Best small cars 2023

The i10's compact dimensions and great visibility make it ideally suited to the city, yet it doesn’t feel out of its depth on faster roads, thanks to a 1.2-litre petrol engine that has enough oomph for stress-free journeys.

Ride comfort is impressive at all speeds, too, even compared with many larger models. And the interior is relatively spacious for a car of this size, with a smart design and a fine infotainment system.

The i10 is quite pricey for such a small car, though, particularly if you’re planning to buy outright rather than on a PCP finance deal.

Our True MPG fuel economy test proves that the Yaris hybrid has a remarkable ability to sip petrol gently; in town, it achieved 80mpg, which is almost double the economy of conventionally powered small hatchbacks.

It should be very reliable, too, because Toyota consistently performs brilliantly in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey. Meanwhile, resale values are among the best in the small car class.

Just bear in mind that you pay for the agile handling with a ride that’s quite firm. Plus, the rear seats are cramped and you have to put up with an infotainment system that’s a bit dated.

Now in its second generation, Audi's smallest car combines a smooth and well controlled ride with reassuring handling. Plus, it does a fine job of delivering peace and quiet, even at motorway speeds.

It’s also roomy enough for two adults to sit comfortably in the back. And there’s even a spacious boot, remedying one of the criticisms of the first-generation Audi A1.

However, while there are some nice touches, the interior doesn’t feel significantly classier than the cheaper and closely related Volkswagen Polo's, which is why the A1 goes no higher on this list.

While plenty of small cars feel surprisingly grown-up, nothing puts a smile on your face like the Fiesta. It's as fun to drive as some sports cars, with precise steering and sharp handling, yet the ride is still comfortable.

Ford offers a broad range of trim levels, too, to cater for many tastes and budgets – everything from the entry-level Trend to the SUV-inspired Active and the luxuriously appointed Vignale.

It's just a shame key safety kit costs extra, because no version of the Fiesta is especially cheap to buy these days.

The Ibiza is almost as enjoyable to drive as the Fiesta, with the steering a particular highlight; it starts off light to suit town driving, before progressively weighting up and providing impressive feedback as your speed builds.

At the same time, the Ibiza is more spacious than the Fiesta – particularly in the rear seats – and it holds its value better, meaning it will cost you less in the long run.

Even the 94bhp version of the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine pulls eagerly from low revs, so we wouldn't bother spending the extra needed to upgrade to the 109bhp unit.

If you are searching for a sharp-handling small car, there are better and cheaper alternatives out there than the 208 – including the Fiesta and Ibiza which we’ve already looked at.

On the other hand, if a comfortable ride and quiet cruising manners drive your purchasing decision, the 208 could well be the model for you. And similarly, if you value a rich interior that offers decent interior space, it won’t disappoint.

As a bonus, the 1.2 Puretech 100 petrol engine provides punchy performance and doesn’t drink that much fuel.

The latest Polo is available with a broad range of engines and trim levels, ensuring that there's something for everyone in the line-up.

It also has a classy interior that's well equipped even in entry-level Life trim. And few small cars are as good at soaking up bumps in the road or do a better job of suppressing wind and road noise on the motorway.

Previously, the Polo has lost out to the Ibiza because it couldn’t justify its additional expense, but impressive deals and monthly finance rates mean that's no longer an issue.

The Sandero offers a supple ride, comes generously equipped (at least in our recommended Comfort trim) and is very spacious.

Add in the fact that the TCe 90 and TCe 100 Bi-Fuel engines are both great, and the Sandero would be well worth considering even if it cost the same as its rivals. Except it doesn’t; it’s the UK's cheapest new car.

Just bear in mind that there are quieter and safer small hatchbacks if you're prepared to spend (quite a lot) more.

While it's not as cheap as the Sandero (what is?!), the latest Fabia is still pretty well priced, undercutting the starting prices of most other rivals.

It offers a similar amount of space to the Sandero, too, plus it’s even more comfortable and a hell of a lot safer; the independent experts at Euro NCAP awarded it five stars out of five, whereas the Sandero managed just two stars.

If you can afford it, then, the Fabia is worth the extra money.

The Jazz's space and seating flexibility puts other small cars to shame, but crucially it's not just a box on wheels; it’s brilliant even if you take practicality out of the equation.

Its hybrid engine, for example, delivers strong performance and excellent real-world fuel economy. And slow depreciation makes up for fairly punchy list prices, while also ensuring PCP finance rates are competitive.

A soothing ride and generous luxury and safety equipment add further to its appeal. Plus, it offers the best driving position and visibility of any car in this class. In fact, the Jazz is the best all-rounder in the class full stop.

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