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 | £21,645 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| MG4 Urban | £23,495 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Renault 5 | £22,995 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Seat Ibiza | £21,610 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Renault Clio | £17,995 | 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.
If you want plenty of space from your small car, it's worth looking closely at the new MG4 Urban, because despite being priced in line with small car rivals, it offers the kind of space you'd usually expect to see in the class above. A five-star Euro NCAP safety rating only adds to its appeal.
As a fully electric package, 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
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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, Senior 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: 53.9kWh Comfort Long Range Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Aggressive pricing and plenty of kit
- Much more practical than similar-priced alternatives
- Five-star Euro NCAP rating
Weaknesses
- Laggy infotainment system
- Peak charging speed isn't that quick
- Suspension noise
Despite sharing part of its name with a car from the class above, the MG4 Urban is, in fact, an entirely different model.
The cheapest versions get a 148bhp motor driving their front wheels – with the 0-62mph sprint taking 9.6sec. Long Range mmodels drop that time to 9.5sec thansk to having a slightly more powerful motor, but also a larger and heavier battery.
Speaking of the battery, Standard Range models offer an official range of 201 miles from a 41.9kWh (usable capacity) unit, while Long Range models get a 52.8kWh battery for an official range of 258 miles. In both cases, that's slightly further than the rival Renault 5 will take you.
Despite its bargain price, there's nothing to put you off the Urban's interior. Yes, there are hard plastics on display around the dashboard, but there's also padding on the door armrests and some nice stitched faux suede material dotted around.
Going for entry level Comfort trim still gets you a good amount of kit, including 16in wheels, adaptive cruise control and a heat pump for more efficient warming of the car's interior. Go for the Long Range model and you have the option to upgrade to Premium trim, which adds larger wheels, heated front seats and a 360-degree parking camera.
“The MG4 Urban won’t be eligible for the government’s official EV grant, so I think it’s great MG has decided to offer its own ‘grant’ with a guaranteed £1500 saving on the list price.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth MG4 Urban 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: £17,489
RRP from: £23,495
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
42.8kWh Comfort Standard Range Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (149 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £250.42 |
| Initial payment | £3,005.04 |
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” – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor
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
Our pick: 1.0 TSI SE Technology Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Strengths
- Great to drive
- Punchy engines
- User-friendly interior
Weaknesses
- Lots of road noise
- There are punchier rivals available
- Iffy reliability record
If you're looking for a small car which feels great to drive, then the Seat Ibiza should be pretty high on your shortlist. That's because it's the best-handling car in the class, with precise and communicative steering, and plenty of front-end grip. That means you can carry more speed into corners, and exit out the other side with a big smile across your face.
While there's no electric version on offer – and no plug-in hybrid model, either – the Ibiza's line-up of petrol engines is still good. Our favourite version is also the cheapest, and though its 94bhp output might not sound like much, its peppy nature means that making progress is easy. Indeed, we saw it sprint from 0-60mph in a reasonable 9.8sec in our tests.
The Ibiza seats you lower down inside the car than many rivals, with a seat that's comfortable and supportive, and with a wheel that's easily adjustable for your driving position. There's plenty of space for taller folk to stretch out in the front of the car, while space in the back is on par with the Skoda Fabia. And that is to say that it's very good indeed.
The boot is generous by the standards of the small car class, too. We managed to fit five carry-on suitcases inide, which is the same amount that the Renault Clio managed, and one less than the Fabia.
“While I appreciate that the Fabia is roomier overall, the Ibiza proved spacious enough to fit me and three friends without any discomfort.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Seat Ibiza 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: £16,348
RRP from: £21,610
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (95 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £235.96 |
| Initial payment | £2,831.52 |
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: Extended Range 52kWh Advance Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Smart and user-friendly interior
- Competitively priced
Weaknesses
- A bit tight in the back
- No cupholders
- Minimal discounts
As the starting point for a truly great small car, the latest Nissan Micra has quite the edge – you see, it's the sibling to the Renault 5 which appears further up this list.
