The best small cars that we recommend for YOU!
25 May 2021
When it comes to the small car market, the race to the top spot can be a fierce one. This is great when you're in the market for a new car but it can mean that there may be too many models to choose from. Whether you’ve just passed your test and you’re looking for your first motor or you’re a veteran driver waiting to find a quality vehicle that can go the distance, there is a hatchback to fit just about everybody.
In the UK, city cars and hatchbacks make up the bulk of new car sales. When it comes to these cars compared to the 4x4’s or luxury sports cars, small cars are cheap, practical, easy to drive on congested British streets.
There are a lot of factors that you have to take into consideration when finding the right small car for you. These days, it’s not enough for a car to be as comfortable on the motorway as it is in the city. They need to make sure that they have enough boot space, it has to be competitively priced and come with all the luxury trimmings like heated seats or park assist. The main issue with this? It can be hard to narrow down your search when most of them offer all of the above!
Luckily, you no longer have to trawl the internet for hours on end to find the best small car as we have done the legwork for you. Here is our list of the best small cars (in our opinion) and our reasons why they made it onto the list!
Our list of “Best small cars”
Renault Clio
It probably doesn’t surprise you that this little car has jumped straight onto our list. Named Supermini of the Year 2020 by Auto Express, the Clio is a “big small car” with a surprising amount of legroom inside and a 391-litre boot.
Not only does the Clio come with four different petrol engines and a diesel to choose from, but there is also the new E-Tech hybrid version to choose from too.
The interior, however, is where the car really shines. We found that the quality of the interior is impressive and as a standard, the equipment that comes with the car includes cruise control, LED headlights, autonomous braking, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition.
Toyota Yaris
Every year, more and more small car brands make the change to electric with the goal to reduce or even eradicate tailpipe emissions and, of course, the new Yaris is one of them. Emitting less than 100g/km of CO2, it is a great choice for someone looking for a small, greener car.
“The hybrid 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine under its bonnet is boosted by a battery that’s smaller, lighter, and yet more powerful than those in earlier generations of the Yaris Hybrid.”
Peugeot 208
One of the first things we have to say about the Peugeot 208 is its superior interior. Inside the car, you will find piano black plastic which looks very impressive and alongside this, Peugeot have added ambient lighting which is a nice touch. You will also find a spacious 311 litre boot.
Now let’s talk exterior...There are a number of trims to pick from, ranging from Active through to Active Premium, Allure, Allure Premium, and GT Line. We think this vehicle is the perfect “small, but grown-up car”.
Audi A1
It wouldn't be right for us to not include at least ONE of Audi’s models on the list. These iconic and very popular cars offer an enjoyable driving experience and even have room for two adults to sit comfortably in the back.
Not only does it provide a spacious boot, fixing one of the criticisms of the original model, the Audi A1 is available with a broad choice of engine. All of the A1 engines are petrol and at the bottom of the range, you’ll find three-cylinder engines, while at the top is a 2.0-litre with top-of-the-line performance.
Hyundai i10
This car is the third generation Hyundai i10 and has seen good reviews pretty much across the board. The i10 comes with plenty of gadgets in the mid-range SE Connect and Premium models plus a light, airy cabin across the range.
Even though the i10 is larger than the older models, we have found that it is much smoother when you put your foot on the gas and get up to speed compared to the previous releases. Not only is it a smoother drive but you can find luxuries such as heated seats and a heated steering wheel (which we cannot get enough of!).
Volkswagen Polo
It just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention the classic Polo. The latest Polo model is available with a broad range of engines which ensures that there's something for everyone in the range. The cheapest engine in the Polo range is the 1.0 80 Evo. (bear in mind that this engine doesn't have a turbocharger).
It also has an impressive interior and has been said to be one of the smoothest-riding cars in the class. The dashboard buttons are well designed and very easy to use and this impressive little motor even comes with front and rear parking sensors as a standard across the range.
