Best used small cars: top 10
Small cars are the choice of the vast majority of city dwellers and they are also the best deals on the aftermarket. Modern compact cars are equipped with the same features as their larger counterparts, but they are easier to drive and the operating costs are much lower. All that's left is to choose the right small car to avoid costly repairs.
Our Best Used Small Cars ranking is based on the opinions of thousands of drivers who have owned cars from 1 to 7 years old. Each of them provided us with information about the vehicle, problems that can occur with it, which allowed us to draw conclusions about the reliability of the vehicle.
Do not forget that the review is based on the general features of a particular model, but does not take into account in what conditions the vehicle was used, its maintenance.
Top 10 small cars
Our review includes:
- Honda Jazz
- Ford Fiesta
- Chevrolet Spark
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- BMW i3 Mk1
- Volkswagen Polo
- Kia Soul
- Mini Cooper
- Fiat 500
- Hyundai Kona EV
Honda Jazz
The model has dropped slightly in the ranking compared to last year, but for most it remains as trouble-free as ever. The 2015-2020 models deserve attention. They have good indicators on fuel consumption, operating costs, practicality. This is a small car with a spacious interior and comfortable handling.
The best small cars can attract not only by reliability and technical characteristics. Jazz stands out with original exterior elements: ribbed hood, headlights and spotlights under large transparent caps. Rear lights are also quite original and consist of three parts: red parts are divided by a transparent insert with two cylinders: turn signal and reverse light.
Ford Fiesta
This model is considered to be one of the benchmarks in the automobile industry, because it meets all the basic requirements and gives real pleasure from driving. Becoming the owner of Ford Fiesta, you can count on a high level of comfort, a large set of functional capabilities, unsurpassed practicality. Each new version of the car features significant interior and equipment upgrades.
This model is available with hatchback (3 or 5 door), sedan (4 door), van (3 door) bodies. A wide range of engines is used as powertrains. These are gasoline motors with a volume of 1 to 1.6 cc, as well as diesel engines with a volume of 1.4 and 1.6 cc. They work in tandem with 5 and 6-speed manual transmission, six-speed automatic.
Chevrolet Spark
A model with an extraordinary appearance, thanks to which you will not remain unnoticeable in urban traffic. The car has large wheel arches, massive bumper, relief body and very large headlights. All this makes it look like a big insect. At the rear doors handles are hidden just like in Nissan Juke and Seat Leon. The car is compact, but the interior is spacious enough. The quality of finishing materials is 4 out of 5 points. The volume of luggage compartment with folded rear seats reaches 568 liters.
The most popular engines are units of 1 and 1.2 liters with a capacity of 68 and 82 hp, which work in tandem with a manual transmission or with an "automatic". The fastest version can move at a speed of 162 km / h, which will take about 12 seconds. Already in the basic configuration, the car is equipped with power steering, air conditioning, immobilizer, front airbags, ISOFIX mounts.
View the Chevrolet Spark from the USA
Chevrolet Bolt EV
It is considered the best electric car in terms of battery life. For an electric car, this factor is one of the main ones, especially for a used car. According to the tests conducted, the Chevrolet Bolt EV battery has not lost a tenth of its life in a year of use. Add to this all the advantages of an electric car: dynamics, safety, comfortable driving and you will get the best car for the city.
The Bolt is equipped with a 60-66 kW battery, depending on equipment and year of manufacture. It has front-wheel drive and a single 200 hp electric motor. On a single battery charge, the car can travel more than 400 kilometers, and in half an hour with the help of fast charging you can add about 150 km to the range.
The base model is equipped with Safety Assist, which includes automatic braking, lane keeping and several other assistants.
View the Chevrolet Bolt EV from the USA
BMW i3 Mk1
Our top of small cars continues with the electric car. It is distinguished by a futuristic style, thanks to which you will always stand out in the stream of cars. The car is tall and narrow, with lines on the sides, which make the exterior even more original. This is a car for active people who like bold design solutions.
This model is made entirely from recycled materials. The car has a 170 hp electric motor and a range of 200 km. To recharge the battery, the car is equipped with a low-power 0.65 liter gasoline motor, which increased the range to 300 km. The electric car accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds.
The car has no center pillar, so the rear door can be opened by first opening the front door. To increase the volume of the luggage compartment, the rear seats can be folded down. Despite the compact size, the cabin is quite spacious, which was achieved by rational organization of space. The armrest has a place for a cup, a cigarette lighter, USB and AUX sockets.
Volkswagen Polo
An ideal car for the city - one of the most economical, which in the mixed cycle consumes about 5 liters of gasoline per 100 km. It is a super compact hatchback for 5 people, assembled on a new modular platform. It is equipped with independent suspension at the front and torsion beam at the rear.
Each wheel is equipped with disc brakes. A three-cylinder engine with a capacity of 1 liter is used as a power plant. For fans of dynamic driving there is a version with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
It is a front-wheel drive car with automatic or manual transmission that comes equipped with rain sensor, tinted and UV-protected windows, electric window elevators, remote control.
Kia Soul
Budget small car with low fuel consumption and five doors, production of which began in 2008. The model was developed for the U.S. market and positioned as a car for young and ambitious people. The car is distinguished by its original exterior, interior and a set of options,
The compact crossover has an impressive wheelbase of 2550 mm and ground clearance of 164 mm. The stylish look is complemented by 15-inch wheels or 16-18-inch wheels in more expensive modifications.
It is equipped with a 1.6 liter gasoline engine or turbodiesel of the same volume with an output of 128 hp. For the U.S. market there is a version with a two-liter engine with an output of 140 hp. The gearbox is manual five-speed or automatic six-speed.
View the Kia Soul from the USA
Mini Cooper
The best small car, the production of which was started back in the middle of the last century. It has won numerous awards and is recognized as one of the most popular cars of the last and this century. Equipped with a reliable suspension and chassis, it is characterized by increased body rigidity.
The interior of Mini Cooper deserves special praise. Despite the compactness of the car, the manufacturer managed to make the interior spacious due to good ergonomics. Finishing is made by premium materials, resistant to wear and pleasant to the touch. Front armchairs are equipped with lateral support for back and hips, have anatomic backrest. In our opinion, this is one of the best options of a small car for women.
Fiat 500
One of the old-timers of the world automobile industry, which has been in production since 1957. Which is considered one of the best cars for city and girls. Ten years ago, its production after a pause was resumed. The manufacturer offers the car in two versions: three-door hatchback and convertible. In the lineup there are not only basic variants in different configurations, but also special series: retro versions of Vintage 57 and Anniversario, designer Gucci, sporty Abarth.
In 2013, a new version of Fiat 500 with the letter L appeared on the market. This is a car for those who have managed to love this model, but lacks space. The car has an increased wheelbase and an optional third row of passenger seats. The clearance of the car is also increased, and for moving on difficult terrains it was equipped with a system of inter-wheel differential.
View the Fiat 500 from the USA
Hyundai Kona
Our Best Used Compact Cars ranking is rounded off by the Hyundai Kona, a compact crossover that is regularly updated. The base version of the car is equipped with a 2-liter gasoline engine with an output of 147 hp, working in tandem with a 6-speed "automatic". As an option, a version with all-wheel drive is available. All-wheel drive model consumes 8.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in the city and 7.1 liters on the highway. In the top kits, a 1.6-liter engine with 175 hp paired with a 7-speed robotized gearbox is installed. This version can be with front or all-wheel drive.
By the way, the compact crossover Hyundai Kona is also offered fully electric. In this case, the car is equipped with one electric motor with an output of 201 hp and has front-wheel drive. The range from one charge is 410 kilometers.