These are the cheapest ECO-label cars of 2021, up to 10 options from just over 8,500 euros

January starts with the momentum of the very severe crisis in new car registrations in 2020. A drop of more than 30 percent compared with 2019 makes the new year crucial for the automotive sector. In a market where the cheapest ECO-label cars of 2021 will be key, as they are one of the groups of greatest interest and sales.

That is why we have taken an interest in updating the list of the most economical cars with the blue and green environmental badge of the DGT, whether they are hybrid vehicles, regardless of the scheme and intensity of the electrical system involved, or gas-powered, the only condition being that, at least for now, until the introduction of the update to the energy efficiency classification system, they display the ECO sticker on their windscreen, as the following do.

FIAT Panda LIFE 1.0 Hybrid, from 8,491 euros

If the FIAT Panda hybrid was presented for many months as the cheapest ECO-label car, the update to the range only confirms this status, based on a mechanical mild-hybrid scheme, mild-hybrid, which means that for less than 8,500 euros the FIAT Panda LIFE on promotion makes it possible to buy a hybrid car, albeit with a more than modest output of 69 horsepower, but with a real capacity of 5 seats and very acceptable agility, especially in the city.

Dacia Logan TCe ECO-G Essential LPG, from 9,061 euros

From the less than 8,500 euros of the FIAT Panda hybrid, the cheapest among the cheapest ECO-label cars, up to just over 9,000 for the Dacia Logan TCe ECO-G, there is not just about 500 euros of difference but a mechanical gulf between their powertrain technologies. Only the use of an engine capable of running on petrol links and differentiates them, with support from an additional system based either on electricity, in the case of the Italian, or on consumption also of liquefied petroleum gas in the case of the Dacia Logan LPG with Essential trim on promotion for just 9,061 euros.

Dacia Sandero TCe ECO-G Essential LPG, from 9,236 euros

One of the best moments to buy a new car is when one generation hands over to the next. If you are one of those who does not mind enjoying a “old” new car, the Dacia Sandero Essential powered by petrol or LPG is a great option, since it is not only one of the cheapest ECO-label cars of 2021 but the gas variant is also the best-selling model of 2020, partly thanks to a clearance price starting from just 9,236 euros for the Dacia Sandero TCe ECO-G with 90 CV and Essential trim currently offered, and in parallel with the new generation of the popular Romanian compact, also with a mechanical setup fed by LPG consumption.

FIAT 500 Hybrid, from 11,636 euros

And if we are talking about cars on the verge of extinction, with the arrival of the fully electric FIAT 500e, the sale of the previous generation still continues, in its hybrid variant the FIAT 500 Hybrid with POP trim, which leaves this charming city car at just 11,636 euros compared with the 15,950 listed as its RRP, if you do not take advantage of the current promotion on this cheap ECO-label car.

KIA Rio Concept T-GDi MHEV, from 13,300 euros

And if the battle to offer the cheapest ECO-label car seems a head-to-head between FIAT and Dacia, the third brand in contention, KIA, joins the race with the KIA Rio mild-hybrid from 13,300 euros on promotion, thanks to the discount in force at the time of writing this article.

Dacia Duster TCe ECO-G Essential LPG, from 13,390 euros

And if what you are looking for is the cheapest ECO-label SUV, the Dacia Duster TCe ECO-G from 13,890 euros replicates both the mechanics and the circumstances of the LPG Dacia Sandero which, ahead of the phase-out of the outgoing generation, offers a gas-powered crossover for just 13,390 euros, 100 euros less than the previous price, with more than enough lively horsepower and quite respectable off-road capability.

Renault Clio Intens TCe LPG, from 14,092 euros

Thanks to being part of the Renault Group, Dacia benefits from petrol engines adapted to LPG consumption, but the models of the diamond-badged brand itself do the same,

putting on the market options as attractive as the Renault Clio TCe LPG from 14,092 euros. A car that, while it also draws on battle equipment, the most basic, Intense trim offers the aforementioned 100 CV engine to power an agile and highly versatile car which, as indicated, stands out as one of the cheapest ECO-label cars of 2021.

Suzuki Ignis 1.2L Mild Hybrid, from 15,225 euros

And, overcoming the psychological barrier of 15,000 euros within this list of the cheapest ECO-label cars, the new Suzuki Ignis 1.2L Mild Hybrid in GLE trim slightly exceeds this amount, since with an RRP from 15,225 euros shown on its configurator, you get a front-wheel-drive SUV, but you can opt for a

cheap all-wheel-drive crossover if you pay 2,150 euros more for the Suzuki Ignis 1.2L 4×4 Mild Hybrid, also equipped to GLE grade.

Suzuki Swift 1.2L Mild Hybrid, from 15,560 euros

And, between the SUV and the flagship city car of the Japanese brand, sharing the mechanics makes them match their prices, even if only to the nearest thousand, because the Suzuki Swift 1.2L Mild Hybrid starts its

price list with a promotional price from 15,560 euros for the manual gearbox version, rising to 16,960 if you prefer an automatic ECO-label car, front-wheel drive, or up to 17,720 for the four-wheel-drive configuration.

SEAT Ibiza TGI Reference Plus, from 16,050 euros

And no list could leave out one of the benchmarks of the Spanish market, the perennial SEAT Ibiza which, in its configuration as

a CNG-powered car, that is, powered by gas but compressed natural gas, the SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TG 90 CV with Reference Plus trim is priced from 16,050 euros.