The modern supermini needs to tick plenty of boxes. It must be small enough to cope with congested city streets, comfortable on long motorway journeys, as safe as a larger family car, and packed with the latest technology. A case of super by name and super by nature, then?Â
We’ve chosen the best 10 small cars to buy in 2024, with our choices presented in alphabetical order.
Audi A1
The Audi A1 isn’t the cheapest supermini you can buy, but it pays to look beyond the purchase price. Even the entry-level Sport model features 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED rear lights, dynamic rear indicators, a ‘Virtual Cockpit’ driver display and a 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
S line and Black Edition versions are more lavish, and it’s easy to spend nearly £35,000 on an A1 if you get carried away with the options list. However, the A1 is arguably at its best in its most basic form, which means it costs a little north of £23,000.
We said: ‘Predictably, the interior is superb, with genuine wow-factor that’s rare in the supermini segment. Some of the plastics feel cheap, which makes it harder to justify the price of the more expensive versions, but gloss is added by the range of personalisation options. The A1 remains one of the most desirable cars in its class.’
Dacia Sandero
The Sandero is based on the Renault Clio – another car in our top 10 – but it costs considerably less. In fact, with prices from £13,795 at the time of writing (or £170 a month on finance), it’s one of the UK’s cheapest new cars. There are just two trim levels, Essential and Expression, but even the former comes with automatic LED headlights, cruise control, air conditioning, a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and electric front windows.
Most will opt for the 90hp 1.0-litre TCe petrol engine, which is available with a six-speed manual gearbox or CVT automatic. To save even more money, the 100hp Bi-Fuel version can run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). If you prefer your Sandero with a little off-road attitude, the Stepway version has chunky bumpers and added ground clearance.Â
The Dacia is practical, pleasant to drive and seriously good value. Its Achilles’ heel is a two-star crash rating from Euro NCAP (compared to the Clio’s five-star score), mainly due to a lack of active safety tech. This aside, the only way to get more supermini for your money is to buy used.Â
Read our Dacia Sandero Stepway Bi-Fuel review
Honda Jazz
The Jazz has always felt like more than just a supermini. Its spacious interior and clever Magic Seats combine to create a car that’s able to muscle in on the family hatchback and small MPV segments. With the seats folded down, the Jazz offers a VW Golf-rivalling 1,205 litres of luggage space. Impressive stuff.
You can flip and fold the Magic Seats like collapsible dining room chairs, creating enough room in the back for a mountain bike. They also fold into the floor, turning the Jazz into something resembling a van.
This latest model features hybrid technology to deliver fuel economy of 62.7mpg and CO2 emissions of just 102g/km. There’s also a more rugged Jazz Crosstar, which features the styling of an SUV. The Jazz isn’t cheap, but consider its standard equipment, hybrid technology and likely reliability.
We said: ‘The surprise will come to those lumbered with the old one, which was an authentic Jazz in terms of looks and space, but built down to a budget that made it feel cheap. This one rectifies that. Better still, it brings in an ingenious hybrid drivetrain that really works. A worry-free electric car impersonator that you don’t even have to plug in. With perfect practicality, a back-up-to-scratch drive and a genuinely welcoming cabin, the allure of the Honda Jazz has returned at last.’Â
Hyundai i20
With the last Ford Fiesta rolling off the production line in 2023, you might be searching for another supermini to add to your shortlist. You could do a lot worse than the Hyundai i20, not least for its comprehensive five-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
But there’s more to the i20 than peace of mind. It looks great following a facelift and all models come with a generous level of equipment. Even the entry-level Advance boasts 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s also a fabulous i20 N for some hot hatch thrills.
Reviewing the i20 N, our Tim Pitt said: ‘On balance, the Fiesta ST has livelier steering and handles with slightly more finesse. The Hyundai counters with more up-to-date tech and a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. It’s a close call, but I’m giving the new car the win. Long live the compact hot hatch king.’
Mini Hatch
You might fancy the racy 306hp John Cooper Works GP, but even the most affordable Mini is great to drive. In fact, you don’t need to progress beyond the basic version to enjoy a Mini adventure.
