car-of-the-year-awards-2026-best-small-car-to-drive

car-of-the-year-awards-best-small-car-to-drive

Hatchback

Renault

Skoda

Fabia

Suzuki

Swift

Toyota

AYGO X

<p dir="ltr">Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.</p>

<p dir="ltr">From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.</p>

<p dir="ltr">On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.</p>


RENAULT

CLIO

<p>These days, the Renault Clio is somewhat overshadowed by the electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/5/hatchback/review/n27187">Renault 5</a> (R5) from the other side of the showroom. Let us let out a cheer, though, for the long-running petrol-powered model, because it still has plenty in its favour – not least the way it drives. </p><p>Some rivals are quicker against a stopwatch than a Clio with the 90bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, granted, but it still feels nippy in urban traffic and doesn’t feel breathless at motorway speeds. </p>

<p>And irrespective of speed, the Clio is simply a more fun car to drive than most rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swift/hatchback/review/n54">Suzuki Swift</a> and Toyota Aygo X. It’s helped by a relatively firm suspension set-up that keeps things nicely under control on a twisty road. But this certainly doesn’t come at the cost of an uncomfortable ride. In fact, its firmness alleviates the floating sensation you get in the Fabia, and many occupants will prefer that. </p>

<p>The Clio can’t match the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a> when it comes to running costs (even if you go for the pricier E-Tech 145 hybrid), and no version is as cheap on finance, but the Clio is the more spacious choice. The all-new model that’s due in 2027 has big <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> shoes to fill. </p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards"><strong>See all of our Car of the Year 2026 winners &gt;&gt;</strong></a></h2>

<p>These days, the Renault Clio is somewhat overshadowed by the electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/5/hatchback/review/n27187">Renault 5</a> (R5) from the other side of the showroom. Let us let out a cheer, though, for the long-running petrol-powered model, because it still has plenty in its favour – not least the way it drives. </p>

<p>Some rivals are quicker against a stopwatch than a Clio with the 90bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, granted, but it still feels nippy in urban traffic and doesn’t feel breathless at motorway speeds. </p>

<p>And irrespective of speed, the Clio is simply a more fun car to drive than most rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swift/hatchback/review/n54">Suzuki Swift</a> and Toyota Aygo X. It’s helped by a relatively firm suspension set-up that keeps things nicely under control on a twisty road. But this certainly doesn’t come at the cost of an uncomfortable ride. In fact, its firmness alleviates the floating sensation you get in the Fabia, and many occupants will prefer that. </p><p>The Clio can’t match the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a> when it comes to running costs (even if you go for the pricier E-Tech 145 hybrid), and no version is as cheap on finance, but the Clio is the more spacious choice. The all-new model that’s due in 2027 has big <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> shoes to fill. </p>

Car of the Year Awards 2026: Best small car to drive

Car of the Year Awards: Best small car to drive

<p>This is for all cars that are hatchbacks</p>

Small cars might be inexpensive, cheap to run and practical for many people's daily needs - but that doesn't mean they can't be fun to drive, too

Car of the Year Awards 2026: Best small car to drive        

See every What Car? Car of the Year since 1978

Small Car of the Year

Small Electric Car of the Year

Small SUV of the Year

Small Electric SUV of the Year

Family Car of the Year

Family SUV of the Year

Family Electric SUV of the Year

Premium SUV

Premium electric SUV

Plug-in Hybrid of the Year

Executive Car of the Year

Luxury Car of the Year

Estate Car of the Year

MPV of the Year

7-seat SUV

Coupé

Convertible

Performance Car of the Year

Sports Car of the Year

Category winners

Readers' choice

Safety Award

Reliability Award

Tow Car Award

Special awards

Best small car for value

Best small car to drive

Best small electric car for value

Best small electric car to drive

Best small SUV for value

Best small SUV interior

Best small SUV to drive

Best small electric SUV for value

Best small electric SUV for interior quality

Best family car for value

Best family car interior

Best family SUV for value

Best family SUV interior

Best family electric SUV for value

Best premium SUV interior

Best premium SUV to drive

Best premium electric SUV for practicality

Best premium electric SUV interior

Best family electric SUV interior

Best plug-in hybrid for big families

Best plug-in hybrid to drive

Best hybrid executive car

Best executive car interior

Best electric luxury car

Best luxury car interior

Best estate car for value

Best electric estate car

Best MPV for value

Best 7-seat MPV

Best 7-seat SUV for value

Best electric 7-seat SUV

Best coupé SUV

Best coupé for luxury

Best convertible for value

Best convertible for thrills

Best hot hatch

Best electric performance car

Best sports SUV

Best sports car for value

Best money-no-object sports car

Also consider

Car of the Year Awards 2026

The BMW iX3 is a car that will make you smile for any number of reasons. And, more importantly, it will keep you smiling in the way that only great cars do

