Surely if a car is good, its sales will also be good… right?
While that's often true, there are some really great cars that don't always hit the high notes with buyers. We've tested most of the cars on sale today, and we reckon these are the 10 most underrated models you can buy.
Handily, most of these cars are available with big discounts from Motorpoint – check out a wide choice of nearly new and used cars for sale.
Most underrated cars:
- BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
- DS 4
- Kia XCeed
- Abarth 600e
- BMW i5
- Honda ZR-V
- MG4
- Lexus UX
- Suzuki Ignis
- Citroen C5 X
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
Think of a BMW and you'll probably picture one of its saloons or coupes. You probably won't be picturing a compact people carrier like the 2 Series Active Tourer, but it's a really smart choice if you want an affordable premium family car. It has an upmarket, modern cabin similar to the X1 SUV and the same planted, somewhat sporty handling as the 1 Series hatchback. The clever bit, however, is that it's bigger than the 1 Series, so you can use it as a family car, and it's cheaper than the X1 – especially on the used market.
Shop used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer cars or read our BMW 2 Series Active Tourer review
DS 4
The DS 4's biggest failing is probably its marketing. Most buyers have heard of Citroen and Peugeot, but DS's avant-garde lineup flies a little under the radar in the UK. Which means buyers might not have even heard of models like the DS 4 – a large, slightly lifted hatchback based on the same platform as the Peugeot 408 and Citroen C5 X. Its design both inside and out carries lots of intricate stylistic details and material quality is high – especially on top-end trims. Out on the road, the supple chassis rides better than many cars in this class.
See used DS 4 cars or read our DS 4 review
Kia XCeed
Genre-blending cars can sometimes struggle to find mass appeal since buyers might not understand where it sits in a brand's lineup. That might be a limiting factor for the Kia XCeed – a peculiar blend of family hatchback and small SUV, with just a little coupe style thrown in too. Ignore the categorisation, however, and you'll find the XCeed is a well-equipped, easygoing car. Plus, prices are competitive on the used market, so you can get a big discount versus buying new while also benefitting from the remainder of Kia's seven-year warranty.
Browse used Kia XCeed cars or read our Kia XCeed review
Abarth 600e
The Abarth 600e is a sensible Fiat 600e small electric SUV with an over-the-top race-car makeover. Having driven the dinky Abarth 500e EV hot hatch, we were left underwhelmed with its 155hp output. The 600e feels like a very different beast, with up to 280hp directed at the front wheels through a mechanical limited slip differential. As a result, the 600e has the kind of unhinged aggression you expect from a car with an Abarth badge. Its character is underscored by a booming speaker that mimics the engine noise of old petrol Abarths.
Search used Abarth cars or read our Abarth reviews
BMW i5
You might wonder why a premium, BMW-badged executive saloon is on this list. Surely this kind of car is BMW's bread and butter? That thinking might apply to the regular 5 Series, but the battery-powered i5 only enjoys a more niche appeal. It's an extremely easy EV to get on with, however, with a large, luxurious cabin and all the latest tech, plus a long range and plenty of power. And, thanks to the slightly steeper initial depreciation that affects EVs, the i5 is astonishingly affordable on the used market considering its capability and desirability.
Shop used BMW i5 cars or read our BMW i5 review
Honda ZR-V
The Honda ZR-V is another car that suffers from not being as well-known as its stablemates. You might've encountered the CR-V large SUV and the HR-V small SUV as they've been on sale a few years, but the ZR-V only arrived in 2024 so fewer buyers have heard of it. That's a shame because the ZR-V is something of a sweet-spot in the Honda SUV lineup. It's usefully bigger than the HR-V but with a much less intimidating price tag than the CR-V. Plus, you get the same excellent 2.0-litre self-charging-hybrid engine as the Civic.
Browse used Honda ZR-V cars or read our Honda ZR-V review
MG4
This might be the least underrated car on this list – plenty of buyers have given the sharply styled MG4 a go. But we still want to sing the praises of this electric family hatch because it was the first MG we drove that felt like a class-leader rather than an also-ran. Its ground-up EV platform means there's loads of cabin space within its compact footprint, and the MG4's composed ride and direct handling make it a pleasure to drive. Prices undercut most direct rivals like the Volkswagen ID.3, and there's now a new MG4 Urban with an even lower price point.
View used Mazda CX-30 cars or read our Mazda CX-30 review
Lexus UX
The UX is neither the newest, the most spacious nor the most desirable SUV the brand makes. However, those factors mean used prices are comparatively affordable – especially when compared against small SUVs from the premium German brands Lexus competes with. There's plenty of substance to like here, too, including a choice of either an efficient hybrid engine or a fully electric model – both backed by Lexus' 10-year service activated warranty. As befits the brand's reputation, material quality is excellent and build quality is faultless.
Check out used Lexus UX cars or read our Lexus UX review
Suzuki Ignis
There are lots of talented city cars to choose from. You have sensible options like the Hyundai i10, Volkswagen Up and Toyota Aygo X, or stylish models like the Fiat 500 and Citroen C1. The Suzuki Ignis has a few extra tricks up its sleeve that might swing your favour. Things like its clever sliding rear bench, which you can push far back for a shocking amount of rear legroom, or slide forward for a big boot with all four seats in place. Then there's the tall ground clearance and optional all-wheel drive to make light work of rough roads and potholes.
Browse used Suzuki Ignis cars or read our Suzuki Ignis review
Citroen C5 X
The Citroen C5 X sits in the middle of a Venn diagram between SUV and estate. Being a bigger model also puts it in contention with cars from more premium brands, which UK buyers often prefer. It's worth trying out, however, because the C5 X has a massive cabin and an impressively comfortable ride, plus a big boot so your four-legged friend can come along too. Wide, armchair like seats set the tone inside, while the light wood trim and mostly fuss-free dashboard make the big Citroen a comfy place to while away the miles.
See used Citroen C5 X cars or read our Citroen C5 X review
Save thousands on these hidden gems
Most of the cars on this list are available as nearly new and used cars for sale at Motorpoint. For something with show-stopping looks, check out the best looking cars on sale.
