Hatchback

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

VIVA

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

CITROEN

Cheap to buy and cheap to run, a used Citroen C1 is a fine city car.

Used Citroen C1 2014-2022

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Clever interior space </li> <li>Quiet and comfortable ride </li> <li>Good visibility </li> <li>Plenty of safety tech </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>Outstanding value for money</li></ul>

City cars are all about diminutive size and manoeuvrability because they invariably spend most of their time on our increasingly crowded urban streets.

They do need to be big enough for a couple of adults, with back seats that’ll suffice for occasional use by people – or as a dumping ground for a couple of large shopping bags – but they must also be small enough to nip in and out of traffic, and squeeze into tight parking spaces.

Out-and-out acceleration isn’t crucial, but there must be enough oomph in the lower gears to scoot into gaps that appear in the traffic. Running costs should be low, too.

Fortunately there’s never been a better line-up of city cars on offer. Kia's Picanto mixes a neat, functional interior with tidy handling and a surprisingly big boot, while the Skoda Citigo and Suzuki Celerio are cheaper and even more frugal.

City

There’s a Touch of style to the outside of the Citroen C1, which should appeal to those who Feel that small cars are bland and without Flair. And whichever of those rather odd model names is on the back of the C1, you’ll find that it isn’t a bad <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/city">city car</a>.

Built as part of a joint venture that resulted in it sharing common parts with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/108/hatchback/review/n50">Peugeot 108</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo/hatchback/review/n56">Toyota Aygo</a>, the C1 is designed to be a cheap-to-run city car to rival models such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/mii/hatchback/used-review/n822">Seat Mii</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n820">Hyundai i10</a>.

This is the second-generation car, the original having been launched in 2006 and likewise being a result of that same union that produced it and the very similar Peugeot 107 and first-gen Toyota Aygo.&nbsp;

Engines:&nbsp;There is only the one engine – a frugal 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol – and it comes with the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed ETG automated manual. Initially, there was also the option of a 1.2-litre 81bhp engine. You could also choose either three-door or five-door versions when buying it new.&nbsp;

Trims &amp; equipment: The entry-level Touch model gets electric front windows, LED daytime running lights, a trip computer and USB socket for media. The next model up, the Feel, comes with the neat 7.0in touchscreen, air conditioning and height adjustment on the driver’s seat.

Meanwhile, the top-of-the-range Flair adds alloy wheels, a reversing camera, a speed limiter, foglights and heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors.

It has a rather good infotainment system on Feel spec and above to appeal to younger buyers, and there’s even a full-length fabric roof on Airscape models for those who worship the sun.

Ride &amp; handling: Even in its base 1.0-litre 68bhp form, performance is decent enough when compared with its rivals, although responsiveness at low revs can’t match the i10's equivalent motor, and it certainly isn’t the quietest engine around. If you need a bit of extra power, you could try and seek out an earlier C1 with the&nbsp;larger 1.2-litre 81bhp engine.

Body lean in the C1 is quite pronounced through faster bends, and the nose dives quite a lot under braking. The ride is unsettled over broken road surfaces, both at town speeds and on the motorway. This may lead your passengers to complain of being jostled about by the overly sensitive suspension.

The automatic Efficient Tronic Gearbox (ETG) transmission is best avoided because it's quite tricky learning to adapt to how it works. It isn’t a traditional <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022">automatic</a>, but a manual gearbox with a computer that controls the action of changing gears. It's slow to respond when you want a burst of acceleration and the gearchanges are rather jerky. Stick with the manual 'box if you can.

Interior &amp; practicality: There’s plenty of space up front in the C1 and there are door pockets and spaces to store phones when on the move. The glovebox isn’t bad either. But things aren’t quite so good for those in the back, with awkward access and rather limited leg room.

In addition, the C1’s boot small and is dwarfed by some of the its rivals. Small cars do struggle in this area, but the Mii and i10 are rather better packaged, being better able to handle four people and some luggage.

If you're interested in finding a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/citroen/c1?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">used C1</a>, or any of the other&nbsp;city cars&nbsp;mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Page 1 of 5

Citroën C1 Hatchback

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

The unique Fiat 500 is charming and stylish, but it's not as good to drive as some and reliability is an issue

Used Fiat 500 2008-present

Since it arrived in 2008, the reborn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>&nbsp;has been a huge&nbsp;hit. Its cute design, Italian style&nbsp;and compelling&nbsp;affordability have&nbsp;resonated with both new and used car buyers.

Over its long life, the standard 500&nbsp;has been tweaked and updated many times, and numerous variants of it introduced. The present car in standard form is now known as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n22352">500 Hybrid</a>. There's a soft-top cabriolet version for fresh-air fiends, known as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">500 Cabrio</a>, and an all-electric version too, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">500 Electric</a>.

Is it a dated mess, then? Well, not entirely. Its retro looks (which hark back to the original 500 of the late 1950s and 1960s) give&nbsp;it a certain timelessness, plus the aforementioned tweaks&nbsp;have been somewhat significant. There was also a noticeable facelift (in 2016) that brought&nbsp;with it a sharper nose and a new infotainment system, among other changes.&nbsp;

Engines: In 2020, the standard range was reduced to one variant, the aforementioned&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild hybrid </a>model&nbsp;called the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n22352">Fiat 500 Hybrid</a>. It uses a 69bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, aided by a tiny electric&nbsp;motor and&nbsp;battery. You can’t plug it in, and it can’t travel on electric power alone. It's nippy and economical enough around town&nbsp;but is&nbsp;lacklustre when it comes to motorway driving.&nbsp;

For most of its life,&nbsp;1.2-litre and&nbsp;1.4-litre&nbsp;four-cylinder petrol engines were available, as well as&nbsp;a 0.9-litre two-cylinder Twinair that's officially very frugal&nbsp;– less so in reality. Alternatively,&nbsp;for the economy-conscious, there was&nbsp;a 1.3-litre diesel, but that's&nbsp;a bit noisy and unrefined in urban driving.&nbsp;A tweak in 2011 and the 2016 facelift dispensed with both the 1.4 petrol and 1.3 diesel. The sporty Abarth&nbsp;versions all come with the same 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, but each produces&nbsp;a different output, from 135bhp to 187bhp.&nbsp;

Trims and equipment: In essence, there are three trim levels&nbsp;to choose from:&nbsp;Pop, Popstar and Lounge. In later models, Sport replaced Popstar. The entry-level Pop models come with LED daytime running lights, a height-adjustable steering wheel and Fiat's Uconnect infotainment system with USB connectivity, while upgrading to&nbsp;Pop Star gets you air conditioning and split-folding rear&nbsp;seatbacks (otherwise it's a single bench). The range-topping Lounge models come with luxuries such as a fixed glass roof, rear parking sensors, foglights, a DAB radio and Bluetooth.

Later, all-electric and Hybrid models gained a huge variety of special trims, including Action, Connect, Dolce Vita, Dolce Vita Plus, Hey Google, Icon, La Prima, Launch, Passion and Red.&nbsp;

The Abarth models are a slightly different breed and, as you might&nbsp;expect, come with all the sporting pretensions expected from a hot hatch.&nbsp;

Ride and handling: The Twinair engine is a bit of a mixed bag, providing character but needing to be revved and therefore becoming rather thirsty and noisy. The 1.2 is our favourite mix of punch and economy, while the diesel unit feels a little heavy in the pert 500.&nbsp;

Urban streets are where the 500 excels, thanks to its compact size and reasonably nimble handling. On faster roads, its limitations become more apparent, because of its unsettled ride. Improvements were made&nbsp;with the chassis revisions of&nbsp;2010, giving it a similar set-up to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/ka/hatchback/used-review/n793">Ford Ka</a>, which used&nbsp;the same underpinnings. The 500's refinement also suffers when the speed builds, with wind and road noise becoming increasingly intrusive.

Interior and practicality: The retro interior is almost as good to look at as the exterior, with plenty of neat design touches. Material quality won't challenge that of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/review/n17350">Mini Hatch</a>, but it's far from the worst in this regard,&nbsp;and there are enough chrome finishes to lift the overall ambience.&nbsp;

The modern 500&nbsp;is larger than the original, but it's still very compact by today's standards. There's good passenger space in the front, but the back is cramped for adults.

The boot isn't great, either; it's&nbsp;nowhere near as capacious&nbsp;as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">Volkswagen Up</a>'s. That car is also more practical in other ways, too, because it's&nbsp;also produced&nbsp;in five-door form.

If you'd like to buy a used Fiat 500, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Cars For Sale</a>&nbsp;pages.

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Fiat 500 Hatchback

PANDA

The Fiat Panda is an appealing and cheap-to-run city car, even if its rivals are mostly better to drive

Used Fiat Panda 2012-present

Viewed through the wide-angle lens of a historian, you might be tempted to say that no one makes small cars like <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/fiat">Fiat.</a> The Italian firm has been responsible for some of the most iconic urban runabouts over the past 60 years or so.

