km/h, 5.3 l/100 km WLTP combined, a 372-litre boot and five seats. It is 4,102 mm long and may tow 980 kg braked. The drawbacks: Euro NCAP scored the current generation at 70% for adult occupants in 2021, and Essential is the entry trim.
Full review: Renault SanderoPros
- ��13,590, the lowest price in ADAC's list
- 372-litre boot and five seats
- Three-year/100,000 km warranty
Cons
- 70% adult-occupant score in Euro NCAP's 2021 test
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2. Citroen C3 IV
Second-lowest price
- Production years
- 2024–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Petrol, Hybrid, Electric
- Power output
- 74–83 kW (101–113 PS)
The fourth-generation C3, on the Smart Car Platform since 2024, is the second-cheapest car in Germany. The Turbo 100 You costs €16,290 and has a 74 kW (101 PS) 1.2 turbo with 205 Nm and a six-speed manual; Wikipedia gives 10.6 s to 100 km/h and 183 km/h. Ground clearance is 163 mm, 28 mm more than before, and the cabin gains 30 mm of front headroom. The drawbacks: You is the entry trim, and the sources used give no Euro NCAP result for this generation.
Pros
- ��16,290 with five seats
- 74 kW turbo engine
- Higher seating and 163 mm ground clearance
Cons
- No Euro NCAP result for the fourth generation yet
Spec sheet: Citroen C3 IV Turbo 100 74 kW (101 PS)
Full review: Citroen C3 IV -
3. Fiat Panda III
Lowest WLTP fuel figure
- Production years
- 2011–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, LPG / CNG
The Pandina is the third-generation Panda, still built at Pomigliano d'Arco and sold under this name since 2024. The 1.0 GSE Hybrid Pop costs €16,490 in Germany. Its 48 kW (65 PS) mild-hybrid three-cylinder drives a six-speed manual. ADAC lists 14.1 s to 100 km/h and 5.0 l/100 km WLTP combined, the lowest fuel figure of the petrol cars with ADAC data here. It weighs 1,055 kg and is 3,635 mm long. The drawbacks: four seats, a 225-litre boot, a two-year warranty and zero stars in Euro NCAP's 2018 re-test.
Full review: Fiat Panda IIIPros
- 5.0 l/100 km WLTP combined
- Low German insurance classes (15/11/17)
- Only 3,635 mm long
Cons
- Zero Euro NCAP stars in the 2018 re-test
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4. Dacia Spring
Electric for under €17,000
- Production years
- 2021–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Electric
- Power output
- 33–60 kW (45–82 PS)
At €16,900 the Spring Electric 70 Essential was the cheapest electric car in ADAC's August 2026 list. Its 52 kW (70 PS) motor and 24.3 kWh battery give 221 km WLTP at 12.7 kWh/100 km, and the car weighs only 1,070 kg. This version charges on AC only, at up to 3.7 kW in ADAC's data. It left the price list in September 2026. The second generation follows in December 2026 at €17,900, with 60 kW, 27.5 kWh, 246 km WLTP and 50 kW DC charging. The drawbacks: four seats and a one-star Euro NCAP rating for the first generation.
Pros
- Electric for €16,900
- 12.7 kWh/100 km WLTP
- Second generation from €17,900
Cons
- Four seats and one Euro NCAP star (first generation)
Spec sheet: Dacia Spring I Electric 65 Extreme 48 kW (65 PS)
Full review: Dacia Spring -
5. Kia Picanto JA
Seven-year warranty
- Production years
- 2017–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Power output
- 46–74 kW (63–101 PS)
Since July 2025 the facelifted Picanto has a single engine in Germany: a 998 cc three-cylinder with 50 kW (68 PS) and 96 Nm. The 1.0 Core costs €17,590 and comes with Kia's seven-year or 150,000 km warranty. ADAC lists a five-speed manual, 14.7 s to 100 km/h, 5.5 l/100 km WLTP combined and a 255-litre boot that grows to 1,010 litres. At 3,605 mm it is the shortest car with a petrol engine in this list. The drawbacks: ADAC lists four seats for the Core version, and there is no more powerful engine.
