Cheapest Car in the Netherlands [2023 Guide]
In the Netherlands, cycling is the most common mode of transport; the country has over 22 million bikes and 17.2 million residents. The public transportation in this beautiful country is excellent, but sometimes a car is just more convenient. Yet, it can be quite pricey, especially in a packed country like the Netherlands.
If you want to buy a new car in the Netherlands, the Mitsubishi Space Star is the cheapest, together with the Kia Picanto, Dacia Sandero, Dacia Jogger, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo, and Skoda Citigo. Should you plan to get a used car, Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia are the most affordable vehicles.
We help you swap your two wheels for four with the cheapest car in the Netherlands in this guide. Let’s look into how much cars cost in the Netherlands, the most affordable new and used vehicles, and conclude by highlighting the cheapest car rental in the Netherlands. Curious what car is the most inexpensive in Europe in 2023? Read in this article.
Don’t forget to check out our guide on the best Dutch used car websites.
How much do cars cost in the Netherlands?
According to a report produced by LeasePlan bank, the Netherlands is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to buy both new and used cars.
Below is a graph showing the average prices of passenger cars in European countries in 2015 and 2020:
Also read this article about how to buy a car in the Netherlands as a foreigner.
Check out the in-depth article on used car prices in the Netherlands.
Cost of owning a car in the Netherlands
When buying a car in the Netherlands, you need to consider the actual cost of owning it.
This cost depends on several factors, such as the type of car, the frequency of use, and your age. For example, if you have a four-year-old Renault Clio, you will likely spend €385 per month, assuming you drive about 20,000 km yearly.
The cost of owning a car in the Netherlands involves routine and ongoing expenses such as registration, fuel, insurance, and taxes.
The average monthly cost of new car ownership in the Netherlands is between €336 and €647 for petrol cars; both used and new, and €700 for new diesel vehicles.
Let’s say you decide to purchase a new VW Golf VIII; in that case, the cost of ownership will be:
- Purchase price: €31,090
- Depreciation: €267
- Maintenance or Repair: €38
- Insurance: €70
- Fuel: €90
- Monthly total cost: €465
Used cars are more expensive than new ones as they have higher maintenance costs. If you are a young driver, expect the cost of maintaining a vehicle to be slightly elevated, as car insurance is more expensive for young drivers in the Netherlands. Check out Dutch providers like ABN AMRO and HEMA for affordable coverage.
Read the comprehensive article about the cost of owning a car in the Netherlands.
Here is an overview of the monthly cost of owning a car in the Netherlands across different car ages and classes:
| Car | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| New small middle-class car | €469 |
| New, compact | €384 |
| New middle-class car | €532 |
| New SUV | €647 |
| 5 years-old compact car | €336 |
| 5 years-old middle-class car | €375 |
| 5 years-old SUV | €485 |
In many cases, leasing a car is a better option than buying one. Read our detailed overview of leasing vs buying a car in the Netherlands.
Cheapest new car
Some of the cheapest cars in the Netherlands include:
7. Kia Picanto – €15,990
The Kia Picanto is the last on our list of the cheapest new cars in the Netherlands, with a price range of between €15,990 and €20,490. The vehicle has Bluetooth and electric front windows, cruise control, and a digital DAB + radio.
Below is a table showing the Kia Picanto’s prices based on its different body types and engine specs:
| Year | Body type | Specs | Price from | Price to |
| 2022 | Hatchback | 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $15,990 | $20,490 |
| 2021 | Hatchback | 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $11,100 | $21,450 |
| 2020 | Hatchback | 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $9,900 | $19,470 |
| 2019 | Hatchback | 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $9,000 | $17,270 |
| 2018 | Hatchback | 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $8,000 | $15,730 |
6. Dacia Jogger – €14,990
Dacia Jogger is similar to Dacia Sandero but with a longer trunk and third row of seats.
This seven-seat family car has a starting price of €14,990, which you may not find on any other seven-seater. The highest buying price for this car is €18,000 for the top-spec Extreme SE model, which has two options on the price list: a spare wheel and metallic paint.