All of these diminutive tots displayed great flair on the surface and intelligent engineering underneath – enough to make them appeal to whole generations in their home country as the go-to cars of the people. The original Panda, one of those highly successful small cars, was a practical masterpiece. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/panda/hatchback/used-review/n330">second</a> won the coveted European Car of the Year Award. This third-gen model is more efficient, more comfortable and more advanced in technology.

Now, there are plenty of these Pandas on the used market and they make very attractive purchases for those looking for economical urban motoring mixed in with a little Italian style and a healthy wedge of practicality.&nbsp;

There’s a choice of three engines, for one: a 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol, a 0.9 Twinair with 84bhp and a 74bhp 1.3-litre diesel. Later, post-facelift, 2020 Cross models came with only a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine. Four-wheel drive is available on the 4x4 version and, from its launch in 2015, on the raised-up and toughened up Panda Cross model.&nbsp;

As for the trim levels, there are three key ones to choose from - Pop, Easy and Lounge. The entry-level model comes with electric front windows, a height-adjustable steering and hill hold assist, while upgrading to the Easy model adds remote central locking, air conditioning and roof rails. The range-topping Lounge trim gives the Panda 15in alloy wheels, front fog lights, a six-speaker sound system and Fiat's Uconnect infotainment system complete with USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

For those opting for the&nbsp;more rugged Panda 4x4&nbsp;or&nbsp;the tougher Panda Cross, fear not, these both come with their own trim specification, with the former including&nbsp;15in alloys, electrically adjustable and heated wing mirrors, and a height-adjustable driver's seat. The latter includes swish silver roof bars, climate control, LED day-running-lights, all-wheel drive and three driving modes, and mud and snow tyres.

On the road, the 1.2 petrol is no ball of fire, but it’s fine around town. If you regularly head beyond the city limits, then you should consider the diesel; it feels stronger and more flexible than the petrol, so is better at keeping up with traffic on faster roads. Twinair versions have a fair bit of mid-range muscle, but are gutless at very low revs and breathless at high ones.

Alas, refinement isn't great, either. The Panda's a little noisy by modern standards, and the ride's unsettled. It steers well, mark you, and its handling is safe and predictable if a little uninspiring.&nbsp;

Most of the fabrics and materials in the interior are of reasonable quality, and the driving position is straight and upright. There's plenty of head room front and back, although rear leg room is more limited for taller passengers. The boot is a useful size, and square in shape, so easy to load stuff into and get things out of.&nbsp;

So, the Panda's good-looking, cheap to run and full of charm. It’s not as much fun to drive as it once was, perhaps, and other more sophisticated rivals have come along and trumped it for agility and refinement, and definitely for safety.&nbsp;

But if you’re after a cheap city runabout that can do some of the things that larger cars can at a cost they cannot match, a used Panda still has a lot going for it.&nbsp;Do bear in mind though that Euro NCAP tested the admittedly ageing Panda in 2019 and it scored zero stars for safety.&nbsp;

A facelift in 2020 resulted in only the Panda Cross version being offered from new in the UK.&nbsp;Two more variants, named the City and Sport, now sit alongside it. Models come equipped with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine. This harvests kinetic energy during braking and deceleration, which is stored in the battery. This enables the engine to shut down to conserve fuel when coasting or at a standstill, and can also be used to assist acceleration. It makes a relatively humble 69bhp&nbsp;and needs a fairly hefty right foot to keep up with fast-moving traffic.&nbsp;

If you're interested in finding a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/fiat/panda?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">used Panda</a>, or any of the other small cars&nbsp;mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

<h3>Page 1 of 5</h3>

Fiat Panda Hatchback

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

The Ford Ka+ is good to drive and has plenty of room for four adults, but the Dacia Sandero has a bigger boot and is available new for less money

Used Ford Ka+ 2016-2020

No, not a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/ka/hatchback/used-review/n793">Ford Ka</a>, but a Ford Ka+, with two extra doors and a slightly more grown-up stance, but still to our eyes a city car.&nbsp;

Sadly, the Ford Ka+ had rather a short life&nbsp;span because&nbsp;people over the years it was in production started to drift more towards small SUVs such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>.

However, used car buyers looking for an inexpensive and&nbsp;practical five-door&nbsp;town driver that's easy to park, while also being&nbsp;remarkably capable beyond&nbsp;city limits&nbsp;should find plenty to like in the Ka+.

Engines: Engine choices are limited to just three options. Early cars come with a&nbsp;1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with&nbsp;either 69bhp or 84bhp, while facelifted examples have a revised 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine (again in 69bhp or 84bhp forms) or a 94bhp 1.5-litre diesel. All versions of&nbsp;the Ka+ come with a five-speed gearbox

Trims &amp; equipment: Trim levels are&nbsp;limited to&nbsp;the ultra-cheap Studio or&nbsp;better-equipped Zetec,&nbsp;which gets desirable features such&nbsp;as alloy wheels, air-con and an infotainment system.&nbsp;In 2018, the Ka+ Active was unveiled, which provides&nbsp;a raised ride height and other off-roader-inspired trinkets to make it look tougher, but the suspension changes ruin the ride and make it wallow in the bends, so is&nbsp;worth avoiding.

Ride &amp; handling: On the flip side, standard cars&nbsp;ride&nbsp;extremely well and deal&nbsp;with bigger&nbsp;bumps better than many larger vehicles. It steers nicely, too, and, pushed hard, it corners neatly, just like the first-generation Ka. However, none of the engines are&nbsp;particularly brilliant out on the open road. All petrol versions are&nbsp;a little disappointing because they're&nbsp;unrefined and can feel laboured, and both these and the diesel&nbsp;version will&nbsp;need&nbsp;revving hard to get the best from it and doesn’t sound pleasant when you do.&nbsp;If you can ignore the engine, though, this is a fine driver’s car.

Interior &amp; practicality: Inside,&nbsp;there’s plenty of space for a six-footer to sit behind a six-footer in front, and the boot’s a reasonable size for this class, with 60/40 folding rear seats as standard. All the controls are logically placed and easy to locate, and feel pleasant enough to use. However, some of the materials used are a little low-rent and there are plenty of hard, scratchy plastics on view.

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/ka+">used Ka+</a>, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Page 1 of 5

Ford Ka+ Hatchback

Lacking sparkle when compared with more accomplished rivals, the Ford Ka makes a good used buy - if you get it cheap enough

Used Ford KA 2008-2016

&nbsp;

The first Ford Ka was a kind of motorised&nbsp;teapot, a tiny and rather peculiar-looking thing that was so good to drive it energised&nbsp;the class and spurred other manufacturers on to achieve greater things. It was two doors only, and available with only one rather old and thrashy engine option, but it was a huge success commercially, so much so that this second-generation Ka had a lot to live up to.&nbsp;

Opinion is a little divided on whether or not it did live up to it, but like it or not this Ford Ka makes an ideal city car. It shared a lot&nbsp;of its underpinnings with the massively popular Fiat 500, in an effort to keep costs down, and although that baby Cinquecento was no great shakes as a driver's tool no one can doubt its success as an agile and pretty city car. The Ka's small size helps with all the typical urban demands, along with a raised seating position which gives you a good view out. And big mirrors make it easy to judge the extremities of the car, enabling you to slot it into the tightest of spaces.

Another point of note is the handling, which is better than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/used-review/n323">Fiat 500</a>'s. While it doesn’t have that car’s funky interior and extensive accessories list, the Ka received plenty of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford">Ford</a> know-how when tuning the suspension and steering to make it feel nimble, accurate and composed through corners. The ride is also good; it’s still a little bit firm, but it is more composed than the 500.

Refinement, however, is a downside, with high levels of wind noise coming from the top of the side windows and also kicked up from the large door mirrors. And the 67bhp engine struggles on the motorway, where it sounds like it’s working hard to maintain speed. A <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">Volkswagen Up</a> would be better if you do need to venture out of town more often.

You also wouldn’t choose a Ka to transport larger rear passengers as space in the back is tight. Space up front is good, however, and the boot is large for a small car, only being hampered by a large load lip and lack of split-folding bench on entry-level trims.

The interior is clearly laid out, but doesn’t have the same design flair that the Fiat 500 has, which means that you notice the cheapness of the plastics more than you would in the 500. It also doesn’t come with as much standard equipment as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai I10</a>, which can make the Ka feel quite spartan.

<h3>Page 1 of 5</h3>

Ford Ka Hatchback

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Temporary taxonomy to unlink review until CAP taxonomy is updated

The Hyundai i10 is spacious, quiet, comfortable&nbsp;and good value when bought second-hand. It's a great city car.

