Small cars are perennially popular among British car buyers. Yes, we’ve all gone a bit crazy over SUVs in the past decade or so – including small SUVs that usually share mechanical parts with small cars, like the Ford Puma that shares parts with the Fiesta – but the market for superminis continues to thrive.
And to clarify, we’re talking about small cars in the form of superminis in this list. Yes, city car options such as the Fiat 500, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Up are even smaller, but we’re focusing here on small hatchbacks that are a little more roomy than a city car, so that they can double as a second family car, or a realistic option for downsizing from a bigger car in tough financial times.
Ideal for young drivers who are finding their feet on the road, owners who live in more urban environments, or those with a keen eye for fuel economy and emissions, small cars appeal to many car buyers.
We’ve chosen the best ones on both the new car and used car markets in 2024, from daily drivers to something more specialist.
Best Small Cars 2024
- Ford Fiesta (2018-2023)
- Skoda Fabia (2021-present)
- Seat Ibiza (2017-present)
- Volkswagen Polo (2018-present)
- MINI Cooper (2013-present)
- Audi A1 (2019-present)
- Suzuki Swift (2018-present)
- Toyota Yaris (2021-present)
Ford Fiesta (2018-2023)
The Ford Fiesta is pretty much the daddy of the supermini small car market, even after the day in 2023 that Ford decided to put an end to its production to focus on building the more profitable Puma SUV. It was the UK’s best-selling car every year for over a decade, and was only knocked off its perch by the Vauxhall Corsa and Nissan Qashqai right at the end of its life.
And in our eyes, the Fiesta is still one of the very best small cars around, even after its untimely demise. In terms of the driving experience it fits perfectly into the mould that Ford has established for many years, which means that it’s responsive and accurate, the body is well controlled, there’s lots of grip, and the car feels balanced and agile.
The ride is equally well resolved, with the suspension feeling supple and compliant. In addition, the exterior design is smart and sophisticated, creating a five-door car with real appeal. Perhaps the interior quality isn’t the best in the class, but it's well put together and the infotainment options are bang up to date, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided across the range. And there’s enough space and practicality, with a decent-sized boot.
Ford Fiesta Review
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Skoda Fabia (2021-present)
Space might be the final frontier for the Starship Enterprise, but it’s the first thing you notice when you get inside a Skoda Fabia, which is a supermini pretty much in name only. It does have the same footprint as the other cars in its class, but its more upright body means that there’s not only more headroom in the Fabia, but there’s just more interior space all round, especially the generous legroom in the rear seats. There's also a 380-litre boot space that is actually more commodious than those you’ll find in many cars in family hatchback class above.
The Fabia is an incredibly practical car, then, but its qualities don’t end there. There’s plenty of standard equipment on the different trim levels, even on the entry-level model, and while it isn't the most dynamic machine in the class, it is comfortable to drive. And, like pretty much all Skodas these days, it has a reputation for reliability. All of which makes it a really solid choice.
Skoda Fabia Review
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Seat Ibiza (2017-present)
The Seat Ibiza has long been a favourite of younger drivers, thanks to successive generations offering neat, compact styling, a sporty personality and affordable running costs. It’s a formula that has served the Spanish supermini well, and continues to do so. The current Ibiza has been on sale since 2017 and the latest model is a sharp-looking car, sharing lots of the stylish Catalan accents and design cues found on other Seat models.
The interior is well built and the simplified trim levels offer plenty of useful features, including the smartphone connectivity that is pretty much mandatory for younger drivers these days. Space is decent, without being exceptional, and the boot is deceptively capacious, so there’s plenty of room for a few bags for a two-up road trip. And it is on the road where the Ibiza excels. It’s now one of the best superminis to drive, with fine handling characteristics and a well-resolved ride quality. There's also a line-up of turbocharged petrol engines that suits the Ibiza's character perfectly. Don't fancy the Ibiza? You could also consider the particularly stylish Peugeot 208 instead.
Seat Ibiza Review
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Volkswagen Polo (2018-present)
Like its bigger brother, the Golf, the VW Polo has a long and distinguished history. Originally launched in 1975 and now in its sixth generation, the Polo has consistently been, well, consistent over the last 45 years, making it a desirable all-rounder. Owners love its small-car sophistication, its strong build quality and the sense that this is somehow a ‘grown-up’ supermini. The current generation has taken a significant step up in a number of departments.
