Best small cars to buy 2026

The best small cars on sale today combine a truly grown-up blend of driving composure, practicality and advanced in-car technology. On top of all that, they need to deliver traditional small car values by being generally affordable to buy, economical to run and cheap to insure. We’re not asking too much are we?  

Small cars shouldn’t limit their owners too much in terms of what they can carry or where they can go. While best-suited to tight urban environments or single occupants, the best small cars also need to be competent enough to cope when loaded up with passengers and accompanying luggage and not feel out of their depth on faster roads.

For this list, we’ve selected a wide range of car body shapes for our pick of the best small cars on sale. All prices for electric models are before any government grants. If you have more specific requirements in mind, then take a look at the following pages:

• Best city cars
• Best superminis
• Best small SUVs
• Best small electric cars
• Best small automatic cars
• Best small 4x4s
• Cheapest cars to run

Top 10 best small cars

It’s all change with our favourite small cars, the Cupra Raval is now the best small car on sale. By EV standards it’s well priced, though the Fiat Grande Panda and Kia Picanto further down the list show how affordable modern small cars can still be.

Keep reading to find out about the very best small cars on sale in the UK. Alternatively, you can also click the links in our table above to jump directly to a specific make and model..

1. Cupra Raval

The newcomer from Cupra has immediately become our favourite small car, and is good fun to drive as well. 

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• Prices from £23,800
• Auto Express Supermini of the Year 2026

Cupra’s had a few hits over its relatively short lifespan, and the Raval is the latest. This supermini-sized EV is in part a preview of what to expect when Volkswagen’s ID.Polo goes on sale a little further down the line, but the Cupra has its own character and talents - enough to be rated Supermini of the Year at the Auto Express 2026 New Car Awards.

At the top of the Raval range is a sporty VZ variant with 223bhp (another preview, this time of the ID.Polo GTI) and has the fun factor and pace to give the Alpine A290 a hard time. But there are more sensible versions of the Raval too, the basic model starting at under £24,000 with 114bhp and around 186 miles of range; just short of the basic Renault 5, but close enough to be competitive.

The Raval’s got its own distinctive looks too, the very opposite of the more retro superminis we’ve seen recently. The slightly sharky, videogame looks won’t appeal to everyone but they do make it instantly recognisable as a Cupra, and that carries across to the colour choices and the cabin design.

It’s practical for its compact size too, definitely one area it scores over the funky Renault 5 - rear seat space is much more generous. Considering that size, comfort, both for passengers and in terms of ride, is also good, while the VZ is great fun to chuck around.

"The Cupra Raval is a proper little pocket rocket, and signals an exciting new era of brilliant baby EVs from the Volkswagen Group." - Richard Ingram, deputy editor.

• Who will like it: Hot hatch fans who want the low costs associated with an EV.
• Who won’t like it: Some people may find the styling a bit OTT
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Latest Cupra Raval deals

2. Fiat Grande Panda

The Fiat Panda is an icon in the small car class, and the new Grande Panda is arguably the Italian brand's best yet. 

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• Prices from £20,000
• Auto Express Small Car of the Year 2025

It’s quite a bit bigger than its predecessor, but the Fiat Grande Panda is still one of the best small cars you can buy. 

Available with either a hybrid or electric powertrain, it is very cheap to run regardless of which variant you go for. The EV can return up 199 miles on the WLTP combined cycle, while the hybrid can achieve an average of 52.3mpg. Neither variant is alarmingly expensive, either, with the hybrid starting from around £20,000 and the electric car from £21,000.

The 412-litre boot is one of the more generous in the small car class and even beats the closely-related Citroen C3 by almost 100 litres. There’s a decent amount of room for all passengers, although during our testing taller members of the Auto Express team did find room in the rear a little cramped.

We’re particularly big fans of the innovative coiled charging cable, which saves the nuisance of having to wrestle with a bag every time you want to top up the battery.

While it’s not quite as fancy or plush as a Renault 5, Fiat has done an admirable job with the Grande Panda’s interior. Some pleasing dashes of bright colour help to create a pleasant overall atmosphere. 

The twin-screen dashboard is bright and easy to read, as is the infotainment system. We also love the Easter egg that is the oval shape of the dash – inspired by the Lingotto test track that sits on the roof of Fiat’s old factory in Turin.

“Building a desirable, affordable car is tough, but Fiat has played a blinder by delivering a new Grande Panda that’s not just cheap, but packed full of character and, should you wish, comes with an electric powertrain.” - Jordan Katsianis, news editor.

• Who will like it: Anyone after a stylish small car that’s also affordable and practical.
• Who won’t like it: If retro design isn’t for you, look elsewhere
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Latest Fiat Grande Panda deals

3. Kia Picanto

If you’re after a car which feels grown-up and has loads of kit as standard, the Kia Picanto has a lot going for it.