It has removable seats, allowing for a very spacious trunk. The car is also a bit higher compared to the Sandero, and its roof is quite high too. Though it’s still slightly small in size, it has excellent space for the price tag.
The jogger is a bit plain inside, but it’s comfortable to drive and relatively easy to repair.
5. Dacia Sandero – €13,790
Dacia Sandero is one of the most affordable cars in the Netherlands and entire Europe. It has been the best-selling ‘retail’ car in Europe for the last three years, with over two million purchases since 2004.
The car has a starting price of between €13,790 for an essential and €16,000 for a comfort type. At some dealerships, you might be lucky to find a new Sandero at around €12,795. It’s a great value for money.
Dacia Sandero is a compact five-door hatchback with great driving characteristics. It’s a perfect car for any beginner, not willing to spend a lot of money on purchase and maintenance.
Sandero it’s the best version of the UK’s best-selling superminis, Vauxhall Corsa, and the Ford Fiesta, which cost over €16,000.
The Dacia Sandero uses modern engines that are compliant with the latest EU emissions standards. Most versions of the Sandero have a powerful six-speed gearbox, and the inside has enough space for five people and their luggage.
Dacia Sandero comes equipped with CVT automatic gearbox, cruise control, climate control, Apple CarPlay, parking camera, and keyless entry.
4. Hyundai i10 – €13,635
The Hyundai i10 is a cheap and very popular car in the Netherlands with excellent grades for most safety tests. It’s also well equipped with several safety features, such as high beam assist (HBA).
The Hyundai i10 has an appealing technology system, such as state-of-the-art built-in navigation systems. You will enjoy plenty of luggage space and legroom in the back.
Overall, the car has an attractive but plastic interior design and limited power of the three-cylinder engine. VW Up and Toyota Aygo have better equipment.
The cost of a new Hyundai i10 starts from €9,995 and rises to €13,635 if you opt for an air-conditioned i-Drive Cool variant set.
3. Toyota Aygo – €13,595
Toyota Aygo has been among the cheapest cars in the Netherlands for a while. This four-seater is technically identical to the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108.
Until recently, the Toyota Aygo was the cheapest car in the Netherlands, but after the cancellation of the three-door version, it lost the most affordable models.
The cheapest Aygo is now called 1.0VVT-i x and will cost you about €13,595. It has a somewhat sporty and bold design, making it a good-looking car. As a bonus, even the cheapest Toyota Aygo has built-in air conditioning.
2. Skoda Citigo – €11,941
Skoda Citigo is very cheap, with its price starting from under €10,000. The city car has an accurate, modern design and has a surprising amount of space for its size. Citigo is similar to the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto when it comes to capacity.
This car is far from fast; however, it’s brilliant for ducking in and out of city streets. It’s very comfortable and quiet on Netherlands’ roads, and decent handling ensures a superb all-rounder for a city car.
The price range of Skoda Citigo is quite wide – from €9,853 to €14,029. For the purpose of this ranking, we took a middle ground of €11,941 as an average purchasing price. When shopping for a Skoda Citigo, you can choose between three- and five-door bodies.
1. Mitsubishi Space Star – €11,390
By far, the cheapest car on the Dutch market right now is the Mitsubishi Space Star. You can purchase it in a new state already for €11,390. The Mitsubishi Space Star is a functional, reliable, and good-looking car!
The vehicle promises low consumption and low maintenance costs – perfect for someone budget cautious.
The Space Star has a 1.2-liter three-cylinder, which is linked to a manual five-speed gearbox. The car has only a small luggage space, but owners enjoy its appearance and good driving characteristics.
Cheapest used car
Used cars are a popular choice in the Netherlands due to their affordable prices. The difference between a new and used car can be up to thousands of euros, making it quite economical to opt to buy a used car, especially if it’s less than three years old.
