Best of
Best small cars 2026 plus the one to avoid – tried & tested
Small hatchbacks make a lot of sense, especially if you live in the city. However, there are an awful lot to choose from, so here we count down the top 10 – and reveal the model to avoid
Darren Moss
Updated: 24 October 2026
You might think that with SUVs dominating the sales charts these days, the humble small car might have dropped off a proverbial cliff, but the truth is that plenty of car buyers are on the look out for a smaller model – especially if they live in the city.
Sometimes referred to as superminis, small cars come in more varieties than ever before. There are some which offer three doors, some with five, some with electric power, and even some which you can have with the kind of chunky bodywork which makes them look like SUVs. And speaking of electric cars, that is worth considering if you can charge up at home or at work, since if you can there's the prospect of dramatically lowering your running costs compared with a purely combustion-engined car.
In this story, we'll reveal our picks for the best small cars, plus the model we think you should avoid. But the headline is that the MG4 Urban tops our list as the best small car, helped by its long range and decent practicality. If the MG doesn't float your boat, then the Toyota Aygo X and Renault 5 are also top-drawer options to consider.
How we chose the best small cars
Small cars are very popular in the UK, which is why we continually test the latest cars in the class to see whether the rankings change. We also keep a close eye on trim levels, engine options and pricing of existing cars in the class to see how the numbers stack up.
From a selection of 20,000-plus people who take part in our annual reader survey, we take into account the real-world experiences of existing small car owners, so we can give you the best possible advice. And based on that, we've placed a particular emphasis on reliability, buying and ownership costs and a comfortable driving position.
There are many other factors to consider when choosing a small car, such as standard equipment, safety, performance and boot space. To find out more, you can head to our how we test cars feature.
Best small cars to buy now – and how to get the best deal
Make and modelBest forWhy it makes our listMG4 UrbanOur overall best small carAggressive pricing, excellent safety rating, plenty of standard kitToyota Aygo XHybrid powerVery economical, good to drive, long warrantyRenault 5Retro charmGrown-up driving manners, great infotainment system, aggressive pricingSeat IbizaDriving enjoymentGreat to drive, punchy engines, user-friendly interiorRenault ClioSpace and practicalitySmart interior, practical boot, good ride and handling balance
What's new?
-
October 2026: list reordered based on our most recent tesing, as well as adding new tables at the top of the story, and making it clearer how we arrive at our conclusions.
The What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now
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MG4 Urban
Best buy: 53.9kWh Comfort Long Range Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.5 sec
Range: 258 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 577 litres
Insurance group: 23A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Aggressive pricing and plenty of kit
- Much more practical than similar-priced alternatives
- Five-star Euro NCAP rating
Weaknesses
- Laggy infotainment system
- Peak charging speed isn't that quick
- Suspension noise
Despite sharing part of its name with a car from the class above, the MG4 Urban is, in fact, an entirely different model.
The cheapest versions get a 148bhp motor driving their front wheels – with the 0-62mph sprint taking 9.6sec. Long Range mmodels drop that time to 9.5sec thansk to having a slightly more powerful motor, but also a larger and heavier battery.
Speaking of the battery, Standard Range models offer an official range of 201 miles from a 41.9kWh (usable capacity) unit, while Long Range models get a 52.8kWh battery for an official range of 258 miles. In both cases, that's slightly further than the rival Renault 5 will take you.
Despite its bargain price, there's nothing to put you off the Urban's interior. Yes, there are hard plastics on display around the dashboard, but there's also padding on the door armrests and some nice stitched faux suede material dotted around.
Going for entry level Comfort trim still gets you a good amount of kit, including 16in wheels, adaptive cruise control and a heat pump for more efficient warming of the car's interior. Go for the Long Range model and you have the option to upgrade to Premium trim, which adds larger wheels, heated front seats and a 360-degree parking camera.