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• Prices from £17,100
• Auto Express City Car of the Year 2025

The Kia Picanto offers lots of kit and a driving experience for a small car and is more akin to that of a car from the class above.

A mid-life facelift gave it more efficient engines and improved on-board tech, while Kia’s excellent seven-year warranty remains and offers peace of mind. Not bad for a car with a sub-£17k starting price. The Picanto is also one of the cheapest cars to insure, so running costs should be minimal.

Practicality is good for a car of this size too; all come with five doors and there’s enough space in the back for two adults to sit in relative comfort. The boot measures in at 255 litres, which is considerably more than the 200 litres offered by the more premium-feeling MINI Cooper.

Every version of the Picanto also comes with a decent helping of big-car kit including an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, cruise control and a reversing camera. 

To drive, the Picanto’s sub-one-tonne kerbweight really does help aid agility, although overall the chassis isn’t that communicative or sporty.

“​​Whichever way you look at it, the Kia Picanto is one of the most affordable cars money can buy. That goes for everything from list price, fuel, and other consumables.” – Ellis Hyde, news reporter.

• Who will like it: Young or new drivers, as all models are cheap to insure.
• Who won’t like it: People prioritising style might find it a little dull
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Latest Kia Picanto deals

4. Kia EV2

Kia brings its EV expertise to the supermini class, and unsurprisingly the EV2 is one of the best of the type. 

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• Prices from £28,000

The Kia EV2 is another hit from the Korean brand. The smallest electric car in the maker’s range lines up against the likes of the Renault 5 and Cupra Raval, though can actually better the longest range offered by either of those, with up to 281 miles from the 61kWh model. Pricing for that car starts at just under £28,000 so it’s not the cheapest supermini, but still competitive with upscale versions of the Renault and Cupra, prior to government grants and dealer contributions.

What it doesn’t have is the fun factor of those two European cars, with a relatively heavy kerbweight and modest power output (more than 1,600kg, and 144bhp for the standard range car). It’s still good for 0-62mph times in the eight and nine-second range, which is quicker than some superminis of old, but some old-fashioned body lean and a slightly bouncy ride mean it’s not a natural on B-roads.

No matter; it’s much better around town, with great visibility and smooth regen when you decelerate, and it’s at home on the motorway too, overcoming its blocky looks to deliver a stable feeling and low road noise - though the upright windscreen does seem to generate wind noise.

The boxiness does give the EV2 a funky, slightly cyberpunk look on the outside, and on the inside it’s fresh and modern too, with just enough physical control options that you won’t have to spend every trip stabbing at the touchscreen for basic functions. The 362 to 403-litre boot is a bit pokey for the class but front and rear passenger space is good for a small car, too.

"Right now, the Kia EV2 seems like a real winner thanks to its impressive efficiency and affordable pricing. Practicality is a strong point too; the little SUV has more than enough space for a small family." - Max Adams, online reviews editor.

• Who will like it: Buyers swayed by its chunky looks and 281-mile long-range battery.
• Who won’t like it: Driving enthusiasts, as it’s not especially fun to drive
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Latest Kia EV2 deals

5. Renault 5

Renault is on a roll when it comes to desirable and practical small cars and the 5 is proof of that. 

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• Price from £23,000
• Best for efficiency

There was plenty of buzz surrounding the Renault 5 before it hit the road and the good news is that it’s thoroughly worthy of its famous nameplate.

Beyond its retro design, the electric Renault 5 offers a respectable official range of up to 249 miles and comes with a punchy 148bhp motor when you spec the larger 52kWh battery. Meanwhile, the lower-end model has a 193-mile range from its smaller 40kWh battery, and 118bhp. All 5s are eligible for the government Electric Car Grant so while prices officially start at under £23,000, a basic 5 currently costs more like £21,500.

The Renault 5 drives with the same maturity as its combustion-engined Renault Clio sibling, and has a firm yet well-damped ride. The brake pedal provides more confidence than most EVs’, although the throttle can feel a little vague. If you want similar levels of style but even more performance (albeit less range), then the sporty Alpine A290 could be the ideal solution.

Some materials are on the cheaper side, but even the base model includes a good amount of standard equipment, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and cruise control. The cabin design is both simple and attractive, and while rear space is a bit tight, the 326-litre boot is decently large for a car that’s less than four metres long.

“While the Renault 5 plays heavily on nostalgia, there’s so much joy in this little package that it’s impossible not to be impressed. It feels like a more compelling posh supermini than a MINI Cooper or Peugeot E-208.” – Alex Ingram, ex-chief reviewer.