That means that many of the R5's positive attributes apply here too. And sure enough, there's the same sprightly performance and comfortable ride, plus more agility than you might expect from a relatively heavy electric car. And while the Mini Cooper Electric SE might be a bit quicker up to motorway speeds, the Micra still has the edge over the Citroën ë-C3 or Fiat 500e.
We'd go for the more powerful of the two Micra versions on offer, because as well as more oomph (its electric motor puts out 148bhp compared with 121bhp in the standard car) you also get a larger 52kWh (usable capacity) battery with an official range of 260 miles between charges.
Like the R5, the Micra has an interior that's smart, modern and surprisingly plush for a car in this price bracket. The driving position is comfortable, and the Micra is easier to see out of than the Cooper Electric. And although the rear screen is small, you get rear parking sensors as standard.
It's a shame that taller passengers will feel quite cramped in the Micra's rear seats, although children and smaller adults will be fine for short journeys. The BYD Dolphin Surf is noticably more spacious for longer-legged passengers.
“I like the level of customisation on offer; the Micra is available in 14 exterior colour combinations, including two-tone options for a black or grey roof.” – Claire Evans, Consumer editor
Read our in-depth Nissan Micra 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: £18,779
RRP from: £22,995
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Standard Range 40kWh Engage Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (120 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £226.90 |
| Initial payment | £2,722.80 |
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 | 36 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £246.46 |
| Initial payment | £2,957.52 |
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: £17,990
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
- Keenly priced
- Bigger-battery versions have a respectable range
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Heavy predicted depreciation
- Feeble range of entry-level Active version
- No Euro NCAP safety rating at time of writing
No, the BYD Dolphin Surf is not a special edition of the BYD Dolphin. It is, in fact, a completely different car that's smaller and cheaper to buy. But it's also rather good.
You see, despite undercutting key rivals like the Citroën ë-C3 and Renault 5 by thousands of pounds, the Dolphin Surf actually looks and feels smart inside. And whie there are hard plastics on display, but the quality edges out the competition in most respects. There's even artificial fabric on some of the more prominent surfaces.
Entry-level versions of the Dolphin Surf get a 30kWh (usable capacity) battery which offers an official range of just 137 miles, along with an 87bhp electric motor. The mid-range Boost version ups the range to 200 miles, but because of its heavier battery, it actually takes longer to get to 62mph. The range-topping Boost model is our favourite: this gets the bigger battery but also more powerful 154bhp motor.
The Renault 5 offers sharper handling and more accurate steering, as well as a more settled ride, but the Dolphin Surf, for the price, is still very recommendable. It's also practical, with far more head and leg room for rear passengers than you'd find in some cheaper electric cars.
"Although the Dolphin Surf is generously equipped overall, I do find it odd that you get adaptive cruise control on the cheapest trim but have to upgrade to the range-topping model if you want heated seats." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth BYD Dolphin Surf 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: £16,995
RRP from: £18,675
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
30kWh Active Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (87 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £252.38 |
| Initial payment | £3,028.56 |
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
And the small car to avoid...
How to choose the best small car
Small cars are hugely popular, and they’re particularly well suited if you live in the city and need something easy to park and cheap to run. You might be looking at a small car if you’re buying your first vehicle, or if you just need something that will get you from A to B with ease.
But is a small car right for you? Here we explain the key factors you should consider before buying one.
How much interior space do you need?
As you might have guessed, most small cars aren’t designed to carry round big tribes or lots of luggage on a regular basis. If you’re in the market for one, it’s likely that you’ll only need space inside for a couple of passengers and a weekly shop.
However, small cars can vary greatly in how much headroom, legroom and boot space they offer, which is why it’s important to make sure they can accommodate your personal needs.