“The MG4 Urban won’t be eligible for the government’s official EV grant, so I think it’s great MG has decided to offer its own ‘grant’ with a guaranteed £1500 saving on the list price.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth MG4 Urban review
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
MG4 Urban
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £257.85 Initial payment £3,094.20
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,339 total upfront (£3,094 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Toyota Aygo X
Best buy: 1.5h Icon CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.2 sec
MPG/range: 74.34 mpg
C02 emissions: 87 g/km
Seats: 4
Boot: 0 litres
Insurance group: 16A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Very economical to run
- Well equipped and good to drive
- Warranty lasts for up to 10 years
Weaknesses
- Cramped in the back
- Smaller boot than rivals
- Top-spec trims are considerably costlier
Until recently, the Aygo X was only available with a dinky petrol engine, but now it's available with a fuel-sipping hybrid setup, and that means you can have all of the benefits of a regular hybrid car, in one which doesn't cost you very much to buy and which is small enough to take advantage of ever-tightening parking spaces.
And thanks to its new engine, the Aygo X feels pleasantly nippy in city traffic. The 0-60mph sprint is taken care of in a very reasonable 9.2 seconds, which is only around half a second slower than the rival Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid.
There are some compromises to be made, of course, such as tight rear leg room and a boot which won't fit much more than your weekly shop, but it's hard to imagine a car more well suited to driving in the city. Certainly, the Aygo X's light steering and tight turning circle could give a London taxi a run for its money.
The Aygo X should be dependable, too, because Toyota is consistently a top performer in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey. And in the small chance that something does go wrong, you'll have the reassurance of Toyota's market-leading warranty to fall back on.
“If I mainly drove in the city, I'd look towards an Aygo X, not only because I like the way it looks, but also because of its official fuel economy figure of up to 76.3mpg” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Toyota Aygo X review
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £19,995
RRP from: £21,645
Nearly new deals
From £13,500
Leasing deals
From £223
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Toyota Aygo X
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £222.51 Initial payment £2,670.12
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,915 total upfront (£2,670 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Renault 5
Best buy: comfort range 52kWh techno+ Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.9 sec
Range: 259 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 326 litres
Insurance group: 22E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Grown-up driving manners
- Great infotainment system
- Aggressive pricing – particularly after grants
Weaknesses
- Rear leg room is tight
- MG4 Urban has a much bigger boot
- Cheapest trim misses out on Google infotainment functions
You could slice our top three cars here many ways, but ultimately our overall Car of the Year in 2025, the Renault 5 E-Tech (also known as the R5) takes third place. Why? Well, it's undoubtedly a great small electric car, but it's just pipped for value by the MG4 Urban above, and both models require a little more compromise than the Toyota Aygo X which tops our list.
Still, if you decide that going electric is right for you, then you'll love the Renault 5. From its cheeky styling to its tech-heavy interior, this is an electric car which may look a bit retro, but is thoroughly forward-facing.
Our recommended Comfort Range model has an official range of up to 253 miles, which should be more than enough for the needs of most families. It's punchy, too, with the 148bhp electric motor offering enough pep to beat the Citroen e-C3 and Hyundai Inster up to motorway speeds.
The 5 is a practical choice, too, with lots of space up front and a bigger boot than what you'd find in the rival Fiat 500 or Mini Cooper.
All versions of the R5 qualify for the Government's electric car grant – and our recommended Comfort Range models get the full £3750 saving, which helps to offset their higher list prices.
We don't have bespoke Reliability Survey data for the R5 yet, but we can tell you that Renault finished in a fairly disappointing 20th position out of 30 car brands in our 2025 survey. At least you get a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty on most components should anything go wrong.
“Renault's Google-based infotainment system is a breeze to use, and I liked how I could change the look of the digital instrument cluster at the touch of a button” – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Renault 5 review
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Available now from: £23,395
RRP from: £22,995
Nearly new deals
From £23,695
Leasing deals
From £251
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Renault 5
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £250.96 Initial payment £3,011.52
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,257 total upfront (£3,012 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Seat Ibiza
Best buy: 1.0 TSI SE Technology Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 11 sec
MPG/range: 55.4 mpg
C02 emissions: 115 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 355 litres
Insurance group: 12E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Great to drive
- Punchy engines
- User-friendly interior
Weaknesses
- Lots of road noise
- There are punchier rivals available
- Iffy reliability record
If you're looking for a small car which feels great to drive, then the Seat Ibiza should be pretty high on your shortlist. That's because it's the best-handling car in the class, with precise and communicative steering, and plenty of front-end grip. That means you can carry more speed into corners, and exit out the other side with a big smile across your face.
