Trucks, crossovers, SUVs, and other large car models have always set sales records, making it easy to overlook the small compact cars. In the recent past, small cars have grown in popularity compared to the industry's larger models. This increased demand makes the current small car market more fiercely contested by auto manufacturers than ever before.
Aside from tight competition in the market, the rapid upsurge in technology plays a crucial role in influencing car buyers. City cars and superminis have evolved to provide a competitive price, ample boot space, innovative equipment, and a practical interior, making them the best family cars of choice.
10 BMW i3
The B-Segment BMW i3 high-roof hatchback is unique for its electric powertrain paired with a single-speed transmission system. This BMW is powered by an underfloor Li-ion battery pack with a capacity of 94Ah, and a range-extending gasoline engine as an option.
This small BMW EV's electric motors generate an output of 17bhp and a peak torque of 184lb-ft, allowing it to sprint from 0-60mph in 7.3 seconds. With a single gear drawing from its batteries, the i3 achieves a top speed of 93mph. A sportier i3S model is also available, offering lower suspension, wider wheels, Dynamic Traction Control, and a 14bph/15lb-ft power boost over the i3.
9 Hyundai i10
There are many reasons you shouldn't buy a used Hyundai, but there is also a long list of affordable new ones that you can buy in 2021 – one of them is the i10. The 2021 Hyundai i10 city car sits on an all-new platform, with increased cargo and passenger space, increased width, and a lowered suspension compared to the outgoing model. The new i10 also features tech upgrades that include an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, lane-keeping assist, and hill-start assist.
The i10 has three standard gasoline engine options; a 3-cylinder 1.0-liter MPI unit with 66bhp, a four-cylinder 1.2-liter variant producing 83bhp, and a 1.0-liter T-GDI that delivers 99bhp. All the engine options come standard with a five-speed manual gearbox, with an automated manual transmission option for the 66bhp and 83bph variants.
8 Volkswagen Up
Volkswagen designed the Up to work in town, offering an enjoyable ride that is comfortable and has a stable feel on the road. Previously rated as the best city car in the 2017 New Car Awards and the 2018 Car of the Year Awards, the 2021 VW Up model offers an upgraded sporty and optimized design that should win some design awards.
The Up also features a new front grille, a redesigned bumper, updated five-inch multimedia center, LED lights, darkened headlights, a rain sensor, and a twilight sensor. The Up has a new EA-211 3-cylinder 1.0-liter engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission.
7 Suzuki Jimny
The 2021 Suzuki Jimny is an excellent option for rural roads, with an all-wheel-drive system, robust construction, and only weighing 1,090kg. The new model features a roof rack, halogen headlights, double front bags, a keyless system, intermittent wipers, an engine immobilizer, and a multimedia system with a seven-inch touchscreen and smartphone mirroring.
The Jimny is available in the base SUV model or the GLX SUV model. Under the hood, the Jimny boasts a 1.5-liter engine that churns 102bph at 6000rpm and peak torque of 96lb-ft at 4000rpm. All Jimny models come equipped with either a four-speed auto or a five-speed manual transmission system.
6 Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta is considered one of the best real-world cars in the market, with an ability to tick all rational performance boxes to provide a fun drive experience. Ford realigned the Fiesta model with better infotainment system quality, overall cabin appearance, and ample passenger space.
The new Fiesta offers three gasoline engine variants; the 1.1-liter Ti-VCT base engine with 74bhp, the three-cylinder 1.0-liter turbo EcoBoost 94bhp, 123bhp, and 153bhp variants, and a punchy 1.5T EcoBoost with 197bph for the T-2, ST-3, and Performance Edition. All Fiesta cars have a standard 6-speed manual transmission apart from the Ti-VCT engine with a five-speed manual.
5 Kia Picanto
The Picanto is a strong contender in the city car class with impressive interior space for its small size, low insurance cost, competitive price tag, and low daily running costs. Kia built the new Picanto model with the same stylish design as the Picanto Mk2, but with a better equipped and quality interior, additional interior space, and extra personalization.
The Picanto is available with two gasoline engine variants; a three-cylinder 1.0-liter with 66bhp and a 1.-liter GDi turbo version with 99bhp. Although not all engines are offered in every trim, the turbo triple comes only in the GT-Line and GT-Line S variants.
4 Seat Ibiza
Seat is best known for its Ibiza model, the company's longest-running nameplate. Developed as a supermini, the Ibiza rivals Vauxhall Corsa, Citroën C3, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, and Nissan Micra. The new Ibiza utilizes VW's MQB A0 platform with a wider track and longer wheelbase that makes it stable on the road.
The Ibiza boasts a three-cylinder 1.0-liter engine with 115bhp, while the sportier FR houses a four-cylinder 1.5-liter variant that generates 150bhp. Seat only offered the five-door hatch trim for the new model, featuring full-LED headlamps, an 8-inch media and connectivity system, phone mirroring, and an optional Beats audio system.
3 Renault Clio
Renault launched its fifth-generation Clio supermini model in 2019 with upgraded equipment and an enhanced overall driving experience offered by its well-judged balance between comfort and body control. The new Clio hatchback also features a more expansive and lower profile, extra load capacity, LED headlights, and C-shaped daylight running rings compared to the previous model.
Renault offers a choice of four ICE motors for this Clio model. A three-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline Sce 75 with 70bhp, a three-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline TCe 100 with 98bhp, a four-cylinder 1.3-liter gasoline TCe130 with 128bhp, and a four-cylinder 1.5-liter diesel dCi with 83bhp.
2 Citroën C3
The 2021 C3 is built for the urban dweller with an unsurprising focus on refinement rather than revolution. The new C3 features LED headlights, redesigned front grille, a body with two paint variants, a Connected CAM system, a parking sensor, and a refreshed Airbump design for departure assistance on-ramps.
The C3's powertrain options consist of a BlueHDi diesel variant with 100bhp and two PureTech gasoline engines, available with either 83bhp or 110bhp. The 100bhp diesel and the 83bhp gasoline variants are offered standard with a five-speed manual, while the 110bhp petrol is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto transmission.
1 Peugeot 208
Peugeot developed the new 208 with decent driving dynamics, a plethora of improved technology features, and substantial efficiency to cope with the current highly competitive supermini marketplace. Although the 208 is available in a five-door body style only, Peugeot introduced Active, Active Premium, GT, GT-Line, Allure, and Allure Premium trims.
The 208 is developed on the new CMP small car platform that accommodates diesel, gasoline, and pure-electric powertrain configurations. The three-cylinder 1.2-liter gasoline turbocharged variant has a 75bhp, 99bhp, or 128bhp, the 1.5-liter diesel has 99bhp, and the full-electric version has 134bhp.