Looking for something small but with that extra touch of luxury and prestige? Maybe you appreciate the finer things but struggle for parking, or just simply don’t want something big. A small luxury car might just be what you’re after. Who doesn’t love the keys to quality marque? And if brand image isn’t your thing but you still want a top-notch small car, we’ve got you covered.
But don’t mistake small for a lack of luxury – some of the best cars you can buy are in a pint-sized package. It’s not just small premium hatchbacks to consider these days, either. Small SUVs are also vying for your hard-earned cash. With so many powertrains on offer, is it time to go electric, stick with traditional combustion, or split the difference and pick a hybrid?
The competition is fierce, but we’ve driven every small premium SUV and hatchback currently on sale, considered all their strengths and weaknesses – including which are best for quality, comfort, tech and efficiency – to produce this list of our top 10 small premium cars, which are ranked in order of preference. Keep reading or check out how we test cars to see why you can trust us.
Winner: The best small premium car to buy in 2025
The best small premium car
With a plug-in hybrid, sportier S3 and RS3 models and a wide range of engines, buyers have plenty of options to choose from. The PHEV offers 88 miles of electric driving range, and very low company car tax. Each variant is enjoyable to drive and, despite its compact size, the A3 is more than happy to handle long journeys. There’s also a choice between the A3 hatchback or A3 saloon.
There's lots of equipment as standard, including heated front seats, three-zone air con, and cruise control. Broadly speaking, the higher-spec trims, S Line and Black Edition, mostly add sharper styling and interior touches. But be aware the sports seats in those two versions will steal some of the already average rear passenger space. You could also consider the smaller Audi A1, which has a smart looking interior, and a cheaper price tag, but add options and you might be back into A3 territory.
To find out more, read our full Audi A3 Sportback review
Pros
- Classy, user-friendly interior
- Great to drive
- Good choice of engines
Cons
- Average interior space
- Expensive optional extras
Highly recommended: other small premium cars to consider
Best small premium car for space and tech
The 10.25-inch infotainment is razor sharp, but it’s slightly infuriating in that almost everything is controlled though it. That said, the classiness of the cabin smooths over that. There’s a good choice of trim and options, but the xLine trim is the sweet spot. The engine range is impressive. They’re economical yet responsive, and if you want to go electric, there’s the iX1 too. The ride is a tad firm compared to its rivals though perfectly acceptable, even in the racier M Sport trim. The X1 feels dynamic and composed, with sharp steering and minimal body roll. Overall, we like it a lot.
To find out more, read our full BMW X1 review and electric BMW iX1 review
Pros
- Bags of space inside
- Dynamic drive
- Packed with clever tech
Cons
- We wish it had more interior buttons
- The ride is on the firm side
- Quite expensive with options
Best small premium car for style with safety
We like that in a world of ‘sporty’ SUVs the XC40 instead focuses on being comfortable, and it does this very well. It might not thrill the enthusiast, but if that’s what you’re after, there are alternatives like the BMW X1. If you fancy a blend of comfort with a kick in performance, you should consider the all-electric EX40. In twin-motor guise it sprints from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds.
To find out more, read our full Volvo XC40 review and electric Volvo EX40 review
Pros
- Lots of safety tech
- Brilliantly comfortable
- Luxurious Interior
Cons
- Boot could be bigger
- Not the most engaging drive
- Limited engine range
Best small premium car for affordable badge appeal
If the hatchback shape isn’t for you, the Mercedes-Benz range offers the roomier GLA SUV, or the more traditional A-Class Saloon. All versions have a comprehensive list of driver assists, including active blind spot assist and nicely hushed engines and minimal wind noise - great for motorway driving. Then there’s impressive economy from all five engines in the range, particularly the plug-in hybrid. Those who want more excitement might want to see what’s on offer from the AMG models, too.
