Best small cars 2025 plus the one to avoid – tried & tested

You might think that with SUVs dominating the sales charts these days, the humble small car might have dropped off a proverbial cliff, but the truth is that plenty of car buyers are on the look out for a smaller model – especially if they live in the city.

Sometimes referred to as superminis, small cars come in more varieties than ever before. There are some which offer three doors, some with five, some with electric power, and even some which you can have with the kind of chunky bodywork which makes them look like SUVs. And speaking of electric cars, that is worth considering if you can charge up at home or at work, since if you can there's the prospect of dramatically lowering your running costs compared with a purely combustion-engined car.

To decide the best small cars, our experienced team of road testers have driven all of the options in the market over thousands of miles. We've spent hundreds of hours at the wheel, testing them both on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track. To make our list of the best small cars, a model must be comfortable at any speed, easy to drive around town, and be practical enough for a couple of passengers or your weekly shop. Plus, we'd like it to be relatively cheap to run, and it can't cost the Earth to begin with.

In this article, then, we're naming the best small cars you can buy, as well as revealing the model which we think you should avoid. Remember that if any of the cars here take your fancy, you can learn more about any of them by reading our full reviews, or see the latest small car deals available through our full New Car Deals service.

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

It also has a classy interior that's well equipped even in entry-level Life trim, though we'd prefer to jump up to mid-range Match, which won't cost you much more to buy. 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 rival Seat Ibiza because it couldn’t justify its additional expense, but the impressive deals and monthly finance rates that are often available mean that's no longer an issue. Then again, the Ibiza is still more fun to drive.

"I found rear leg room almost as plentiful as in the Honda Jazz, although there’s less head room and a big hump in the floor for the middle passenger to straddle. The front seat slides back a long way to accommodate long-legged drivers.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

Strengths

• Good to drive
• Generous interior space
• Comfortable ride

Weaknesses

• Fiddly touch-sensitive controls
• Gutless entry-level petrol
• Reliability could be better

With the Ford Fiesta now off sale, the Seat Ibiza takes up the mantle as the most engaging small car to drive. Key to that is its steering; 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 many rivals – particularly in the rear seats – and it holds its value better, meaning it will cost you less in the long run.

You do have to put up with quite a lot of road noise, though, and FR versions have a firm ride. Go for the 1.0-litre petrol engine for the best mix of performance and economy, and team that with SE Technology trim for the right mix of kit.

“I was able to stretch out in the Ibiza, because it has more leg room than the Fabia and Polo. All three have similarly shaped boots, but the Ibiza is the only one not available with a height-adjustable boot floor.” – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Strengths

• Great to drive
• Punchy engines
• Strong TSI petrol engines

Weaknesses

• Lots of road noise
• Resale values could be better
• Concerning reliability record

Welcome to the cheapest new car you can buy. Bear in mind, though, that the headline-grabbing entry price won't get you a lot in the way of creature comforts. Instead, we'd spend a little more on an Expression model, which has most of your basic kit needs covered for relatively little extra outlay.

Buyers have two versions of Dacia's turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine to choose from, but the main difference between them is that one runs solely on petrol, and the other can use cheaper LPG fuel as well as petrol. It's the latter model, dubbed Bi-Fuel, that's our recommended choice, not least because it also gets a little more power, with 99bhp compared with the petrol's 90bhp. If you can fuel the Sandero with LPG, you'll notice a stronger pull from low speeds, as well as less noise.

Inside, the Sandero offers a comfortable driving position and, if you go for one of the upper trim levels, a decent infotainment system. It's a shame that the view out of the Sandero isn't better, though – the Skoda Fabia has a better over-the-shoulder view, for example.

“If you're looking for a small car with space, I think you'll like the Sandero. When I had to fit three passengers across its rear bench, they had more room to stretch out than they would have in most rivals. Plus, there's loads of head room.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Strengths

• Amazingly good value
• Lots of space for passengers and luggage
• Comfortable ride

Weaknesses

• Poor safety rating compared with rivals
• There are more entertaining small cars to drive
• Some other small cars are quieter

The Aygo X is a small car with a smattering of SUV styling – so while it won't be able to carry you far off the beaten track, it does at least have a slightly raised up driving position, and the kind of plastic body cladding which goes it a rufty tufty look.