While there's no electric version on offer – and no plug-in hybrid model, either – the Ibiza's line-up of petrol engines is still good. Our favourite version is also the cheapest, and though its 94bhp output might not sound like much, its peppy nature means that making progress is easy. Indeed, we saw it sprint from 0-60mph in a reasonable 9.8sec in our tests.
The Ibiza seats you lower down inside the car than many rivals, with a seat that's comfortable and supportive, and with a wheel that's easily adjustable for your driving position. There's plenty of space for taller folk to stretch out in the front of the car, while space in the back is on par with the Skoda Fabia. And that is to say that it's very good indeed.
The boot is generous by the standards of the small car class, too. We managed to fit five carry-on suitcases inide, which is the same amount that the Renault Clio managed, and one less than the Fabia.
“While I appreciate that the Fabia is roomier overall, the Ibiza proved spacious enough to fit me and three friends without any discomfort.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Seat Ibiza review
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Best price from £16,450
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £16,450
RRP from: £21,610
Nearly new deals
From £16,500
Leasing deals
From £185
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Seat Ibiza
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £184.98 Initial payment £2,219.76
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,465 total upfront (£2,220 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Renault Clio
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Smart interior is packed with equipment
- Good ride and handling balance
- Practical boot
Weaknesses
- Tight for taller adults in the rear seats
- Slightly firm low-speed ride
- High boot loading lip
Not only is the Renault clio good to drive, with agile handling and more engagement than you'd find in the rival Skoda Fabia or Suzuki Swift, but its suspension setup ensures a good balance between comfort and driving dynamics. In short, the Clio is a small car which can quite easily raise a smile as you weave it along a country road.
That's true no matter which version you choose, too. While the hybrid version mixes peppy performance with the prospect of low running costs – the official figures suggest that 67.3mpg is possible – but even the less 1.0-litre petrol option has plenty of power for everyday driving. Indeed, this is the version we think you should choose.
Pair that engine with Techno trim and you'll find that the Clio comes loaded with goodies, with everything from a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system to all-round parking sensors and even a rear-view camera coming as standard.
And while you might imagine that this kind of greatness would come at the steep price, the Clio actually undercuts both the Fabia and the Swift on price, as well as the Honda Jazz.
So why doesn't the Clio place higher on this list of the best small cars? Well, some rivals offer more space for taller passengers in the rear seats, and loading items into the boot is tricky due to a relatively high lip.
“I found the physical switches below the touchscreen and to the right of the steering column (for functions such as deactivating the lane-keeping assistance) much easier to operate than touch-sensitive equivalents.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Renault Clio review
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Best price from £16,995
Nearly new deals
From £16,074
Leasing deals
From £200
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Renault Clio
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £199.84 Initial payment £2,398.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,643 total upfront (£2,398 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Nissan Micra
Best buy: Extended Range 52kWh Advance Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 8 sec
Range: 260 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 326 litres
Insurance group: 22E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Smart and user-friendly interior
- Competitively priced
Weaknesses
- A bit tight in the back
- No cupholders
- Minimal discounts
As the starting point for a truly great small car, the latest Nissan Micra has quite the edge – you see, it's the sibling to the Renault 5 which appears further up this list.
That means that many of the R5's positive attributes apply here too. And sure enough, there's the same sprightly performance and comfortable ride, plus more agility than you might expect from a relatively heavy electric car. And while the Mini Cooper Electric SE might be a bit quicker up to motorway speeds, the Micra still has the edge over the Citroën ë-C3 or Fiat 500e.
We'd go for the more powerful of the two Micra versions on offer, because as well as more oomph (its electric motor puts out 148bhp compared with 121bhp in the standard car) you also get a larger 52kWh (usable capacity) battery with an official range of 260 miles between charges.
Like the R5, the Micra has an interior that's smart, modern and surprisingly plush for a car in this price bracket. The driving position is comfortable, and the Micra is easier to see out of than the Cooper Electric. And although the rear screen is small, you get rear parking sensors as standard.
It's a shame that taller passengers will feel quite cramped in the Micra's rear seats, although children and smaller adults will be fine for short journeys. The BYD Dolphin Surf is noticably more spacious for longer-legged passengers.