Small cars used to be bought mostly as first cars or by people with no children – but, over the years, some models have become large enough to be considered fully-fledged family runabouts, albeit without as much practicality as a larger family car or SUV.
If you are planning on carting kids about, it’s ideal not only for a car to be relatively spacious (even if it’s small), but also accessible. Look out for things like five doors instead of three, space for three passengers in the back, a small loading lip in the boot and Isofix mounts for fitting car seats.
Are you looking for low running costs?
Small cars are a great option for newer drivers or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on buying and running a vehicle. That’s because they’re generally cheaper as a new purchase, and they don’t tend to guzzle fuel as much as larger cars – especially if you opt for one with electric power.
Indeed, small cars come with all sorts of power options nowadays, including those with hybrid assistance. That’s where the combustion engine is joined by a small electric motor for a bit of extra pep and lower fuel bills. Some of the most economical cars we’ve tested are hybrid small cars, but even dinky cars without that electrical assistance make the list.
Of course, there’s also the option of owning a fully electric small car, which can be especially economical if you’re able to charge up at home or at work.
Small cars also tend to be cheap to insure, since they’re often powered by smaller, less potent engines or motors, as well as being economical and easy to repair. That’s why they can be a cost-effective option for new drivers, who tend to face higher insurance costs where they don’t have as much experience on the road.
Are small cars easier to drive than bigger cars?
As a general rule, you have more wiggle room on the road with a small car than with a bigger car. They’re compact in size, which makes it easy to squeeze through small gaps and fit into parking bays, and they tend to have a tighter turning circle, making them easier to manoeuvre. For those reasons, they’re ideal for urban driving, where streets are narrower.
However, if you drive a lot on faster roads, you might find that small cars lack the acceleration to get them up to motorway speeds briskly due to their less powerful engines. And, once you’re up to those speeds, small cars don’t tend to feel quite as stable or assured on the open road as a larger car, sometimes due to lighter steering or noticeable body lean.
Of course, this isn’t the case with every small car. However, if you want something that’s compact but has a stronger presence, a higher driving position and more punch, it might be worth looking at a small SUV.
Small cars aren’t generally designed for long trips, either, so if you regularly travel a lot of miles, it might be worth investing in something more comfortable.
Should I buy a small car?
Buy one if:
- You don’t need lots of space for passengers or luggage
- You don’t want to spend a lot on buying and running costs
- You want something compact that’s easy to manoeuvre and park
Don’t buy one if:
- You regularly carry around multiple passengers and lots of luggage
- You want something with quick acceleration for motorway driving
- You want to complete regular long journeys in comfort
How we choose the best small cars
Small cars are very popular in the UK, which is why we continually test the latest cars in the class to see whether the rankings change. We also keep a close eye on trim levels, engine options and pricing of existing cars in the class to see how the numbers stack up.
From a selection of 20,000-plus people who take part in our annual reader survey, we take into account the real-world experiences of existing small car owners, so we can give you the best possible advice. Based on this, we place extra emphasis on the following areas:
Reliability – a key attribute for 75% of small car buyers
Thanks to our Reliability Survey, we have exclusive data on a wide range of small cars aged up to five years old, based on the experiences of owners. We use the data from this survey to give the cars a percentage score, and rank them accordingly against rivals.
Buying and ownership costs – a key attribute for 63% of small car buyers
Small cars can be very affordable to buy and run, which is partly why they’re so popular. However, there can be factors that influence those costs, such as available discounts and depreciation. In our small car reviews, we take these factors into account so you don’t have to.
Comfortable driving position – a key attribute for 49% of small car buyers
Small cars can be very compact, and some offer limited steering wheel and seat adjustment, so taller drivers can find it difficult to get comfortable. Mind you, this isn’t the case for every small car; some are very comfortable to drive. That’s why it’s our job to test every car in the class to separate the best from the rest.
There are many other factors to consider when choosing a small car, such as standard equipment, safety, performance and boot space. To find out more, you can head to our how we test cars feature.
