Let's be honest, for years the humble city car has been a bit of an afterthought. A necessary tool for navigating tight city streets, yes, but rarely something to get your heart racing. They were the sensible shoes of the car world. But things are changing. A new wave of small cars has arrived, bringing with them head-turning style, cutting-edge tech, and even all-electric power. Suddenly, the city car is cool again.
From chic electric models that blend retro charm with zero-emission running, to ultra-practical petrol-powered heroes that can swallow a weekly shop with ease, the choice has never been better. These cars prove that you don’t need a giant SUV to get a desirable, comfortable, and well-equipped vehicle. This guide will help you navigate this exciting new landscape and find the perfect urban companion, whether you prioritise funky styling, Tardis-like practicality, or rock-bottom running costs.
The cars in this guide have been selected to represent the best options currently available. Our recommendations are the result of a unique three-part scoring system that takes into account real-world tests from our team of expert reviewers, ratings from real-life owners who live with these cars every day, and an analysis of market data from CarGurus UK to identify which models offer the highest percentage of good and great deals. This combined approach ensures our list highlights cars that are not only great to own but also good value to buy.
The Best City Cars 2025
- Toyota Aygo X
- Citroen e-C3
- Hyundai i10
- MINI Cooper Electric
- Fiat 500e
- Renault 5
- Kia Picanto
- Hyundai Inster
- Fiat Grande Panda
- BYD Dolphin Surf
1. 2025 Toyota Aygo X
CarGurus expert rating: 3 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 44.4% Overall CarGurus rating: 4.8 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lots of standard equipment | A little short of power |
| Impressive fuel economy | Quite pricey |
| Decent space given its compact dimensions | Not that much fun to drive |
The Toyota Aygo X takes the city car concept and gives it a trendy crossover twist. It’s a pint-sized SUV that’s perfectly suited to the urban jungle, being significantly shorter than a Range Rover but still packing in five doors and a 231-litre boot – a useful 60 litres more than the old Aygo (although note that boot space drops to 189 litres if you go for a model with the fancier JBL audio system). Its compact size, combined with lightweight and precise steering, makes it feel impressively agile, perfect for nipping through tight city streets and squeezing into small parking spaces. While it’s strictly a four-seater, the space is well-utilised for a car of this stature.
Under the bonnet, there’s a single engine choice: a 1.0-litre petrol engine producing 71bhp. While it’s not built for endless motorway slogs, it’s more than adequate for city driving and delivers excellent fuel economy, consistently returning over 50mpg. Even entry-level models come with big-car features like adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s this generous level of tech that makes the Aygo X stand out in a class where such features are often costly extras. Throw in Toyota's 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty (provided you have the car serviced at one of its dealers) and there's an awful lot here to recommend.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The Aygo X is a car that’s brimming with character, and it scores big points for its impressive fuel economy, and even more for the amount of big-car technology it packs into a model in a class where that sort of thing is very much the exception rather than the rule." - Matt Rigby, contributor
Read our full Toyota Aygo X review
2. 2025 Citroen e-C3
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5 CarGurus user rating: 4.2 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 32.9% Overall CarGurus rating: 4.3 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very keenly priced | Not the fastest EV to charge |
| Appealing styling | Has no heat pump to improve efficiency |
| Good to drive | Boot features could be better |
The new Citroen e-C3 might just be the most important electric car to launch this year. Why? Because with a starting price under £22,000, it proves that you don’t have to break the bank to get a brand-new EV. Its chunky, SUV-inspired styling gives it a cool, modern look that stands out from the crowd. Under the skin, a 111bhp electric motor provides plenty of punch for city driving, while the 44kWh battery offers a very respectable official range of 201 miles, which is more than enough for daily commuting and errands.
