Top 10 City Cars of 2025

If you're sticking to city life, the Citroen Ami might be all the car you need—well, sort of. Technically, it’s an electric quadricycle, not a car. It’s ultra-basic, lacks creature comforts, and is about as no-frills as transport gets.

There are a few things to consider if you're thinking about getting one. It tops out at just 28mph and has a max range of 46 miles on a full charge. But on the plus side, it’s ridiculously cheap to run and one of the most affordable new vehicles out there, costing under £8,000.

At just 2.41m long and 1.39m wide, the Ami is perfect for weaving through tight city streets and squeezing into parking spaces most people wouldn’t even attempt.

One quirk? It’s only available in left-hand drive. But given its tiny size (and the fact you won’t be overtaking much), that’s not a big deal. Plus, it makes it easier to hop out onto the pavement when you park.

When the Honda e launched in 2020, it made a big splash. Honda’s first all-electric car was packed with tech and had a cool retro-futuristic design that looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.

Inside, it was just as striking, with a full-width digital dashboard that made it feel like a high-tech gadget on wheels. The mix of premium materials and top-tier build quality also gave it a genuinely upmarket feel. And to top it off, it was a joy to drive.

But there were a few big downsides. It wasn’t very practical, had a modest 136-mile range, and cost a whopping £37,000—way more than rivals. As a result, while plenty of people loved it, not many actually bought one, and Honda quietly pulled the plug on new sales in 2023.

That said, if you're looking for a city car, the Honda e still makes sense. It’s no less practical than similar small EVs, you don’t need loads of range for urban driving, and with prices starting at around £15,000 on the used market, it’s now much more affordable.

The Mazda MX-30 is a great city car with compact dimensions and a bit of extra ride height. It’s technically a small SUV, which means you get a comfortable driving position and a great view of the road.

Inside, it’s got a funky, eco-friendly cabin made from sustainable materials—so it looks cool and is better for the planet. The 366-litre boot is plenty big enough for shopping trips, but rear space is a bit tight. The rear-hinged doors? They might not be the most practical, but they definitely add some style points.

On the road, the MX-30 is easy to drive around town and has just enough zip to make the daily commute a little more fun. If you need more range, there’s also the MX-30 R-EV, which adds a small petrol engine to generate electricity, so you can keep going without worrying about finding a charger.

The Fiat 500 has made the leap to electric, and honestly, the Fiat 500 Electric is a major upgrade over the petrol version.

One of its biggest selling points? The price. Starting around £25,000, it’s cheaper than rivals like the MINI Electric, but it still feels premium. It comes with solid standard features, including cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a 10.25-inch navigation screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

If you're looking to stand out, the Suzuki Ignis is a quirky little faux-SUV with a retro vibe and super-low running costs. Its upright design gives you a great view of the road, but its size is barely bigger than a Volkswagen Up, making parking a breeze.

It comes with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, but if you find one with SHVS badging, it packs mild-hybrid tech. This means it stores energy from braking and uses it to power a small electric motor, giving you a boost in performance while keeping fuel economy in check.

The interior might not blow you away like the Hyundai i10’s, but it’s comfortable enough, and you can fit a couple of adults in the back without much hassle. Plus, clever touches like sliding rear seats let you make the most of the available space.

The Toyota Aygo was a solid city car, but now it’s been given an SUV twist and rebranded as the Toyota Aygo X. It's bigger and pricier than before, but it still keeps its compact size and low running costs, all while benefiting from Toyota’s legendary reliability.

While the Aygo X might be on the pricier side for a city car, it’s packed with impressive standard features. Every version comes with a touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and a long list of safety features that you’ll usually have to pay extra for on other city cars. It doesn’t feel cheap at all, and the top model even comes with an electric canvas roof to enjoy those sunny days.

Under the hood, the Aygo X has a 1.0-litre engine—it's not fast, but it's peppy and loves to rev, which makes it a fun little ride if you keep it in the sweet spot. You can choose between a manual or a CVT automatic gearbox (manual’s better for the open road, while the CVT shines in the city).

Before the Dacia Spring came along, Dacia was all about offering city cars at super-low prices rather than focusing on size. While the Sandero is a solid small car, the Spring takes Dacia into the heart of the electric car market with its full EV offering.

The Spring is fully electric and can travel up to 140 miles on a single charge. It might not sound like much compared to some other EVs, but it’s plenty for most city trips—pretty much on par with the Honda e.

Where the Spring really surprises, though, is its price. Starting at under £15,000, you’re getting a brand-new car that looks great, comes with decent features, and should be dirt-cheap to run if you can charge it overnight at home.

If you’re mainly driving around town, the Dacia Spring could be the perfect budget-friendly electric car for your needs.

Like the Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Up, the Kia Picanto is such a solid all-rounder that you’ll think twice about splurging on a bigger car. It’s super easy to drive, and its small petrol engines punch way above their weight.

Sure, the entry-level models are a bit basic, but if you go for the Picanto GT-Line S, you’ll get features like heated seats, faux leather upholstery, and a wireless phone charger. Plus, with a seven-year warranty that’s transferable to future owners, the Kia Picanto becomes a seriously appealing option.

While you can buy the Picanto new, it’s smarter to look for a used one. With a budget of around £8,000, you can grab a three-year-old mid-spec model. Since city car buyers tend to rack up fewer miles, it’ll feel almost like new.

The Volkswagen Up (along with its SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo siblings) was around for over a decade before being discontinued in 2023, but it’s still one of the best city cars you can get. When it launched in 2012, it completely changed the game for small cars. Before the Up, city cars were pretty grim—something you bought only if you had no other choice.

But the Up is anything but basic. It's clever design means you can fit four adults inside without too much drama, and the peppy 1.0-litre engine makes sure it won’t struggle on hills.

It’s easy to drive and actually fun, plus there’s an electric version, the e-Up. With a range of up to 159 miles on a charge and quick acceleration, it’s perfect for zipping around the city.

The Hyundai i10 is one of the best city cars you can buy right now. It’s actually on the larger side for a city car but still has a smaller footprint than something like a Vauxhall Corsa, which is why it makes the cut here.

It’s cheap to run, with a choice of 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol engines that deliver around 45mpg in real-world driving. Most models come with a five-speed manual gearbox, but if you’re not into shifting gears, there’s an automatic option—though it’s an automated manual, so it’s not the smoothest, but it gets the job done.

The i10 is easy and comfy to drive, and the interior nails the basics. Despite its small size, it feels surprisingly roomy up front, with plenty of elbow and shoulder space. Plus, the boot holds up to 252 litres of luggage, making it perfect for city life and weekend getaways.