The best small cars to buy in 2026

And small cars are usually cheaper to buy, cheaper to insure and more economical than bigger cars, while being less intimidating to drive in the real world. 

So here are our favourite small cars – a mix of city cars, small SUVs and superminis to suit all pockets. Let's go.

Best small car with low running costs – Toyota Yaris

The latest Toyota Yaris comes with a clever hybrid engine and can run on electric power at low speeds around town. In this environment, a Yaris on small wheels can achieve up to 69mpg, so visits to petrol stations will be very infrequent. You save a fraction on VED (road tax) compared to petrol and diesel cars, and the Yaris sits in a low, budget-friendly insurance group.

If you’re going to be covering lots of motorway miles, the best used compact cars will have a diesel engine. The sharply styled Peugeot 208 is capable of over 73mpg with a 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel.

Shop used Toyota Yaris and Peugeot 208 cars for sale

Best small performance car – Ford Fiesta ST

Sitting in a real hot hatch sweetspot is the now-discontinued Ford Fiesta ST. It’s faster than the Abarth 595 and Mini Cooper S, more exciting than the Volkswagen Polo GTI and cheaper than the (admittedly phenomenal) Toyota GR Yaris. You get a nice, round 200hp, which is plenty to feel fast without feeling wasted on the UK’s twisty roads. The Fiesta ST hits 0-62mph in just 6.5 seconds.

But the engine plays second fiddle to the handling. The Fiesta ST is one of the most fun cars to drive at any price, with involving handling and a playful, agile feel. And yet, it’ll return 40mpg when you’re being careful and offers just enough space for four adults and a weekly shop. If you need a bigger boot, check out the Ford Puma ST. It's worth noting that although the Fiesta ST was discontinued in 2023, you can still buy a used Fiesta ST.

Shop used Ford Fiesta ST cars or read our Ford Fiesta review

Best value-for-money small car – Vauxhall Corsa

Cars are getting more expensive, but a used Vauxhall Corsa is still very affordable. For well under £200 per month, you’ll get a car with a grown-up driving experience, lots of equipment and great fuel economy. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is capable of more than 50mpg, while even the entry-level SE spec gets LED headlights, cruise control and the must-have smartphone connectivity.

Thanks to the Corsa’s popularity, you’ll be able to find a used car in the exact spec – and probably the right colour – that you want. Higher-spec cars get big screens, a reversing camera and even a heated steering wheel.

Shop used Vauxhall Corsa cars or read our Vauxhall Corsa review

Best small luxury car – Audi A1

The Audi A1 has always felt like a bigger, more expensive Audi squeezed into a compact, city-friendly package. Sit inside the A1 and there’s almost nothing to remind you that it shares parts with the Volkswagen Polo – you look at a fancy digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and control your media through a crystal-clear touchscreen, just like in the Audi A3. Nothing you touch feels cheap.

It feels like an Audi on the road, as well. It’s comfortable and quiet on long-distance journeys, and quite good to drive when you peel off the motorway and get on to the back roads.

Shop used Audi A1 cars or read our Audi A1 review

Best small hybrid car – MG3

The old MG3 didn't exactly have a lot going for it – it was cheap, and that was about it. However, the new MG3 is a complete revelation. Gone is the plasticky, tacky cabin from the old car, replaced with a modern, slick dashboard with simple controls and a fully featured infotainment system.

However, what stands out the most about the new MG3 is its fantastic hybrid powertrain. It has noticeably more power than the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris it competes against, with much swifter acceleration and more off-the-line electric assistance. Despite the extra muscle, it's no less frugal than those cars with well over 50mpg possible in mixed driving. Standard equipment is excellent too, while prices are below most of its main rivals. Plus, nearly new examples still benefit from the remainder of MG's seven-year warranty.

Shop used MG3 cars or read our MG3 review

Best small electric car –  Nissan Leaf

Most early EVs were big cars with big price tags, but not the Nissan Leaf. This sensible battery-powered family hatchback has been at the forefront of affordable electric motoring for more than a decade. As a nearly new car, value-for-money is incredible, with the Leaf undercutting pretty much all fuel-powered rivals on a like-for-like basis. Read our guide to electric car depreciation to learn more.

While first-gen Leafs aren't exactly known for their long-range chops, this second-generation model is much better. There's still a small-battery option that'll cover 168 miles on a full charge – ideal as a urban commuter or second car. Alternatively, big-battery models can go 239 miles while also giving some hot hatches a shock for pure acceleration.

