Best small cars and superminis

Small cars, or ‘superminis’, as they are often referred to, are the UK's most popular new vehicles, and the reasons are clear.

Not only are they very economical, but they are easy to drive and park and are affordable to buy and run. Our list includes leaders in a number of different areas, all with their own unique characteristics. The best car for performance is the Ford Fiesta, especially the powerful Zetec S models. The most practical car is the Honda Jazz, which is spacious, and has a clever seating arrangement that's perfect for carrying bigger items.

The safest car - according to industry body Euro NCAP - is the Renault Clio. The stylish five-seater always scores highly in official crash tests. The most comfortable car in our list is the Volkswagen Polo, its suspension is designed to absorb bumps in the road, and the well-built interior is superbly insulated from both wind and tyre noise.

If you're looking for a purpose built city car, visit CarBuyer's top-ten Best City Cars.

Ford Fiesta hatchback

£9,495 - £16,445

5.0 /5

Ford's latest Fiesta ushered in a brand-new look for the firm when it was launched in 2008. Its sharp, contemporary design made it an instant hit, but this car’s popularity is also down to the brilliant way it drives and Ford's reputation for low running costs.

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MINI hatchback

£11,870 - £41,000

4.5 /5

Unlike the 1959 original, today’s BMW-developed MINI is an expensive ‘premium’ small hatchback. That hasn’t stopped thousands flooding the roads, and an extensive options list means it’s easy to make every MINI feel unique.

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Kia Rio hatchback

£9,995 - £14,895

4.7 /5

If value for money is at the top of your agenda, the keenly priced Kia Rio is well worth a look. Offering very low running costs, the 1.1 CRDI 1 EcoDynamics model is Britain's lowest CO2 emitting car on sale producing just 88g/km. The interior is spacious, it drives well and even comes with a seven year warranty.

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Volkswagen Polo hatchback

£10,085 - £16,370

4.5 /5

Drivers looking for a classy supermini look no further. The Volkswagen Polo seems to have it all: good looks, a high quality interior, plenty of space and sensible pricing. If it falls down in one area it’s the driving experience, which just isn’t as much fun as with some of its supermini rivals.

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Suzuki Swift hatchback

£10,660 - £13,995

4.5 /5

Suzuki gave the Swift a subtle update in 2010 improving the interior and giving it even better exterior styling. Now available with fantastic reductions the Swift is great fun to drive with loads of passenger space. The boot is quite small but low running costs and great build quality make it an excellent choice.

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Skoda Fabia hatchback

£9,765 - £16,915

4.3 /5

Skoda’s Fabia benefits not just from borrowed Volkswagen technology but also Skoda’s long-standing history of engineering solid and dependable cars. It's not the most stylish car in the supermini class, but its plain looks belie the fun that can be had driving it.

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Honda Jazz hatchback

£11,295 - £19,305

4.5 /5

The Honda Jazz has a loyal customer base in the UK, thanks to its huge versatility, space and reliability. The clever, quick-folding rear seats and cabin space allow the Jazz to compete with small MPV models like the Nissan Note.

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Hyundai i10 micro-car

£8,345 - £9,745

4.5 /5

The Hyundai i10 is a great choice for anyone looking for fuss-free transport around town. It's easy to drive and the dashboard is well laid out and simple to use. Running costs and list prices are as low as it gets for a new car, and the cabin is roomier than you might expect, so it's a great, all-round budget buy.

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Fiat 500 hatchback

£9,960 - £16,060

4.5 /5

With its classic styling, Fiat’s 500 is seen by some as an expensive fashion accessory, but its compact bodywork and eager engines make it a great city car too. Entry-level 1.2 Pop models are basic – but even they come with an MP3-compatible stereo, power assisted steering and electric mirrors.

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Mazda2 hatchback

£9,995 - £14,795

4.2 /5

The Mazda2 is a sporty alternative to established small cars like the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta. It's certainly one of the best looking superminis, whether you choose the three-door or five-door, and it's great to drive, too.

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