Old school Mini parked on kerb
They are agile, easy to park anywhere and cost very little to insure and maintain. As of late, many of them also come with quite powerful engines and a “wow” effect to match. Perfect for going shopping or the daily commute, but they don't stop there. Small engine cars are definitely a thing on the UK market.
Also known in the EU as B-segment vehicles, small cars are designed predominantly to make the urban commute easier, but they offer more than just that. People often choose them for their low prices and minimal fuel consumption, and even though they don't boast spacious interiors, a typical specimen of this kind can take a family of four on a comfortable, day-long trip. Versatile – is the word we’re looking for here.
On the outside
When it comes to their looks, one thing is immediately noticeable. The UK's best compact cars are all hatchbacks. So far, that's been an unbreakable rule. Generally, their design won't take your breath away, but there are exceptions. Some B-segment vehicles can be really stylish, others not so much, but that all depends on your preferences and taste. It’s safe to say that there’s something out there for everyone.
On the inside
Superminis are designed to make city driving easier while offering a decent amount of space for the driver and passenger in the front. No banging of the elbows here (unless you get paid to play basketball). Even tall people can easily find themselves a supermini with enough leg and headroom. Things look a bit different when we move to the back, though. While the rear seats are usually perfect for children, for the adults, travelling in the back of a city car has been more of a punishment than a pleasant experience. Not any more.
The best small cars in the UK right now
And before you ask, yes – Ford Fiesta does make the list. But there are alternatives.
Dacia Sandero
Dacia Sandero Stepway with a 2017 faceliftWe start in fifth place with the Romanian-made Dacia Sandero. Often the subject of ridicule by ex Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, it is the cheapest small car in the UK, with the basic version priced at just £7,995. For that price tag, we get a basic selection of features and a 65-horsepower SCe engine that gets from 0 to 60 mph... eventually. However, those willing to pay £12,795 will, in return, get a much better 90-horsepower TCE engine with a city-friendly automatic transmission and other features. Sandero's main advantages, however, lie in its dimensions – for a small car, it is immensely spacious inside.
Skoda Fabia
Skoda Fabia Mk3Skoda Fabia comes fourth. Although not as inexpensive as it used to be, it now boasts an improved interior. This supermini shares similarities with the Volkswagen Polo, but is more spacious than its German counterpart and costs significantly less. Prices start at £14,465, and for that sum, we can expect a modest 60-horsepower, 1-litre petrol engine. The top of the range vehicle is a 1.2-litre TSI, 108-horsepower DSG gearbox version, with a price tag of £19,000.
Renault Clio
Renault Clio VThe third place rightfully belongs to Renault Clio. Redesigned to look striking, the new version of the French classic also features a stylish interior and, for this segment, an enormous boot. The basic car comes with a £16,200 price tag and a slightly underpowered 65-horsepower SCe engine. The fun of driving starts with the more powerful, supercharged TCe, 90-horsepower engine. It costs only £700 more and if we indulge in something extra on top of that, the car also comes with more features. For upwards of £20,600, a 140-horsepower E-TECH version can be yours, and that is one impressive racer.
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo Mk6The second best value small car in this ranking is the Volkswagen Polo. This German supermini vehicle outclasses most competition when it comes to interior quality. It just has that feeling of a premium car, even though the basic version with a 1-litre, 65-horsepower petrol powertrain costs only £17,400. Depending on the extra features we choose, we will pay up to £25,000 for a fully loaded car with an astonishing 2-litre, 207-horsepower petrol engine and 7-speed DSG gearbox. With that powertrain, the Polo is nothing less than a luxurious racing car disguised as a supermini.
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta VIIFord Fiesta closes out our list (or rather opens it) as the best small hatchback in the competition. Thousands of UK drivers choose this model each year for its reliable, turbocharged engine, spacious boot, decent rear seats and pleasant driving experience. Prices start at around £19,000 for the basic version with a 1.0T EcoBoost 95-horsepower engine. For more performance-oriented buyers, a top-of-the-line, £23,500 Active X Edition is available. It features the same engine, but this time with 45 additional horsepower and extras such as leather seats.
Superminis are getting bigger
Manufacturers constantly redefine what they mean by the term “small car”. It is clear to see when we look at the Volkswagen Polo. The Mk1, designed back in 1975, had a total length of 3510 mm, whereas the latest Mk6 features a length of 4053 mm. That's half a metre more space for the passengers and their luggage! We can observe similar changes in other new small cars, too. The fact of the matter is, our cars are getting bigger by the year, and this adds to the list of advantages of B-segment vehicles.
Small cars in the UK owe their popularity not only to their fuel consumption and ability to park just about anywhere. Depending on your budget, you can buy a simple, affordable vehicle that goes from A to B, or a fully-loaded, premium-class mini race car. And with the newer models becoming even more comfortable and spacious than the previous generations, we can expect a greater demand for compact cars in the coming months.