Top 10: City Cars
Want a small car that’s as capable on the open road as it is around town? Well, there’s a plentiful choice on the market and you won’t have to settle for something dull and basic. Here are the most popular top 10 as decided by you.
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We're probably as surprised as you are to find the Ignis as the most popular city car on HonestJohn.co.uk. We like the quirkiness of the little Suzuki and it appears that it's getting plenty of interest from readers too. It's good value for money given the amount of standard kit you get plus it offers more space than the average city car.
While the impressive Boosterjet engine isn't available in the Ignis, the little 1.2-litre petrol offers plenty of get-up-and-go plus it returns decent economy.
Read the full Suzuki Ignis review
| List Price from | £11,849 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £10,309 |
| Contract hire from | £135.59 per month |
The i10 is proving such a hit with buyers that it won our 2017 City Car Award - the second year in a row it has done so. It’s no surprise given how good the i10 is. It’s a mature offering that is roomy and great to drive while cabin quality is impressive too.
The 66PS 1.0-litre engine isn’t the last word in performance with a 0-62mph time of almost 15 seconds, but it feels peppier than you’d expect and 60mpg economy will keep running costs admirably low. If you want a small car that handles longer trips as well as the urban grind, this should be at the top of your list.
Read the full Hyundai i10 review
| List Price from | £10,025 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £8,825 |
| Contract hire from | £114.44 per month |
While the Up might be a tad pricier than its Skoda and SEAT brethren there’s a classy feel to the interior that’s lacking in the others. It looks sharper on the outside too.
The 60PS engine is decent enough and manages 63mpg, but if you regularly carry a full complement of passengers, or spend a lot of time on the motorway, you’re better off with the 75PS unit. Almost as economical, it shaves over a second from the 0-62mph time.
Read the full Volkswagen Up review
| List Price from | £10,140 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £9,577 |
| Contract hire from | £138.92 per month |
The Citigo is virtually identical to its SEAT Mii cousin, so there’s little to choose between them. Opting for the version with the Skoda badge will secure the same solidly built city car with decent driving manners and a characterful three-cylinder engine. There’s also a good choice of trim levels to suit your budget.
Even base models are reasonably well-equipped though so you don’t have to break the bank and the low running costs will be easy on the pocket as well. Considering its compact dimensions ,the Citigo is reasonably practical too with a 238-litre boot.
To read the full review of the Skoda Citigo click here
| List Price from | £10,160 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £8,371 |
Even almost a decade on, the 500 is as popular as ever. The chic looks and funky interior are the stand-out features, plus of course there’s a mind-boggling array of personalisation options. It's rare you ever see two the same.
It isn’t the most engaging drive, but it still has the capacity to entertain. The TwinAir model is an unusual two-cylinder engine and while it falls short of its claimed economy figures, you should still be seeing more than 45mpg according to Real MPG.
| List Price from | £12,165 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £8,980 |
| Contract hire from | £106.86 per month |
While the Aygo is slightly more expensive than its Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 cousins, the Aygo offers the most distinctive looks of the trio thanks to the bold X design. But the real reason for choosing the Toyota is the standard five-year warranty.
Aside from a few hard plastics the cabin is a good quality, proving comfortable and refined on longer journeys. All models get the same 1.0-litre engine that will realistically return more than 50mpg, making this a cheap to run small car.
Read the full Toyota Aygo review
| List Price from | £9,265 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £7,830 |
| Contract hire from | £119.70 per month |
The Panda may have had its limelight stolen by the far more chic 500 - but if it's practicality you value, the dimunitive Fiat is impressive for a such a small car. While interior quality isn't the best, there's lots of space and the unusual design still looks good.
The driving experience is pleasant rather than sparkling but it is available with the same Twinair engine as the 500 alongside a 1.2-litre petrol. And if you want a more rugged look, there's the Panda City Cross.
Read the full Fiat Panda review
| List Price from | £10,080 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £7,348 |
| Contract hire from | £122.45 per month |
The Celerio had a rocky start in the UK due to a brake issue, but with that all sorted it remains something of a mixed bag. On the plus side it has a spacious cabin and one that’s well-equipped in entry-level form with niceties such as a DAB radio and air-conditioning all fitted as standard.
However, the quality of the finish is not the best and it feels dated. But considering prices start at just £7500 it is cheap plus with economy of more than 60mpg it will prove cheap to run.
Read the full Suzuki Celerio review
| List Price from | £8,004 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £7,459 |
| Contract hire from | £149.08 per month |
Model-for-model, the 108 might be slightly more expensive than its Citroen C1 counterpart, but it’s all very similar inside with the same comfortable and neatly-styled cabin. While the C1 is seen as the youthful option, the 108 is marketed as more 'sophisticated'.
There’s the same 68PS three-cylinder engine which is frugal if a little lacking in performance, 0-62mph taking a slightly lengthy 14.3 seconds, although it manages to feel livelier than that in reality. What may prove more off-putting is the miserly 196 litres of boot space with the rear seats in place.
Read the full Peugeot 108 review
| List Price from | £9,825 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £7,592 |
| Contract hire from | £137.45 per month |
SEAT has (kind of) positioned itself as the sporty brand out of itself, Volkswagen and Skoda. Hence all the FR and Cupra models it does. Although that doesn't explain the Alhambra. But nevertheless, it does mean you can get a Mii with funny stripes on the bonnet and black wheels. See above.
It is of course not that different from an Up or Citigo. In fact inside it's pretty much identical, save for the badge on the steering wheel. Four our money these set the benchmark for city cars, especially when it comes to driving enjoyment.
| List Price from | £11,250 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £10,250 |
| Contract hire from | £134.04 per month |