October 06, 2021 – 14:47 BST
Gareth Herincx
The best cars for people who can’t park. Discover which engines are easiest to park in a busy city and which cars are easiest to park in a small space.
Small dimensions, good visibility, easy steering, a tight turning circle and low running costs are five of the main ingredients that make the best dare for city traffic. Whether you’re parking in a tight space or getting in and out of traffic jams, the best cars for city driving tend to be small and on the cheaper end of the auto market.
We have selected 10 new cars that are just right for city dwellers. If you feel like it, many of the recommended models are also equipped with parking sensors and reversing cameras to make parking even easier when there is a lack of space.
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1. Honda e
Not many people know that London black cabs (Hackney cars) have to have a tight turning circle of 7.62 meters. This requirement arose from the need to drive on the tiny roundabout in front of the Savoy Hotel at The Strand. The remarkable all-electric Honda e has special steering that gives it a turning circle of just 4.3 meters. In other words. it can practically turn around within its own length. In addition, parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard.
They say the best things come in small packages, and the Honda e is a great example. The luggage compartment volume is 185 liters, with the rear seats folded down to 975 liters.
2. Renault Twizy
The all-electric Renault Twizy is more of a fun runabout than a real city car, measures only 2.34 mx 1.39 m and has a turning circle of just 6.8 m. You are not trapped in a warm, weatherproof cabin, but can get in Click into rooms that other drivers pass in frustration.
You don’t even need to allow space to open the doors as they fold up. The standard Twizy has only 31 liters of luggage space (under the back seat).
3. Smart EQ fortwo
The little Smart fortwo has been a familiar sight on our streets for several years. Now only available as a purely electric car, it makes more sense than ever as an emission-free urban mobility solution. You can choose between coupe and convertible versions (both two-seaters) and while it only has a range of 80 miles, it’s perfect for driving around and parking in tight spaces (it has a tiny 6.95 m turning circle).
Whisper-quiet, easy to drive and super-fast, it saves your wallet and the planet – and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The luggage compartment volume of the coupé is 260 liters (190 liters for the convertible).
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4. Citroen Ami
With a width of 2.41 x 1.39 m, the striking Citroen Ami EV (electric vehicle) is a bit larger than a Twizy and has an almost equally tight turning circle (7.2 m). Already a common sight on the streets of Paris, this plastic two-seater is not for sale in the UK but may well be if there is enough interest.
Under the hood is a tiny 6 kW motor and 5.5 kWh battery, resulting in a top speed of 45 km / h and a possible range of 47 miles. There’s no trunk, but a decent carry-on suitcase fits in the passenger footwell.
5. Smart EQ for four
The big brother of the Smart fortwo, the forfour, started out as a gasoline engine, but is now only available as 100% EV. It offers space for four people, making it more practical than the fortwo, but still only has a modest range of 118 miles. It is manoeuvrable and, with a turning circle of just 8.65 m, is very manoeuvrable.
Well built, generously equipped and with a lot of driving fun, it can be charged up to 80% of the battery capacity in just 40 minutes with a quick charger (or three hours, 18 minutes via a home wallbox). The luggage compartment volume is 185 liters, with the rear seats folded down to 975 liters.
6. Suzuki Ignis
Surprisingly spacious and practical, Suzuki’s whimsical mini-city crossover is one of the cheapest cars on our list. Equipped with a hybrid petrol engine with an output of up to 55.7 mpg, the CO2 emissions are only 114 g / km. There are many personalization options and it can be equipped with all-wheel drive (it is very powerful off-road or in adverse weather conditions) and an automatic transmission.
With easy steering and a turning circle of 9.4 m, it is perfect for the city – and mini-adventures. The luggage space is 267 liters and increases to 501 liters when the rear seat is folded down.
7. Kia Picanto
The award-winning Kia Picanto fulfills the right city car boxes. Nice, fun to drive and well equipped, it makes the narrow streets a breeze. It’s cheap to insure, and its tiny 1.0-liter gasoline engine can return up to 55.4 mpg while CO2 emissions are just 117 g / km. Add in Kia’s generous seven year warranty and you have one of the best small car packages out there.
Parking sensors and a reversing camera are available, but only on more expensive models. The luggage compartment volume is 255 liters and increases to 1,010 liters with the rear seat folded down.
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8. Fiat 500
Fiat’s first all-electric vehicle may be small, but it’s a big deal. This latest version of the Italian company’s iconic folk car has a range of 199 miles and, above all, is one of the most affordable EVs on the market.
Available in retro style and also as a convertible, it is well equipped, inexpensive to drive and, with a turning circle of 9.7 m, ideal for city traffic. The luggage space is 185 liters and extends to 550 liters when the rear seat is folded down.
9. Volkswagen open!
Developed alongside the very similar SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo, the Volkswagen up! has been a city car favorite since its launch in the UK in 2012. Available with a petrol engine or as an electric vehicle (marked with the “e-up!”), It is compact, entertaining to drive and offers good all-round visibility.
With a turning circle of 9.8 meters, it is ideal for driving in and out of traffic and for parking in challenging parking spaces. Optional extras include a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. The luggage compartment volume is 251 liters, with the rear seats folded down as much as 951 liters.
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10. Volkswagen ID.3
Let’s close on a curiosity, because despite all the other cars here (it’s roughly the size of a VW Golf), the brand new Volkswagen ID.3 still has a turning circle of just 10.2m, which is roughly as big as your average supermini (e.g. Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa).
So if a city car is too small for you, but you still need a lot of maneuverability and want state-of-the-art technology, the 100% electric ID.3 is just right for you. And with a range of up to 336 miles, it can also be used for vacation, road trips, and the daily commute. The luggage compartment volume is 385 liters and increases to 1,267 liters with the rear seat folded down.