Used Hyundai i10 2020-present

It's amazing how fast the little ones grow up. We generally expect city cars to be pretty cramped inside, but this latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49" target="_blank">Hyundai i10</a>&nbsp;is a bit longer than most and is practical enough to carry adults in the back. Moreover, buying a used example could save you thousands compared with buying a new one, making it a very sensible proposition.

Engines: The i10 offers two 1.0-litre petrol engines: 66bhp non-turbo or 99bhp turbocharged, the latter available only in N Line models. An 83bhp 1.2 petrol engine is slightly more capable at higher motorway speeds. All engines have a five-speed manual, but the 66bhp 1.0 and 83bhp 1.2 can also be had with a five-speed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022#3" target="_blank">automated manual</a>.&nbsp;

Trims &amp; equipment: All i10s come well equipped; entry-level SE models come with air-con, cruise control, Bluetooth, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">automatic emergency braking (AEB)</a> and lane-keeping assistance. SE Connect has 15in alloy wheels and an 8.0in touchscreen inside that's got&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>&nbsp;smartphone mirroring, along with a reversing camera. The sporty-looking N Line version has sharper interior and exterior styling, while the top-of-the-range Premium has larger, 16in alloys, heated front seats and steering wheel, and rear privacy glass.

The entry-level engine is peppy enough in town, but the larger engine is better if you regularly venture outside the city limits. That being said, the 99bhp 1.0 is even better still, and also bogs down less when accelerating away from a standstill compared with the non-turbo cars, making it easier to get on with in heavy traffic.

Ride &amp; handling: On the move, the i10 is perfectly pleasant to drive, with precise steering that's just as adept when&nbsp;slotting into tight parking spaces as it is scooting around corners at speed. Grip levels are high, and even better than those of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/used-review/n926">Kia Picanto</a> in the wet. Refinement is&nbsp;pretty good for such a dinky car, even at a motorway cruise, plus the ride is more composed and forgiving than can be said of some far larger and more expensive cars.

Interior &amp; practicality: Where the i10 shines is in interior space;&nbsp;not only can it seat five if necessary, but there's enough room for six-footers&nbsp;to fit behind front seat occupants of a similar height. The driving position is also a pleasant surprise, because despite the lack of steering wheel reach adjustment (typical among city cars), there's enough adjustability to allow you to&nbsp;find&nbsp;a posture that won't have you feeling uncomfortable on a big trip.

Boot capacity is one of the best in the class, although you will have to contend with a pronounced&nbsp;loading lip; unlike with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/used-review/n794">Volkswagen Up</a>, there's no adjustable-height boot floor.

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/hyundai/i10?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearFrom=2020">used Hyundai i10</a>, or any of the other&nbsp;cars mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Page 1 of 5

The Hyundai i10 is one of the best used city cars around. It’s quiet, roomy and&nbsp;good value for money

Used Hyundai i10 2014 - 2020

Fancy a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">city car</a> with sharp exterior styling, a well-made and spacious interior and a quiet and comfortable ride, and one that's good to drive and cheap to buy and run?

Welcome to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> – a car that, in its second-generation form ran from 2014 until 2020, and has caught the eye of those eager to tick all of the above boxes.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n400">first-generation</a> model was a diminutive marvel, pointing the way to a much brighter future for Hyundai and all its subsequent cars. This newer version took all the pluses of the original and added some pleasing styling, as well as introducing a new platform to bolster the car’s dynamics and refinement.

Engines: Power comes from a choice of two petrol engines – a 65bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit or an 86bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder one. The 1.0-litre engine’s eager responses are fine for most town use, but the larger unit has the edge if your driving is likely to include A-roads and motorways.

Trims: Trim levels range from entry-level S, which is a little too basic in our opinion, with steel 14in wheels and electric front windows.&nbsp;The popular&nbsp;SE model adds air-con, cruise control, Bluetooth, and a DAB radio, while&nbsp;Premium versions have 14in alloy wheels, privacy glass, climate control, and a smartphone docking station.

However, the top-of-the-range Premium SE is&nbsp;our favourite i10 because it comes with big car luxuries such as a&nbsp;heated steering wheel and heated front seats,&nbsp;rear parking sensors and 15in alloys. From 2017 onwards, this version&nbsp;got a&nbsp;7.0in touchscreen with in-built sat-nav and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone capabilities.

There’s also a special SE Blue trim that is four-seat only (all other i10 models have&nbsp;five seats) and rides on smaller wheels in order to improve&nbsp;its claimed average fuel figure.

Ride and handling: It’s the i10’s refinement on all types of road that marks it out in the city car class – it really is as quiet as a much larger and plusher car. It even rides and handles well, too. You can even have a traditional <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022#1">torque-converter automatic gearbox</a> with the 1.2-litre engine that shifts between gears smoothly.&nbsp;There are only four gears to choose from, though, so it will be loud at motorway speeds.

Interior and practicality: As long as you avoid the S model, every version thereafter has&nbsp;driver's seat height adjustment. The steering wheel moves up and down, but not in and out.&nbsp;Mind you, that's also true of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/used-review/n794">Volkswagen Up</a>/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/mii/hatchback/used-review/n822">Seat Mii</a>/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/used-review/n836">Skoda Citigo</a>. Premium models and above do get seatbelt height&nbsp;adjustment, though.

Tall people will be fine for head and leg room up front, while rear passengers have more room to&nbsp;stretch out than in any other&nbsp;city car out there. Parents of little ones will also appreciate the wide-opening rear doors and high roofline that'll make getting a child in and out of a booster seat that much easier.

The boot is a decent size, too, although it doesn't have any clever touches such as hooks or tie downs. If you need even more load carrying capacity, the seat backs can be made to lie down almost completely flat once you've lifted the base out of the way.&nbsp;

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/hyundai/i10?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearTo=2020&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=cashPrice">used i10</a>, or any of the other&nbsp;cars mentioned here, head over to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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With a practical and roomy interior, low running costs and a pleasant driving experience, the Hyundai i10 makes a great used city car.

Used Hyundai i10 Hatchback 2008 - 2013 

When the Hyundai i10 was introduced in 2008, it represented a step change in quality, performance and desirability for its maker and was immediately popular with buyers of city cars, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo/hatchback/used-review/n853">Toyota Aygo</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/review/n10">Skoda Citigo</a>.

The i10 found favour for its excellent blend of space, road manners, attractive pricing and low running costs, and was backed up by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai">Hyundai</a>’s excellent five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

There are three petrol engines to choose from – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder and two four-cylinder units with capacities of 1.1 and 1.2 litres. All models get air-con, electric front windows, central locking and a six-speaker stereo.

With a practical five-door bodystyle, getting in and out of the i10 is easy, and it’s even possible to squeeze three people in the rear for short trips. Despite its diminutive size, luggage space isn’t bad for a car in this class, while with the rear seats folded the i10 is a surprisingly practical proposition.

The i10 is also pretty good to drive, offering a decent ride and the sort of handling that is safe and reassuring, if not particularly inspiring. What’s more, it doesn’t feel at all out of its depth on long journeys.

A facelift in 2011 resulted in the 1.1 engine being dropped and the arrival of the Blue variant, which was powered by an emissions-busting 99g/km version of the three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine. At the same time, there were some exterior and interior enhancements, but the changes weren’t so dramatic as to make a pre-facelift model less attractive as a used buy.

<a href="http://www.whatcar.com/classifieds/used-cars/hyundai/i10">Find a used Hyundai i10 in the What Car? Classifieds here</a>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Hyundai i10 Hatchback

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

PICANTO

Great driving manners and a smart interior make the&nbsp;Kia Picanto one of the best used city cars.

Used Kia Picanto Hatchback 2017-present

Trust us, after a few days living with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>, you'll wonder why most people would need anything larger. It's good to drive, practical for its size and decently equipped, not to mention, bought used, cheap to buy and run. With a couple of facelifts under its belt, this third-generation Picanto continues to impress. Long live the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-small-cars-2022/n16997">city car</a>.

Engines: You can pick between petrol engines of either a&nbsp;66bhp 1.0-litre, a&nbsp;83bhp&nbsp;1.25-litre, or a turbocharged 99bhp 1.0-litre. The 66bhp 1.0 is just about sufficient, but the 1.25 is obviously the punchier motor that's also more refined. Meanwhile, the turbocharged 1.0-litre&nbsp;isn't quite as smooth as the 1.25, but is the keenest&nbsp;of the three.&nbsp;

Trims &amp; equipment: Aside from the&nbsp;entry-level 1&nbsp;that can feel rather spartan with only a basic two-speaker&nbsp;stereo system and central locking, the Picanto’s well equipped. Mid-range&nbsp;2 trim has&nbsp;a good slug of equipment – alloy wheels, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, and a leather steering wheel all come as standard, although you'd still have to live with a rather basic infotainment system.

