Small cars have always been popular, but gone are the days where owning a supermini meant back-to-basics transport. Some of the latest small hatchbacks are packed with cutting-edge technology and the kind of luxury and safety features you’d expect in a larger car.
Here are the top 10 small cars to buy now.
10. DS3
A recent facelift has kept the DS3 looking fresh, while it also retains a huge amount of character thanks to its terrific handling and stylish cabin. It’s great fun to drive, too, making it a viable rival to other premium small hatches such as the MINI and Audi A1. The standard infotainment system is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
9. MINI hatchback
It’s due a significant upgrade in 2018, which should be enough to keep the MINI at the top of the premium small hatchback sales charts. As entertaining as ever from behind the wheel, the latest MINI also benefits from multiple personalisation options, lively performance and grin-inducing road-holding.
8. Audi A1
The smallest model in the Audi range is also one of the brand’s more convincing models, offering high levels of tech and premium design in a compact, handsome package. The ‘S’ models also come with quattro four-wheel-drive for added traction, making the A1 as appropriate for rural dwellers as those in the city. Residual values are also excellent.
7. Mazda2
The latest version of the Mazda 2 has quite a prominent road presence, thanks to its wide, distinctive grille and angular headlamps. It has a cabin reminiscent of a much bigger car, too, with a large touchscreen and options that include a head-up display. It’s terrific to drive, with a positive, short-throw gear lever and excellent handling.
6. Peugeot 208
The 208 was a significant return to form for Peugeot, whose previous 207 had been somewhat humdrum and mediocre. The 208, on the other hand, has a quality feel and a sense of eagerness to both its performance and its handling characteristics. It’s also a distinctive looker, with some excellent savings on offer through dealers.
5. Kia Rio
An all-new Rio appeared last year and brought with it a much more grown-up feel for Kia’s supermini contender. It has advanced safety systems such as Lane Departure Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, as well as an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment system. Plus, it gets Kia’s unbeatable seven-year warranty.
4. Citroen C3
There are few superminis quite as distinctive as the Citroen C3, which features striking ‘Airbump’ side panels taken from the C4 Cactus, as well as chunky plastic wheelarches and stylish narrow LED headlamps. It’s also available with a built-in dashcam, which combines with an app to allow you to upload images of your journey to your social media channels.
3. Nissan Micra
The new Micra is leagues ahead of its predecessor, with striking exterior styling and a much more refined cabin. The build quality is also massively improved, while the car’s dynamics are in a completely different class. The new-generation Micra is modern, refined, brimming with tech and is extremely rewarding to drive.
2. Ford Fiesta
It has always been one of the best superminis that money can buy, but the latest Ford Fiesta goes one further, offering tremendous value for money, class-leading handling and a broad range of engine and gearbox choices. There’s also a new top spec ‘Vignale’ model, with a sensational Bang and Olufsen infotainment system. Great to drive and a pleasure to own.
1. Volkswagen Polo
Top of the supermini tree is the all-new Volkswagen Polo, a car that’s packed with clever tech and has a much more youthful appearance than its predecessor. The latest model is refined and upmarket, with advanced infotainment systems and Autonomous Emergency Braking across the range, including the base specification. Top models also come with a 12-inch Active Info display, identical to the Virtual Cockpit found in high-spec Audis.
If you’re looking into the small luxury car segment, you can find the best small luxury cars to buy here