To find out more, read our full Mercedes-Benz A-Class review
Pros
- Striking interior design
- Great fuel economy from all engines
- Comprehensive tech features
Cons
- Some cabin quality issues
- Reported reliability complaints from customers
Best small premium car for class and prestige
The Evoque has huge scope for personalisation. There are five models, a bunch of trims, engines and equipment packs and a boatload of options, all to help tailor it to your tastes. Just be careful when you tick the options, as it’ll rapidly ramp up monthly costs. We’d probably steer clear of the thirsty petrol engines and instead go for the D200 diesel, which suits this car very well, or a plug-in hybrid. Let’s not forget that even though this is the baby of the Range Rover clan, it’s still incredibly capable off-road thanks to its Land Rover pedigree.
To find out more, read our full Range Rover Evoque review
Pros
- Great to drive yet comfortable
- Plug-in hybrid version adds appeal
- Grown up and refined
Cons
- Thirsty petrol engines
- Costly options list
- Getting a little long in the tooth
Best small premium car for a rewarding drive
The engine choice is quite limited these days, though, as there are no diesels or a plug-in hybrid. Nevertheless, the engines that are available offer a good blend of performance and fuel economy. The drive comes down to that age-old conundrum: sportiness versus comfort. The BMW goes for the former, but does reward you with excellent body control, sharp steering and little roll at the cost of an unsettled ride.
To find out more, read our full BMW 1 Series review
Pros
- More enjoyable drive than rivals
- Superb interior quality
- Impressive technology
Cons
- Not spacious enough
- Firm ride
- Limited engine choice
Best small premium car if you want top-notch reliability
While the front feels nicely spacious, it’s rather cramped for head and leg room in the back, making it less practical for families than others in this shortlist. The target audience seems to be couples tootling about town, but oddly, the ride is far too unsettled for an urban car. The good news is it’s easy to drive with predictable handling, a tight turning circle, and good visibility, though we’d never call it rewarding. The LBX is only sold with a self-charging hybrid powertrain, which never fails to amaze us with its efficiency.
To find out more, read our full Lexus LBX review
Pros
- Upmarket interior
- Easy to drive
- Impressive efficiency
Cons
- Cramped rear passenger space
- Unsettled ride around town
- more expensive than rivals
Best small premium car for fun
Take the brilliantly innovative circular OLED infotainment screen, for example, and the range of quirky, interesting textiles, that keep the MINI characteristically fun in a new era. In true MINI fashion, rear passenger space is still best treated as an additional luggage compartment. It’s certainly a car to choose for fun over practicality.
The pint-sized charmer still brings a huge smile to your face with its well-weighted steering and superb chassis, which encourages you to push a little harder. While we do mourn the loss of the manual gearbox, you’ll struggle to find a small car with a better automatic. You can also choose an all-electric version, which feels as sharp to drive as the petrol variant and offers up to 250 miles WLTP range.
To find out more, read our full MINI Cooper review and MINI Cooper Electric review
Pros
- Great fun to drive
- Cool styling
- Upmarket interior packed with excellent tech
Cons
- No manual option
- Limited boot space
- Cramped rear seats
Best small premium car for no-nonsense premium quality
It’s more compact than the A3, making it easy drive around town and squeeze into tight parking spaces, but that sacrifices room for those in the back. Maybe not great for the older kids. The boot space is similar to the Lexus LBX at 405 litres, and fold down the seats for a more useful 1,050 litres.
The solid cabin of the Q2 is highlight, with quality materials and tactile physical switches and dials. It may look a little dated, but it’s far less distracting than all the screen-heavy functions in more modern Audis. Combined with a choice of punchy, if conventional engines, the Q2 continues to be attractive for buyers who want a premium badge and no-nonsense usability.
To find out more, read our full Audi Q2 review
Pros
- Impressive interior quality
- Great to drive
- Strong residual values
Cons
- More expensive than most rivals
- Interior is really starting to feel old
- Lacks technology of newer cars in this class
Best small premium car for off-road adventurers
It’s more agile than the 110, with excellent electronic assists make it incredibly capable off-road. Take it back on tarmac and it’s surprisingly refined and comfortable with admirable road manners, especially when equipped with air suspension. The dashboard layout looks and feels practical, with a ton of cubbies to store all matter of daily flotsam, yet it’s modern enough not to feel bleak and agricultural.