The e-C3’s real party trick, however, is its incredible comfort. Citroen has fitted its ‘Advanced Comfort’ suspension, which delivers a wonderfully soft, almost floaty ride that simply glides over the lumps and bumps of poorly maintained city roads. It feels more like a luxury car than a budget-friendly runabout. It’s practical, too, with a decent 310-litre boot and a surprisingly roomy back seat, making it a more versatile option than many of its city car rivals. It all adds up to a car that isn’t just great value, but genuinely lovely to live with.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The Citroen e-C3 is a charming, cute and comfortable little electric car that’s also one of the best value EVs on the market. It’s really pleasant to drive and sit in, has decent equipment levels and a useful range." - Vicky Parrott, contributing editor
Read our full Citroen e-C3 review
3. 2025 Hyundai i10
CarGurus expert rating: 5 out of 5 CarGurus user rating: 4.7 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 32.3% Overall CarGurus rating: 4.2 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very practical for such a small car | Automatic gearbox option is clunky and slow |
| Economical and well equipped | No three-door version |
| Generous warranty | Not as much fun to drive as a Seat Ibiza |
The Hyundai i10 is a masterclass in how to build a brilliant city car. It manages to pack a surprising amount of space and practicality into a footprint that’s an absolute doddle to thread through congested streets. A tight turning circle makes U-turns a breeze, and its compact dimensions mean you’ll be squeezing into parking spaces others have to pass by. It comes as a five-door as standard, so you won’t be wrestling with tipping seats to let people in the back, and once they’re in, there’s a decent amount of room. The 252-litre boot is also one of the most generous in the class, easily swallowing the weekly shop.
Out on the road, the i10 feels like a much larger car, with a comfortable ride that takes the sting out of nasty potholes and rough city tarmac. The cabin is solidly built and smartly designed, with great all-round visibility helping you keep an eye on your surroundings. While the basic 66bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is fine for pottering around town, we’d recommend looking for the more powerful 78bhp 1.2-litre version. It gives the i10 a bit more confidence on faster roads, making it a more capable all-rounder. If you want a bit of extra punch, the sporty N Line model gets a zesty 99bhp turbocharged engine.
The CarGurus Verdict: "This generation of i10 is one of the best small cars around, and sets a benchmark for others to follow. It’s smart, economical and well-equipped, and on top of that it’s comfortable, practical and good to drive." - Alex Robbins, senior car reviewer
Read our full Hyundai i10 review
4. 2025 MINI Cooper Electric
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5 CarGurus user rating: 4.4 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 32.8% Overall CarGurus rating: 4.0 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fun to drive | Rather firm ride |
| Effortlessly stylish | Infotainment can be confusing to use |
| Properly desirable | Limited practicality |
If you want a city car that puts a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel, the MINI Cooper Electric is hard to beat. It retains the iconic ‘go-kart’ handling the brand is famous for, with quick, responsive steering that makes it an absolute riot to zip around town in. The new electric version is even better, with instant acceleration that makes it feel wonderfully nippy. Best of all, this latest generation has fixed the old electric MINI’s biggest flaw: range. The standard Cooper E with 36.6kWh battery now offers a very usable 186 miles on a charge, while the top-spec SE with 49.2kWh unit boosts that to 250 miles, making trips beyond the city limits a far more realistic proposition.
Inside, the cabin is achingly cool, with a minimalist design dominated by a stunning circular OLED screen. It looks fantastic, though some might miss having a traditional instrument display behind the steering wheel (a head-up display is an option worth considering). As a three-door car, practicality is secondary to style; the 210-litre boot is fine for shopping, but the rear seats are best kept for short trips or extra storage. You’ll also feel the bumps on city streets due to the firm suspension, but for many drivers, the sheer fun and desirability of the MINI will be a price well worth paying.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The electric MINI Cooper is a fun, likeable small car, and with this new generation, it’s gained a useful range and even more advanced interface. However, the ride comfort really might be too much of a compromise for some, and you won’t want to sit in the back seats for long." - Vicky Parrott, contributing editor
Read our full MINI Cooper Electric review
5. 2025 Fiat 500e
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5 CarGurus user rating: 4.8 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 27.9% Overall CarGurus rating: 4.0 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable for an EV | Lumpy and unsettled ride |
| Drives very well, both in town and on the open road | Cramped rear seats |
| High-tech infotainment system | Short range with the smaller battery |
When it comes to pure, unadulterated style, the Fiat 500e is in a league of its own. This all-electric reincarnation of the iconic Italian city car is arguably even better suited to urban life than its petrol-powered predecessor. It feels wonderfully responsive and nippy in traffic, and the light steering makes parking a joy. You can even select a ‘one-pedal’ driving mode, which is perfect for stop-start journeys. While its tiny dimensions mean the 185-litre boot is small and the back seats are best for kids, its sheer charm and chic design make it an irresistible choice for city dwellers who value style above all else.