The 3 trim gives you a&nbsp;slick colour screen with sat-nav; you also get climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. GT-Line, meanwhile, adds sportier looks to the 2 model, while top-of-the-range GT-Line S has luxuries you’d usually only find on a much pricier car, such as heated seats and a heated steering wheel. Or if you’re feeling particularly rakish, you can opt for the SUV-inspired X-Line, with its taller ride height and butch bumpers.

In 2020, the Picanto received its first facelift, ushering in smoother styling, improved infotainment – including an array of telematics features with the ability to view live traffic, weather and even parking information or petrol prices – and more safety kit.

The Picanto was substantially facelifted again in 2024 to keep it fresh, with tech upgrades inside and five seats now coming as standard.&nbsp;

Ride &amp; handling: Around town, light steering and good visibility make the Picanto a doddle to drive; however, you might find the ride to be a touch on the firm side – it’s certainly not quite as comfortable as rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/used-review/n794">Volkswagen Up</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n820">Hyundai i10</a>. That said, it’s tolerable, and the payoff comes when you up the pace, at which point you’ll discover that the Picanto is surprisingly good fun to drive, with direct steering, limited body lean and plenty of grip.

On the motorway, the 1.0&nbsp;can often feel out of its depth, especially uphill, so we'd recommend the 1.25 instead. It's more comfortable sitting at 70mph, as well as getting to said speed. The 1.0 turbocharged unit is better still, though not to a dramatic degree.&nbsp;

Neither of the two original engine options is going to set bales of hay alight with its performance, but both will provide just about enough performance if you spend most of your time in town. If you want to take your Picanto out onto motorways and A-roads regularly, though, the 1.25 is much better, as the 1.0 can often feel gutless at higher speeds. Best to spend a little more and buy one of the later Picantos with the 1.0 turbocharged unit, as this has noticeably more grunt than the other two options.&nbsp;

Interior &amp; practicality: Inside, there's a handsome dashboard design with enough upmarket-feeling&nbsp;touches to still feel smart. The plastics are hard, as you’ll find with most other city cars, but they’re robust, and the smooth, weighty-feeling switchgear means everything you touch lends an air of quality.

The driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive, with enough side support to stop you from sliding around through corners. Thanks to well-positioned pedals and a standard driver’s seat height adjuster on all but the entry-level trim, it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. You can't adjust the steering wheel for reach, but that's the case for most city cars.

What’s more, there’s plenty of space in the front and in the boot, although large adults might find knee room a bit of a squeeze in the backseat. We managed to three travel-sized suitcases in the boot and had room to spare, but this still isn't the car for an extensive family road trip vacation. Plus, there's a big loading lip to get stuff over and there's no adjustable height boot floor, as per the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/used-review/n836">Skoda Citigo</a>.

"I wouldn't say I was overwhelmed by the Picanto's interior plushness, especially on the older models, but for a car in this class, it feels pretty well put together inside."&nbsp;– George Hill, used cars writer

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/kia/picanto?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearFrom=2017">used Kia Picanto</a>, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Page 1 of 5

The Kia Picanto is a tempting choice for those who want a city car that's cheap to run and unlikely to go wrong

Used Kia Picanto Hatchback 2011-2017

The launch of the second-generation Kia Picanto city car in 2011 was all-singing, all-dancing, but in reality Kia had had its thunder somewhat stolen by the mechanically identical Hyundai i10, which had already been on sale for three years.

Still, if you’re going to base your city car on another model, you could do a lot worse than using the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n820">i10</a> as a starting point, and the Picanto carried over many of that car's advantages.

For a start, the Picanto is surprisingly spacious for passengers considering its dinky exterior dimensions. Two adults or three children can fit in the back without too much cause for complaint, with access obviously easier in the five-door version than it is in the cheaper three-door.

It’s a shame, though, that the steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach as well as height, and you also lose out on boot space compared with rivals: anything other than a small amount of shopping or a couple of soft bags will be a problem.

The Picanto's petrol-only engine range consists of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder or a 1.2-litre four-cylinder. With just 68bhp, the former is rather pedestrian in terms of performance, but the 84bhp 1.2 feels quite lively – assuming you go for the manual rather than the four-speed automatic gearbox. Overly light pedals can make it easy to stall the Picanto, but it's otherwise simple to drive thanks to its light steering, good visibility and small size. In the city, this can make it quite good fun to drive, and getting into parking spaces is a piece of cake.

However, out on the open road the Picanto starts to feel a little out of its depth, with no feel through the steering and a fidgety ride. Add in a lot of wind and tyre noise on the motorway and it’s hard not to conclude that newer rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/mii/hatchback/review/n11">Seat Mii</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/review/n10">Skoda Citigo</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">Volkswagen Up</a> are better all-rounders.

Kia, however, fights back with an excellent warranty. It covers the car for up to seven years or 100,000 miles, so many used Picantos will still fall under the manufacturer-backed scheme, which will be music to the ears of any used car buyer. However, as with all of these longer warranties, it’s worth checking that it covers as much as you’d expect in its later years – we’ve heard of some owners entering disputes with manufacturers after claims were not honoured as they were considered to be wear and tear.

The Picanto did undergo a series of mild model revisions, including a facelift in 2015, but in reality the changes were so slight that you’d barely notice. Of more importance is its performance in Euro NCAP safety tests which, although solid, still places it behind the five-star Mii, Citigo and Up.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Kia Picanto Hatchback

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

The pocket-sized Peugeot 108 is well-equipped, cheap to buy and run and makes a fine city car choice.

Used Peugeot 108 2014-2022

If you're looking for a good-value used&nbsp;city car the 2014-2022&nbsp;Peugeot 108 is well worth a look - it's easy to park, cheap to run&nbsp;and it's able to connect to your smartphone. For those new to driving, it's also cheap to insure. The good news is it was a popular car in its time on sale, and there are many of them to choose from on the used car market.&nbsp;

This generation of&nbsp;108 shares a platform and engines with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo/hatchback/used-review/n853">Toyota Aygo</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c1/hatchback/used-review/n871">Citroen C1</a>. It also competes with other cute city cars such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/used-review/n794">Volkswagen Up</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n820">Hyundai i10</a>.

Engines: Performance is decent enough when compared with rivals, even in its base 1.0-litre 68bhp form. If you need a bit more go, there’s the 1.2-litre 81bhp three-cylinder petrol, which has noticeably more zip – although it’s quite noisy and needs to be thrashed to get the best out of it. It's worth noting that the 1.2-litre was dropped from the range in the later cars.

The 1.0 litre is reasonably well suited to city driving. It feels very slow and needs to be worked hard, but its five-speed gearbox has well-spaced ratios. Bear in mind, though, that with two or more people on board, it will struggle on steep hills. It's not really in its element when accelerating hard to join a&nbsp;motorway, taking a while to get going. Even with your foot to the floor, the 108 builds speed very gradually, and once the power does arrive at high revs, the engine note becomes really strained.

Ride &amp; handling: The 108 is reasonably agile and the consistently weighted steering is a blessing, but&nbsp;it's not the slickest of city cars to drive. The relatively short clutch-pedal travel and lack of biting-point feel can take some getting used to.

You’ll also have to put up with plenty of road, wind and engine noise because the 108 isn’t blessed with refinement.

There’s little sense of what the 108’s front wheels are doing through fast bends, but the steering’s consistent weighting provides some confidence. What’s more important for city cars is low-speed manoeuvrability, and most will find the 108’s set-up light enough to make tight turns and supermarket parking easy. The relatively quick steering and the shortage of body lean in corners also help make the 108 feel suitably agile when negotiating busy traffic.

Over the sort of broken roads you’re likely to find in town, the 108’s ride fails to settle. It never crashes over imperfections – even large potholes – but it jostles its passengers around more than the class best. Head out on the motorway and things don’t improve. The 108 controls its body well vertically over undulations but it’s too easily unsettled if you hit a bridge expansion joint or a pothole at speed.

Interior &amp; practicality: Space in the front is fine, and you get some door pockets to store water bottles, plus some large cupholders and space for phones just ahead of the gear lever. Access to the rear is awkward, though –&nbsp;even in the five-door –&nbsp;because of the small opening, and rear leg room is tight for most adults.

The boot is on the small side and is easily dwarfed by the ones you'll find in&nbsp;the Up and i10. You can at least get a full-size spare wheel beneath the boot floor, which is a good feature for this size of car.

Trims &amp; equipment: The base spec Access is a little spartan, but mid-range Active comes with all the equipment you’ll need, such as air-conditioning, a 7.0in colour touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth and driver’s seat height adjustment.

During the 108's lifetime, Active became (and currently&nbsp;is)&nbsp;the entry-level trim. Allure is the mid-range option and the Collection version is at the&nbsp;top of the range. Allure gets keyless entry, a reversing camera&nbsp;and electric door mirrors that are heated. Collection adds automatic air conditioning,&nbsp;standard diamond white paint and other items.