To find out more, read our full Land Rover Defender 90 review
Pros
- Brilliant off-road capability
- Great on the road, too
- Nicely refined
Cons
- High running costs
- Expensive, even before optional extras
- Three doors are a struggle for rear passengers
Ones to avoid
It's not a premium car, no matter how much leather there is
The dashboard is quirky but divisive, with its diamond theme and irritatingly the infotainment screen is angled slightly away from the driver. The touch-sensitive buttons are fiddly and unintuitive, and the tech feels underdeveloped – our test car misread road signs. We could not recommend it. Pay a little more for a much more premium experience.
To find out more, read our full DS 3 review
Pros
- Upmarket interior
- Peppy hybrid system
- Comfortable front seats
Cons
- Cramped rear seats
- Small boot
- Form over function in places
The awkward middle child
Inside, the UX carries the usual Lexus air of quality, and the hybrid is smooth and relaxing. However, it isn’t particularly engaging to drive and there’s plenty of more well-rounded rivals we think you should spend your money on.
To find out more, read our full Lexus UX review
Pros
- Refined, efficient hybrid powertrain
- Distinctive appearance inside and out
- Usual Lexus build quality
Cons
- Seating realistically for four only
- Boot is smaller than every rival
- All-wheel drive model not worth it
Too powerful for its own good
The #1 is tuned for comfort. It’s nicely cushioned, soaking up road imperfections with ease. But push it a little, and the body roll becomes obvious, pitching and heaving under braking and cornering. It’s not meant for speed. That’s why the Brabus feels so at odds with the car’s character. It swings between tyre-screeching understeer and pulse-racing oversteer, lacking any of the composure needed to back the blistering speed. It leaves us scratching our heads as to why you’d ever opt for the Brabus version. It’s just too powerful for its own good.
To find out more, read our Smart #1 review
Pros
- Spacious and well-thought-out interior
- Strong performance and good range
- Lots of standard kit
Cons
- Brabus power is overkill
- Small boot
- Annoying driver attention software
FAQs: The best small luxury cars to buy in the UK
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What is the best small premium car to buy?
We’ve got an excellent choice of ten here, but our favourite is the Audi A3. It’s solidly built, well-equipped, comfortable, takes long journeys in its stride, and perfectly fits the remit of small but luxurious. The BMW X1 offers a spacious, tech-filled interior, while the Volvo XC40 brings Scandi-cool style with an excellent safety reputation. It all depends on your priorities – if off-road capability tops your list, the Land Rover Defender 90 is the one for you. Overall, we’re confident the list above has something for everyone.
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What is the best entry level premium car?
The cheapest of the bunch is the Mini Cooper with prices from £25,265. But don’t let the that fool you, it’s bags of fun, features a superb modern interior, and is undoubtedly the most charming of our Top 10.
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Which small premium car is the best value for money?
One the cheapest –and our favourite–is the Audi A3. Even the entry-level model, priced at £29,725 comes packed with excellent features as standard such as heated front seats, multi-zone air con, and cruise control. So even without ticking the options list, it’s still a great buy.
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What is the best small car to buy in the UK?
If luxury isn’t top priority, then we’ve also compiled a list of our favourite small cars currently on sale. Right now, the Renault 5 E-Tech takes top spot for our favourite. Our Top 10 is well-worth a look, too, because having a premium badge on the boot doesn’t always mean it’s the best. There are so many brilliant little runarounds these days, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
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What is the best small hot hatchback?
If you fancy something a little spicier in pocket-size guise, our current favourite is the Mini Cooper S. We’ve also put together a list of the best hot hatches that are bound to put a smile on your face and make that Monday morning commute a bit more entertaining.
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What’s is the most economical car you can buy?
With the cost of living at a high, it’s sensible to consider a more economical drive. But efficiency doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice space. Our list of the most economical cars of 2025 feature estates, family hatchbacks, and SUVs, as well as the conventional small economical cars.
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