Below is a graph showing the number of passenger cars sold in the Netherlands from 2010 to 2020:
Some of the cheapest used cars that you can consider in the Netherlands include:
Volkswagen Golf – from €4,000 to €20,000
Volkswagen Golf is one of the most popular cars on Netherlands roads and Europe. Its popularity means that it’s highly available for sale, and you can easily choose the type, model, features, and number of miles you like.
The cost of a Volkswagen Golf ranges from €4,000 to €20,000, depending on its age and features. Some of the websites where you can get this excellent car include theparking.eu and ccarprice.com.
Skoda Octavia – from €4,000 to €15,000
The Skoda Octavia is another popular choice if looking for a used car in the Netherlands. It runs perfectly, has a no-frills interior, and its price ranges from €4,000 to €15,000.
Skoda Octavia is often one of the most popular cars when new. Volkswagen also makes it partly, so they are reasonably inexpensive and easy to fix.
By the way, did you know that the Netherlands is one of the cheapest countries in Europe to buy a car?
Factors to consider when buying a used car in the Netherlands
Buying a used car isn’t the same as buying a new one. Unlike the latter, getting a good deal on the used car market requires keenness.
Here are factors to consider when buying a cheap used car in the Netherlands:
Your budget
Before looking for the cheapest used car to buy, have a budget in place, and adhere to it. This will help you avoid overspending and assist you in making a much more wise decision regarding your car purchase.
Additionally, consider the monthly and annual cost of maintaining the car and ensure that you can afford it without straining.
Car’s history
In the Netherlands, a used car may look spotless and almost new but hidden under it may be numerous different problems. It’s wise not to purchase a vehicle based on a visual inspection alone; instead, take a critical look at its history to avoid future problems.
The car’s reputation
Ensure that you look into the user reviews and car rating websites to assess the car’s reputation. Some car review sites that you can check out include consumerreports.org, autoguide.com and caranddriver.com.
Ownership and car title
Unless the car is on loan, the vehicle’s seller ought to provide you with a car title. If you are buying the vehicle from an individual seller, check whether they are actual vehicle owners or not. Ask for an ID and check if it matches the name on the title.
Car insurance in the Netherlands
Don’t forget to choose affordable Dutch car insurance. The car insurance policy is an official requirement, and without it, you can’t drive a car. The largest car insurance providers in the Netherlands are ABN AMRO and HEMA.
Where to buy the cheapest used car in the Netherlands?
There are plenty of places to pick up a used car in the Netherlands, from online marketplaces to dealerships.
Some used car sellers in the Netherlands include:
Cheapest car rental in the Netherlands
If you are visiting the Netherlands or need to drive around for a short period, car hire would be the perfect and cheapest option.
The cheapest car to rent in the Netherlands is a Fiat Panda, and it costs €148.92 per week and €21.27 per day. This city car features air conditioning and can carry up to four passengers. It has plenty of storage spaces and a medium-sized boot that expands easily.
The Opel Corsa will be the cheapest option if you want an automatic car. The car costs €236.57 per week and €33.80 per day. It has a fuel consumption of 4.1 liters per 69 mpg and a maximum speed of 108 mph.
Toyota Aygo would be perfect for a long-term rental car, which costs around €647.50 per month. Toyota Aygo is pretty compact, making it excellent for Netherlands parking and streets. The Aygo also has low gas consumption, saving you some euros in the long run.
You can find the cheapest car rental in the Netherlands from the following sites: BB&LCarRental.com, Budget.nl and Hertz.nl.
Factors to consider when renting a car in the Netherlands
Renting the most cost-effective vehicle in the Netherlands can be challenging, especially for the first time or if you are a foreigner.
If you are planning to rent the cheapest car in the Netherlands, here are a few factors you should do:
| 1. Ensure that you have an insurance policy from the rental company, or you can purchase your own. |
| 2. Read and understand all car rental terms and agreements before renting one. |
| 3. Make sure that the car is in good condition and that the car service repairs any issues available. |
| 4. Compare prices of the cheapest cars from different car hire services providers to get the best deal. |
| 5. Rent a car that is near your place of residence to avoid the extra costs of picking up and returning it. |