Remember, there is a small car for just about anyone! When choosing your next car you need to consider your budget, and remember to think about fuel and insurance costs, too. If you are looking to buy or lease a new car or want to talk to a specialist for more information then contact us today.
In the UK, city cars and hatchbacks make up the bulk of new car sales. When it comes to these cars compared to the 4x4’s or luxury sports cars, small cars are cheap, practical, easy to drive on congested British streets.
There are a lot of factors that you have to take into consideration when finding the right small car for you. These days, it’s not enough for a car to be as comfortable on the motorway as it is in the city. They need to make sure that they have enough boot space, it has to be competitively priced and come with all the luxury trimmings like heated seats or park assist. The main issue with this? It can be hard to narrow down your search when most of them offer all of the above!
Luckily, you no longer have to trawl the internet for hours on end to find the best small car as we have done the legwork for you. Here is our list of the best small cars (in our opinion) and our reasons why they made it onto the list!
Our list of “Best small cars”
Renault Clio
It probably doesn’t surprise you that this little car has jumped straight onto our list. Named Supermini of the Year 2020 by Auto Express, the Clio is a “big small car” with a surprising amount of legroom inside and a 391-litre boot.
Not only does the Clio come with four different petrol engines and a diesel to choose from, but there is also the new E-Tech hybrid version to choose from too.
The interior, however, is where the car really shines. We found that the quality of the interior is impressive and as a standard, the equipment that comes with the car includes cruise control, LED headlights, autonomous braking, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition.
Toyota Yaris
Every year, more and more small car brands make the change to electric with the goal to reduce or even eradicate tailpipe emissions and, of course, the new Yaris is one of them. Emitting less than 100g/km of CO2, it is a great choice for someone looking for a small, greener car.
“The hybrid 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine under its bonnet is boosted by a battery that’s smaller, lighter, and yet more powerful than those in earlier generations of the Yaris Hybrid.”
Peugeot 208
One of the first things we have to say about the Peugeot 208 is its superior interior. Inside the car, you will find piano black plastic which looks very impressive and alongside this, Peugeot have added ambient lighting which is a nice touch. You will also find a spacious 311 litre boot.
Now let’s talk exterior...There are a number of trims to pick from, ranging from Active through to Active Premium, Allure, Allure Premium, and GT Line. We think this vehicle is the perfect “small, but grown-up car”.
Audi A1
It wouldn't be right for us to not include at least ONE of Audi’s models on the list. These iconic and very popular cars offer an enjoyable driving experience and even have room for two adults to sit comfortably in the back.
Not only does it provide a spacious boot, fixing one of the criticisms of the original model, the Audi A1 is available with a broad choice of engine. All of the A1 engines are petrol and at the bottom of the range, you’ll find three-cylinder engines, while at the top is a 2.0-litre with top-of-the-line performance.
Hyundai i10
This car is the third generation Hyundai i10 and has seen good reviews pretty much across the board. The i10 comes with plenty of gadgets in the mid-range SE Connect and Premium models plus a light, airy cabin across the range.
Even though the i10 is larger than the older models, we have found that it is much smoother when you put your foot on the gas and get up to speed compared to the previous releases. Not only is it a smoother drive but you can find luxuries such as heated seats and a heated steering wheel (which we cannot get enough of!).
Volkswagen Polo
It just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention the classic Polo. The latest Polo model is available with a broad range of engines which ensures that there's something for everyone in the range. The cheapest engine in the Polo range is the 1.0 80 Evo. (bear in mind that this engine doesn't have a turbocharger).
It also has an impressive interior and has been said to be one of the smoothest-riding cars in the class. The dashboard buttons are well designed and very easy to use and this impressive little motor even comes with front and rear parking sensors as a standard across the range.
Remember, there is a small car for just about anyone! When choosing your next car you need to consider your budget, and remember to think about fuel and insurance costs, too. If you are looking to buy or lease a new car or want to talk to a specialist for more information then contact us today.