Buyers can choose between two battery options. The entry-level car has a 23.8kWh battery and 94bhp motor, giving an official range of 115 miles – plenty for most urbanites. If you do need to venture further, a larger 42kWh battery with punchier 118bhp motor boosts that range to a much more practical 199 miles. Whichever you pick, running costs are incredibly low, with a full charge at home costing just a few pounds. And if you want to soak up the sun on your city drives, Fiat is one of the only brands that offers its small EV as a convertible, adding yet another layer of desirability.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The Fiat 500e is a fantastic small EV, a car that you can buy with your head as much as your heart. With its generous equipment, keen pricing and outright ‘want one’ factor, it's a fantastic small car and one of our favourite electric cars." - Chris Knapman, editorial director
Read our full Fiat 500e review
6. 2025 Renault 5
CarGurus expert rating: 5 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 0.0% Overall CarGurus rating: 3.8 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Attractive styling and general sense of fun | Real-world range a little disappointing |
| Impressive levels of standard equipment at a competitive price | Some slightly flimsy-feeling switchgear |
| Plenty of interior space for a small car | Rear doors could open wider |
Renault has hit the jackpot with the new 5 E-Tech, a car that perfectly blends head-turning retro design with modern, city-friendly electric power. Its compact size and tight turning circle make it an absolute natural in the urban jungle, allowing you to dart through traffic and grab tight parking spots with ease. But it’s not just practical; it’s genuinely fun, with quick, engaging steering that makes it feel agile and alive. Crucially, Renault hasn’t sacrificed comfort for fun. The suspension is brilliantly judged, smoothing out rough city roads to deliver a relaxed and comfortable ride.
The 5 isn’t just a pretty face, either. It’s a proper five-door hatchback, and the 326-litre boot is impressively large for a car of this size, making it a genuinely practical option. The interior is just as stylish as the outside, but it’s also user-friendly, with physical buttons for things like the air-conditioning – a real plus point. Buyers get a choice of two batteries: a 40kWh version with 121bhp and up to 194 miles of range, which is perfect for city life, or a larger 52kWh battery, with a more powerful 148bhp motor, that pushes the range to 255 miles for those who need to venture further afield. It’s a fantastic all-round package.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The Renault 5 is a brilliant little electric car. It’s got the functionality, value and common-sense stuff sorted, yet it’s also good to drive and so brilliant to look at that it’s got real ‘want one’ appeal." - Vicky Parrott, contributing editor
Read our full Renault 5 review
7. 2025 Kia Picanto
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5 CarGurus user rating: 4.1 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 37.1% Overall CarGurus rating: 3.8 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Decent-sized boot for a city car | Ride could be smoother |
| Long warranty from new | No electric version |
| Low running costs | Entry-level engine runs out of steam out of town |
The Kia Picanto has long been a go-to choice for anyone after a sensible, reliable, and affordable city car, and this latest version continues that tradition. It’s a doddle to drive in town, with light steering that makes parking a breeze and a compact size that’s perfect for nipping through gaps in traffic. What’s more surprising is the practicality on offer. The 255-litre boot is one of the biggest in its class, so you won’t have to play a game of Tetris with your shopping bags. The cabin feels robust and well put together, and of course, it comes with the peace of mind of Kia’s fantastic seven-year warranty from new.
As with its cousin, the Hyundai i10, the entry-level 1.0-litre engine is best suited to those who stick strictly to city limits. For a bit more flexibility, we’d suggest hunting down a model with the 83bhp 1.25-litre engine, which feels much more comfortable on the occasional motorway run. Standard equipment across the three ‘Pure’, ‘GT-Line’, and ‘GT-Line S’ trim levels is generous. Even the entry-level spec benefits from an 8in touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which really lifts the cabin and makes navigation and entertainment a whole lot easier.
