For many, the best small cars are capable of accomplishing almost all of their daily tasks. These compact heroes are great for singles, couples or young families, and work really effectively to help minimise the cost of running a vehicle.
We love small cars for their cheap purchase prices, low maintenance costs and compact dimensions. We love their efficiency, both in terms of space and fuel consumption, and we think that they make a welcome foil to increasingly bloated family SUVs and crossovers.
Despite all the positives of small cars, sales of SUVs continue to skyrocket while the supermini and city car markets have shrunk drastically in the last couple of decades. Still, that means that the cars that are left tend to be really good. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best here, including superminis, city cars, small SUVs and even some of the best small electric cars.
Top 10 best small cars 2024
The best small car on sale today, and Parkers award-winner
The Fabia is a very mature small car, with a spacious, well-built interior that doesn’t rely on glitz or gizmos. It’s also very comfortable to drive, with a range of efficient petrol engines. And though it’s based on most of the same parts as a Volkswagen Polo, it’s significantly cheaper to buy. What’s not to like?*
To find out more, read our full Skoda Fabia review
Pros
- Great value
- Spacious, well-built interior
- A very grown-up choice
Cons
- Petrol-only engine range
- Lacks a hot version
Well priced, good to drive and a great first car
There’s a hybrid model available – unusual for a supermini – but the basic 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol is the best engine option being a great blend between pace and efficiency. We also like the larger of the two infotainment options, which is standard on RS Line cars, as it makes the interior feel much more like a large, premium model.*
To find out more, read our full Renault Clio review
Pros
- Spacious for its size, with a big boot
- Hybrid drivetrain offers impressive economy
- Plenty of equipment for the money
Cons
- Hybrid model is poor
- Could be more refined
The pragmatic small EV
Vauxhall claims a range of 209 miles between charging stops, though we’ve found this to be much closer to 150 miles in the real world. More annoying is that the range gauge is hopelessly optimistic, and therefore not too trustworthy – after some time with the car you’ll soon learn what its limitations are, though.*
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
Pros
- Cheap to buy and run
- A decent variety of models to choose from
- Conventional inside and out
Cons
- Disappointing range with inaccurate readout
- Not much fun to drive
Value champion is also a great small car
What the Sandero lacks is the last veneer of modern equipment that makes new superminis reassuring places to sit. You don’t get many assisted driving features – while you can get cruise control, there are no lane-keeping aids and this is reflected in the car’s two-star Euro NCAP safety rating.*
To find out more, read our full Dacia Sandero review
Pros
- Spacious inside
- Rugged and solid build quality
- Low price tag no matter how you buy
Cons
- Lack of modern safety equipment
- Feels its price in places
A proper compact sports car – drop-top fun at its finest
If you’re much over six foot you won’t enjoy squeezing into the cabin, but it’s worth it for the thrills that convertible motoring offers. Especially when it’s this easy to experience – simply reach up and the fabric roof folds up and down in a jiffy. The 2.0-litre engine is genuinely quite rapid while the 1.5 is slower, but neither will trouble the best hot hatchbacks for outright acceleration. That’s not the point.*
To find out more, read our full Mazda MX-5 review
Pros
- Brilliant fun to drive
- Affordable and well equipped
- Fabric roof is up and down in an instant
Cons
- Small cabin, smaller boot
- Get used to being outrun by hot hatchbacks
Stylish and great fun
The back seats and boot are tiny, admittedly, but this isn’t something you’ll be buying as a family car. It’s a fashion accessory, a brilliant second vehicle or suitable as your only car if you live in town and don’t need to ferry about anything large.*
To find out more, read our full Fiat 500 Electric review
Pros
- Fun to drive
- Easy to live with
- Well-built and eye-catching
Cons
- Short range
- Expensive for such a small car
Practical, clever, and good to drive
The Kamiq isn’t exciting, but it’s immensely practical with a massive boot and loads of clever little storage tricks inside. It’s powered by a sensible selection of 1.0 and 1.5-litre petrol engines, it’s comfortable to sit in and easy to drive. Nothing to get the heart racing, then, but if you like packing everything up to and including the kitchen sink then this is the small SUV for you.*
To find out more, read our full Skoda Kamiq review
Pros
- Smart features on the inside
- Good at long distances
- Very spacious for its size
Cons
- Not particularly exciting to drive
- Look elsewhere for hybrid or 4WD
Posh supermini is Europe’s best-seller
You do pay a price for this, and the premium over the mechanically identical Vauxhall Corsa might sting until you compare the two cars side by side – you get what you pay for on the inside with Peugeot’s fit and finish and material choices. Just make sure the quirky, high-set driving position suits you before you buy.*
To find out more, read our full Peugeot 208 review
Pros
- Good-looking inside and out
- Well equipped
- Excellent choice of engines
Cons
- Expensive to buy compared with rivals
- Driving position won’t suit everyone
Still our favourite small SUV
It’s also remarkably practical, with the underfloor boot compartment known as a ‘Megabox’ a really useful space for wet gear, muddy boots or just stuff you don’t want cluttering up the main boot. Add in a range of efficient and peppy mild hybrid engines and you have a winning formula. Want even more zing? Opt for the brilliant Puma ST.*
To find out more, read our full Ford Puma review
Pros
- Practical, with a useful boot
- Excellent fuel consumption
- Great to drive
Cons
- Petrol-only
- Interior feels a little outdated
Kia Picanto
The best city car out of a small bunch
Equally, those choosing the Picanto as a first car or a city runabout won’t be intimidated by its compact dimensions, perky (if not exactly rapid) engine range and light controls. Basic models are also very cheap to purchase, and all Picantos benefit from the firm’s amazing seven-year warranty.*
To find out more, read our full Kia Picanto review
Pros
- 1.0 turbo is terrific fun
- Currently the UK’s cheapest car
- Mature, spacious interior
Cons
- Basic engine sluggish
- Not as stylish as some rivals
Why we love small cars
They’re ideal for nipping around towns and cities – and manufacturers have even figured out how to make them bearable on longer motorway journeys, which is more than can be said of the small cars from the turn of the century. So, it’s not surprising that they’re common amongst driving instructors and their graduates.
Manufacturers have also made rapid progress with the interiors of their superminis. Gone are the cheap plastic dashboards and poor quality trim of the 1990s. Nowadays, drivers can have a similar level of equipment as some of the most expensive cars on sale, with clever infotainment systems, climate control, fancy stereos and niceties such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay available (if you’re prepared to spend the extra cash).
Small cars also lend themselves well to electric mobility, mostly because they’re so light. Some of the EV choices are a bit on the expensive side, (such as the Honda e) but the secondhand market for electric cars is growing.
Keith Adams is the Editor of Parkers. During his career he has been the editor of Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics and Honest John Classics, as well as writing for CAR magazine, Practical Classics, Octane, Autocar and The Independent among others. Keith lives in rural Lancashire and enjoys buying and selling cars and reading and writing about them.
* These deals are indicative examples of some packages available as of 16 January 2024, but are subject to change without prior notice. Everyone’s financial circumstances are different and the availability of credit is subject to status. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Parkers cannot recommend a deal for you specifically.
