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Guide
Driving In Suburban Locations
If you live in suburbia, you’ll need a car that’s as cool as it is capable - and it needs to be loaded with tech, too.
Top 10 Best City Cars UK
City driving comes with its own unique challenges. And if you're regularly running the gauntlet of stop-start traffic, weaving through tight congested streets, or trying to find the last parking space, you need a car that's fit for purpose. Here we guide you through your urban commuting options and reveal the best city cars the UK has to offer.
There are a few key areas to focus on when researching the top small cars for city driving:
- Compact size that makes it easy to park and manoeuvre
- Low running costs
- Good visibility
- Agility and sharp acceleration
- Modern safety tech
- Low emissions or fully-electric powertrain, particularly if you're driving in a Low Emission Zone area
- Automatic transmission options for better comfort in stop-start traffic
Compactness
A large SUV could prove too cumbersome for the cut and thrust of city driving, when you need to dart into tight spaces or sneak past parked cars. The good news is that many of the best compact cars also offer decent amounts of interior space, which means you don't need to compromise on passenger comfort.
Some of the most compact city cars include the Fiat 500e, Renault 5 E-Tech, Nissan Micra, and Leapmotor T03.
Nimbleness and Handling
Small city cars that are good for short journeys are often light on their feet and able accelerate promptly away from junctions. You should also look for a compact car with a small turning circle - such as the Fiat 500e, Kia Picanto, and Toyota Aygo X.
Fully Electric Powertrain
There's a reason why electric vehicles are perfectly suited to city driving. With zero CO2 emissions at the tailpipe, they swerve ULEZ costs and take you to places traditional petrol cars can't reach. The instant torque that EV's boast also lets you accelerate away from the lights with minimal fuss. Some of the best small electric cars for city driving include the Renault 5 E-Tech, Fiat 500e, MINI Cooper Electric, and the affordable Citroen e-C3.
Low Running Costs
The cheapest small cars to run often make the best city runabouts. Traditional fuel? Look for a small petrol engine with efficiency-boosting mild-hybrid technology, like the Suzuki Swift or Ford Puma, which are capable of returning well in excess of 50 mpg. Compact hatchbacks and crossovers with smaller engines also fall into the lowest insurance groups.
Good Visibility
Trying to park a low-slung sports car or wide SUV could prove problematic in the city. What you need is a compact vehicle with large windows, thin A- and C-pillars, minimal blind spots, and reversing sensors/cameras if possible. Some city cars praised for their visibility include the Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo X, Citroen e-C3 Aircross, and Hyundai i10.
Automatic Transmission
Rowing through a manual gearbox can be a pain when you’re constantly stopping and starting in congested traffic. The good news is that many compact city cars now come as standard with an automatic gearbox. Some of those easy to park automatic cars include the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz. And, of course, ALL electric cars have an automatic transmission, with many offering so-called ‘one pedal driving’, which means you barely even need to depress the brake, as regenerative braking slows the car for you.
Modern Safety Tech
City roads see more accidents than rural ones, according to stats from organisations like the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Keep you and your loved ones safe by choosing a car with a 5-star rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). Five-star city cars include the SEAT Ibiza, VW Polo, and Skoda Fabia. Cars with the the highest ratings will come equipped with a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking.
Top 10 Best City Cars UK 2025
Kia Picanto Hatchback
Kia's Picanto Hatchback has an memorable and fashionable design and is both easy to drive and highly practical.
From
£209.10 inc. VAT
1 SPECIAL OFFER
Renault 5 E-Tech Hatchback
The Renault 5 E-Tech is a funky, fully-electric hatchback with retro-futuristic styling and a range of up to 248 miles between charges.
From
£193.09 inc. VAT
3 SPECIAL OFFERS
models available
models
Citroen ë-C3 Hatchback
The Citroen e-C3 is a fully-electric hatchback with a range of up to 198 miles between charges and which is well equipped as standard.
From
£298.57 inc. VAT
models available
models
Fiat 500e Hatchback
The electric Fiat 500e offers a range of up to 200 miles between charges as well as all the retro charm of the iconic 1950s original.
From
£341.62 inc. VAT
models available
models
Hyundai i10 Hatchback
Hyundai's i10 Hatchback is a car with modern styling, low running costs, storage in abundance and strong safety credentials.
From
£160.64 inc. VAT
2 SPECIAL OFFERS
Ford Puma Gen‑E SUV
The Ford Puma Gen-E is a fully-electric SUV that offers a fun, vibrant ride as well as family-sized levels of practicality.
From
£195.29 inc. VAT
2 SPECIAL OFFERS
models available
models
Suzuki Swift Hatchback
The Swift Hatchback is a sporty hatchback with a unique and superb four-wheel drive option and a set of engines that are great fun to get behind.
From
£148.72 inc. VAT
2 SPECIAL OFFERS
Hyundai Inster SUV
The Hyundai Inster is a funky, fully-electric urban SUV with a range of up to 229 miles between charges and a heat pump fitted as standard.
From
£250.44 inc. VAT
1 SPECIAL OFFER
models available
models
Seat Ibiza Hatchback
Seat's Ibiza Hatchback has a stupendous engine that is incredibly quick combined with endearing good looks and a finely built exterior design.
From
£215.57 inc. VAT
Leapmotor T03 Hatchback
The Leapmotor T03 is a compact, four-seat electric hatchback that offers a range of up to 165 miles between charges.
From
£243.77 inc. VAT
1 SPECIAL OFFER
models available
models
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