Sub-£5k Price War

Budget manufacturers have started a bidding war - but this time, it's the lowest price that wins! The title at stake is Britain's cheapest car, and the contenders are Perodua and MG Rover.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Chris Thorp

29th June 2004

Initially, the CityRover edged ahead when a dealer incentive slashed ΂£1,496 off the list price to offer the supermini for ΂£4,999. However, the lead was shortlived, as Perodua announced its revised Kelisa is now available from ΂£4,824.

The Malaysian car gets a new grille, revised bumper and a redesigned rear, while the cabin trim is upgraded. There's a three model line-up, the cheapest of which is the entry-level EX. Buyers with a little more to spend can opt for the ΂£5,642 GXi or ΂£6,562 EZi automatic.

All models come with power-steering and an immobiliser as standard, while the flagship gets body-coloured door mirrors and handles. According to used value expert CAP, the Kelisa is also the cheapest car to own, with three years or 60,000 miles of motoring costing a mere 14.1 pence per mile.

The enterprising MG Rover dealer which briefly held the accolade of selling the cheapest model in the UK was Dunham and Haines in Luton, Beds. It has a limited number of delivery-mileage 04-reg CityRovers on offer. A spokesman for the Longbridge company explained: "This is a dealer offer, and the showroom has chosen to introduce it to get cars seen out on the road."