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Expert Ratings
Best small cars
Ranked by Expert Rating – a balanced score that reflects long-term ownership as well as expert evaluation
These are the highest-scoring small cars in the UK based on The Car Expert’s Expert Rating Index — a structured system that combines independent media reviews with safety, reliability, warranty and running-cost data.
The Expert Rating Index helps you compare cars across key ownership criteria, not just initial impressions, by using verified data from more than 30 UK sources. We also factor in complete safety data from Euro NCAP, reliability data and five-year running cost information.
Despite the growth of SUVs in recent years, small hatchbacks remain among the UK’s most popular cars. Broadly speaking, small cars fall into two categories: city cars and superminis.
City cars are the smallest models in the market, typically more affordable and often available as three-door hatchbacks. Superminis are larger, usually five-door models that offer greater practicality while remaining compact.
The small cars below are ranked by their overall Expert Rating score. Each rating combines independent road tests with safety results, reliability data, running costs and warranty coverage to provide a balanced assessment of real-world ownership.
Current models
Small hot hatches
Previous models
Expert Insight
Small hatchbacks continue to play an important role in the UK market, offering a balance of affordability, efficiency and practicality. While SUVs have grown in popularity, city cars and superminis remain attractive options for urban drivers, first-time buyers and households looking for a compact second car.
City cars are the smallest and most budget-focused models, designed primarily for town and city driving. Superminis are slightly larger, offering more interior space, improved refinement and greater versatility while still delivering low running costs.
Fuel efficiency, lower insurance groups and ease of parking are key advantages of small hatchbacks, particularly in towns and cities. Many modern superminis also offer advanced safety technology and hybrid options, narrowing the gap between small cars and larger family models.
The rankings above are based on each model’s overall Expert Rating. This score combines independent media reviews with safety results, reliability records, running cost data and warranty coverage to provide a structured, ownership-focused assessment — not just a short-term road test verdict.
Best car rankings
The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on tens of millions of key data points.
Well i regret buying a 12 year old Hyundai i 10. What a boring, tedious, slab sided pensioners special !
The suspension is very unforgiving, road noise even with non-chinese made tyres becomes tiresome after any more than 50 miles.
It is rated at 85 BHP yet feels gutless unless you hit 4000rpm in second gear. Interior plastics are black, grey and poor quality.
This heap has not been anywhere near as reliable as all the extant propaganda would like us to believe.
I just wish that i could buy an updated version of the Diahatsu Charade i had to trade in.
worst car is the ford KA.. new style and drive is not a patch on the old one….. no guts and drives more like an old fiat 500…. regret the day I traded in my trusty but rusty old KA ….