Best small cars 2026 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.
In this story, we'll reveal our picks for the best small cars, plus the model we think you should avoid. In each case, we'll also show you how to take advantage of the best PCP and leasing deals – just follow the links to find out more. And you can read more about how we test and rate cars in our feature.
Best small cars to buy now – and how to get the best deal
| Make and model | List price from | Rating | PCP deals | Leasing deals |
| Toyota Aygo X | £21,595 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Renault 5 | £22,995 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Renault Clio | £17,995 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Hyundai Inster | £23,755 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Honda Jazz | £28,060 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
The best small cars for you
The Toyota Aygo X may look like a small SUV, but its dimensions are such that it actually qualifies as a small car – and a very good one at that. Key to its appeal is the fact that it's a hybrid, meaning it can run on electric power alone over short distances. And if you mainly drive in the city, where that electric power can be used most often, you potentially stand to slash your fuel bills by running one.
On the other hand, if you're ready to go electric, then no small car does it better than the Renault 5. A former What Car? Car of the Year, the R5 combines a tempting price – which also happens to qualify for the Government's grant for electric cars – with a good real-world range and a high-quality interior that's also deceptively spacious. That its retro-futuristic styling will also cause heads to turn as you drive past is a bonus.
Small cars sell in big numbers, and the Renault Clio is consistently among the top options. It's easy to see why, because it has a smart interior that's loaded with kit, and manages to be fun to drive by striking a good balance between a comfortable ride and engaging handling. It's also a practical choice, with a boot that's larger than what you'd find in many small car rivals.
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Strengths
- Very economical to run
- Well equipped and good to drive
- Warranty lasts for up to 10 years
Weaknesses
- Cramped in the back
- Smaller boot than rivals
- Top-spec trims are considerably costlier
Until recently, the Aygo X was only available with a dinky petrol engine, but now it's available with a fuel-sipping hybrid setup, and that means you can have all of the benefits of a regular hybrid car, in one which doesn't cost you very much to buy and which is small enough to take advantage of ever-tightening parking spaces.
There are some compromises to be made, of course, such as tight rear leg room and a boot which won't fit much more than your weekly shop, but it's hard to imagine a car more well suited to driving in the city. Certainly, the Aygo X's light steering and tight turning circle could give a London taxi a run for its money.
The Aygo X should be dependable, too, because Toyota is consistently a top performer in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey. And in the small chance that something does go wrong, you'll have the reassurance of Toyota's market-leading warranty to fall back on.
“If I mainly drove in the city, I'd look towards an Aygo X, not only because I like the way it looks, but also because of its official fuel economy figure of up to 76.3mpg” – Dan Jones, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Toyota Aygo X review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £20,235
RRP from: £21,645
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.5h Icon Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid CVT Euro 6 (s/s) (116 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £198.35 |
| Initial payment | £2,380.20 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: comfort range 52kWh techno+ Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Grown-up driving manners
- Great infotainment system
- Aggressive pricing
Weaknesses
- Rear leg room is tight
- MG4 Urban has a much bigger boot
- There are cheaper alternatives
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 was our overall Car of the Year in 2025 – 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
Read our in-depth Renault 5 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £20,995
RRP from: £22,995
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
comfort range 52kWh techno+ Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (150 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £249.73 |
| Initial payment | £2,996.76 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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
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
Read our in-depth Renault Clio review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £16,650
RRP from: £17,995
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 TCe generation Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (90 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £215.81 |
| Initial payment | £2,589.72 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: Long Range 49kWh 02 Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Small size makes it perfect for the city
- Can offer surprising practicality
- Good value for money
Weaknesses
- Only practical in the pricer 02 trim
- Renault 5 is much better to drive
- Rudimentary interior feel
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
Read our in-depth Hyundai Inster review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £17,250
RRP from: £23,755
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Long Range 49kWh 01 SUV 5dr Electric Auto (115 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 6000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £232.60 |