“I like the level of customisation on offer; the Micra is available in 14 exterior colour combinations, including two-tone options for a black or grey roof.” – Claire Evans, Consumer editor
Read our in-depth Nissan Micra review
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Best price from £19,495
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £19,495
RRP from: £22,995
Nearly new deals
From £20,052
Leasing deals
From £209
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Nissan Micra
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £209.02 Initial payment £2,508.24
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,753 total upfront (£2,508 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Honda Jazz
Best buy: 1.5 h i-MMD Elegance eCVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.4 sec
MPG/range: 62.8 mpg
C02 emissions: 102 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 304 litres
Insurance group: 21A
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Spacious interior with flexible rear seats
- Lots of standard equipment
- Efficient engine
Weaknesses
- Very pricey by small car standards
- Not the quietest cruiser
- Some rivals are more fun
The Jazz's space and seating flexibility – including rear seat bases that flip up like those in a cinema – puts other small cars to shame. But crucially it's not just a box on wheels; it’s brilliant even if you take practicality out of the equation.
Its 121bhp hybrid engine, for example, delivers strong performance and excellent real-world fuel economy. And the setup does a good job of choosing when to prioritise electric and petrol power. That means more of the former when you're cruising around town, and more of the latter on faster roads.
Meanwhile, the Jazz is one of the most comfortable small cars around. Its suspension might be on the firm side, but the Jazz wafts along smoothly, and does a better job of rounding out rough road edges than the rival MG3 and Citroën C3.
You get plenty of kit as standard, too. Even entry-level Elegance cars come with 15in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers and adaptive cruise control, while range-topping models come with luxuries including a rear spoiler and suede upholstery.
Only a steep purchase price stops the Jazz from placing further up this list, although slow depreciation partially makes up for this and also ensures PCP finance rates are competitive.
“The Jazz’s three-knob air-con set-up is easy to adjust on the move and large cut-outs in its windscreen pillars mean you have a great view out when tackling roundabouts and junctions. I found the Jazz exceptionally easy to live with.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
Read our in-depth Honda Jazz review
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £23,999
RRP from: £28,475
Nearly new deals
From £23,490
Leasing deals
From £253
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Honda Jazz
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £253.17 Initial payment £3,038.04
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,283 total upfront (£3,038 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Volkswagen Polo
Best buy: 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 10.8 sec
MPG/range: 55.4 mpg
C02 emissions: 116 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 351 litres
Insurance group: 9E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Generous interior space
- Smart interior
Weaknesses
- Fiddly touch-sensitive controls
- More expensive to buy than some rivals
- VW’s reliability record
Volkswagen's latest Polo is available with a broad range of engines and trim levels, ensuring that there's something for almost everyone in the line-up.
Our pick of the range is the 1.0-litre TSI 95. It might have only 94bhp, but it's plenty for the small Polo and means that it pulls away strongly from low revs. It's a pretty efficient little unit, too, officially returning 55mpg if you have it with a manual gearbox.
You can get a more powerful 114bhp 1.0-litre engine, which feels a little stronger across the rev range. But given that it also costs a fair amount more, we'd rather save our money.
The Polo also has a classy interior that's well equipped even in entry-level Life trim, though we'd prefer to jump up to mid-range Match, which won't cost you much more to buy. And few small cars are as good at soaking up bumps in the road or do a better job of suppressing wind and road noise on the motorway.
Previously, the Polo has lost out to the rival Seat Ibiza because it couldn’t justify its additional expense, but the impressive deals and monthly finance rates that are often available mean that's no longer an issue. Then again, the Ibiza is still more fun to drive.
"I found rear leg room almost as plentiful as in the Honda Jazz, although there’s less head room and a big hump in the floor for the middle passenger to straddle. The front seat slides back a long way to accommodate long-legged drivers.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Polo review
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Best price from £17,990
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £17,990
RRP from: £22,310
Nearly new deals
From £16,049
Leasing deals
From £198
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Volkswagen Polo
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £198.34 Initial payment £2,380.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,625 total upfront (£2,380 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Skoda Fabia
Best buy: 1.0 TSI SE Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 10.7 sec
MPG/range: 56.5 mpg
C02 emissions: 113 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 380 litres
Insurance group: 11E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Huge boot
- Relatively spacious
- Fairly supple ride
Weaknesses
- Cheap-feeling interior
- Not as practical as the Honda Jazz
- Entry-level engine only suited to town driving
While it's not the cheapest new car you can buy, the latest Skoda Fabia is still very well priced, undercutting most rivals – including the closely related Volkswagen Polo.