Pros
- Seven-year/150,000 km warranty
- 3,605 mm long
- Automated manual available from €19,550
Cons
- 14.7 s from 0 to 100 km/h
Spec sheet: Kia Picanto JA 1.0 l (68 PS) 50 kW (68 PS)
Full review: Kia Picanto JA -
6. MG3 III
Biggest car for the money
- Production years
- 2024–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Petrol, Hybrid
- Power output
- 80–143 kW (109–194 PS)
The third-generation MG3 is the longest car here at 4,113 mm, and the 1.5 costs €17,990 in Germany. Its 85 kW (116 PS) four-cylinder drives a five-speed manual; ADAC lists 10.8 s to 100 km/h, 6.1 l/100 km WLTP combined and a 293-litre boot. Euro NCAP's 2025 test gave the hybrid version four stars according to ADAC, and MG offers seven years or 150,000 km of warranty. For €20,990 the Hybrid+ adds 143 kW (194 PS) and 4.4 l/100 km. The drawbacks: the highest fuel use of the petrol cars here and high insurance classes (20/23/21).
Pros
- Four Euro NCAP stars (2025, per ADAC)
- Seven-year/150,000 km warranty
- 4,113 mm long with five seats
Cons
- 6.1 l/100 km WLTP combined
Spec sheet: MG3 III 1.5 l 85 kW (116 PS)
Full review: MG3 III -
7. Leapmotor T03
Longest range below €20,000
- Production years
- 2020–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Electric
- Power output
- 40–85 kW (54–116 PS)
The T03, built in China, costs €18,900 in Germany in a single version. Its 70 kW (95 PS) motor and 36.0 kWh usable LFP battery give 275 km WLTP, the longest range of the three electric cars below €20,000. ADAC lists 12.7 s to 100 km/h and a top speed of 130 km/h. DC charging runs at up to 45 kW, with 80% in 36 minutes. The warranty is three years on the car and eight years on the battery. The drawbacks: four seats, a 210-litre boot, no Euro NCAP test at the time of ADAC's review, and fifth place of six in ADAC's 2025 comparison.
Pros
- 275 km WLTP range
- 36 kWh usable battery
- ��18,900 in Germany
Cons
- No Euro NCAP result and a 210-litre boot
Spec sheet: Leapmotor T03 I (37.3 kWh, Europe) 70 kW (95 PS)
Full review: Leapmotor T03 -
8. Fiat 500 Hybrid
Most compact four-seater
- Production years
- 2025–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Power output
- 48 kW (65 PS)
The 500 Hybrid of late 2025 uses the body of the electric 500 with a 1.0 Firefly three-cylinder mild hybrid: 48 kW (65 PS), 92 Nm and a six-speed manual. The Pop version costs €19,990 in Germany. ADAC lists 16.2 s to 100 km/h, 155 km/h, 5.2 l/100 km WLTP combined and a kerb weight of 1,130 kg, and the car is only 3,631 mm long. The drawbacks: four seats, a 183-litre boot, a two-year warranty, and ADAC shows no Euro NCAP result for this version.
Pros
- 3,631 mm long
- 5.2 l/100 km WLTP combined
- Petrol 500 again for €19,990
Cons
- 16.2 s from 0 to 100 km/h and a 183-litre boot
Spec sheet: Fiat 500 Hybrid 1.0 l Firefly Hybrid 48 kW (65 PS)
Full review: Fiat 500 Hybrid -
9. Fiat Grande Panda
Automatic as standard
- Production years
- 2025–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Petrol, Hybrid, Electric
- Power output
- 74–83 kW (101–113 PS)
The Grande Panda shares the Smart Car Platform with the Citroën C3, and the 1.2 Turbo Pop eDCT costs €19,990 in Germany. That makes it the cheapest car in ADAC's list whose entry version has an automatic gearbox. The 1.2 turbo three-cylinder mild hybrid has 74–81 kW (101–110 PS) according to Wikipedia, and the six-speed eDCT gearbox is standard on this version. At 3,999 mm the car is just under four metres long, and Wikipedia gives a 412-litre boot. The drawbacks: the sources used give no Euro NCAP result, and ADAC's data table for this version was not available.