If you’d like to enjoy a bit of open-top motoring, there’s a Top!&nbsp;108 that has a retractable&nbsp;electric canvas roof instead of the standard roof panel. It suffers from quite a bit of buffeting once you're up to speed with the roof open, and you’ll need to close it if you want to talk to your passengers.

You can find a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/peugeot/108?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">used Peugeot 108</a> and examples of the other small cars mentioned here by going to the What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a> pages, which have lots of vehicles listed for sale at great prices.

Page 1 of 5

Peugeot 108 Hatchback

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.

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.

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.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

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.

RENAULT

TWINGO

Rear-wheel drive and retro styling make the swanky Renault Twingo stand out in the city car class

Used Renault Twingo 2014-2019

The layout of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> is usually a straightforward affair of engine in the front, powering the front wheels, and a small interior with a small boot. Deviating from this norm costs money, and that's&nbsp;not the done thing when making a city car.

But with the help of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/smart">Smart</a>, Renault was able to come up with an unconventional new car. The Renault Twingo shares its platform with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/forfour-hatchback/hatchback/review/n94">Smart Forfour</a>, meaning you have a car with its engine in the rear (under the boot floor) driving the rear wheels. The idea is that this frees up space for a bigger interior without compromising crash safety.

Engines: The Twingo comes with a choice of three-cylinder petrol engines: an entry-level 69bhp 1.0 SCe, an&nbsp;89bhp turbocharged 0.9&nbsp;TCe and a 108bhp version of the 0.9-litre engine that's used exclusively in the range-topping GT model.&nbsp;

Ride &amp; handling: Out on the road, the Twingo isn’t very refined; there's a bit too much wind and road noise at speed and the ride isn’t particularly smooth. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n820">Hyundai i10</a> has quieter road manners and is better suited to the odd motorway journey. The manual gearbox in the Twingo is a bit notchy, too, and isn’t as slick as the one in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/used-review/n794">Volkswagen Up</a>.

The steering isn’t the Twingo’s best feature, either. The 1.0 SCe has rather vague steering, and&nbsp;although the more powerful 0.9 TCe and GT models get&nbsp;variable-ratio steering (the aim of which is to make the car feel more agile at town speeds and more stable on the motorway), it still doesn’t inspire much confidence at higher speeds.

On the upside, body control is reasonably good and there is plenty of grip. The GT has firmer sports suspension that doesn’t help the Twingo's ride quality and is best avoided.

Trims &amp; equipment: As far as trim levels are concerned, the range begins with&nbsp;Expression. This gets the basics and nothing more: daytime running lights,&nbsp;DAB radio, Bluetooth, hill start assist, electronic stability control, remote central locking and front electric windows. Play trim adds to this with driver’s seat height adjustment, air conditioning and 15in alloy wheels.

Dynamique&nbsp;adds cruise control, front foglights and a leather steering wheel. Dynamique S goes even further upmarket by fitting part-leather seats, 16in diamond-cut alloy wheels, aluminium pedals and stripes for the grille, doors and door mirrors in either red, white or blue.

The top-of-the-range GT comes with 17in alloy wheels, twin exhausts, doorsills with '<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/renault">Renault</a> Sport' written on them and, to top it all off, a metal gearknob. GT cars are only worth seeking out if you really want the most&nbsp;powerful&nbsp;engine.

Interior &amp; practicality: The boot floor is much higher than it is in most small cars because of where the engine is.&nbsp;This offers&nbsp;some benefits, though, because&nbsp;you don't have to deal with a&nbsp;loading lip, so&nbsp;slotting&nbsp;heavy bags or a suitcase into the Twingo is&nbsp;a breeze.

When you fold the rear seatbacks down, they lie flat.&nbsp;Even the front passenger seatback can fold down onto its base to enable much longer items to be transported. The downside is that when all the seats are up, the boot is smaller than those of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/mii/hatchback/used-review/n822">Seat Mii</a>, Volkswagen Up and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/used-review/n836">Skoda Citigo</a>, even when the rear seatbacks are put in a more upright position to increase overall capacity.

Four adults can fit in the Twingo&nbsp;easily – quite a feat in a small car. There are plenty of pockets&nbsp;dotted around the interior, and&nbsp;some models could even be specified with a couple of&nbsp;storage areas&nbsp;under the rear seat – a good place to hide items&nbsp;away from prying eyes.&nbsp;

Page 1 of 5

Renault Twingo Hatchback

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

The Seat Mii is a stylish city car that's fun to drive, feels solid inside and is a good used buy.

Used Seat Mii 2012-2019

When it first hit the streets in 2012, you wouldn't have blamed the Seat Mii for suffering a little from middle child syndrome. Sandwiched as it was&nbsp;between the high-achieving <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">Volkswagen Up</a> and the hard-working <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/used-review/n836">Skoda Citigo</a> on shared underpinnings, it was always in danger of feeling a little left out.

Fortunately, Seat gave the Mii an identity all of its own by offering it in a number of trim levels and special editions, some of which were created as part of collaborations with major fashion brands such as Cosmopolitan and Mango. The Mii, therefore, is the stylish one of the trio.

Engines: The Mii also manages to be really good fun to drive, if a bit slow. That’s because it's available only with 59bhp or 74bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines, missing out on the Up’s 89bhp turbocharged unit, unfortunately. However, at least this means that the Mii is cheaper to buy than the Up and, in Ecomotive form, more economical. From 2019 onwards, the Mii could be had only as an nipply little electric car with 83bhp and an official range of 161 miles.&nbsp;

Trims &amp; equipment: Entry-level S trim is likely to be a bit too basic for most people, so we'd suggest you go for an SE to get air conditioning, 15in alloy wheels, electric front windows and mirror adjustment, 50/50-split folding rear seats and driver's seat height adjustment. From around 2016, the trims were altered to Design (essentially the same as SE&nbsp;but with added rear privacy glass) and FR-Line, which adds larger 16in alloy wheels, a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, front foglights and firmer sports suspension.

We wouldn’t blame you for being tempted by one of the many special editions, either.&nbsp;The Toca version is particularly noteworthy, because it&nbsp;has rear parking sensors and a Garmin sat-nav system. Another popular model is the Mii by Mango, which has rather nice part-leather, part-Alcantara seats and some interesting paint colours.&nbsp;

Ride &amp; handling: While you’re waiting for the petrol Mii to get up to cruising speed, you’ll notice the ride is remarkably smooth. This is helped by the smaller wheels fitted to the majority of the range; as long as you stick to 15in or 16in wheels, ride quality shouldn’t be an issue.

What’s more, all the controls are a pleasure to use. The gearlever and clutch actions are smooth – ideal for low-speed manoeuvring. The steering manages to be precise and weights up nicely in corners when you get out of town onto faster roads, but it's still light for parking in tight spaces. In other words, the Mii always feels safe and surefooted, so you feel like it’s on your side at all times.

Interior &amp; practicality: It would help if you still had substance and practicality in a small&nbsp;car, though, and&nbsp;it’s good news for the Mii&nbsp;on this front, too.&nbsp;You can fit four adults inside quite comfortably.&nbsp;The only problem is that in order to make passengers&nbsp;feel less squished, Seat had to limit the car to carry only two across the rear bench, whereas rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n820">Hyundai i10</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/celerio/hatchback/used-review/n924">Suzuki Celerio</a> can take three.

All versions of the Mii come with six airbags and two Isofix child seat mounting points on the rear bench. When the car was launched, it got a full five-star rating from <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">EuroNCAP</a>, making this a very safe city car at the time. However, this was dropped down to just three stars in 2019 when the testing criteria was altered to include more autonomous&nbsp;safety technology that wasn't available on the Mii, penalising its overall score.

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/seat/mii">used Mii</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/city">value cars</a> mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

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Seat Mii Hatchback

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

CITIGO

The terrific Skoda Citigo is extremely capable and cheap to run and makes excellent sense as a used purchase.

Used Skoda Citigo 2012-2020

You might have gathered over the years that the perky Skoda Citigo is a lot like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">Volkswagen Up</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/mii/hatchback/used-review/n822">Seat Mii</a> – in fact, they're almost identical.

That’s because all three cars shared the same basic structure, engines, gearboxes and so on. Park them side by side, remove the badges and you really would struggle to know which is which.

That’s actually rather good news for the Citigo, though, because it means it feels nearly as polished as its posher VW sibling in almost every way, and yet it is a little cheaper to buy on the used market. Better still, the Citigo, Up and Mii triumvirate all offer a&nbsp;surprisingly 'big car' feel despite their diminutive dimensions. And they are, in fact, the perfect dimensions for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">city car.</a>&nbsp;

Engines: The engine line-up was initially limited to a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder unit with either 59bhp or 74bhp. If you rarely venture out of town, the lower-powered engine is more than up to the job. For those who plan to use their Citigo for motorway commuting, the extra power of the 74bhp is worth it. True, it still doesn’t turn the Citigo into a rocketship, but it’s quick enough to keep up with most traffic.

