Best Cars for the ULEZ in 2023

News was recently released that London is looking to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This has added another layer of complexity to the process of selecting a pre-owned vehicle for those living in, or regularly travelling to London. Buying a car that adheres to the Euro 4 or Euro 6 emissions standards is now an essential requirement for driving within the UK capital city. We’re going to explore some of the best cars you can buy to comply with the ULEZ in 2023.

For any car that does not meet the ULEZ standards and drives within the zone, you have to pay a daily charge of £12.50. Failure to pay this fee results in a substantial penalty of £120.

Thankfully, the secondary car market offers a wealth of options, especially concerning petrol cars compliant with Euro 4 (generally from January 2006 onwards) and diesel vehicles that meet Euro 6 standards (generally from September 2015 onwards).

Don’t start worrying too soon though! The used car market has plenty of cars for sale that have got your ULEZ needs covered! In general, petrol cars are compliant from 2006 onwards, and diesel cars from 2015 onwards (in accordance with Euro 4 and 6 standards).

If you have any doubt though, you can verify whether your current car or a potential purchase complies with these regulations, you can easily check it on Transport for London (TfL).

We’ve picked out our top 5 suggestions for the best cars for the ULEZ based on 7 various categories from budget cars, to SUVs and electric cars!

Here are our best ULEZ car recommendations:

Best ULEZ Budget Cars:

1. Mini Cooper S: A sporty and nimble alternative that combines ULEZ compliance with energetic performance.
2. Renault Twingo (2008-2013): An affordable and ULEZ-compliant choice with lively 1.2-litre engines and versatile rear seating.
3. Suzuki Swift (2005 onwards): A practical and manageable car which can zip around the city and is economical to fuel and insure.
4. Toyota iQ (2009-2014): A unique and compact option with a distinctive appearance, though it is more of a 3+1 seating configuration.
5. Vauxhall Zafira: A family-friendly seven-seater with flexible seating arrangements and good adaptability, perfect for larger groups.

Best ULEZ Compact Cars:

1. Fiat 500: A popular and retro-styled option with efficient engines, making it ideal for those seeking a compact and stylish ride.
2. Hyundai i10: A compact and enjoyable city car with decent performance, suitable for both city and faster road driving.
3. Mini 3dr: A ULEZ-compliant Mini hatchback option, with petrol models from January 2006 meeting the criteria.
4. Toyota Yaris: A spacious and well-equipped choice, especially models between 2014 and 2020, with additional features.
5. Volkswagen Up: A petite and fuel-efficient choice, best suited for urban driving with its turbocharged 1.0-litre engines.

Best ULEZ Electric Cars:

1. BMW i3: An appealing and eco-friendly electric choice, available in various battery sizes for extended range.
2. Kia e-Niro: A reliable and efficient electric option with an impressive driving range, making it suitable for urban and longer trips.
3. Peugeot e-208: A stylish and economical electric supermini with competitive range and performance.
4. Tesla (any model really!): Teslas are high-performance and high-range electric vehicles offering impressive acceleration and cutting-edge tech, perfect for the everyday Londoner.
5. Renault Zoe: A budget-friendly and compact electric option with different battery options and good usability.

Best ULEZ Estate Cars:

1. Audi A4: A luxurious, but not too elaborate estate car which is reliable and easy on the eye, a great choice for daily driving in the ULEZ.
2. Ford Focus Estate: A reliable and practical choice, especially if you need extra space for family or weekend mountain bikes.
3. Jaguar XF Sportbrake: A luxurious and stylish estate with a comfortable ride and elegant interior design.
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: A premium and well-built estate with top-notch safety features and enduring durability.
5. Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer: A budget-friendly and spacious estate with ample interior room and strong driving characteristics.

Best ULEZ Hatchback Cars:

1. Dacia Sandero: A practical and cost-effective family option that balances affordability with everyday usability.
2. Ford Focus: A versatile and widely admired option with various engine choices, both petrol and diesel.
3. Kia Ceed: A dependable and sensible choice with good practicality, particularly when equipped with a petrol engine.
4. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: A premium option with a high-quality interior and advanced tech features, making it a worthy investment.
5. Toyota Corolla: A reliable and frugal choice with ULEZ-compliant options available from as early as 2007.

Best ULEZ Saloon Cars:

1. BMW 3 Series: A sophisticated choice with models from the early 2000s to 2013 offering ULEZ compliance.
2. Ford Mondeo: A versatile and spacious option with models produced up until 2021 fitting the ULEZ standards.
3. Jaguar XE: A classy and stylish saloon with numerous used options available, both in petrol and diesel variants.
4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: A premium and tech-packed choice with comfortable driving dynamics and ample features.
5. Volvo S60: A dependable and comfortable option, especially diesel variants from 2018, offering both style and performance.

Best ULEZ SUVs:

1. Audi Q2: A luxury SUV with a focus on interior quality and a range of choices, including compliant earlier models.
2. Dacia Duster: An affordable and rugged off-roader with four-wheel drive capabilities and diesel options compliant from 2016.
3. Ford Kuga: A family-friendly SUV offering comfort and space, available with both petrol and ULEZ-compliant diesel engines.
4. Hyundai Tucson: A spacious and practical option with decent interior space, suitable for family needs.
5. Volvo XC60: A stylish and premium SUV with advanced technology and good practicality for everyday use.

We hope our top picks for the best ULEZ cars were helpful to you! Which of these cars would you buy for your London lifestyle?

London is a fast-paced city that is constantly evolving, just like car payments! You can read also read our article to learn more about how to buy a car with crypto from AutoCoinCars.