The best city cars

The commute to work, the shopping, or maybe a family trip to the park? Many residents of big cities can't imagine life without a car. Public transport, despite being widely available, often simply can't replace the convenience of having your own vehicle. The question we mull over somewhere between a business lunch and a gym session is which car will be best for getting around the city.

You might think the natural choice is a city car from the A-segment. Its compact size makes parking easier in a city packed with cars, while low fuel consumption keeps running costs down. A great example from this segment is the Fiat 500. This Italian answer to the need for distinctive yet small cars is a nod to the classic model of the same name produced between 1957 and 1976. Compact and remarkably economical, it is regarded as an icon among city cars.

The problem with cars of this type arises, however, when you want to travel with the whole family or carry a big load of shopping, here their compact dimensions can become an issue. That's why the choice very often falls on other cars.

Hatchback, compact and economical

Drivers who value compactness and a small car often opt for a hatchback body style. Representatives of this category usually belong to the B or C segment and, alongside their modest size, offer a bit more usable space than A-segment cars, along with economical, frugal engines. On top of that, the safety equipment in cars of this type is often of a very high standard, and the ability to fold down the rear seats can give you the space you need to carry a large shop. In certain cases, though, compactness can also be a drawback, transporting the shopping and the whole family at once may turn out to be an impossible task.

A model gaining popularity year after year is the Hyundai i30, a compact representative of city cars, also available in an estate version. Economical and visually refined, this model from the Korean brand has become an increasingly common sight on city streets in recent years.

Small estate, roomy and practical

In the last decade, estate cars were the most popular choice among buyers. Their elongated shape combines comfort with practicality. Their hallmark is a high level of travel comfort and a large luggage capacity, which means a car of this type works perfectly not only for the commute to work but also for a weekend getaway out of town. These cars were once considered not particularly attractive visually, but in recent years a great deal of attention has been devoted to this aspect. Among the drawbacks of this segment one can mention a slightly higher price and the greater difficulty of moving around the city due to the car's larger size.

One of the most popular estate models is the Ford Focus, whose comfort and safety have won over successive city drivers for many years, and its cheaper alternative, the Fiat Tipo.

Compact SUV, the crossover

In recent years, SUVs have started to climb the popularity rankings. Although they stem from the idea of an off-road vehicle adapted to tough conditions, lately they have increasingly found their way into the garages of "city dwellers" too. There are many larger models, such as the Volvo XC90, which are not ideal city cars because of their dimensions. In response, a new segment of compact SUVs emerged, also known as crossovers, in which the high seating position improves visibility and creates a sense of greater safety, while their size doesn't make parking in the city's tight spaces any harder. A drawback of this segment is certainly the financial aspect, these cars are more expensive to buy and run than hatchbacks of a similar class.

One of the more frequently chosen representatives of this category is the Toyota C-HR, and the Seat Arona is gaining popularity too.

A few words to finish Choosing a car is not an easy decision. Nor is it a decision where one specific model can be recommended, a great deal here depends on the driver's tastes and needs. That's why we encourage you to explore our extensive range of cars on our CarMore website. We guarantee that everyone will find something for themselves here 😊