Trims &amp; equipment: Entry-level S trim cars get a CD player but not a great deal else – even electric windows and remote central locking were&nbsp;left off the specification sheet. SE gets both of these, along with air conditioning and a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and Elegance (later renamed SE L) gives you alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, heated seats and sat-nav.

Beyond those, there are Sport and the later Monte Carlo models, but be warned that both come with a firmer suspension that can unsettle the ride.

In 2019 it was all change. The Skoda Citigo e iV was announced, and rather than just tinkering with the Citigo’s petrol engines they were ripped out and stuck straight in the bin.

Ride &amp;&nbsp;handling: In their place was an 82bhp electric motor that was powered by a 36.8kWh battery pack. In English, that’s enough juice for 162 miles of range in official tests. That’s some way behind the likes of the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">&nbsp;Renault Zoe</a>, but way more than the paltry range offered by the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/forfour-eq/hatchback/review/n18072">&nbsp;Smart Forfour EQ</a>, and even the more upmarket – and considerably more expensive – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/used-review/n906">Mini Electric</a>.

While the Citigo e iV's power&nbsp;might not sound particularly mighty, you can still be pretty sure of embarrassing most cars off the line at the traffic lights. Beyond city speed limits, though, the&nbsp;Renault Zoe&nbsp;has a definite speed advantage.&nbsp;The Citigo e iV will manage motorway journeys (its top speed is limited to 81mph), but its acceleration at those higher speeds isn’t as swift as it is at lower speeds; while it only takes a gentle squeeze of the right foot to nip into a different lane of traffic around town, it’s harder to extract an equivalent burst of speed when overtaking on the motorway.

It’s when you get moving that all versions, including the earlier petrol cars, of the Citigo really impress, though, on account of the car's supple, quiet and well-controlled ride that puts to shame many larger cars.

Combined with light controls, good visibility and excellent manoeuvrability, all versions of the smallest Skoda are a delight to drive in towns and cities, while also feeling planted on the motorway and not nearly as bothered by crosswinds as other small cars. We would advise looking for a car with the smaller 15in wheels and avoiding the (optional-from-new) sports suspension that some cars come with for the best ride comfort.

Interior &amp; practicality: The Citigo is spacious in the front with plenty of storage. The stereo looks a little basic but you can clip a separate sat-nav unit to the top of the dash that also includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connection and can be used to display the car’s trip computer.

You only get two seats in the back and leg room is tight if both driver and passenger behind are tall. However, with a shorter driver or rear occupant, there’s plenty of space, including generous head and elbow room.

The boot is deep enough to carry a weekly shop and you can get a false boot floor for all models to raise the load height. If you need more space, you can fold the rear seats almost flat. It’s worth noting that on entry-level S models the seatback is in one piece, whereas from SE onwards they are split in a 60/40 configuration.

The Citigo’s safety record is good, having scored a maximum five stars when crash-tested by Euro NCAP way back on its launch in 2011. However, it should be pointed out safety testing has grown a lot tougher since then. One feature worth seeking out is autonomous emergency braking, which is optional on all but entry-level S models and might just prevent a costly bump in the future.

The Citigo was given the mildest of midlife facelifts in early 2017. However, so slight were the changes that you’d be hard-pressed to tell. In 2019, as mentioned,&nbsp;all petrol-engined versions of the Citigo were dropped, leaving only the all-electric version on sale. In 2022 this went off sale too.&nbsp;

If you're interested in buying a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/skoda/citigo?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">used Skoda Citigo</a>, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">here</a>.

Page 1 of 5

Skoda Citigo Hatchback

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

CELERIO

The Suzuki Celerio is frugal and surprisingly spacious. Its interior feels low-rent, but it makes a very handsome used buy

Used Suzuki Celerio 2016-2019

A good&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-used-city-cars/n17033">used city car</a> isn't just an ideal&nbsp;companion for urban explorations, but it can also be a more cost-effective solution than taking the train. Indeed, some might say the&nbsp;great-value Suzuki Celerio is&nbsp;a far&nbsp;more reliable choice than any service that runs on&nbsp;National Rail, plus&nbsp;you get to choose your own music and not have to someone else's&nbsp;telephone conversation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Engines: There is only one engine,&nbsp;a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol that was offered in standard and&nbsp;'dualjet' guises, the latter&nbsp;of which offers&nbsp;better&nbsp;fuel economy. Power is&nbsp;driven&nbsp;through either a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022#3">automated manual</a> 'box. The&nbsp;performance of the Celerio&nbsp;certainly isn’t quick – no matter which gearbox you opt for&nbsp;– but it is quiet and smooth. It’s also thrifty at the fuel pumps, and CO2 emissions of under 100g/km of means cheap tax.

Trims &amp; equipment: There are three trims to choose from –&nbsp;SZ2, SZ3 and SZ4. The entry-level trim comes with 14in steel wheels, a CD player, and a&nbsp;DAB radio&nbsp;as standard, while upgrading to SZ3 adds 14in alloy wheels, air conditioning, remote central locking and&nbsp;Bluetooth&nbsp;connectivity. The range-topping SZ4 models come with all-round electric windows, front foglights, electrically adjustable wing mirrors and rear seat pockets.

Ride &amp; handling: Out on the road, it feels surprisingly grown up; it&nbsp;rides pretty well for something so short, with a degree of firmness but also a suppleness that does its best to keep its occupants comfortable. Meanwhile, its handling is composed and secure, helped by its low weight and natural agility.

Interior &amp;&nbsp;practicality: Inside, the driving position is good, and the Celerio is surprisingly spacious both front and rear, with a bigger boot than most of its similar-sized rivals. Its infotainment system is rather flaky, but it’s easy to connect a phone via Bluetooth, and, even if some of the plastics look a little cheap, everything seems well put together.

The Celerio only received a three-star <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> safety rating which is two stars short of the equivalent&nbsp;Skoda Citigo, but you still get six&nbsp;airbags and the&nbsp;safety net of an electronic stability program (ESP) as standard.

If you're interested in buying a used Suzuki Celerio&nbsp;or any of the other cars mentioned here, visit our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Cars For Sale</a> pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

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Suzuki Celerio Hatchback

IGNIS

A characterful small SUV, cheap to buy and ultra-reliable, but there are quieter and more comfortable options out there.

Used Suzuki Ignis Hatchback 2016-present

Cast your mind back to your elementary Latin lesson, and you’ll no doubt remember that ‘ignis’ is the word for ‘fire’. A bold name for a car, you might think – but rather than a comment on its flammability, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/ignis/hatchback/review/n17225">Suzuki Ignis</a> is so-named because its maker thought that&nbsp;it’d&nbsp;set your heart alight.

That was&nbsp;the intention of the deliberately head-turning styling, anyway. From its big, googly eyes to its wide stance and angular, chopped-off tail, the Ignis has always stood&nbsp;out in any crowd. And that’s good, because it has two crowds in which to mix: it’s priced and sized in contention with city cars such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">Volkswagen Up</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>, and yet its high-riding stance and the option of four-wheel drive mean it has the feel of a diminutive SUV a shade below the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/duster/estate/review/n67">Dacia Duster</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4-cactus/hatchback/used-review/n828">Citroen C4 Cactus</a> in size.

You initially got&nbsp;a choice of two petrol engines – well, to be more precise, it’s just the one option, a 1.2-litre petrol, but you could have had it&nbsp;either with or without assistance from a very small electric motor, making it a mild hybrid, which Suzuki calls SHVS.

The model range starts with the SZ3 version, which has the basics but little else, but moves up through the SZ-T and SZ5 versions, which are more generous. There’s also a rufty-tufty Adventure version, based on the SZ-T, with chunky body styling and side stripes making this Ignis even more extrovert.

The Ignis is quite an appealing thing inside, too. With its two-tone colour scheme and attractive lines, the dashboard is more interesting than many city cars’. True, it’s built out of hard, cheap-feeling plastics, but crucially the bits you touch regularly, such as the indicator stalks and switchgear, feel high-quality. Shame about the aftermarket touchscreen system fitted to SZ-T and SZ5 versions, though; it’s fiddly, complicated and none too easy on the eye.

Happily, there’s a useful amount of space in the Ignis, with seating for four adults perfectly feasible – a rarity in a car this small – and the boot’s a practical size too. Keep in mind that the SHVS has a smaller boot, though, as that’s where Suzuki’s had to find space for the extra electrical gubbins.

So what’s the Ignis like to drive? Well, a mixed bag, to be honest. There are some good bits here – for example, both engine options feel eager and keen to rev, which makes the Ignis feel perky around town. They sound good, too.

Meanwhile, good control of body lean and impressive grip make it agile in corners, despite its high-sided stance, and in the four-wheel-drive version, you can tackle muddy fields and slippery hills in confidence. And over larger bumps, the soft suspension cushions you rather well.