Rear-seat accommodation and boot space are in short supply, even in the more practical five-door model, but most buyers fall in love with the Mini for its style, gilt-edged image and array of personalisation options. One and Cooper models are powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S and John Cooper Works get a 2.0-litre motor producing 178hp or 231hp respectively. The Mini Cooper is our pick.
We said: ‘If you like the look of the Mini, you’ll love the way it drives and makes you feel. Sure, it’s expensive, but the cost is offset by slow depreciation and affordable finance options.’
Renault Clio
Fresh from a facelift at the end of 2023, the already-brilliant Renault Clio is now good enough to challenge the Volkswagen Polo in terms of quality and the Ford Fiesta in terms of how it drives. Little wonder it’s one of the most popular small cars in Europe.
There’s enough room inside for four adults, while a 391-litre boot is impressive for this size of car. Luggage capacity is reduced in hybrid versions, but the Clio remains competitive in terms of practicality. You even get a five-year warranty.
We said: ‘The 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol is the range sweet-spot, offering a terrific blend of punch and efficiency. The cabin is more upmarket than before, there’s a wealth of new technology and it’ll be cheap to run.’
Skoda Fabia
Like the Clio, the Skoda Fabia is a grown-up and sensible supermini. Essentially, it’s a Volkswagen Polo underneath, but with cheaper prices and plenty of neat ‘Simply Clever’ design features. Examples include a pop-out umbrella within the door and an optional roof-mounted USB port for charging devices attached to the windscreen.
We’d avoid the weedy 80hp 1.0-litre petrol engine and go for the turbocharged 1.0 TSI instead. It’s available in 95hp and 110hp outputs – the latter with an optional automatic gearbox. Also look out for the 150hp 1.5-litre petrol engine, which can propel the little Skoda to 62mph in just 7.9 seconds. The Fabia is roomy inside and has a practical boot. It also comes with the safety and infotainment technology you’d expect, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The Fabia majors on refinement and comfort rather than pin-sharp handling. It’s the kind of car that could fit effortlessly into your life. The Polo has a stronger image, but Skoda isn’t far behind. Aside from a lack of excitement – including the demise of the vRS hot hatch – there’s very little to complain about here.
Toyota Yaris
All things considered, the stylish and reliable Toyota Yaris is possibly our favourite supermini of the moment. Even the entry-level Icon trim features 16-inch alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a reversing camera and a pre-collision system with pedestrian and cyclist technology.
Power is sourced solely from an efficient 1.5-litre petrol hybrid drivetrain, which delivers between 57.6mpg and 68.8mpg, as well as offering pure electric power at speeds up to 80mph. One electric motor is used to drive the wheels, while the other one starts the car and charges the batteries.
We said: ‘Now into its fourth generation, the Toyota Yaris has been transformed from dull to dynamic. Bold, head-turning styling is combined with a distinctive, high-quality interior and latest-generation tech. Toyota hasn’t forgotten what made the Yaris so popular. All the inherent strengths of previous models are intact: superb space efficiency, brilliant reliability, an easy drive and long-lasting quality.’
Vauxhall Corsa
Looking for the best value supermini? Look no further than the Vauxhall Corsa. It shares a platform and engines with the Peugeot 208, yet costs usefully less than its French rival. Petrol and diesel engines are available, along with the Corsa Electric, which offers a range of 246 miles.
The Ultimate trim is positively plush, with niceties such as a 10-inch touchscreen media system with sat-nav, adaptive cruise control, electronic climate control, a wireless phone charger and a driver’s seat massage function. But all versions of the Corsa are decently equipped.
We said: ‘The Corsa looks more upmarket than before, both inside and out. Rear-seat space is good and the 309-litre boot is class-competitive. It also drives like a bigger car, and boasts equipment that wouldn’t look out of place in the class above.’
Read our Vauxhall Corsa review
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo feels every inch the scaled-down Golf. All versions have a quality feel throughout, with power sourced from efficient 1.0-litre petrol engines. It’s a tad expensive, but the Polo’s image remains second-to-none.
The entry-level Polo Life features 15-inch alloy wheels, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, air conditioning, cruise control and autonomous emergency braking. At the opposite end of the range, the Polo GTI is an underrated hot hatch.
We said: ‘The 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which injects the Polo with some added pep, would be our choice. It’s not cheap, but the price is offset by strong resale values and competitive finance deals.’
Read our Volkswagen Polo review
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