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The Best Small Cars

Small cars make a lot of sense for many people. They are easier to drive in congested urban areas, and they can be parked in areas where larger vehicles simply won’t fit. With the ever-increasing cost of fuel, small cars are also a good solution for those who want to save some money on their monthly fuel bill. Small cars are an excellent mobility solution for people who do not need too much cargo and passenger space. Small cars were once designed to only provide the basic features people need for city commuting, but that has since changed.


Small cars now offer most of the convenience and luxury features that you can find in larger vehicles. The best small cars offer an excellent combination of practicality, style and economy.


If you fancy driving a small car, here are the 10 of the best small cars on the market:

  • Volkswagen Polo

  • Peugeot 208

  • Seat Ibiza

  • Ford Fiesta

  • Dacia Sandero

  • Audi A1 Sportback

  • Mini 5-door Hatch

  • Hyundai i10

  • Renault Clio

  • Toyota Yaris Hybrid


Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo is constantly ranked amongst the world’s favourite small cars, with good reason. The Polo is good at everything that a small car should be good at. It offers generous levels of comfort, combined with the latest infotainment technology and creature comforts that make driving the Polo a pleasure.


The interior is up to date and reflects the latest trends in car design, and the car offers several engine options that prioritise fuel efficiency. In addition to all of these outstanding features, the Polo also boasts a five-star Euro NCAP rating.


Peugeot 208

As is typical of most French cars, the Peugeot 208 doesn’t skimp on style. This elegant small car has one of the most eye-catching interiors on the market. It offers a lot of practicality combined with technologically advanced features, such as an infotainment system with built-in navigation and mobile phone connectivity.


The nippy Peugeot comes with a variety of internal combustion engines that are frugal, torquey and ideal for city driving. In addition to the range of ICE engines, the Peugeot 208 is also available as a purely electric vehicle that offers enough range for the average city driver’s daily commute.


Seat Ibiza

The Seat Ibiza is one of the best small cars on this list. It offers oodles of driving fun combined with style and elegance. Although the Ibiza has not been updated recently, the car still looks fresh, boasting a design that appeals to many drivers. The punchy Ibiza offers potential buyers a wide range of petrol engines, and all of the options on the list offer more than enough power to get through the daily traffic grind. The Ibiza offers all of the safety and comfort features that can be expected from a modern small car, and there is an impressive list of optional extras to choose from.


When it comes to interior space and luggage room, the Seat offers more than enough room for four adults and their luggage. Overall, the Ibiza Seat is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a small car to get around town without spending a fortune on fuel.


Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta has been around for a long time in many different incarnations, and it has always been a firm favourite in the small car class. The nippy Fiesta is fun to drive and offers a wide range of torquey engine choices. All the engines in the line-up offer enough power for the average city driver’s needs, and the fuel economy does not suffer from this. The Ford Fiesta offers one of the most fuel-efficient ranges seen in small cars available today.


The small Ford is equipped with the latest features and offers all the convenience you could want or need. The classic design and well-laid-out interior make the Fiesta a serious contender as one of the best small cars today.

Dacia Sandero

The Dacia Sandero offers excellent value for money, and it is one of the least expensive small cars on sale today. The Sandero doesn’t offer many frills, but it does feature a stylish, no-nonsense interior with all the basics you need for everyday city driving.


The small car offers enough space for five adults and their luggage, making it easy to use the Sandero for longer journeys. Considering the price and its features, the Sandero is one of the best small cars on the market.


Audi A1 Sportback

Just because the Audi A1 is a small car, it doesn’t mean it offers less luxury or style than any of Audi’s larger models. The A1 Sportback is an ideal small car for those who enjoy driving a premium car without worrying about the space constraints associated with city life.


The car’s infotainment system is equipped with the latest technology, and there is an impressive list of optional extras to choose from. The Audi’s premium looks and design place it in the higher price range.

Mini 5-door Hatchback

The Mini is one of the most legendary small cars of all time, and the latest incarnation builds on the well-established success of its predecessors. The Mini combines tradition with technology, offering a classic interior design that comes fully equipped with the latest technological features. The Mini has comfortable seats and offers more than enough space for four adults with luggage to travel in comfort.


A good selection of frugal petrol and diesel engines offer enough power to cut through congested city traffic, but the Mini can also take on longer journeys without a problem.


Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 is another example of an excellently designed small car that offers more than just value for money. The small hatchback offers generous interior space despite its small stature, and it comes with Hyundai’s industry-leading five-year guarantee as standard. The i10 has a deceptively large boot that can easily swallow groceries, sports bags and other items with ease. The interior is covered in hard plastics in some areas, but the comfortable seats and excellent headroom make up for this.


Small cars are often a bit cramped for taller drivers, but even the tallest drivers will have more than enough headroom in the Hyundai i10. The i10 prioritises safety and offers several standard gadgets, such as ABS, ESP, and passenger and driver airbags. Although the i10’s one-litre engine may sound small, the car has more than enough power for most city drivers.

Renault Clio

The Renault Clio offers French panache in a compact footprint, making it one of the best small cars available on the market today. The small car has an impressive list of standard equipment, and all the most important features are accounted for. The car’s interior is easy on the eye and comes equipped with several practical storage spaces for small items. In addition to this, the small Renault is available with a good selection of frugal engines, and an electric model is also available.


The Clio has been a firm favourite in the small car segment for many years due to its simple recipe of combining stylish design with economical driving and an excellent price point. All in all, the Clio is an excellent choice for any driver looking for a small, reliable city car that can tackle longer journeys now and again.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

The Yaris Hybrid is an excellent option for those who appreciate a practical city car that offers excellent fuel economy. The Yaris performs well on both the open road and within the city, so the small car can also be used for trips outside of urban areas.


The practical, stylish interior offers drivers and passengers access to convenience features and comes with an excellent infotainment system as standard. In addition, the car offers legendary Toyota reliability and excellent resell value.

Benefits of buying the best small cars

Small cars offer many benefits, especially for those who live and work in congested urban areas. Some of the main benefits of buying a small car include:

  • Easy to park: small cars are generally much easier to park in a city environment, making them ideal for areas where parking spaces are small and limited. In addition, small cars can navigate narrow city streets with greater ease.

  • Lower fuel costs: small cars generally have smaller engines, which are more frugal to drive than their larger counterparts.

  • Less expensive: smaller cars are generally less expensive than larger models, making them more accessible.

Conclusion

The cars mentioned above are some of the best small cars currently available. They all offer excellent value for money combined with style and practicality. While most cars on the list are mainly intended for driving in city environments, they can all tackle longer distances with ease and provide reasonable comfort for passengers.

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