What is Target Price?

Target Price tells you how much you should really pay for your next car if you place a bespoke factory order. Here's how it works...

What is Target Price?

While all new cars have a list price (otherwise known as the recommended retail price or RRP), this is often just a starting point for negotiations. But how do you know what represents a good deal?

Well, that's where the What Car? Target Price comes in, because this is what we consider to be a fair price for your new car if you place a bespoke factory order.

It's set by a team of researchers who constantly monitor the discounts that are available. However, you can sometimes save even more if you haggle hard with the dealer or catch them at a time when they need to sell a few more cars in order to hit a bonus-linked target.

Red Mazda CX-5 rear right driving

Target Price is based on both cash and finance deals

We publish both Target Prices and Target PCP finance payments online and in What Car? magazine, so whether you're buying with cash or on finance, you can immediately see what you should pay.

Our indicative monthly Target PCP rates are based on a four-year deal with a 32,000-mile limit (8000 miles per year) and a 15% deposit, unless otherwise stated. Because finance arrangements can be tailored to your needs, you should enquire with dealers for a plan which suits you, using Target PCP as a guide to determine whether the offer is fair.

Car dealership

How you can save even more by buying through What Car? New Car Deals

At What Car?, we believe that no one should overpay for their new car, which is why we've also partnered with Auto Trader to bring you the biggest selection of discounted, in-stock new cars available in the UK.

Go to any of our reviews, and you'll see our 'Best price', which shows you whether you can save more by buying one of these in-stock vehicles or by placing a factory order.

EQE Interior Neil Winn Driving

Why you can trust What Car? reviews

What Car? has been helping Britain’s car buyers find cars that suit their needs for more than 50 years. Our expert team of road testers put every new car through its paces, using dedicated test facilities, to ensure that our independent, in-depth new car reviews set the industry standard. We also name the best cars for your money in our annual Car of the Year Awards.

Read more: How we test cars >>

Uniquely, we tell you the real-world fuel economy of the latest models with our Real MPG tests, and reveal how far electric cars can really go on a charge with our Summer Real Range test and Winter Real Range test. We also compile an annual Reliability Survey, using data from UK car owners, so you can quickly and easily discover the most reliable cars on sale. If the car you're looking for is no longer on sale, be sure to check out our used car reviews, or search our selection of used cars for sale.


For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Save thousands on your next car with What Car?'s New Car Deals >>