RIP Top Gear Reasonably Priced Car; What's Coming Next?

Image via topgear.com

It's official. Top Gear returns at the end of the month and with it comes a brand new Reasonably Priced Car for stars to take on the famous Dunsfold track.

The Kia Cee'd has served its time well and will no doubt be treated to an unceremonious send off as a new age of celebrity hoonage is ushered in. In its three years and five series, the little Korean has cushioned the buttocks of such stars as Tom Cruise, Boris Becker and the wonderful Amber Heard.

So what will take its place? To be defined as 'reasonably priced', the Top Gear crew believe that the car must have "good value, impressive equipment levels,

walking into the showroom and adopting a quietly delighted expression upon being told what you can get for your money."

While we'll have to wait until the show airs to know which car makes the grade, we've run down our potential candidates that fit the bill.

1. Skoda Fabia

No longer a laughing stock, Skoda has become a byword for 'value for money'. The thinking man's Volkswagen brand has been offering top quality cars for minimal moolah for years now, and the Fabia's £9945 starting price is a good example of this.

We think the 1.2 TSI engine would be the best bet. With 103bhp it should be nippy enough to entertain, but whether the interior is spacious enough to fit a roll cage is another question.

2. Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet has history in this sector with the Lacetti taking to the track before the Cee'd took over. It would be unlikely that TG would go back to a former manufacturer, but the Cruze is an excellent candidate. Starting just below £15,000, it's not extortionate money by anyone's standards.

The Cruze's smart styling and WTCC credentials make this a promising bet, and with the base 1.6-litre engine making 122bhp, it's relatively pokey.

3. Proton Gen-2

One of the more obscure cars on the list, but this helps it fall into the reasonably priced category. The Gen-2 has questionable looks, but its chassis has been worked on by Lotus. We're not sure that Lotus' influence makes the Gen-2 a decent car, but with prices kicking off from £11,030, it may be enough to tempt the Top Gear trio.

4. Seat Toledo

The new Toledo is one of the plainest cars that has ever been 'designed'. For this reason alone it fits the 'average' bill that a Reasonably Priced Car should have, and at £16,640 for the 1.2 it's well priced for the sector.

That engine is the same one in the Fabia, except this time it's lugging a lot more weight. Seeing this plain barge waddling around the airfield would be a brilliant sight.

5. Dacia Sandero

This is where Car Throttle's money lies. Dacia has promised big things with its super-budget range, and while its been the butt of many jokes on the show, the Sandero seriously impressed on its arrival.

For the money you cannot do better, with an optioned up, top of the range Lauréate model coming in at around £10,000. It would be the perfect progression of the joke as well as fitting the bill perfectly.

Where does your money lie? Think there's another candidate? Hit the comments and let us know!