• Who will like it: Those who want a stylish, retro-inspired, fun small car.
• Who won’t like it: Those covering lots of motorway miles frequently as performance and efficiency tails off above 60mph
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Latest Renault 5 deals

6. Citroen C3

The Citroen C3 is a no-nonsense small car but shows that comfort can also be a priority. 

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• Prices from £19,900
• Electric e-C3 was previous Auto Express Car of the Year winner
• Best for ride comfort

The new Citroen C3 is a good example of a small car which is able to offer all the essentials at a very affordable price.

Performance is exactly where it needs to be for an urban runaround. In town, the C3 is nippy and a large glass area means overall visibility is very good. It can also easily handle motorway journeys and is very composed for a car of this stature. 

The C3 is a highly economical car with the pure-petrol and hybrid engines claiming 52mpg and 56mpg respectively on a combined WLTP efficiency cycle. And our tests indicate you should get close to those figures. 

If you’d prefer your supermini be powered by electricity, the electric Citroen e-C3 has a claimed 199 mile range (although this will be a little less in real-world driving). It’s equally as capable as its pure-petrol or hybrid sibling and makes a great alternative to the more expensive Renault 5.

The cabin is comfortable, spacious, and well-packaged considering its accessible price point. Some of the materials used do feel more hard-wearing than plush, but it should easily withstand everyday life.

“Owners will find the C3 excels for comfort. From the seats to the suspension set-up to interior space, everything about the C3 is classic Citroen” - Paul Barker, editor.

• Who will like it: If comfort is near the top of your small car agenda then Citroen C3 is ideal.
• Who won’t like it: Those who want keen handling might want to look elsewhere
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Latest Citroen C3 deals

7. Nissan Micra

It might just be a Renault 5 with different styling, but that means the new Micra is similarly talented. 

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• Prices from £23,000

The latest Nissan Micra is hiding a secret, though if you know what to look for, it isn’t hiding it very well. Under the skin, this is basically a Renault 5 - Nissan has co-opted the bare bones of the 5 to return to the supermini sector and applied its own styling features on top - with echoes of some of the popular and cutesy Micras of old.

The looks probably aren’t as cohesive or evocative as the Renault’s, but Nissan’s done well with what it had. And it’s not like being based on the 5 is a bad thing either, since the Renault’s already one of our favourite small cars; it’d be like complaining another pizza shop has opened in town and is offering a pizza near-identical to your favourite, for the same price, but with a different name.

So power (120bhp and 148bhp), range (198-260 miles), and everything from cabin space to quality is more or less as per the Renault. Actually, the Nissan somehow goes a little further than the Renault with its larger battery, perhaps down to different tyres, but in the real world we suspect you wouldn’t notice. On the flip side, it sits in slightly higher insurance groups.

Pricing is similar to the Renault too, starting at just shy of £23k (with grants taking that down to around £21,500) and topping out around £30k, while extended-range models get the larger £3,750 grant which makes them the more sensible option right now. Whether you opt for the Renault or the Nissan then really comes down to badge and styling preference.

"We wouldn’t call the Micra fun to drive, but at least the ride is reasonably comfortable and the electric motor helps the Nissan feel nippy in urban driving." - Jordan Katsianis, news editor.

• Who will like it: Those looking for a stylish supermini with decent range; previous Micra owners.
• Who won’t like it: Anyone who needs plenty of rear-seat space
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Lates Nissan Micra deals

8. Toyota Aygo X

If you’re a fan of the Toyota Yaris but want something a little more quirky, then the Toyota Aygo X is a great alternative. 

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• Prices from £21,600

If you want a small car which takes some of the best qualities of both a city car and a small SUV, all tied up in a quirky package then the facelifted Toyota Aygo X should fit that bill.

The pre-facelift car only came with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, but Toyota has managed to shoehorn-in the entry-level 114bhp hybrid engine you’ll find in the larger Yaris. Not only does this mean the Aygo X is incredibly nippy around town, getting up to speed on faster roads is a breeze and the car doesn’t feel out of its depth on the motorway.

Another benefit to its hybrid engine is the low running costs. Official figures state the Aygo X can return 78mpg and it really is achievable in the real world. During our time testing, we even managed to beat this figure, seeing as much as 86mpg over varying road types and traffic conditions. The only downside is that the improved engine tech makes the car more expensive to buy and insure.

The Agyo X has also increased in size slightly. The larger body means there’s more space available, so taller passengers shouldn’t feel squeezed when it comes to head room. The 231-litre boot is a boxy shape although it isn’t the most spacious compared to rivals and a high-load lip might make loading heavy items tricky. 

"Practicality is where the Aygo X’s city-car nature bites back, with limited space and not much in the way of clever tricks to make the most of it." - Jordan Katsianis, news editor.