The CarGurus Verdict: "Kia has put together a cracking small car in this latest Picanto, and it ticks plenty of boxes for customers. On top of that, you’ll have the peace of mind from Kia’s brilliant seven-year warranty, and running costs should be very affordable as well." - Chris Knapman, editorial director
Read our full Kia Picanto review
8. 2025 Hyundai Inster
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 61.5% Overall CarGurus rating: 3.7 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Versatile interior | Similarly sized rivals are cheaper |
| Impressive range | A Renault 5 is more fun to drive |
| Cute styling | No front parking sensors on entry level trim |
Say hello to the Hyundai Inster, a quirky and clever new electric city car that’s brimming with personality. Its compact size and light steering make it a joy to pilot around town, feeling wonderfully nimble on narrow streets and a cinch to park. The ride comfort is a real highlight, with a soft suspension that does a brilliant job of soaking up bumps and potholes, making for a relaxed urban driving experience. The standard 95bhp electric motor provides plenty of zip for city speeds, and there’s also a 115bhp version that reduces the 0-62mph sprint by almost a second. Two battery sizes are offered, with 203 miles possible from the standard 42kWh unit, and up to 229 miles from the long range 49kWh pack.
Where the Inster really stands out is its incredibly clever interior. Despite its small size, it’s remarkably versatile thanks to sliding rear seats that can prioritise either passenger legroom or boot space. You can even fold the seats completely flat, turning this little EV into a surprisingly practical mini-van. The boot itself is a useful 351 litres (with the seats pushed forward), which is generous for this class. Up front, the cabin is thoughtfully designed with lots of physical buttons for the climate controls, making it easy to adjust on the move without taking your eyes off the road. It’s a smart, user-friendly package that’s easy to live with.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The Hyundai Inster might not be the cheapest of the cheap electric cars (you definitely are paying for the versatile interior, funky styling and big-car tech), but it still makes a very strong case for itself. It’s a clever, comfortable and characterful little EV that’s properly usable and genuinely fun to drive." - Vicky Parrott, contributing editor
Read our full Hyundai Inster review
9. 2025 Fiat Grande Panda
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 0.0% Overall CarGurus rating: 3.3 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Looks cheerful inside and out | Some iffy packaging undermines its practicality |
| Comes with all the essential kit as standard | Poor rear visibility |
| Surprising amount of interior space | Rather plasticky interior |
The Fiat Grande Panda brings a welcome dose of cheerful, chunky style to the city car class. Its boxy, retro-inspired design isn’t just for looks; it helps to create a surprisingly spacious interior. At just under four metres long, it’s still perfectly sized for city streets, but the high roofline means there’s loads of headroom for everyone on board. At 412 litres in the Hybrid, or 361 litres in the Electric version, the boot is also impressively large for this type of car, offering plenty of space for the weekly shop or a pushchair. The cabin is full of vibrant colours and quirky design touches, giving the Grande Panda a fun and friendly character that makes it a pleasant place to be on the daily commute.
When it comes to driving, the Grande Panda has an easy-going nature that’s perfectly suited to urban life. The mild-hybrid 1.2-litre petrol engine makes 108bhp and feels perky and responsive enough for nipping through traffic, while the 111bhp all-electric version offers similarly brisk performance for city sprints. Thanks to a 44kWh battery, the Grande Panda Electric boasts a useful maximum range of 219 miles. The ride is comfortable, with a suspension setup that absorbs most bumps and potholes without fuss, and the steering is light enough to make low-speed manoeuvres and parking a doddle. It’s a simple, stylish, and enjoyable car to pilot through the urban jungle.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The retro-modern styling gives this car a real sense of fun, and it’s an easy and reasonably comfortable car to drive. With affordable pricing and all the essential kit provided as standard, it offers a stylish and attainable package for small-car buyers." - Ivan Aistrop, senior editor
Read our full Fiat Grande Panda review
10. 2025 BYD Dolphin Surf
CarGurus expert rating: 3 out of 5 Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 28.8% Overall CarGurus rating: 3.3 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Roomy interior for such a small car | Small, fiddly touchscreen |
| Long range for the price | Only four seats |
| Very generously equipped | Underwhelming charging speeds |
Looking for maximum bang for your buck? The BYD Dolphin Surf is a cheerful new electric city car that packs in a staggering amount of equipment for its price. Sized perfectly for urban life, this five-door hatchback is easy to park and manoeuvre, while its soft suspension provides a comfortable, relaxed ride over bumpy city streets. Inside, there’s a good amount of space for four adults and a 308-litre boot that’s more than capable of handling the weekly shop.
