Whilst there may be an abundance of SUVs on the UK’s roads, manufacturers are still producing small cars that can be very useful around urban areas and other roads
A group of motoring experts have named the best small cars in the UK (stock)(Image: Getty)
As our cities become more congested having a small car isn’t the worst idea in the world, especially if you’re not in need of a massive vehicle in the first place.
Despite the surge in popularity of SUVs, car manufacturers are still producing small cars for the public to buy and enjoy.
Some of the best things about small cars are not just that they’re easy to park, but also the fact they are lightweight means they’re fun to drive and economical, crucial during a period when petrol prices are soaring.
With that in mind, automotive experts from Auto Express have put together a list of the best small cars on sale in the UK.
Coming top of the league with retro looks built for the modern world is the Fiat Grande Panda. With references to the iconic Panda of the 1990s, it comes in both hybrid and electric form.
The car was praised for being practical and having decent range and economy in the electric and hybrid variants respectively whilst its competitive pricing also helped. Prices for the hybrid start from £19,000 whist the electric version starts from £21,000.
Auto Express said: “It’s quite a bit bigger than its predecessor, but the Fiat Grande Panda is still one of the best small cars you can buy. The 412-litre boot is one of the more generous in the small car class and even beats the closely-related Citroen C3 by almost 100 litres.”
Coming in second was the popular Kia Picanto which the experts said felt grown-up and came with lots of kit. It was also named the publication’s City Car of the year in their 2025 awards.
They said: “The Kia Picanto offers lots of kit and a driving experience for a small car and is more akin to that of a car from the class above.”
Coming in third was the Renault 5, a car which has proved immensely popular since its launch a few years ago. With retro-futuristic looks, the electric French car has proved popular both with critics and the public.
Ex-chief reviewer Alex Ingram said of the 5: “While the Renault 5 plays heavily on nostalgia, there’s so much joy in this little package that it’s impossible not to be impressed. It feels like a more compelling posh supermini than a MINI Cooper or Peugeot E-208.”
The list of best small cars comes at a time when people are working out how to save money following the beginning of the war in Iran with senior motoring figures urging the Labour government to ensure motorists are at least slightly protected by the inevitable economic consequences of the conflict in Iran.
President of the AA Edmund King warned: “As the conflict in the Middle East continues, the global increase in oil prices will hurt inflation, particularly with the diesel price hikes. As most goods and services are delivered by diesel vehicles, this will lead to price rises which the consumer will be stung with.
“We strongly encourage the Chancellor to delay the staggered reintroduction of the 5p fuel duty discount in order to offer some breathing space for hard-pressed households.”
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