Best small cars 2024 plus the one to avoid – tried & tested

The latest Renault Clio is a fantastic all-rounder, offering the kind of space, comfort and convenience which you’d normally expect to pay top dollar for. Yet the Clio actually undercuts most of its rivals on price – including our former favourite in this class, the Honda Jazz.

You can fit more into the Clio’s boot than you can into that of the rival Skoda Fabia. And while the Fabia is slightly quicker, the Clio’s more responsive steering and tighter body control makes it the more enjoyable car to drive.

Despite this, ride comfort is good. Plus, the interior is smartly finished, with a portrait-oriented infotainment screen that looks great and is quick to respond to inputs.

For those reasons, the Renault Clio is our reigning Small Car of the Year.

“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

The Jazz's space and seating flexibility – including rear seat bases that flip up like those in a cinema – puts other small cars to shame. But crucially it's not just a box on wheels; it’s brilliant even if you take practicality out of the equation.

Its hybrid engine, for example, delivers strong performance and excellent real-world fuel economy. Meanwhile, a soothing ride and generous luxury and safety equipment add further to its appeal.

Only a steep purchase price stops it topping this list, although slow depreciation partially makes up for this and also ensures PCP finance rates are competitive.

“The Jazz’s three-knob air-con set-up is easy to adjust on the move and large cut-outs in its windscreen pillars mean you have a great view out when tackling roundabouts and junctions. I found the Jazz exceptionally easy to live with.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth Honda Jazz review

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.

“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.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Skoda Fabia review

It might be based on the same underpinnings as its predecessor, but the latest Suzuki Swift does get a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. It's not turbocharged like the engines you'll find in most rivals, but it makes the most of its 81bhp and feels perfectly peppy for most situations.

Unlike most rivals, you can have the Swift with four-wheel drive – and those models carry the Allgrip badge. Those cars also get a jacked-up ride height, so look like a cross between a small car and a small SUV. No matter which version of the Swift you go for, you get mild hybrid technology to help lower your fuel bills.

The Swift has a footprint that's smaller than most rivals, but despite that, it's not as cramped inside as you might fear. Indeed, a couple of six-footers will be perfectly fine on the rear bench, with more head and leg room than they'd find in the rival Dacia Sandero.

“Its interior might be mostly made of plastics, but a broad range of colours and textures mean that it does at least look and feel interesting – plus it all feels built to last” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

Read our in-depth Suzuki Swift review

Like the Suzuki Ignis, the Toyota Aygo X combines rugged SUV looks with city-friendly dimensions, but it's a far more rounded car.

A tight turning circle makes low-speed manoeuvres easy, plus the Aygo X handles neatly on faster roads, thanks to taut body control and well weighted steering.

Throw in low running costs and a long list of standard safety kit, and there's a lot to like. Just bear in mind that it's cramped in the back seats and the boot is small.

“The driver's seat in the Aygo X is supportive, but I found I had to stretch slightly to reach the steering wheel due to the lack of reach adjustment.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our in-depth Toyota Aygo X review

The Dacia Sandero offers a supple ride, comes generously equipped (at least in our recommended Comfort trim) and is very spacious.

Add in the fact that the TCe 90 and TCe 100 Bi-Fuel engines are both great, and the Sandero would be well worth considering even if it cost the same as its rivals. Except it doesn’t; the Sandero is one of the UK's cheapest new cars.

Just bear in mind that there are quieter and safer small hatchbacks if you're prepared to spend more, including the Skoda Fabia which appears above the Sandero in this list, as well as the more frugal Toyota Yaris.

“If you plan to carry adults or tall children in the rear seats, they’ll be happy in the Sandero. I managed to load six carry-on suitcases in the boot, too, which is a square shape and easy to pack.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Dacia Sandero review

Volkswagen's latest Polo is available with a broad range of engines and trim levels, ensuring that there's something for almost everyone in the line-up.

It also has a classy interior that's well equipped even in entry-level Life trim. 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 Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Volkswagen Polo review

With the Ford Fiesta now off sale, the Seat Ibiza takes up the mantle as the most engaging small car to drive. Key to that is its steering; it starts off light to suit town driving, before progressively weighting up and providing impressive feedback as your speed builds.

At the same time, the Ibiza is more spacious than many rivals – particularly in the rear seats – and it holds its value better, meaning it will cost you less in the long run.

You do have to put up with quite a lot of road noise, though, and FR versions have a firm ride.

“I was able to stretch out in the Ibiza, because it has more leg room than the Fabia and Polo. All three have similarly shaped boots, but the Ibiza is the only one not available with a height-adjustable boot floor.” – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Read our in-depth Seat Ibiza review

Now in its second generation, Audi's smallest car combines a smooth and well controlled ride with reassuring handling. Plus, it does a fine job of delivering peace and quiet, even at motorway speeds.

It’s also roomy enough for two adults to sit comfortably in the back. And there’s even a spacious boot, remedying one of the criticisms of the first-generation Audi A1.

However, while there are some nice touches, the interior doesn’t feel significantly classier than the cheaper and closely related Volkswagen Polo's, which is why the A1 goes no higher on this list.

“I found the A1’s 8.8in touchscreen more distracting to use than the rotary controller fitted to older models. Smartphone mirroring is standard, but for built-in sat-nav you need the optional Technology Pack, which includes a bigger 10.1in display.” – George Hill, Staff Writer

Read our in-depth Audi A1 review

Eventually, you'll be able to buy an MG3 both with and without hybrid power, but for now it's only available with – meaning you get a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor which allows the car to drive for short distances using electric power alone. That's especially helpful in the city, where the flow of urban traffic means it can maximise that electric power – indeed, an official fuel economy figure of 63mpg means the MG3 could be very cheap to run.

It's a shame that while the MG3's driver's seat is comfortable and easy to adjust, the steering wheel only adjusts up and down, rather than in and out as well – and that means some drivers might struggle to find a position which suits them. At least you get good visibility, and every car comes with rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to help you park. 

We managed to fit three carry-on suitcases into the MG3's boot, and that's likely to be plenty for most drivers. Just be aware that some small car rivals – including hybrid alternatives like the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris – can carry more still.

“It might be built to a price, but I found the 10.25in touchscreen in the MG3 clear to see and quick to respond to my inputs – it only lagged slightly when I was using certain features, or switching quickly between screens.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Read our in-depth MG3 review

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