Like some of the rival small cars mentioned here, there's only one engine on offer, and it's a 71bhp 1.0-litre petrol. It doesn't get any kind of hybrid assistance, and isn't very fast – the 0-62mph sprint takes a fairly pedestrian 14.9sec – but it should still be an economical choice, with official figures suggesting that 58.8mpg is possible. We reckon you should see 50mpg in real-world conditions.

Rear passengers will be better served by the Dacia Sandero or Hyundai i10, but at a pinch the Aygo X can carry a couple of six-footers provided that the journey isn't too long. The i10 will be able to fit more into its boot, too, but at least you can fold the Toyota's rear bench down if you need to liberate more space.

“Despite a keen price, I was pleased to find that almost everything inside the Aygo X felt built to last. All the buttons and knobs feel solid to touch, but it's a shame that some of the materials aren't a little more high-end.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Strengths

• Cheap to run
• Good level of safety kit
• Warranty of up to 10 years

Weaknesses

• Cramped in the back
• Smaller boot than rivals
• Lacklustre performance

While you'll pay more for the Suzuki Swift than you would for some small car rivals, including the Renault Clio or Toyota Aygo X, there are a few mitigating factors to consider, including how much equipment you get as standard. That's why we recommend sticking with entry-level Motion trim, which gets you 16in alloy wheels, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and a touchscreen infotainment system.

The sole engine on offer is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine which has mild hybrid assistance to help keep your fuel bills in check. With a modest 81bhp, the Swift isn't the last word in speed – the front-wheel-drive version takes 12.5sec to reach 62mph, while the four-wheel-drive version completes the same feat in 13.6sec – but it is economical. Officially, you should expect to see 64.2mpg from most versions.

The Swift's interior is sound, with a good driving position and excellent visibility. It's not especially spacious, though, and if you regularly carry rear passengers a Skoda Fabia or VW Polo would be better suited. Those cars can also fit more into their boots.

“I like that the Swift comes loaded with kit, but some of it doesn't operate in the slickest fashion. The infotainment touchscreen, for example, can be quite slow in responding to your inputs, and its menus aren't especially well laid out.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Strengths

• Excellent fuel economy
• Tidy handling
• Lots of standard kit

Weaknesses

• Firm ride
• Road noise
• Rivals offer better practicality

While it's not the cheapest new car you can buy, the latest Skoda Fabia is still very well priced, undercutting most rivals – including the closely related Volkswagen Polo.

True, the interior of the Fabia is a bit drab, but there's excellent space for both passengers and luggage; only the Honda Jazz is significantly more practical.

It's also worth noting that the Fabia is more comfortable and a lot safer than the Dacia Sandero; the independent experts at Euro NCAP awarded it five stars out of five, whereas the Sandero managed just two stars.

We think the latest Fabia is best sampled in 1.0-litre petrol form, in SE Edition trim.

“Boot space is impressive, although I think it’s a bit of a shame the Fabia misses out on the Clio’s height-adjustable floor.” – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

Strengths

• Huge boot
• Roomy interior with clever features
• Fairly supple ride

Weaknesses

• Renault Clio has a smarter interior
• Not as practical as the Honda Jazz
• Entry-level engine only suited to town driving

The Hyundai Inster is proof that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get something that's green and with SUV style – both elements which appeal to lots of buyers these days. Indeed, keeping its price low means that you won't feel guilty about skipping over the standard battery and going straight for the Long Range model.

We suggest that you do just that, because Long Range versions can officially take you up to 229 miles between charges, which is more than any version of the Dacia Spring, Fiat 500e or BYD Dolphin can manage. Speaking of the Dacia Spring, the Inster is roomier than that car in the rear seats, and although its boot is rather small, your weekly shop is unlikely to cause any problems.

