Best cars to buy in 2025

A new year means a new start for many people and a great way to kick off the next 12 months is with the keys to a different car. In fact, a survey conducted by AA Cars shows that one in three drivers are looking to purchase a car in 2025, up from 16 per cent in 2024.

More than half of the 14,426 Brits that we spoke to plan to opt for a greener vehicle, too, with 30 per cent after a mild-hybrid, 14 per cent fancying a plug-in hybrid and 10 per cent looking to make the jump to full electric. The good news is that here at AA Cars we’ve got a great variety of cars with all types of powertrains and, in this article, we’ll be picking out 10 of the best that are worth considering in 2025.

Best EV - BMW i3

Many drivers are considering the switch to an electric vehicle. With more numerous clean air zones coming into force across the country and tighter emissions regulations, an electric vehicle can prove to be a compelling choice for those drivers looking to reduce their costs. If you can take advantage of super-low home charging prices then an EV will be far cheaper to run than a petrol equivalent.

BMW’s i3 was ahead of its time. Launched in 2013, it was one of the first compact, premium battery-powered vehicles on the market and, in typical BMW fashion, was well-finished with plenty of technology. Today, the i3 makes for a compelling used buy. It may not offer the range of more modern EVs, but it still feels fresh inside. Around £10,000 is enough to secure an i3 with around 70,000 miles on the clock, while £13,000 can get you a later model i3S with a punchier electric motor.

Best family car - Volkswagen Tiguan

A good family car has several responsibilities. It needs to be safe, of course, while plenty of interior storage is a must-have if you want to keep your car as tidy as possible. A large boot is a key requirement, too, as are ISOFIX points for child seats. It’s for all of these reasons that the Volkswagen Tiguan has proven such a hit among family buyers and why it still provides an excellent used-car purchase.

With a comfortable seating arrangement and a large, usefully sized boot the Tiguan is a great fit for all types of families. You can get early Tiguan models for under £2,000 - though they’ll have quite high mileage - but we’d recommend spending around £10,000 which will get you a 2015 model with around 50,000 miles on the clock.

Best estate car - Volvo V90

The humble estate car can be a great fit for all types of drivers. If you’d prefer to sit lower down then they’re a great alternative to an SUV, while an estate car’s large boot makes it ideal for drivers who often take a lot with them. Plus, an estate car’s lower centre of gravity means that they’re often more comfortable to drive over long distances than a typical SUV.

Volvo is, of course, one of the best-known names in the estate car business having been behind some of the most iconic load luggers of the past few decades. Its most recent estate car is the V90 and it’s one of the most accomplished, too. There’s plenty of on-board technology and some high-quality materials, but you still get the roomy interior and large boot that you’d expect from a big estate car. V90 models do hold their value, however, so even high-mileage examples will cost from around £13,000. Expect to pay around £20,000 for a decent low-mileage V90.

Best small/city car - Toyota Yaris

A small car is great if you’re looking to reduce driving costs or live in an area which is tight on space. Particularly for those drivers living or frequenting the city, a dedicated small car can help to make everyday driving much easier. Parking is less of a chore than it is a much larger vehicle and you’ll find that you don’t need to pay out too much in repairs and maintenance, either.

The Toyota Yaris is a fine choice in this area. Toyota has a strong reputation for making reliable city cars and the Yaris is a great example of this. The third-generation car - produced between 2011 and 2020 - brings a good compromise between must-have features and cost, while a fuel-sipping hybrid engine will help to make the Yaris even cheaper to run. Non-hybrid versions can be picked up for around £5,000, while hybrid models cost from around £8,000 and upwards.

Best hybrid - BMW 330e

A hybrid car can bring the best of both worlds. You get the opportunity to run on some level of electric power like a full EV, yet you’ve got the background of a petrol or diesel engine to help with those longer journeys. Needless to say, hybrids have grown in popularity of late and there are plenty available within the used market, too.

BMW’s 330e is a great example of a hybrid with very few trade-offs. It’s good to drive and just as comfortable as the regular petrol or diesel model, yet there’s the opportunity for some very low running costs. Around £8,000 is enough to secure a previous-generation car, though the most recent car - introduced in 2019 - brought an improved electric range thanks to a larger battery. Expect to pay around £20,000 for a decent example of this generation.

Best four-wheel-drive - Land Rover Discovery

If you live in a hard-to-reach area or a part of the country prone to snow, then a four-wheel drive is a must. Likewise, if you’re often towing, then the extra capability of having four driven wheels can make a big difference.

The Land Rover Discovery is one of the most accomplished four-wheel-drives around and one which has many other plus-points including a handy seven-seater configuration. The most recent generation of Discovery, which was introduced in 2017, represents a great used buy with decent examples available for around £20,000. Just remember to factor in maintenance costs as these cars need to be well looked after to keep them at their best.

Best seven-seater - Volvo XC90

If you’re after plenty of space for passengers, then a seven-seater is the only way to go. Having the added flexibility can make taking larger families out for a ride much easier, or even if you’re often doing group pick-ups and drop-offs.

We’re big fans of Volvo’s XC90 as a seven-seater option. It’s comfortable, well-finished inside and has loads of great features. The seats are simple to operate, too, and this helps when getting in and out of the vehicle. You can get the latest version - introduced in 2015 - for around £16,000 if you’re happy with a higher-mileage example, or for around £20,000 for a newer, lower-mileage version.

Best for long-distance drivers - Skoda Superb

If you’re spending a lot of time behind the wheel then a car that’ll take away the aches and strains is essential. Whether it’s for business or pleasure, long-distance driving is tiring at the best of times and having a car that’ll settle down to a high-speed cruise can make things much easier.

In this area, we’d recommend the Skoda Superb. Not only is it value-orientated which makes it less expensive to buy than you’d think, but its comfortable suspension setup will make those long-distance trips melt away. Some efficient diesel engines can help to reduce fuel bills, too. The previous-generation car - made between 2015 and 2024 - represents a great used purchase and is available from around £7,000 for a higher-mileage version.

Best for practicality - Volkswagen Caravelle

Sometimes practicality is what you need above all else from a car. It may be for work purposes or the requirements of family life, but a little extra space goes a long way. If this sounds about right for you, then the Volkswagen Caravelle could be the ideal choice.

It is, of course, a van-based model with this people carrier sharing the same platform as the Volkswagen Transport. The benefit of this is that you still get all the people-carrying ability but with a huge level of boot space. Plus, you can remove the rear seats entirely and you’re left with a van level of practicality. Caravelle models do hold their value, mind you, with even higher-mileage versions commanding price tags upwards of £10,000.

Best for value - Dacia Jogger

Times are tough and, for many people, owning a car is a key expense. However, it’s also a lifeline and one that is unnegotiable for a lot of drivers. Keeping costs down isn’t always easy in the world of motoring, but things are made a lot simpler with cars like the Dacia Jogger.

Though reasonably new - the Jogger was launched in 2022 - this Dacia’s low starting price means that it’s a relatively inexpensive purchase. However, it’s packed with functionality, including seven seats, handy roof rails and a large, usable boot. You can pick up a low-mileage Jogger on AA Cars today for as little as £12,000, or around £15,000 if you’d like more creature comforts.

*Yonder conducted an online sample of 14,426 UK adults aged 18-65+ between December 10 and December 17, 2024. Data is weighted to be representative of the population of the UK. Targets for quotas and weights are taken from the PAMCO survey, a random probability survey conducted annually with 35,000 adults. Yonder is a founding member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For further information see http://www.britishpollingcouncil.org/. Prices correct at time of publication (02/2025).