True, the interior of the Fabia is a bit drab, but there's excellent space for both passengers and luggage; only the Honda Jazz is significantly more practical.
It's also worth noting that the Fabia is more comfortable and a lot safer than the Dacia Sandero; the independent experts at Euro NCAP awarded it five stars out of five, whereas the Sandero managed just two stars.
We think the latest Fabia is best sampled in 1.0-litre petrol form, in SE Edition trim. In fact, it's the same 94bhp petrol engine which we recommend in the Polo further up this list. And just as in that car, it offers peppy performance while returning decent fuel economy.
The Fabia's ride is softer than that of the rival Renault Clio and Seat Ibiza, meaning it does a good job of smoothing over lumps and bumps in the road.
A three-year, 60,000-mile warranty comes as standard, which isn't all that special in the small car class. The Hyundai i20, for example, comes with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
“Boot space is impressive, although I think it’s a bit of a shame the Fabia misses out on the Clio’s height-adjustable floor.” – George Hill, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Skoda Fabia review
New car deals
Best price from £18,160
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £18,160
RRP from: £21,240
Nearly new deals
From £15,495
Leasing deals
From £186
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Skoda Fabia
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £186.07 Initial payment £2,232.84
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£2,478 total upfront (£2,233 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
BYD Dolphin Surf
Best buy: 43.2kWh Boost Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 12.1 sec
Range: 200 miles
Seats: 4
Boot: 308 litres
Insurance group: 14A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- One of the cheapest EVs on sale
- Bigger-battery versions have a respectable range
- Well-equipped from entry
Weaknesses
- Heavy predicted depreciation
- Feeble range of entry-level Active version
- Front space is slightly limited for taller drivers
No, the BYD Dolphin Surf is not a special edition of the BYD Dolphin. It is, in fact, a completely different car that's smaller and cheaper to buy. But it's also rather good.
You see, despite undercutting key rivals like the Citroën ë-C3 and Renault 5 by thousands of pounds, the Dolphin Surf actually looks and feels smart inside. And whie there are hard plastics on display, but the quality edges out the competition in most respects. There's even artificial fabric on some of the more prominent surfaces.
Entry-level versions of the Dolphin Surf get a 30kWh (usable capacity) battery which offers an official range of just 137 miles, along with an 87bhp electric motor. The mid-range Boost version ups the range to 200 miles, but because of its heavier battery, it actually takes longer to get to 62mph. The range-topping Boost model is our favourite: this gets the bigger battery but also more powerful 154bhp motor.
The Renault 5 offers sharper handling and more accurate steering, as well as a more settled ride, but the Dolphin Surf, for the price, is still very recommendable. It's also practical, with far more head and leg room for rear passengers than you'd find in some cheaper electric cars.
"Although the Dolphin Surf is generously equipped overall, I do find it odd that you get adaptive cruise control on the cheapest trim but have to upgrade to the range-topping model if you want heated seats." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth BYD Dolphin Surf review
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New car deals
Best price from £15,500
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £15,500
RRP from: £18,675
Nearly new deals
From £13,995
Leasing deals
From £270
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
BYD Dolphin Surf
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £270.18 Initial payment £3,242.16
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,487 total upfront (£3,242 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
And the small car to avoid...
MG3
This hybrid hatchback offers a smart interior and an attractive price, but it's disappointing to drive and isn't very practical
Read our review
How to choose the best small car
Small cars are hugely popular, and they’re particularly well suited if you live in the city and need something easy to park and cheap to run. You might be looking at a small car if you’re buying your first vehicle, or if you just need something that will get you from A to B with ease.
But is a small car right for you? Here we explain the key factors you should consider before buying one.
How much interior space do you need?
As you might have guessed, most small cars aren’t designed to carry round big tribes or lots of luggage on a regular basis. If you’re in the market for one, it’s likely that you’ll only need space inside for a couple of passengers and a weekly shop.