The trouble is, smaller bumps and potholes on town roads pose the Ignis a problem, as it jitters and fumbles over them. Other issues include the vague steering, which takes the shine off your fun in corners, and the wind and road noise, which build up at high speed, making long journeys rather tiresome. On the whole, though, while flawed, the Ignis is a characterful little car to drive.

If you're interested in buying a used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/ignis/hatchback/review/n17225">Suzuki Ignis&nbsp;</a>or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Cars For Sale</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Page 1 of 5

Suzuki Ignis Hatchback

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

AYGO

A used Toyota Aygo is stylish&nbsp;and frugal and comes with a terrific reliability record.&nbsp; However, some of its rivals are roomier, better to drive and more practical.

Used Toyota Aygo 2014-2021

The first-generation <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo/hatchback/review/n56">Toyota Aygo</a> was a sharply styled and well-screwed-together <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/city">city car</a> that soon gained a reputation for offering thrifty and economical motoring. It wasn’t a great car to drive, though, or even a particularly practical one to use, and lost its way a little when a rash of younger rivals from the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volkswagen">VW Group</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/kia">Kia</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai">Hyundai</a> stole its thunder.

The answer to those challenges came in this second-generation model – a more mature and yet even more rakishly styled car that was better armed to compete in the class of likeable tiny tots. It shared its underpinnings with the contemporary 2014-2022 Peugeot 108.&nbsp;

Engines: Just like the previous version, however, there’s only one engine available: a mildly updated version of the 68bhp (later increased to 71bhp after the 2018 facelift) 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit. If you want something faster, you'll have to go for either of its siblings (the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c1/hatchback/used-review/n871">Citroën&nbsp;C1</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/108/hatchback/used-review/n946">Peugeot 108</a>) because these come with a bigger&nbsp;1.2-litre engine&nbsp;with 81bhp.

A five-speed manual can be found in most examples, but&nbsp;a five-speed <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022#3">automated manual</a>&nbsp;is available. It isn't particularly smooth when changing gear, though, and it tends to be slow to respond when you want to accelerate.&nbsp;

Trims &amp; equipment: Seven trim levels have been offered: x, x-play, x-press, x-style, x-cite, x-clusiv and x-claim. Entry-level models get 14in steel wheels, LED day-running lights, front electric windows and USB connectivity as standard, while upgrading to x-play fits 15in steels, heated door mirrors, air conditioning, a DAB radio and Bluetooth to the package. Mid-range x-press trimmed cars are adorned with 15in alloy wheels, climate control, front foglights, and a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system complete with a reversing camera, while x-style adds a sporty looking bodykit to the Aygo.

The range-topping trims start with the x-cite, which comes with a red paint job, a black roof and alloys, and tinted rear windows, while x-clusiv&nbsp;will find automatic projector headlights, climate control and keyless entry and go. Completing the Aygo line-up is the limited edition x-claim model, which adds plenty of fresh air through its retractable burgundy-coloured roof. Later models tidied up the range a little and offered an x-trend trim.

Ride &amp; handling: On the road, the engine has to be worked hard for the Aygo to make decent progress, though, as with the older model, and it makes a noticeable thrum while going about its business, so refinement isn’t its strongest point. Pull away from a standstill and it suffers a prolonged flat spot and absence of power until 4000rpm, after which it is more eager. As a result, it has to be worked hard to make decent progress and you'll often need to change down a gear – especially on steep hills – to avoid losing speed.

But for such a small car, the Aygo rides and handles well. Its steering is light and fairly direct, and its turning circle is, as you'd imagine, tight, which is useful in city centres.&nbsp;It can get caught out by poor road surfaces and sharp imperfections, though; these&nbsp;can thwack through the small car's body. It has to be said that one or two of its rivals ride a little better.

Interior &amp; practicality: The only major issue is one of passenger space, especially in the rear. Up front, two taller people should be comfortable, but it's a different story in the rear. Taller passengers will find it very cramped and its rivals, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/used-review/n794">VW Up</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/used-review/n836">Skoda Citigo</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/used-review/n926">Kia Picanto</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n820">Hyundai i10</a>, all have more room, as well as having noticeably bigger boots.

If you're interested in finding a used Aygo, or any of the other city&nbsp;cars&nbsp;mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Page 1 of 5

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Toyota Aygo Hatchback

AYGO X

The Aygo X almost grasps a fourth star, largely due to its good driving experience and very low running costs.

Used Toyota Aygo X 2022-present

Is it a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-used-city-cars/n17033">city car</a>? Is it a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUV</a>? No, it's the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>!&nbsp;

That said, the Aygo X – pronounced Aygo Cross&nbsp;– is much more urban runaround than it is a wilderness explorer. Sure, it sits 11mm higher off the ground than the previous Aygo, for increased ground clearance and visibility, but its 4x4-inspired exterior doesn't translate underneath.&nbsp;

Unlike the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/ignis/hatchback/review/n17225">Suzuki Ignis</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/panda/hatchback/review/n128">Fiat Panda</a>, there isn't a&nbsp;four-wheel-drive Aygo X. You can only get the model with front-wheel drive, and&nbsp;the only engine available is a 71bhp 1.0-litre petrol unit – that's good for fuel economy, but not so much for off-roading. The gearbox options consist of a five-speed manual and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">CVT automatic gearbox</a>.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Looking for an older car?&nbsp;Read our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo/hatchback/used-review/n853">2014-2022 Toyota Aygo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo/hatchback/used-review/n653">2005-2014 Toyota Aygo</a>&nbsp;used buying guides</li>
</ul>

We can forgive the Aygo X's&nbsp;lack of off-road ability, but what's harder to do is overlook its lack of on-road grunt. Around town, its 71bhp is enough to get by, but getting up to motorway speeds demands a heavy right foot and some&nbsp;patience – officially, it'll do 0-62mph in&nbsp;14.9sec.

Despite only being slightly more powerful, the 82bhp engine in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> makes noticeably lighter work of high-speed roads.&nbsp;

Fortunately, the rest of the driving experience impresses. City cars can often feel top-heavy, reducing their handling prowess. They can also have busy, choppy rides, decreasing comfort. The Aygo X, while still firm, rides remarkably well for a city car, resisting body roll and soaking up bumps with relative ease.&nbsp;

Unlike previous Aygos, the Aygo X sits on&nbsp;a modified version of the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">Toyota Yaris's</a>&nbsp;mechanical underpinnings&nbsp;(and is all the better for it).&nbsp;&nbsp;

The steering response could be sharper, but there’s enough weighting to help you place the car accurately on the road. The Aygo X's turning circle is also helpfully&nbsp;tight.&nbsp;The five-speed manual offers a precise, satisfying shift as well.&nbsp;

Continuing with the good news, even the entry-level Pure trim gets you&nbsp;all the kit you’ll need, including&nbsp;17in alloy wheels, electric front windows, automatic headlights, air conditioning and touchscreen infotainment.

Mid-range Edge trim adds a two-tone paint finish, 18in alloy wheels, climate control, automatic wipers and rear privacy glass, while range-topping Exclusive trim gets you keyless ignition, LED headlights, ambient lighting and some faux-leather on the seats.

A Limited Edition version was on sale briefly – when the model launched in 2022 – and comes with heated front seats, an opening canvas sunroof, black alloy wheels and metallic green paint. The Air Edition also features that canvas sunroof, but gets the equipment of the Edge trim.&nbsp;

Inside, it's easy to find a comfortable&nbsp;driving position in the Aygo X – again, that's not something always present in city cars.&nbsp;The seat is height-adjustable and the steering wheel and pedals line up well. The instrument cluster has a 4.2in colour screen and displays useful information including your speed, fuel economy and media selection.

There are three different sizes of infotainment screen available for the Aygo X, yet&nbsp;all of them have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">&nbsp;Android Auto</a>&nbsp;smartphone mirroring. Entry-level Pure trim&nbsp;gets a 7.0in set-up, mid-range Edge has an 8.0in display, while&nbsp;Exclusive and Limited Edition get a 9.0in one.

The 9.0in screen has a much simpler main menu for your navigation, media and phone functions, while the 7.0 and 8.0in displays feature a far less intuitive layout (as used on older Toyota infotainment systems).&nbsp;

As a whole, the interior looks funky and feels well built, but there are a plethora of cheap-feeling materials everywhere. It's on par for the class, but some rivals, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>&nbsp;(in its high-spec trims),&nbsp;feel&nbsp;slightly more premium inside.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There's plenty of space on offer up front, with enough elbow room to avoid a cramped feel, as well as&nbsp;a decent amount of leg and head room for those over 6ft tall.&nbsp;In the rear, space is tight for adult passengers, while the canvas sunroof reduces head room further. With limited leg room and small side windows (which pop out instead of wind down), tall adults won't want to sit back there for too long.&nbsp;

The Aygo X’s 231-litre boot is pretty puny,&nbsp;with the&nbsp;i10&nbsp;and&nbsp;Picanto&nbsp;offering more than 250 litres. There's enough space for your weekly shop or a couple of carry-on suitcases, but the opening of the boot is rather small and there’s a very high lip, making it awkward to load larger items.