| Initial payment | £2,791.20 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: 1.5 h i-MMD Elegance eCVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
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
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
Read our in-depth Honda Jazz review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £24,475
RRP from: £28,475
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.5 h i-MMD Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid eCVT Euro 6 (s/s) (122 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £242.79 |
| Initial payment | £2,913.48 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Generous interior space
- Smart interior
Weaknesses
- Fiddly touch-sensitive controls
- More expensive to buy than some rivals
- VW’s reliability record
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
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Polo review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £17,991
RRP from: £22,055
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 36 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £220.39 |
| Initial payment | £2,644.68 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Strengths
- Huge boot
- Relatively spacious
- Fairly supple ride
Weaknesses
- Cheap-feeling interior
- Not as practical as the Honda Jazz
- Entry-level engine only suited to town driving
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
Read our in-depth Skoda Fabia review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £17,490
RRP from: £21,070
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 TSI Design Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (95 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 24 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £186.26 |
| Initial payment | £2,235.12 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Strengths
- Smooth ride and tidy handling
- Relatively quiet at higher speeds
- Slow depreciation
Weaknesses
- Costs more than rival small cars
- No hybrid engine option
Our favourite version of Audi's smallest hatchback comes with a 108bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine which pulls really well from low revs. And if you put your foot down, it will get you to motorway speeds in a respectable 9.1 seconds.
Stick with Sport trim, and the 16in wheels it comes with, and the Audi A1 delivers one of the best rides in the small car class, with the kind of smoothness which you'd normally expect to find in a larger model. It's far calmer than the rival Mini Cooper, for example.
Just like the closely related Volkswagen Polo, the A1 feels decidely grown-up to drive, with well-weighted yet accurate steering and plenty of grip through corners.
In terms of practicality, rear passengers will find that they have more room to stretch out in the A1 than in the Mini, and the Audi joins the VW Polo in being able to seat three adults on its rear bench. Whoever you sit back there had better be good friends, though, since there'll be a lot of shoulder rubbing.
“Personally I'd add the optional Technology Pack to my Audi A1, since it brings a larger infotainment screen with sat-nav and the ability to draw postcode entries with your fingers.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Audi A1 review
Our pick: 1.0 TCe Expression Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
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
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
Read our in-depth Dacia Sandero review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £15,495
RRP from: £14,765
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 TCe Essential Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (100 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £193.34 |
| Initial payment | £2,320.08 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Strengths
- Very comfortable for a small car
- Smart and well-built interior
- Punchy and frugal 1.2 Puretech 100 petrol engine
Weaknesses
- Driving position can be an issue
- So-so infotainment system
- Rivals are more fun to drive
The Peugeot 208 is a stylish choice in the small car market, and our top-rated version gets a 99bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine which feels livelier than the equivalent engine you'd find in the Renault Clio. The 208 is a comfortable choice, too, offering a more supple ride than the Audi A1 or Volkswagen Polo. The car's soft suspension does a good job of ironing out lumps and bumps in the road, yet it doesn't bounce around in the way that the Citroën C3 does.
The 208's interior layout, which has you looking over a small steering wheel at dials rather than through it, won't suit everyone, but it largely works well. It's just a shame that the 208 doesn't have many physical buttons – you even have to use the touchscreen to change the temperature, for example.
You'll fit fewer suitcases into the boot of the 208 than you would into the Seat Ibiza and VW Polo, but the space available is still decent for the class. There's more room on the back seats for two people than in the Renault Clio, too.
“I found it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel of the 208. You can get adjustable lumbar support as an option on most trims, and it's standard on range-topping GT Premium trim.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our in-depth Peugeot 208 review
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What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £16,795
RRP from: £20,495
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.2 GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid e-DSC6 Euro 6 (s/s) (145 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 6000 |
| Term months | 24 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £234.78 |
| Initial payment | £2,817.36 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