However, small cars can vary greatly in how much headroom, legroom and boot space they offer, which is why it’s important to make sure they can accommodate y
Small cars used to be bought mostly as first cars or by people with no children – but, over the years, some models have become large enough to be considered fully-fledged family runabouts, albeit without as much practicality as a larger family car or SUV.
If you are planning on carting kids about, it’s ideal not only for a car to be relatively spacious (even if it’s small), but also accessible. Look out for things like five doors instead of three, space for three passengers in the back, a small loading lip in the boot and Isofix mounts for fitting car seats.
Are you looking for low running costs?
Small cars are a great option for newer drivers or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on buying and running a vehicle. That’s because they’re generally cheaper as a new purchase, and they don’t tend to guzzle fuel as much as larger cars – especially if you opt for one with electric power.
Indeed, small cars come with all sorts of power options nowadays, including those with hybrid assistance. That’s where the combustion engine is joined by a small electric motor for a bit of extra pep and lower fuel bills. Some of the most economical cars we’ve tested are hybrid small cars, but even dinky cars without that electrical assistance make the list.
Of course, there’s also the option of owning a fully electric small car, which can be especially economical if you’re able to charge up at home or at work.
Small cars also tend to be cheap to insure, since they’re often powered by smaller, less potent engines or motors, as well as being economical and easy to repair. That’s why they can be a cost-effective option for new drivers, who tend to face higher insurance costs where they don’t have as much experience on the road.
Are small cars easier to drive than bigger cars?
As a general rule, you have more wiggle room on the road with a small car than with a bigger car. They’re compact in size, which makes it easy to squeeze through small gaps and fit into parking bays, and they tend to have a tighter turning circle, making them easier to manoeuvre. For those reasons, they’re ideal for urban driving, where streets are narrower.
However, if you drive a lot on faster roads, you might find that small cars lack the acceleration to get them up to motorway speeds briskly due to their less powerful engines. And, once you’re up to those speeds, small cars don’t tend to feel quite as stable or assured on the open road as a larger car, sometimes due to lighter steering or noticeable body lean.
Of course, this isn’t the case with every small car. However, if you want something that’s compact but has a stronger presence, a higher driving position and more punch, it might be worth looking at a small SUV.
Small cars aren’t generally designed for long trips, either, so if you regularly travel a lot of miles, it might be worth investing in something more comfortable.
Should I buy a small car?
Buy one if:
- You don’t need lots of space for passengers or luggage
- You don’t want to spend a lot on buying and running costs
- You want something compact that’s easy to manoeuvre and park
Don’t buy one if:
- You regularly carry around multiple passengers and lots of luggage
- You want something with quick acceleration for motorway driving
- You want to complete regular long journeys in comfort
FAQs
Which small car offers the best value for money?
Value means different things to different people, but to us a small car majoring in value must be deceptively spacious, frugal and good to drive – and can't cost a lot to buy. When all those attributes are considered, we think the best value small car is the Renault Clio.
The latest Clio is more spacious than some small car rivals and, crucially, costs less than most of them to buy too.
What is the most reliable small car?
Every year, our Reliability Survey collects the real-world experiences of car owners to reveal which models are faultless – and which are nothing but trouble. Our most recent data suggests that the most reliable small car is the Hyundai i10, which gained a perfect score of 100%, meaning no owners who completed our survey experienced any issues in the previous year. Other reliable small cars include the Toyota Aygo X, which has a reliability score of 99.7%, and the Mini Cooper, which has a score of 99.1%.
What is the best used small car?
We think the Honda Jazz is the best small car to buy used. Not only will it be cheap to run, thanks to its hybrid setup, but data from our Reliability Survey is encouraging. Even though you could bag a used Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza or Toyota Yaris for similar money, the Jazz's is our go-to choice for used buyers and our reigning Used Hatchback of the Year.
You can expect to pay around £11,500 for a high-mileage Honda Jazz at the moment, but you should budget around £15,000 for a car from 2022 onwards.
What is the cheapest small car?
At the time of writing, the Dacia Sandero was the UK's cheapest small car, with a price which undercuts that of even the tiny Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10. Bear in mind that'll get you the bare-bones Essential model, which doesn't come with a lot of kit. We'd recommend spending a little more on a mid-range Expression model, which comes with neccessities such as rear parking sensors, keyless entry and automatic lights and wipers.
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