Small Car FAQs

What’s the difference between a small car and a city car?

There are no differences between small cars and city cars; however AYGO and Yaris are well designed for urban environments and out-of-town driving.

Their agile bodystyles make them easy to park in tight city parking spaces whilst the Yaris Icon is fitted with cruise control as standard to make driving as smooth as possible, both on busy streets and country roads.

Are small cars economical to run?

Small cars tend to boast the highest number of miles per gallon, with cars like the AYGO giving an average of 68.9mpg, compared to the UK combined average of just 37.84mpg. The Yaris, available with a hybrid powertrain, can achieve up to 85.6mpg.

The ability to travel further on less fuel, lowers both the running costs and the impact on the environment. That said, the real game-changer when it comes to economy is the engine type, with hybrid and electric cars cutting your economy costs dramatically. You can find out more about hybrid cars here.

How fuel efficient are small cars?

Good fuel economy means fewer trips to the petrol station, and lower C02 emissions means a lower tax bracket, so running costs on small cars can be kept to a minimum.

The AYGO has combined CO2 emissions from 95g/km. Alternatively, the Yaris is lower from 91g/km, and 75g/km if you choose a Hybrid engine.

Prices vary from one model to the next, but there are finance options available to browse on our small car deals and offers page.

Do small cars make good family cars?

Small cars aren’t stereotypically thought of as family cars, but they’re often surprisingly spacious. With clever design and technology innovations, spacious small cars have generous luggage capacity, meaning families can ride comfortably with plenty of cargo space for belongings. The Yaris, for instance, comes with 286 litres of boot capacity (which is the equivalent of 2 medium suitcases, plenty of room for your weekly shop!).

That said, those who need more than five seats might want to opt for a bigger car to maximise the space available for their family and luggage. If you’d like more information on what makes the ideal family car, you can check out our Family Car models here.

Is a small car for me?

Knowing whether a small car would be the right fit for you is dependent on lifestyle. If you value low environmental impact, you’re keen to drive down running costs, or you live in a built-up city area, then a small car is well worth considering. Those that have larger families or live active lifestyles may find their perfect vehicle on our 4x4s, SUVs or Family Car pages instead.

If you’d like to know more about a specific small car, such as the AYGO, why not see what customers had to say on our Owners Reviews page?