The 10 best small automatic cars in 2026

If you want a small car to slip through city traffic and don't fancy fussing with a clutch pedal, check out our 10 favourite small automatic cars on sale.

Most are available with big discounts as nearly new and used cars from Motorpoint.

Skoda Kamiq

• Excellent practicality for its footprint
• Easy to drive and use
• DSG automatic gearbox always has the next gear ready

Don't let the Skoda Kamiq's SUV styling fool you; this is a compact car with a shorter footprint than a Volkswagen Golf. Despite its small stature, you'll find there's plenty of passenger space in the Kamiq and a big 400-litre boot. That makes it an easy choice for small families, with enough space to wrestle kids into their child seats and to stow pushchairs in the boot. Both the Kamiq's 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo petrol engines are available with the swift-shifting DSG automatic gearbox, making easy work of city driving.

Browse used Skoda Kamiq cars or read our Skoda Kamiq review

Hyundai i10

• Practical for such a small car
• Decent ride quality
• Automated manual gearbox keeps costs down

The Hyundai i10 is one of our favourite city cars – along with its Kia Picanto cousin. Its tiny sub-3.7-metre length lets you squeeze into nearly any parking spot, and the upright body means there's great visibility. However, the real genius is the amount of interior space Hyundai's conjured from the i10's compact frame. You can sit full-grown adults behind one another – a near-impossible task in a comparable Fiat 500 – and there's enough boot space for weekly shop. The auto 'box does make the car feel a bit slow, but it's easy enough to get along with.

See used Hyundai i10 cars or read our Hyundai i10 review

Mercedes A-Class

• Premium look and feel
• Fairly comfortable
• Dual-clutch automatic gearbox underlines premium feel

Despite being the smallest model in the lineup, the Mercedes A-Class still delivers an experience worthy of the three-pointed star on the bonnet. Ride comfort is impressive for a car this size, and its turbo petrol engines make a natural pairing with the A-Class's dual-clutch automatic gearbox, allowing for smooth, swift progress with just a brush of the accelerator. Plush materials feature extensively throughout the cabin, as does Mercedes' high-tech infotainment system, which features glossy graphics and fast loading times.

Check out used Mercedes A-Class cars or read our Mercedes A-Class review

Toyota Yaris

• Easy to use
• Long 10-year service-activated warranty
• eCVT hybrid setup boosts economy

The current Toyota Yaris is automatic-only, as it's only sold in the UK with its efficient 1.5-litre full-hybrid engine. That means you get zippy off-the-line response from the electric motor, so you can always snag that gap in traffic, with the fuel-sipping petrol engine joining in as speeds increase. Economy figures north of 60mpg are readily achievable, even if you cover mostly stop-start urban traffic, and there's no faffing around with batteries to recharge. The cabin is simple but intuitive, making it easy to get your head around.

View used Toyota Yaris cars or read our Toyota Yaris review

BMW 1 Series

• Sporty handling
• Desirable brand
• Dual-clutch automatic gearbox shifts quickly

Like the A-Class, the BMW 1 Series distils the brand's sporty, premium character down into a city-friendly hatchback. It's easily one of the most entertaining cars in this class to drive, with agile handling and predictable, accurate controls. This is especially true if you choose one of the punchy 128ti or M135i versions, which offer real hot hatch performance. A manual gearbox is available on older versions, but the 1 Series suits the automatic option best as it makes it a more complete all-rounder.

Shop used BMW 1 Series cars or read our BMW 1 Series review

MG3

• Excellent value for money
• Lots of standard kit
• Three-speed hybrid setup benefits performance and efficiency

MG's lineup has evolved into one of the most competitive currently on sale. It has several cars that are exemplary among their respective classes and the latest MG3 is no exception. This is a small hybrid hatchback competing against the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz, but the MG is faster than both of those cars, better equipped and thousands of pounds cheaper to buy. There's no sense of bargain-basement status in the cabin either with a modern infotainment system and a clean, simple layout. Plus, it's backed by MG's seven-year warranty.

Browse used MG3 cars or read our MG3 review

Audi Q2

• Desirable SUV image in a small footprint
• Usefully practical
• S Tronic automatic gearbox is smooth

Of the 'big three' posh German brands, Audi is the only one with a competitor in the small SUV class. The sharply styled Q2 is just a shade over 4.2 metres long, making it shorter than a Volkswagen Golf and very easy to drive on tight urban roads. Despite its compactness, you can just about use the Q2 as a small family car with acceptable rear-seat space and a 405-litre boot. It's optionally available with Audi's S Tronic auto gearbox, which is slick and responsive, and rarely gets caught out in the wrong gear.

Shop used Audi Q2 cars or read our Audi Q2 review

Peugeot 208

• Attractively styling inside and out
• Smooth ride quality
• Dual-clutch automatic gearbox makes driving easy

The most recent Peugeot 208 sought to shake off the mass-market image of its predecessors and move upmarket. It mostly achieves this goal thanks to the impressively plush materials used in its cabin, and a refreshingly modern design compared to more conservative rivals. Earlier models use the firm's punchy 1.2-litre turbo engine with an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox, while later versions swapped to a mild-hybrid version of the engine with a six-speed dual-clutch auto for slightly better fuel economy.

Browse used Peugeot 208 cars or read our Peugeot 208 review

Volkswagen Golf

• Straightforward, practical cabin
• Easygoing user experience
• DSG automatic gearbox is quick to react

The Volkswagen Golf remains the yardstick by with all other family hatches must compare themselves. This latest version has shaken up the formula somewhat, with an ultra-minimal dashboard and screen-heavy interface. However, once you've acclimatised to the infotainment system, you'll find that the Golf's core qualities – a comfy cabin, a composed ride and a fuss-free driving experience are all present and correct. Much of the lineup is available with VW's excellent DSG gearbox, which feels responsive and direct in use.

Check out used Volkswagen Golf cars or read our Volkswagen Golf review

Mini Hatchback

• Sporty handling
• Cool, retro-flavoured design
• Dual-clutch automatic gearbox

The latest Mini Cooper is automatic-only but the older Mini Hatchback was widely offered with an optional auto. Purists might feel this sporty hatch works best with three pedals, but it's a much easier everyday proposition when equipped with the self-shifting 'box. Desirability is the name of the game inside and out, with iconic retro-inspired styling on the outside, and funky details in the cabin like the circular central dashboard pod and the satisfying chromed toggle switches in the centre console.

Take a look at used Mini Hatchback cars or read our Mini Hatchback review

Find an awesome automatic car

Browse Motorpoint's wide choice of used automatic cars for sale. For even more options, take a look at our picks for the best cars for city driving and the best fuel-efficient cars.