Pros
- Automatic gearbox for €19,990
- 412-litre boot (Wikipedia)
- Five seats on a four-metre footprint
Cons
- No Euro NCAP result yet
Spec sheet: Fiat Grande Panda I Electric (44 kWh) 83 kW (113 PS)
Full review: Fiat Grande Panda -
10. Renault Twingo IV
Newest electric car under €20,000
- Production years
- 2026–present
- Body type
- Hatchback
- Fuel
- Electric
- Power output
- 60 kW (82 PS)
The fourth Twingo is electric only and went on sale in Germany in April 2026 at €19,990 for the Evolution. Its 60 kW (82 PS) motor has 175 Nm, and the 27.5 kWh battery gives 263 km WLTP at 12.7 kWh/100 km. ADAC lists 12.1 s to 100 km/h and 130 km/h. DC charging at 50 kW takes the battery to 80% in 28 minutes, and an 11 kW AC charger fills it in 155 minutes. The drawbacks: four seats, a two-year vehicle warranty, and ADAC lists no Euro NCAP result.
Pros
- 50 kW DC, 80% in 28 minutes
- 12.7 kWh/100 km WLTP
- 263 km WLTP range
Cons
- Four seats and a two-year warranty
Spec sheet: Renault Twingo IV E-Tech Electric 60 kW (82 PS)
Full review: Renault Twingo IV
How we chose
Selection. The base list is ADAC's article of 14 August 2026 on new cars with a German base price below €20,000 ("Stand 8/26"), which names 16 models and the cheapest version of each. The ten models ranked below are those that have a 1cars model page; the Dacia Jogger, Dacia Duster, KGM Tivoli, Citroën C3 Aircross, Renault Clio and SEAT Ibiza appear only in the table. The Dacia Sandero is described on the 1cars page for the Renault Sandero, the same car sold under the Renault badge outside Europe.
Data sources. Power, torque, gearbox, acceleration, WLTP consumption or range, boot volume, seats, warranty and insurance classes come from the ADAC Autokatalog page of each named version, accessed in October 2026. Where ADAC shows no Euro NCAP result for the current version, the text says so or uses the result published by Euro NCAP or quoted by Wikipedia, with the test year.
Ranking. The order follows the German base price only, from the cheapest; where two cars cost the same, the order of ADAC's table is kept. Prices change often: the Spring Electric 70 left the price list in September 2026, and the second-generation Spring is listed from December 2026 at €17,900. For the newest models, see the 1cars pages for the Citroën C3 and the Kia Picanto.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest new car in 2026?
In Germany it is the Dacia Sandero TCe 100 Essential at €13,590, according to ADAC's list of August 2026. The next cheapest are the Citroën C3 Turbo 100 You at €16,290 and the Fiat Pandina 1.0 GSE Hybrid Pop at €16,490.
How many new cars cost less than €20,000?
ADAC counted 16 models from mainstream brands with a German base price below €20,000 in August 2026, down from 35 in 2021. Not one of them comes from a brand based in Germany.
What is the cheapest new electric car?
In ADAC's August 2026 list it is the Dacia Spring Electric 70 Essential at €16,900, followed by the Leapmotor T03 at €18,900 and the Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric at €19,990. The second-generation Spring is listed at €17,900 from December 2026.
Is there a new car under €15,000?
Only one in ADAC's August 2026 list: the Dacia Sandero, from €13,590 for the TCe 100 Essential. Its cheaper SCe 65 Essential at €12,790 was listed until July 2026.
Which cheap new car has an automatic gearbox?
The cheapest automatic version in this list is the Fiat Grande Panda 1.2 Turbo Pop eDCT at €19,990. The Kia Picanto 1.0 Vision with an automated manual costs €19,550, and the electric cars here have no gears to change.