The entry-level Active model is the one to go for if you mainly drive in town. Its 87bhp motor is plenty quick enough for urban speeds, and its 137-mile official range is ample for most daily journeys. For trips out of town, there’s also a larger capacity 43.2kWh battery with up to 200 miles of range. The real story here, though, is the standard kit. Even the cheapest model comes with features you’d normally pay extra for on rivals, including vegan leather seats, a reversing camera, and even adaptive cruise control. While the rotating central touchscreen is a bit of a gimmick, it’s a small quirk in what is otherwise an outstanding value package.
The CarGurus Verdict: "If you’re after a fun and funky small electric car and you don’t want to spend too much, the Dolphin Surf is worth a look. You get a great deal more for your money here than you do with rival models, and underneath it all is a car that gets the basics right." - Ivan Aistrop, senior editor
Read our full BYD Dolphin Surf review
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main advantages of a city car?
Their biggest advantages are all in the name. Their small size makes them incredibly easy to drive and park on congested city streets. This also contributes to lower running costs, as smaller engines and lighter weights mean better fuel economy (or electric efficiency) and often cheaper insurance.
Should I choose a petrol or electric city car?
This depends on your circumstances. A petrol car will almost always have a lower purchase price and offer the flexibility for longer journeys without range anxiety. An electric car, while more expensive to buy, offers incredibly low running costs (including very cheap ‘fuel’ if you charge at home) and a quieter, smoother driving experience.
Are city cars practical enough for a small family?
For a family with one young child, a modern five-door city car can work surprisingly well. Models like the Hyundai i10 have generous boots that can often accommodate a compact pushchair. However, they are best suited as a second car or for families who don't need to carry lots of luggage. Always check if your specific pushchair or car seat fits before you buy.
What's the most important feature to look for in a city car?
While this depends on your personal priorities, there are a few key things that make a great urban vehicle. A tight turning circle is a huge bonus for navigating mini-roundabouts and tight junctions. Good all-round visibility makes parking and spotting hazards easier, and a comfortable suspension setup is vital for soaking up the potholes and speed bumps that litter UK city roads.
Why are some city cars being discontinued?
Sadly, several well-known city cars have disappeared in recent years. This is mainly because manufacturers find it more profitable to build and sell larger, more expensive SUVs. Additionally, increasingly strict emissions regulations make it very expensive to develop small petrol engines that comply, squeezing profit margins until they are no longer viable.
Do city cars have good safety ratings?
Modern city cars are far safer than their predecessors and often come packed with advanced safety kit like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. You can check the specific Euro NCAP rating for any car you're considering. However, it's a simple matter of physics that in a collision with a much larger vehicle, a smaller car will likely come off worse.
What Makes CarGurus Best Cars Guides Different?
Most car buying websites publish lists of the best cars across a variety of categories, with recommendations generally driven by editorial expertise. Here's what makes our best cars guides different: we combine the insights and verdicts of our team of car-testing experts with other factors that we know matter to buyers - real owner experiences and current market value. To that end, our expert reviewers come from some of the UK's most trusted automotive publications including What Car?, The Telegraph, Auto Trader, Electrifying.com, and Carbuyer. They put each car through real-world testing, and create detailed reviews noting performance in a range of categories, from practicality and driving manners, to running costs and reliability.
But we don't stop there when it comes to creating our best cars guides; we also analyse hundreds of thousands of used car listings on CarGurus UK to track which models consistently offer the highest percentage of best deals relative to how many are listed for sale. Then we factor in user reviews and ratings gathered on CarGurus to get feedback from people who actually live with these cars every day.
Our best cars algorithm then creates a final Overall CarGurus rating that combines expert ratings, user reviews, and the percentage of listings on CarGurus UK rated as good or great deals. This three-way approach reveals not just which cars excel on paper, but which ones deliver satisfaction and value when you're ready to buy.
The CarGurus UK market data in this guide was last updated in December 2025. Values were accurate at time of publication and should be used as a guide only.
