The best small cars are fairly light, economical, and sufficiently capacious for the majority of needs. Perhaps there wouldn’t be such a severe climate catastrophe if we had all chosen to purchase them rather than SUVs.

1. Volkswagen Polo

When you get behind the wheel of the Polo, it is clear why it has been a longtime favourite. Or rather, sense why; it’s as comfortable and opulent as a larger Golf and feels genuinely well-made and robust throughout.

volkswagen Polo

2. Hyundai i10

Nowadays, the i10 is more elegant than it ever was, and it also handles well. The 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre engines on the Hyundai are both efficient and reliable.

hyundai i10

3. Dacia Sandero

There is no need to search further if you want to save money. The Sandero has improved from the experience of its predecessor, which was like something out of a clearance section, and now looks and feels about as sophisticated as any other car on this list.

dacia Sandero

4. Peugeot 208

The 208 gives you the sensation that you are receiving more than you paid for in the rich tradition of little French automobiles. It has a stunning exterior, and the inside is nearly avant-garde in its grandeur.

peugeot 208

5. Ford Fiesta

There’s a solid reason that everyone owns or knows someone who owns a Fiesta. This Ford is affordable, useful, economical, and, as an added bonus, a ton of fun to drive.

ford Fiesta

6. SEAT Ibiza

A Polo from Spain? Yes, the Ibiza is essentially that. With a redesigned body and interior, the Polo’s engines, framework, and the majority of its electronics are retained.

seat Ibiza

7. Honda Jazz

The Jazz feels significantly larger on the inside than it does on the exterior, indicating that it was designed by the same team that created Doctor Who. It’s now only accessible with hybrid power, and it’s also incredibly economical.

honda Jazz

8. Audi A1

The tiniest Audi is a fancy Polo, if the Ibiza is a Spanish Polo. You have a winning combination if you take the Polo’s engines and chassis and add a fancier cabin and body on top.

audi A1 Sportback

9. MINI Hatch

The MINI’s appearance may be a little dated now, but the driving experience is indeed not. It provides some of the best experiences you can have in a car, and that holds true for both a basic 1.5 and a full-on Cooper Works model.

mini 3-Door Hatch

10. Renault Zoe

This is a top seller for Renault, and it is easy to understand why. Despite not being the most affordable small car, you’ll save money on petrol because of its 234-mile range and convenient 22kW AC charging, which takes advantage of kerb-side chargers.

renault Zoe