What Car? Personal Shopper: small and sporty car for £20,000
Want a new car but don't know where to start? Just send us your criteria and we'll give our new and used car choices, and tell you how much we can save you...
Buying new
- Our recommended choice: Volkswagen Up GTI 5dr
- List price: £14,930
- Target Price: £14,296
Look past its boxy design and the Volkswagen Up GTI is one peppy pocket rocket. With a 113hp 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine under its bonnet, it can hit 62mph in 8.8sec yet also return reasonable fuel economy. It sounds pleasantly fruity, too, and can put a smile on your face whether you're travelling on sweeping country roads or darting in and out of city traffic.
Inside, you'll find a retro-inspired interior complete with tartan seats reminiscent of those in the original Golf GTI hot hatch from 1975.
Don't go thinking that the Up GTI isn't a practical choice, either, because despite being a city car, it has enough space for four people plus a reasonable amount of luggage. And it comes loaded with goodies, including sports seats and everything the already lavish High Up model comes with, including a 5.0in infotainment screen, heated front seats and 15in alloy wheels. Just add city automatic emergency braking from the options list – which will still leave you with a decent chunk of change from your budget – and you're good to go.
Find a great Volkswagen Up GTI deal or read our full review
- Also consider: Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge 3dr
- List price: £13,765
- Target Price: £13,122
Why change something that isn't broken? You're already used to a Fiat 500, and the latest version is an even better proposition for driving around town. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is perky enough and loves to be revved, while Lounge models come with climate control, a 5.0in touchscreen infotainment system and rear parking sensors. There's plenty of scope to personalise your car in and out, including adding coloured plastic inserts to the dashboard.
Find a great Fiat 500 deal or read our full review
- Also consider: Audi A1 Sportback 30 TFSI Sport
- List price: £20,045
- Target Price: £19,374
Available in a range of bold colours and sporting a premium badge on its bonnet, the latest Audi A1 Sportback is a top-notch small hatchback. We like its smooth ride, tidy handling and impressively well built interior. Sport models come with everything you're likely to need, while the 114bhp 1.0-litre engine you get here is our recommended choice.
Best used small cars for less than £10,000
Small doesn’t have to mean stingy, and cheap really can be cheerful, as these fantastic used small cars prove
