Small car in 2023. Which one to choose? Explore the TOP 10
A small car is an optimal choice when it comes to the purchase price and subsequent low exploitation costs. A small city car can be a good choice not only for the city, but also for occasional trips on long routes. Small turning circle, small size, spacious enough interior – a tiny car is a great choice in the urban jungle.
A small car – what car is it exactly?
Small city cars belong to the so-called B segment and are – next to compact cars and SUVs – one of the most popular vehicles.
In recent years, the number of available cars in this segment has been decreasing due to increasingly stringent exhaust emission standards and rising production costs.
Until recently, there was a large selection – next to the B segment – also in the A segment, i.e. mini cars – e.g. Škoda Citigo, Ford Ka. Today, there are practically only the B-segment cars left, but even here the choice is getting smaller. For example, next to the Ford Ka, production of the Ford Fiesta is to end this year. In our ranking, most cars are from the B segment, but several models such as the Fiat 500, Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10 belong to the A segment.
Types of small cars
Small cars are usually 3- or 5-door with a hatchback body, possibly a compact (e.g. Skoda Fabia). There are practically no more tiny cars with a sedan body. In recent years, small minivans from this segment have also practically disappeared. However, this does not mean that tiny cars are tight. Even with a hatchback body, a small city car today has a spacious trunk, enough space in the back seat and a spacious cabin.
Of course, there are no luxuries in the rear seat of Fiat 500 cars, but on the other hand, they are not bought with frequent passenger transport in mind. When it comes to the drive, diesel engines are practically no longer offered in them. The most popular engine is the gasoline unit.
A small car can also be successfully equipped with an electric engine (e.g. Fiat 500), but then its price is high.
Who are small cars for?
Small city cars are designed for a wide group of drivers – they can successfully play the role of a family car or a second car in the family. Their versatility means that they can be used both in the city and outside of it by both experienced and novice drivers. It is a practical choice for a person who cares about low maintenance costs, which also includes cheap spare parts.
Are small cars safe? Give it a try!
There is a belief that a tiny car may not be safe due to its size. However, this is a myth, because it is equipped with all modern security systems. In addition, small cars regularly receive high marks in crash tests.
And although due to their small size, they may be less safe than e.g. SUVs, they offer a good level of protection for the driver and passengers. Important, remember (exclamation mark)
TOP 10 Small Cars in 2023
On city roads, reliable vehicles work best, generating savings in exploitation, and at the same time they are practical. These types of vehicles are best to look for among the verified cars on the market. Here is a list of the 10 most popular urban models in Europe according to JATO Dynamics data.
No. 1 – Peugeot 208
The French city car currently on sale is the second generation produced since 2019. This model is offered only with a 5-door body. It is 405.5 cm long, 174.5 cm wide and 143.0 cm high. The wheelbase is a solid 254.0 cm. This is followed by a nice base boot capacity of 311 liters, which can be expanded to a maximum of an impressive, 1106 litres.
The engine range, as in the twin Corsa, includes gasoline units (from 75 to 130 HP), a diesel engine (102 HP) and an electric engine. Prices start at 23,000 euros, so it’s not a cheap option among city cars.
No. 2 – Dacia Sandero
Since 2020 the third generation of the popular model of the Romanian brand owned by Renault is manufactured. Dacia is no longer a budget brand with a cheap finish – these cars can successfully compete on equal terms with other brands as well. The Dacia Sandero is 408.8 cm long, 178.4 cm wide and 149.9 cm high. The wheelbase is a good 260.4 cm as for its segment.
The boot capacity is more than 300 liters, and it can be expanded to a maximum of 1108 liters. Under the hood, you will find 1-litre gasoline engines with 90 to 110 HP. Sandero in its segment offers a very good value for money – it costs from approx. EUR 13,000.
No. 3 – Fiat 500
It’s an extremely popular urban model, which debuted in 2007. Over the years, little has changed on the outside. The biggest revolution took place under the hood – since 2023 it has been offered only as an electric model. The Fiat 500 is being an option for people looking for a minimal city car. It measures just 363.2 cm of length at 168.3 cm of width and a good 152.7 cm of height. Its wheelbase is only 232.2 cm.
Not surprisingly, the basic boot capacity is only 185 liters, and it can be expanded to modest 550 liters. The Italian car is offered in two versions: 23 kWh (95 HP, 220 Nm), range: up to 190 km. The more powerful version has 42 kWh (118 HP, 220 Nm), range: up to 331 km. Prices start at just over EUR 30,000.
No. 4 – Toyota Yaris
It has been Toyota’s urban bestseller in Europe for years. Currently, the fourth generation of this model is available. The Toyota Yaris has a compact structure, but at the same time it is spacious – the length is 394 cm, the width is 174.5 cm and the height is 150.0 cm. Its wheelbase is 256.0 cm.
The trunk holds 286 liters, with a maximum of 768 liters. The engine range includes two gasoline units (72-125 HP) and a hybrid (116 HP). Prices start at EUR 20,000.
No. 5 – Opel Corsa
The Opel Corsa is one of the most popular models in Europe. A post-lifting version has been recently presented. The current generation uses the Peugeot 208 platform and shares a range of engines with the French car. You can choose between 1.2 petrol engines (from 75 to 130 HP), a diesel unit (102 HP) and even an electric drive.
The Opel Corsa is not a typical urban model, but it can successfully play the role of even a family car – it is 406 cm long, 176.5 cm wide and 143.3 cm high. Its wheelbase is as much as 253.8 cm. The basic boot capacity is a good 309 litres, up to a maximum of 1015 liters. Opel Corsa prices start at EUR 19,500.
