Driving in the city is a necessary evil.
Stop-start traffic, cramped parking spaces and incomprehensible one-way systems are all miles away from the joy of the open road. But it doesn’t have to be this way – we've chosen 10 super city cars that'll make your commute as effortless as possible.
We’ve included petrol, hybrid and electric options, and all are Clean Air Zone and London ULEZ compliant. Save thousands off the list price by shopping nearly new and used cars from Motorpoint.
- Ford Fiesta
- Fiat 500e
- Vauxhall Corsa
- Honda Jazz
- Peugeot e-208
- MG4
- Toyota Yaris Cross
- Skoda Kamiq
- Kia Picanto
- Volkswagen ID.3
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta has spent years as the UK’s best-selling car for good reason. It's just the right size for UK cities – short enough squeeze into tight parking spots, while also being able to seat four adults in reasonable comfort. That’s before you get to the Fiesta’s pokey turbocharged engines, agile handling and decent equipment list, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all nearly new Fiestas, and rear parking sensors available on mid-level trims and up.
Shop used Ford Fiesta cars or read our Ford Fiesta review
Fiat 500e
After well over a decade on sale, Fiat finally revealed the new 500 city car – this time powered by a swift, silent electric motor. The '50s Bakelite charm of the old car remains fairly obvious, but it's been modernised for today's drivers with digital dials and a glossy infotainment screen. It's clearly been optimised for city use, with the smaller 24kWh battery returning 118 miles of range and the upgraded 42kWh version pushing this to 199 miles. The driving experience makes up for the mediocre range, with instant electric power and fleet-footed handling.
View used Fiat 500 electric cars or read our review of the old petrol Fiat 500
Vauxhall Corsa
Another great all-round city hatchback is the Vauxhall Corsa. Inside, you’ll find a nicely built interior with enough space for four adults, or five for very short journeys. If you’re shopping for nearly new examples, Corsa models tend to be a little more affordable than like-for-like Fiestas, and many come with generous equipment lists. City dwellers with access to a charging point should consider the Corsa Electric – used prices are actually lower than equivalent fuel-powered versions and running costs are fantastically low.
Browse used Vauxhall Corsa cars or read our Vauxhall Corsa review
Honda Jazz
Trekking through the concrete jungle is made much easier if you don't have to change gear, which makes the Honda Jazz and its responsive, frugal self-charging hybrid engine a tempting choice. It's not just the zippy powertrain that impresses, however, because the Jazz has an astonishing amount of rear head and legroom for such a small car, along with a boot that'll handle big shops with ease. The dashboard has a clean, minimal look and there are a few soft-touch spots dotted about the cabin to make it a comfier place to sit.
See used Honda Jazz cars for sale or read our Honda Jazz review
Peugeot e-208
Electric cars are more energy efficient than fuel-powered models, and that advantage is pressed home in the city, with EVs often giving their best efficiency in stop-start traffic. If you can charge at home or at work, the Peugeot e-208 is one of the best battery-powered options for tackling the town centre. It has a plush, premium cabin and a smooth, grown-up driving experience that could match many larger, posher cars. Plus, prices on the used market are roughly on par with petrol versions, doubling down on your fuel cost savings.
Check out used Peugeot e-208 cars or read our Peugeot 208 review
MG4
MG's older family cars felt like 'also-ran' candidates – coming up short in nearly every area other than price. Newer models like the MG4, however, are a revelation. This is a family hatch with great rear-seat space built on MG's clever ground-up electric platform. That means 270 miles of range from our preferred mid-spec Long Range setup and zippy acceleration from its 203hp electric motor. It feels like MG's really spent time honing the MG4 for UK roads too, with plenty of suspension compliance to tune out potholes and speed bumps.
Shop used MG4 cars or read our MG4 review
Toyota Yaris Cross
You might ask what's a big SUV doing on this list? Well looks can be deceptive because, despite the Toyota Yaris Cross’ chunky off-road-ready styling, it's only about 10cm longer than the Corsa supermini above. The Yaris Cross’ blocky shape means it still squeezes a family-sized cabin and a big boot into its small footprint and, while cabin plastics feel a bit cheap, they're very well screwed together. Its hybrid engine means the Yaris Cross excels in town – keep within city confines and you comfortably see over 60mpg, while never having to worry about changing gear or charging the battery.
Shop used Toyota Yaris Cross cars or read our Toyota Yaris Cross review
Skoda Kamiq
If you need a family car that also works in the city, take a look at the Skoda Kamiq. This compact SUV is a bit taller, wider and longer in every dimension than the hatchbacks it’s priced to compete with, making it a great choice if you need enough room in the back to fit child seats. You also get a big boot that can easily swallow a pushchair and robust build quality that’ll stand up to whatever your kids can throw at it. The 1.0-litre engine sounds small but it's more than a match for the Kamiq's frame. We'd recommend picking the DSG auto for even easier commuting.
Browse used Skoda Kamiq cars or read our Skoda Kamiq review
Kia Picanto
If you value dependability above all else, consider the Kia Picanto. This tiny hatchback is easy to live with in the city and can seat four adults at a push, but its best feature is the long seven-year manufacturer’s warranty, giving you peace of mind that you’ll be covered for a long time if something goes wrong. An easy-to-use dashboard means you’ll quickly feel at home behind the wheel, and the efficient engines should be kind to your wallet. There's even a respectable amount of boot space considering its tiny 3.6-metre length.
Take a look at used Kia Picanto cars or read our Kia Picanto review
Volkswagen ID.3
This list could easily have been filled with electric cars as they're just so easy to drive in stop-start traffic. The Volkswagen ID.3 is even more relaxed than most as the brand's removed almost all the clutter from your eyeline, leaving just the essentials. Its column-mounted gear selector means you rarely need to move your hands far from the wheel, and there's great visibility through its wide windscreen and front quarterlight windows. The feeling of effortlessness is enhanced when you're on the move, with hushed but insistent acceleration and light controls.
Shop used Volkswagen ID.3 cars for sale or read our Volkswagen ID.3 review
Found your favourite city slicker?
Browse Motorpoint's huge range of used cars – all sold with a warranty and backed by our Quality Standard. For more great options, take a look at our picks for the best fuel-efficient cars you can buy.
