What are the best city cars to buy in 2024?

The best city cars make driving in urban areas a breeze. Dare we say it, fun, even. Space is at a premium in most towns or cities, so the best city cars are compact enough to fit into parking spaces you wouldn’t be able to squeeze anything larger and more cumbersome into. A great city car should be easy to drive, too, since bustling streets tend to mean lots of stop-start driving. And because urban living can be expensive, many city dwellers want a car that will get them across town and to the shops and back as cost-effectively as possible.

How we chose these cars

Here, we’ve selected what we think are the best city cars you can buy. All of them are small, easy to drive and tailor-made for tight parking spaces and busy city streets. They should all enjoy relatively  low running costs, but our selection includes options to suit a variety of different tastes and budgets. We’re focusing on used cars, although many of our selections are also available brand-new. Here, then, are our top ten city cars.

1. Fiat 500e

The Fiat 500e is an irresistible blend of retro style and modern tech. While it looks similar to the petrol-powered Fiat 500 that’s been on sale since 2007, the 500e (initially known as the 500 Electric) is an entirely different car that was introduced in 2020. It’s slightly larger, but still small enough to slot into tiny parking spaces, and it has a more premium feel inside. 

It’s also, as the name suggests, a pure-electric car. Maximum battery range is 199, according to official figures, which ought to be enough for plenty of urban adventures. Running costs could be very low if you have your charging setup sorted and there are some really funky trim and colour combinations available. There’s even a convertible version, with a fabric roof that slides back effortlessly at the touch of a button so you can make the most of a sunny day in the city.

2. Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 is a small, affordable car that in many ways feels like a larger, more expensive one. A lot of this is down to just how comfortable it is. Compared with most cars this size, the i10 has a smoother ride and is quieter inside. So while It can nip in and out of small gaps in urban traffic like the best city cars, the i10 is also a car that you’ll be happy to jump in for longer trips.

It helps that the i10 is also surprisingly spacious inside and, unlike some small cars, it has (just enough) space for three – rather than two – adults in the back. While the interior design is a bit bland, everything feels solid and the infotainment system is easy to use and includes support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

3. Kia Picanto

Good things come in small packages, so the saying goes, and the Kia Picanto squeezes everything that’s great about the Kia brand into a car that takes up very little space on the road. Inside and out, the Picanto has the kind of sharp-edged design that you get with Kia’s larger models. It drives like a car from the class above, too, with a very reassuring feel at speed. 

Interior space is tight but the boot is large enough for a few bags and the dashboard is stylish and easy to use. Small though it is, the Picanto is available with lots of big-car features, including an 8-inch touchscreen display, wireless phone charger, heated front seats and LED headlights. As with all Kias, the Picanto comes with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty from new, whereas many rival cars only give you three or five years’ cover.

4. Toyota Aygo X

The Toyota Aygo X blurs the boundaries between a conventional city car and a compact SUV to create a car that’s a great fit for modern city life. It’s tiny but relatively tall, so it’ll fit into the most miniscule space and has a slightly elevated driving position that makes it easy to see out of. 

The Aygo X is a very easy car to drive and a doddle to park, and there’s an automatic version if you want to make things even easier. Space is tight in the back is limited, but there’s plenty up front and everything feels built to last. It should go the distance, too, given Toyota’s excellent record for reliability. And for extra reassurance the Aygo X has a ten-year/100,000-mile warranty as long as it’s serviced every year at a Toyota dealership.

5. Suzuki Swift

All of Suzuki’s cars are great value but the Suzuki Swift takes the gold medal for being the best value of the bunch. While the latest Swift model went on sale in late 2023, our recommendation is the previous model – it’s arguably more stylish and certainly more affordable. 

Apart from its competitive pricing, one of the main attractions of the Swift is how much fun it is to drive. Thanks to its responsive steering and agile feel it’s a car that you really connect with and that’s a bonus whether you’re just nipping to the shops or an unfamiliar road out of town. The interior looks a bit basic, but it feels solidly built and Suzuki has a good reputation for reliability.

6. MG 3

The MG 3 is a hybrid-powered hatchback that makes a great city car. It’s the cheapest new hybrid car on sale in the UK, yet it’s very well-equipped. Even the entry-level model has climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, sat-nav and a wealth of advanced safety features as standard. You get reversing sensors and a rear-view camera, too, while top-spec versions have heated front seats and steering wheel and a 360-degree parking camera.

It’s a fraction larger than most of the cars on this list yet the MG 3 is still a breeze to park and very nippy thanks to its combination of petrol and electric power. And like most hybrid cars, every version has an automatic gearbox. At low speeds the electric motor alone can drive the car, so if most of your journeys are within city limits you might not even have to use the petrol engine at all.

7. Toyota Aygo

While the Aygo X is Toyota’s latest city car offering, the Toyota Aygo is its iconic predecessor. It’s not as new and shiny, but it costs less to buy and should also cost very little to run thanks to its fuel-efficient petrol engine and low insurance group rating. And, being a Toyota, it’s likely to be very reliable. So if you’re simply looking for a fuss-free, low-price urban runabout it’s a great fit. 

It’s a small car with limited passenger and boot space but the interior is sturdy and user-friendly. On the outside the Aygo has a distinctive edgy look, especially in some of the bold colour and trim combinations available.

8. Citroen e-C3

The Citroen e-C3 of the cheapest electric SUVs you can buy, and also one of the smallest. It’s ideally suited to city streets, with a raised seating position and large windows that give a great view out. Reversing sensors are standard and, as with all electric cars, there’s an automatic gearbox that takes the strain out of stop-start town-centre traffic. 

Although it gives you the tough stance of an SUV, the e-C3 is the same length as a compact hatchback so it’s more car park-friendly. The interior has the quirky style that Citroens are famous for, while the 10.25-inch touchscreen is generally easy to use. Maximum battery range is 199 miles, according to official figures, which should be enough for lots of city sprints or a even weekend trip to Margate.

9. Renault Zoe

The Renault Zoe was one of the first big-selling small electric cars and it remains one of the best. Renault stopped selling the Zoe in March 2024 (it’s being replaced by a new Renault 5 model) but even at the end of its lifespan the Zoe offered a longer range than many similar cars, with some versions capable of almost 250 miles on a full battery charge.

It still looks fresh too, with a chic exterior and a smart interior. There’s a surprising amount of space inside and the boot is larger than you’d expect, so it’s one of the most practical options on this list. You’ll find two Zoe models for sale – the older version is incredibly affordable but the post-2020 model (pictured) has a more modern, high-tech interior.

10. Mini Hatch

Although the Mini Hatch of today is a lot larger than the classic Mini it remains compact and city-friendly and it retains much of the original car’s sense of fun. Central to that is a responsive feel that can make even the most mundane journey something to look forward to. 

Then there are the distinctive details, with those big round iconic headlights and the cute circular infotainment display. You can really go to town with colour combinations when ordering a new Mini, with lots of paint, decal and wheel options available. If you’re buying a used example there’s sure to be something that’s just up your street. If the limited back-seat space of the three-door model isn’t enough, you could always opt for the slightly roomier five-door version.