Going for the Long Range model also unlocks the ability to choose 02 trim, which comes with luxuries including 17in alloy wheels, heated front seats and wireless charging for your mobile phone. The Inster comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and an eight-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty too.

“I was pleased to see that, unlike in some rivals, you get physical controls inside the Inster for the air conditioning, making them easier to use while driving.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Strengths

• Surprising amount of interior space
• Competitive electric range
• Lots of standard kit

Weaknesses

• Renault 5 is better to drive
• Slightly sluggish at higher speeds
• Limited to four seats

The Jazz's space and seating flexibility – including rear seat bases that flip up like those in a cinema – 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. Meanwhile, a soothing ride and generous luxury and safety equipment add further to its appeal.

Only a steep purchase price stops it topping this list, although slow depreciation partially makes up for this and also ensures PCP finance rates are competitive.

“The Jazz’s three-knob air-con set-up is easy to adjust on the move and large cut-outs in its windscreen pillars mean you have a great view out when tackling roundabouts and junctions. I found the Jazz exceptionally easy to live with.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Strengths

• Spacious interior with flexible rear seats
• Lots of standard equipment
• Efficient engine

Weaknesses

• Very pricey by small car standards
• Not the quietest cruiser
• Some rivals are more fun

In truth, it's a very fine line between first and second place on this list, but while the Renault 5 is undoubtedly a fantastic choice if you're set on going electric – indeed, it's our reigning What Car? Car of the Year – there are still compromises to be made when choosing to go green. There's the increased cost, for one, and you'll need to make sure that you can charge it up.

Still, if you decide that going electric is right for you, then you'll love the Renault 5. From its cheeky styling to its tech-heavy interior, this is an electric car which may look a bit retro, but is thoroughly forward-facing.

Our recommended Comfort Range model has an official range of up to 253 miles, which should be more than enough for the needs of most families. It's punchy, too, with the 148bhp electric motor offering enough pep to beat the Citroen e-C3 and Hyundai Inster up to motorway speeds.

The 5 is a pratical choice, too, with lots of space up front and a bigger boot than what you'd find in the rival Fiat 500 or Mini Cooper.

“Renault's Google-based infotainment system is a breeze to use, and I liked how I could change the look of the digital instrument cluster at the touch of a button” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

Strengths

• Grown-up driving manners
• Great infotainment system
• Tempting pricing

Weaknesses

• Rear leg room is tight
• Small discounts
• Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda Electric are even cheaper

Think of the latest Renault Clio as being a bit like the magical nanny Mary Poppins. That's because in the world of small cars, it's practically perfect in every way.

Not only is the clio good to drive, with agile handling and more engagement than you'd find in the rival Skoda Fabia or Suzuki Swift, but its suspension setup ensures a good balance between comfort and driving dynamics. In short, the Clio is a small car which can quite easily raise a smile as you weave it along a country road.

That's true no matter which version you choose, too. While the hybrid version mixes peppy performance with the prospect of low running costs – the official figures suggest that 67.3mpg is possible – but even the less 1.0-litre petrol option has plenty of power for everyday driving. Indeed, this is the version we think you should choose.

Pair that engine with Techno trim and you'll find that the Clio comes loaded with goodies, with everything from a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system to all-round parking sensors and even a rear-view camera coming as standard.

And while you might imagine that this kind of greatness would come at the steep price, the Clio actually undercuts both the Fabia and the Swift on price, as well as the Honda Jazz.

“I found the physical switches below the touchscreen and to the right of the steering column (for functions such as deactivating the lane-keeping assistance) much easier to operate than touch-sensitive equivalents.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Strengths

• Smart interior is packed with equipment
• Good ride and handling balance
• Practical boot

Weaknesses

• Tight for taller adults in the rear seats
• Slightly firm low-speed ride
• High boot loading lip

It might come with a decent haul of kit and good space for rear passengers, but the Ora 03 falls behind rivals in too many other areas to recommend. It's poor to drive, has a tiny boot and its infotainment system is sub-par.