Shop used Nissan Leaf cars or read our Nissan Leaf review

Best reliable small car – Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto has proved itself to be a reliable car, and it also comes with the peace of mind of a seven-year/100,000-mile factory warranty. That’s transferable to subsequent owners, so a nearly new Picanto still has a longer period of cover than many new cars. Picantos with autonomous emergency braking get a four-star safety score from Euro NCAP, so the compact Kia will give you peace of mind when it comes to safety as well.

Kia updated the Picanto in 2024 with a modern new look, and higher trim levels now get bold LED lights with a striking light bar across the bottom of the bonnet. Every model gets a reversing camera and air-con, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also has space for four adults, a decent boot and it'll get 55mpg.

Shop used Kia Picanto cars or read our Kia Picanto review

Best small car for practicality – Renault Captur

Stylish on the outside, surprisingly practical inside. The Renault Captur is based on the Clio but it’s usefully bigger, so it’s one to consider if you need to carry kids or lots of cargo. There’s generous space in both the front and rear seats – only the tallest adults will struggle to get comfortable. In the rear, you’ll find the Captur’s party trick – the back seats can slide forwards and backwards by up to 16cm, allowing you to prioritise passenger space or boot space. 

Pushed forward, there’s barely any legroom, but the resulting 536-litre boot is bigger than many SUVs from the class above. With the seats all the way back, even the tallest adults will be able to stretch out – as long as you don’t need maximum boot space. While you probably won’t whizz the seats forwards and backwards every time you get in it, it’s useful to have that flexibility for those times when you need extra boot space.

Shop used Renault Captur cars or read our Renault Captur review

Best small car for comfort – Renault Clio

The latest Renault Clio does a lot to impress. Its cabin is modern and neatly trimmed, the driving experience is well sorted, and the infotainment setup is refreshingly simple to navigate. However, where the Clio stands noticeably ahead of most key rivals is its comfort, with a supple suspension setup that isolates the cabin from bumps better than many cars in the class above.

Refinement is impressive too, matching the car's chilled character. This is especially obvious on hybrid models, which mostly use electric power to scoot around urban streets without firing up the engine. There's also just enough space to fit average-sized adults in the back and a medium-sized shopping trip in the boot.

Shop used Renault Clio cars or read our Renault Clio review

Best small car for standing out – Peugeot 2008

Peugeot’s design language is really eye-catching, whether you pick the 208 supermini or the seven-seat 5008. We particularly like the design of the 2008. It’s more SUV-like than the car it replaced, and comes with trendy black wheel arches and a cool black trim panel on the rear pillars. We recommend choosing a bright colour to show off the bold lines and creases. GT-badged cars also get three vertical slashes in each headlight, which are like the claw marks left by Peugeot’s lion mascot on the grille.

The 2008 also has a high-tech interior and impressive practicality. Rear-seat space certainly isn’t in short supply, and the 430-litre boot is more than you get in a SEAT Arona and Skoda Kamiq. It's also available as the fully electric e-2008.

Shop used Peugeot 2008 cars or read our Peugeot 2008 review

Safest small car – Smart #1

Smart is no longer interested in making teeny tiny two-seaters that can park sideways in a parking space. Electric SUVs are what the brand is now focusing on. Its first, and smallest, model is the #1 – and, yes, Smart insists you call it the ‘HashtagOne’. How do you do, fellow kids? But, with development from Mercedes and Geely – the conglomerate that also owns Volvo and Polestar – the Smart #1 is an impressive bit of kit.

It’s incredibly safe, with Euro NCAP awarding it a glowing five-star rating when the Smart was tested in 2022. Scores of 96% for adult protection and 89% for child protection are among the best of any car tested in recent years, let alone small cars.

Best small car for roof-down fun – Mazda MX-5

We end with a wildcard. The Mazda MX-5 is an iconic junior sports car with delightful handling and a fun feel. It’s certainly small, with just the two seats and a boot that’s only big enough for soft bags. You’d get a little more in a Fiat 500C or a Mini Convertible, but neither of those are quite as fun as the MX-5 on a summer’s day. The MX-5 was updated in 2024 with slightly sharper looks and a new limited-slip differential on 2.0-litre models – perfect for even sharper cornering.

The MX-5 is one of the lightest cars on the road, and has sensibly powered engines – so it’s even quite economical. If you don’t need a lot of space, it’s a really appealing option.

Shop used Mazda MX-5 cars or read our Mazda MX-5 review