No. 6 – Renault Clio
The fifth generation Clio debuted in 2019 and has just been modernized. This car is one of the most frequently bought new models in Europe. This is due to, among others, a wide range of engines, including 1.0 TCe units with a factory LPG installation and a hybrid 1.6 E-Tech variant.
The Renault Clio is 405.0 cm long, 179.8 cm wide and 144 cm high. The wheelbase is as much as 258.3 cm. The basic boot capacity of the Clio with a combustion unit is an impressive 391 liters and still decent 300 liters in the hybrid version. Prices start at over EUR 18,000.
No. 7 – Fiat Panda
The current version of Fiat Panda has a long market experience – it appeared in 2011. There are two engines to choose from – a three-cylinder 1.0 (69 HP) with a mild hybrid system and a four-cylinder 1.2 (70 HP) with an LPG system.
Fiat Panda is very popular in Italy, but it also does well on other markets. The car is 368.6 cm long, 167.2 cm wide and 155.1 cm high. Its wheelbase is only 230.0 cm. The trunk normally holds 225 liters, with a maximum capacity of 870 liters. Prices start at just under EUR 17,000.
No. 8 – Volkswagen Polo
This is the sixth generation of the popular city car produced by the Volkswagen Group. The currently offered Polo went on sale in 2017. The car is quite large for an urban model – it is 407.4 cm long, 175.1 cm wide and 145.1 cm high. The wheelbase is as much as 255.2 cm, which translates into a spacious cabin.
The basic boot capacity is 351 liters, and the maximum is up to 1125 liters. Under the hood, you can choose from three varieties of 1.0 TSI gasoline engines, differing in power – from 95 to 110 HP. Prices start from nearly EUR 20,300 – it is one of the most expensive city cars in our list.
No. 9 – Škoda Fabia
This is the fourth generation of the popular model of the Czech brand. It is very spacious – the Skoda Fabia is as much as 410.8 cm long, 178.0 cm wide and 145.9 cm high. The wheelbase is as much as 256.4 cm. The basic boot capacity is a great result in its segment – as much as 380 liters, and up to 1.190 liters.
The engine range includes four gasoline units – naturally aspirated 1.0 MPI (80 HP) and three turbocharged engines with direct injection (TSI – from 90 to 130 HP). The car offers a good size-to-price ratio – it costs from EUR 18,300.
No. 10 – Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta measures 404 cm in length, 178.3 cm in width and 147.6 cm in height. The wheelbase is 249.3 cm. The basic boot capacity is 311 liters and the maximum is 1093 liters. The range of units includes gasoline engines with a capacity of 1 to 1.5 liters.
This year, Ford intends to end production of the Fiesta, so this may be the last opportunity to buy such a brand new city car. Fiesta prices start at EUR 20,300.
These cars are also worth considering – they are not the most popular, but they are worth taking into account.
Hyundai i10
This is the third generation of the Korean brand’s popular city car. In 2023, it was modernized. The Hyundai i10 is available with three gasoline engines – 1.0 MPI (67 HP), 1.2 MPI (84 HP) and 1.0 T-GDI (100 HP). The urban model is 367.0 cm long, 168 cm wide and 148 cm high. The wheelbase is 242.5 cm.
The basic boot capacity is 252 liters, and it can be expanded to a maximum of 1050 liters. It is one of the cheapest models in the list – prices start from approx. EUR 14,800.
Kia Picanto
The third generation of the urban model has been available on the market for quite a long time, since 2017. There are two gasoline engines to choose from – 1.0 DPI (67 HP) and 1.2 DPI (84 HP). The dimensions of the Kia Picanto are 359.5 cm of length, 159.5 cm of width and 148.5 cm of height. The wheelbase is 240.0 cm.
The basic boot capacity is 255 liters, and the maximum is up to 1010 liters. Prices start at EUR 16,300.
Small car – what to buy so as not to lose money?
A city car is sometimes the first new car for some drivers due to its affordable price. Contrary to appearances, however, this segment is internally very diverse. In addition to the price before buying, it is worth checking and comparing the following parameters:
- The spaciousness of the interior and the roomy trunk – city cars can have even more than 300 liters of trunk capacity. Such a car can be very practical and versatile, and later it will be easy to resell.
- Fuel consumption – usually it is between 5 to 5,5 liters per 100 km on average, but a small car is driven mainly in the city, which may overstate this result. The most economical car may be the electric version, but it will be up to twice as expensive to buy than the analogous combustion version.
- Turning radius and dimensions of the car – the smaller the radius and lower the dimensions, the easier it will be to park a city car.
- Equipment and safety – it is worth checking exactly what safety systems the car offers, in addition to mandatory ones such as ABS or ESP. It is also worth paying attention to the safety assessment of the car in crash tests. From the list of equipment, the base versions are usually quite limited, so any additional elements will affect the final price.
Did you like this article? Anything you’d like to ask in your comment? Feel free to share your feedback and comment at the bottom of the article. And remember – always before buying a car, motorcycle or even a trailer – check vehicle history and free VIN lookup with autoDNA based on the VIN number. VIN check is one of the most important things to do before deciding to buy a used vehicle. Thanks to this, autoDNA helps you make an informed decision.
Which city car uses the least fuel?
Among the combustion cars, hybrid versions of urban cars are the most economical, e.g. Renault Clio or Toyota Yaris.
Which city car is the cheapest to buy?
The cheapest are cars from the A segment - Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10 and Fiat 500.
Is a city car suitable for a longer trip?
Basically, yes, although comfort should not be expected, especially if you are going, for example, as a group of four people. In general, however, city cars have significantly increased in size in recent years and are no longer intended only for driving in the city.