• Who will like it: The Aygo X is incredibly frugal so should appeal to running cost-conscious buyers.
• Who won’t like it: It’s only a four-seater car which might be limiting for some
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Latest Toyota Aygo X deals

9. Leapmotor T03

If you’re after a small electric car which is incredibly capable, then the Leapmotor T03 should be up your street. 

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• Prices from £16,000

If you’re someone who resents how big and complicated modern cars have become, the Leapmotor T03 should be a welcome sight.

The Leapmotor T03 is a car that’s hard not to root for. It’s small, cheap, and yet full of equipment. Unfortunately, the T03 sits in insurance group 25, which is disappointingly high compared to small car rivals. Apart from that, though, it should prove very easy on the bank account. 

While the claimed 165-mile range isn’t a mammoth one, this is still plenty for darting around the city streets. We think it’s here where the little Leapmotor is at its best, too, thanks to excellent all-round visibility and very light controls. It also proves to be very efficient as we were able to get close to its claimed range during our testing of the T03 against the Dacia Spring.

In order to keep the costs in check, the T03’s interior is a simple one, but it’d be unfair to call it sparse as there’s a surprisingly generous amount of kit and storage space throughout. It all feels nicely put together, too, even if the materials are a bit on the economical side. 

“It’s not without its flaws, but when it’s priced so low and features so much standard equipment, it’s easy to overlook the foibles of its intrusive safety systems and the frustrating infotainment touchscreen.” – Dean Gibson, senior test editor.

• Who will like it: Electric car buyers on a budget, but want something a little less flimsy than a Dacia Spring.
• Who won’t like it: Anyone who likes cars with character, as this one’s had a bypass
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Latest Leapmotor T03 deals

10. MG3 

If you want a small car which is cheap and fun to drive, the MG3 is a great option. 

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• Prices from £17,500

The MG3 has quickly become one of our favourite small cars, largely on account of its strong performance and excellent value for money.

You can spec the MG3 with a hybrid powertrain which makes a punchy 192bhp from its 1.5-litre engine and electric motor combination, alternatively there’s a pure-petrol version with an output of 148bhp. Out on the road the hybrid MG3 outsprints most rivals you’d care to mention, all while achieving an economy of over 64mpg, almost 20mpg more than the pure-petrol variant. 

The hybrid variant costs an additional £2,000, but this saving is offset a little by high insurance groups of 23-24, though this perhaps isn’t surprising given the power output.

On the road, we found the hybrid MG3 is sometimes a little sudden in switching between petrol and electric power but most of the time it’s smooth with more than sufficient performance. Likewise, Lotus won’t be taking notes on the MG3’s chassis, but it’s grippy and even quite fun if you’re in the mood, while the ride quality handles craggy roads pretty well, too.

Inside, the cabin is smartly styled and there’re plenty of useful storage spaces dotted around. The boot is reasonably-sized at 293-litres. Getting comfy behind the wheel can be an issue for taller drivers, as we discovered on our tests, because you can’t adjust the reach of the steering wheel.

“The hybrid system delivers a level of performance that blows its rivals away, yet despite this, it’s relaxing to drive and almost as frugal as those much slower alternatives.” – Alex Ingram, ex-chief reviewer.

• Who will like it: Anyone who wants a left-field alternative to the Renault Clio or Citroen C3.
• Who won’t like it: Taller drivers might struggle to get comfy as you’re not able to adjust the steering wheel for reach.

Latest MG3 deals

How we tested to find the best small cars

Small cars should be affordable to buy and run, and good to drive. Increasingly we’re expecting big car levels of technology, equipment and build quality from smaller models too, and that’s a difficult circle for manufacturers to square when the price also needs to be low. 

We’ve tested every small car on the UK market and always pay particular attention to that driving experience in an urban setting where light controls and good visibility are key for turning and parking. That’s not to say the best small cars shouldn’t be able to cope with longer motorway journeys though, and we always test them extensively on the open road.  

No car makes this list without balancing strong fuel economy and low insurance costs, either because keeping costs down is kind-of the point for many small car buyers. Rear seat and boot space is nice to have but many buyers in this market won’t use it so we don’t let that be a deal-breaker. 

Tell us which new car you’re interested in and get the very best offers from our network of over 5,500 UK dealers to compare.

Best small car deals

Fiat Grande Panda

New in-stock Fiat Grande PandaCash £18,875Avg. savings £1,199

New Fiat Grande Panda

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KIA Picanto

New in-stock KIA PicantoCash £15,830Avg. savings £1,396

New KIA Picanto

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Renault 5

New in-stock Renault 5Cash £20,939Avg. savings £3,969

New Renault 5

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