For example, the onboard technology has been increased, with a new infotainment system controlled via an eight-inch touchscreen display – which is standard fit in every trim level – that is easy to use. The driving dynamics have also been tightened up but handling is still traded off in the pursuit of ride quality: the Polo has sharp steering but it doesn’t feel as deft as its close cousin, the Seat Ibiza, with which it shares its platform. On the other hand, the Polo is very comfortable and refined, especially on the motorway. Or if you want something with a little more flair, you could also try the Renault Clio: not only does it have an impressive safety rating from Euro NCAP, but it’s also sharply styled and feels sophisticated inside.
Volkswagen Polo Review
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MINI Cooper (2013-present)
Re-emerging in 2001 from the ashes of BMW’s takeover of Rover, the reborn MINI hatch received a similar kind of reaction to the 1960s original: it was the hippest car around, the one that everyone wanted to be seen in. Two decades later, the strength of feeling for the present-day MINI is largely undimmed. The same iconic shape, albeit on a larger scale (there are three-door and five-door versions now), and the seemingly endless personalisation possibilities with paint colour combinations and decals, has ensured that the MINI remains beloved and hugely popular.
The latest version has all the technology that you’d expect from a parent company such as BMW, but at the same time it retains the quirky, retro details in the cabin, such as the central circular display for the infotainment system (which has Apple and Android smartphone connectivity). But perhaps the main reason why drivers love the MINI is the way it drives. The company talks about the ‘go-kart feel’ of the MINI’s handling and, for once, that isn’t just marketing hype: the MINI does feel incredibly nimble and responsive on the road, making it a very engaging car to drive. You can have your MINI as an electric car, too, or with a choice of excellent turbo petrol engines.
MINI Review
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Audi A1 (2019-present)
When the original Audi A1 appeared on the scene in 2010, its quality made everyone sit up and take notice. If we were going to have the level of fit and finish associated with the Audi brand in the supermini segment of the car market, everyone else was going to have to up their game to compete. But it's the A1's high quality that sets it apart, and while standards have improved across the board, they’ve been incremental and no other brand has really tried to match the A1 and compete with it on equal terms.
Then again, you could argue that the A1, now in its second generation, is priced above most other superminis, effectively putting it in a class of one, but there's no arguing with the attention to detail found in the A1. There are soft-touch materials on the upper surfaces, solid-feeling switchgear and a high-tech dashboard, complete with digital driver display and a big, crystal clear touchscreen. There's a decent amount of space, too, with back seats big enough for adults, and the exterior design is also very handsome.
Audi A1 Review
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Suzuki Swift (2018-present)
Suzuki is an often-overlooked car brand in the UK. It has its fans and there are many serial customers with a long history of Suzuki ownership, but for most, the Japanese brand largely goes unnoticed. That's a shame, especially in the case of the Suzuki Swift. The car itself is very good: sure, it's built to a budget, which will limit its appeal among many buyers, but it’s well built and many variants have all the equipment you need. The real USP of the Swift, though, is its lightness and agility, which is best experienced in the range-topping Sport model.
For those after a bit of fun from their small car, the Swift Sport is worth considering; it feels very nimble, nippy and easy to drive, with an obligingly comfortable ride quality to match. The Swift Sport might not be the first hot hatch you think about, but once driven, it won’t be forgotten. Young drivers beware, though, because the Swift Sport is very expensive to insure compared with most rivals.
Suzuki Swift Review
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Toyota Yaris (2021-present)
The Toyota Yaris is one of the more striking looking small cars on the road today. It's a shame that its interior isn't more exciting, but you do get lots of equipment as standard, and the hybrid drivetrain makes for very low running costs.
The Yaris is not as enjoyable to drive as a Ford Fiesta, and it has a firmer ride that means it's also not as comfortable. It is, however, a very easy to vehicle to get along with. The combination of the car's small dimensions and its CVT automatic gearbox make it a breeze to drive around town, while on the open road the Yaris feels stable and assured.
Perhaps what's most appealing about the small Toyota though is the promise of hassle-free ownership. Put simply, Toyota builds some of the most reliable cars there are, and the Yaris has a solid reputation in this area, and it’s also offered with a warranty that could last up to ten years.
Fancy something a bit more - well, quite a lot more - exciting? Then why not try the GR Yaris? It looks similar to the regular car aside from having a three-door body, but underneath, it’s basically engineered from the ground up as a rally car.
Toyota Yaris Review
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