If you're interested in finding a&nbsp;used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>&nbsp;or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Cars For Sale</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.

Page 1 of 5

Toyota AYGO X Hatchback

The Vauxhall Viva is easy to drive in town and comfortable enough, but it does little to stand out against the best city cars

Used Vauxhall Viva 2015-2019

Although Vauxhall’s fortunes have fluctuated over the years, the brand still has a place in people’s affections in the UK. For many years, the firm’s most popular cars have earned regular places in the best-seller list, especially the practical <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/astra/hatchback/used-review/n17406">Astra</a> hatchback and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/insignia/hatchback/review/n17370">Insignia</a> executive mile-muncher, and many are those who have learned to drive in a humble <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/used-review/n799">Corsa</a>.

With the launch of the Viva in 2015, Vauxhall entered the city car class, taking the fight directly to such strong tiny-tot competitors as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/used-review/n820">Hyundai i10</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/used-review/n926">Kia Picanto</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/celerio/hatchback/used-review/n924">Suzuki Celerio</a>. Its name revived&nbsp;memories of the firm’s popular small saloon of the 1960s, and the car came&nbsp;with cheeky styling and room for five. It initially sold well, but went off sale in 2019, soon after the firm's purchase by the French PSA Group.&nbsp;

The only engine on offer under its compact bonnet is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit, and it does without the turbocharger that is de rigueur on most small engines of its type these days. However, this helps keep the car light, with the Viva tipping the scales at just 950kg – this should promise reasonable performance and efficiency.

Trim levels are kept simple – SE, SE Nav and SL. Entry-level models come with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, heated wing mirrors and cruise control. Upgrade to SL and you will find 15in alloy wheels, a leather-clad steering wheel, climate control and Vauxhall’s OnStar concierge system complete with a wi-fi hotspot. SE Nav adds sat-nav and a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system to everything you get with SE trim. It also adds all-important air conditioning.

In addition, there’s a Rocks model that brings a light off-road-style makeover and a ride height that's 18mm higher for a more 'SUV' look.

On the road, the Viva’s engine is very smooth and delivers its power progressively, so it's perfectly acceptable around town. Get onto faster roads, though, and you’ll need to change down a couple of gears and rev it hard if you want even a moderate burst of acceleration. In terms of top speed and acceleration, its figures, while unimpressive on paper, actually match those of most of its main rivals. The car comes with a five-speed manual gearbox that's nice to use, with a pleasingly smooth action. However, unlike many of its rivals, there's no automatic option, so you'll need to look elsewhere if that's a deal breaker.

The Viva rides rough roads pretty well, too, with a soft and supple touch over town irregularities. It’s not the most spirited of cars to drive overall, unsurprisingly, but it handles tidily and grips well, despite a lot of body lean in bends taken quickly. Its steering is a bit vague, too, so this won’t inspire keener drivers, but it’s at least light and easy to use around town.

Despite being short and quite tall, the Viva is fairly refined on motorways, with not much in the way of wind noise to disturb things and the engine note is fairly subdued. The only blot is a fair dollop of road noise, but this is much the same for its rivals.

Inside is a solid-feeling but rather straightforward interior that lacks a little sparkle and can also feel a bit cheap in places. The driver's seat is adjustable in height, while the steering wheel is adjustable in height but, alas, not in reach. All the dials and controls are logically placed and easy to read.

Space-wise, there’s plenty of room up front and access to the rear is good, thanks to the five-door layout. Rear space is a little limited, however, especially for those six-foot or above, and the boot is one of the smallest in this class. Safety could also be better, because the Viva scored just three stars out of five when tested by Euro NCAP.

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<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Vauxhall Viva Hatchback

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

The VW Up is one of the best city cars and a great used buy.&nbsp;

Used Volkswagen Up 2012-2023

Originally launched to a grateful public in 2012 and updated in 2016 and 2020, the diminutive Volkswagen Up has been a huge sales success for Volkswagen and is now a great used buy.

The best thing about it is that it's never really felt&nbsp;like a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> – not in the way it drives, the material choices of its interior or the way it&nbsp;rides. It’s only when you get out of it and see how much space is left over in a standard parking space that you remember that you’re in a bantam Volkswagen.

The Up took&nbsp;a lot of the design elements of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo/hatchback/review/n56">Toyota Aygo</a>&nbsp;but gave&nbsp;them a Germanic spin by combining it with the quality of the contemporary&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/used-review/n776">Volkswagen Golf</a>.

Somehow, during this process, it managed&nbsp;to create a very stylish car with an identity all of its own. The Up is still&nbsp;cute,&nbsp;with big, bug-eye headlights, tiny 15in&nbsp;wheels that are pushed out each corner, and a boxy rear end with a neat glass hatch that sports an oversized badge. Its looks were further enhanced by those refreshes, both of which trimmed the engine range and tweaked the styling.&nbsp;

The other thing the Up copied from the Aygo is its four-seat layout. While that does mean that those travelling in the back are less squished together, alternatives such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/celerio/hatchback/review/n24">Suzuki Celerio</a> are more practical, because they offer a third belt in the rear&nbsp;and would be better choices for those who need a five-seat car.

Engines &amp; Performance: The Up started life with a&nbsp;1.0-litre three-cylinder engine in two states of tune: 59bhp and 74bhp. Later models offered two additional 1.0-litre&nbsp;engines: a turbocharged version with 89bhp and a 113bhp turbo in the sporty GTI model. There's also an all-electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/e-up/hatchback/used-review/n17989">VW e-Up</a>. From 2020 onwards, the only petrol Ups were the 59bhp 1.0 (recently upgraded to 64bhp) and the revised GTI.&nbsp;

Trims &amp; equipment: The later models include an entry-level Take Up trim that&nbsp;isn’t blessed with much standard equipment;&nbsp;even air conditioning isn’t on the list (it can’t be added as an option, either). Move Up trim gets you air-con, as well as electric front windows, remote central locking, a full-size spare wheel, split-folding rear seats and a height-adjustable boot floor. Both trims are available only with the 59bhp engine.

Next comes High Up trim, which is offered with the 74bhp and 89bhp engines only and comes with a much more impressive kit list. This includes a more sophisticated 5.0in infotainment system, 15in alloy wheels, heated front seats, electrically adjustable and&nbsp;heated door mirrors,&nbsp;front foglights and a leather steering wheel and gearlever.

The Up Beats is a separate trim available with all three engines. It's slightly less lavishly equipped than the High Up, but if you love your music you won't care about that, because it brings a much more powerful sound system.&nbsp;

Ride &amp; Handling: On the road, the two lower-powered engines are a little weedy, so we'd recommend seeking out&nbsp;the 89bhp version. It brings much punchier acceleration, particularly at low revs, making the Up far more relaxing to drive and a much more competent out-of-town car.&nbsp; The 113bhp engine is exclusively offered in the range-topping&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n17310">Up GTI</a>&nbsp;and can propel the tiny car to 62mph in just 8.8sec. There’s also an all-electric version called the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n17244">e-Up</a>, which has been substantially updated over the years. It feels genuinely nippy around town, although acceleration quickly tails off above 40mph.&nbsp;

The Up manages to be both really good fun to drive and&nbsp;remarkably smooth riding. This is partly helped by the smaller wheels on offer, but also by the high levels of grip the car manages to achieve. The controls are a pleasure to use; the&nbsp;gearshift&nbsp;and clutch are easy to operate smoothly and the steering is light yet precise – ideal for low-speed manoeuvres such as parallel parking. But it weighs up nicely during high-speed cornering, inspiring confidence in the Up’s handling.

Interior &amp;&nbsp;Practicality: Tall drivers benefit from a wide range of seat adjustment, although only mid-range Move Up and higher trims get driver’s seat height adjustment as standard. Some people might find the seat a little firm and flat, although side support is good, helping to hold you in place through corners. It’s a shame that the Up’s steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach (it only moves up and down).&nbsp;

For such a small car, the Up is certainly spacious in the front. There’s lots of leg room for tall adults and head room is equally generous. There’s plenty of room for elbows, too.&nbsp;The Up's boxy dimensions mean the roof doesn’t taper towards the rear of the car, so there's almost as much head room in the back as there is in the front. Leg room is&nbsp;reasonable by the standards of the class, although if you plan to carry adults in the back on a regular basis the Hyundai i10 is a roomier option.

The Up has a decent enough boot that's usefully square in shape and large enough for a few shopping bags or a couple of soft luggage cases. However, the rival Kia Picanto has a much bigger load bay so is a better choice if you need to carry lots of luggage.

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/up?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">used VW Up</a>, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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