BMW iX3

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.</p>

Small

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

<p>Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.</p>

Family

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Engaging handling </li> <li>Thrilling performance </li> <li>A characterful engine with an enticing soundtrack </li> <li>Reasonable running costs </li> <li>Not hard to live with day to day</li></ul>

<p>A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.</p>

Hot hatch

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Running costs that won’t break the bank </li> <li>Generous kit</li> <li>Pokey engine and tidy handling</li> <li>Spacious interior</li> <li>Boot big enough to cope with family life</li></ul>

<p>The car-buying public has fallen in love with small SUVs, or crossovers as they’re often called, with thousands turning away from conventional hatchbacks in favour of something that rides that little bit higher.</p>

Small SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

<p>While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.</p>

<p>As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Family SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

<p>We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement.</p>

<p>A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.</p>

Large SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

<p>Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.</p>

<p>The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes.</p>

Executive

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Usefully long electric-only range</li> <li>Exceedingly frugal</li> <li>Cheap company car tax rates</li> <li>Smooth switching between electric and petrol power</li></ul>

<p>If you're not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle&nbsp;but have the capacity to charge your car at home or at work, a plug-in hybrid could be the perfect compromise. Electric batteries paired with a petrol or diesel&nbsp;engine means you'll never be left short of charge&nbsp;but can capitalise on cheap running costs, thanks to a surprisingly long electric-only range.</p>

<p>There's plenty of choice, too, whether you're after a sporty saloon like the BMW 3 Series, the 330e variant of which providing up to 36 miles of electric-only driving on a full charge, or a large load-lugging large SUV, including the Volvo XC90 T8, which claims an extraordinary&nbsp;113mpg.</p>

<p>Throw in competent handling and driving prowess, despite the added weight of the electric batteries, and a plug-in hybrid&nbsp;makes a compelling case for frugal buyers.&nbsp;</p>

Plug-in hybrid

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

<p>With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.</p>

<p>As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.</p>

Small Electric

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Long range and ultra-fast charging capability</li> <li>Luxurious and comfortable interior</li> <li>Smooth ride and capable handling</li> <li>Lots of high-tech driver aids</li> <li>Strong performance and great refinement</li></ul>

Large Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

<p>We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £70,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.</p>

<p>The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.</p>

Luxury SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

<p>If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.</p>

<p>Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.</p>

Estate

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Go-anywhere capability</li> <li>Work-ready load bay</li> <li>Robust, durable yet also pleasant interior</li> <li>Commanding driving position</li> <li>Heavyweight towing capacity</li></ul>

<p>The popularity of pick-up trucks is growing in the UK, thanks in part to a fixed-rate company car tax for business users, due to them being categorised as light commercial vehicles.</p>

<p>But it's not just those savings to your wallet that makes the pick-up a compelling buy; incredibly durability, huge towing capacity and the surprising about of technology available means the majority are worthy for much more than just working on building sites.&nbsp;</p>

Pick-up

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

<p>Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.</p>

<p>Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.</p>

<p>But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.</p>

<p>What we're looking for:</p><ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so a roof that opens (and closes) quickly is every bit as important as good top-down cruising refinement.</p>

<p dir="ltr">There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top versions of existing models. But there are still some fantastic options out there.</p>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.</p>

Coupe

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> <p>Practicality is not essential but nice to have</p> </li></ul>

<p>Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.</p>

Sports

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Eye-catching looks without sacrificing too much practicality</li> <li>Strong performance in keeping with a sportier brief</li> <li>Running costs that won’t break the bank</li> <li>Classy interior with high-quality materials</li> <li>Pricing that isn’t exorbitant next to that of conventional siblings</li></ul>

Coupe SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Precise, feelsome steering</li> <li>Agile, entertaining handling</li> <li>Reasonable ride comfort</li> <li>Smart and practical interior</li></ul>

<p>Needing a&nbsp;practical load-lugger doesn't mean you need to scrimp on power and sporting prowess. In fact, most sporty manufacturers now have dedicated sports SUVs in their line-up with 0-62mph times to rival cars half their size.</p>

Sports SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Entertainingly agile handling</li> <li>Eye-widening acceleration</li> <li>Fruity exhaust note</li> <li>Punchy and characterful engine</li> <li>Great driving position</li> <li>Everyday usability</li></ul>

<p>The best performance cars combine sports car-rivalling acceleration with&nbsp;engaging handling. However, they also retain the&nbsp;impressive everyday usability of the conventional saloons and estates on which they're based.</p>

Performance car

We've named the best cars for every need and budget, plus our overall Car of the Year for 2026

Car of the Year Awards 2026: Best small car to drive

Small cars might be inexpensive, cheap to run and practical for many people's daily needs - but that doesn't mean they can't be fun to drive, too...

Renault CLio 1.0 TCe 90 Techno+

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