With Monday behind us, it’s time for another edition of Top 5 Tuesdays – and this week we’re taking a look at some of the best city cars on the road. We’ll show you how to decide which is the best city car for you, then give you everything you need to get your hands on a city slicker of your own. With their range of personalisation options and quirky designs, there’s some hot competition in this class – and it’s hard to pick just 5. But we’ve narrowed down our shortlist and it’s time to see what they have to offer.
Skoda Citigo
Original image by Alofok
In the battle for the title of best city car, 2014’s winner was the Skoda Citigo – and it’s easy to see why. This fun motor comes with a range of fuel efficient engines, including an impressive GreenTech model that returns 68.9mpg and emits just 95g/km of CO2 – meaning you’ll be exempt from road tax.The 1.0 litre petrol engine comes with a choice of powertrain. The 59bhp is ideal for the city – but if you’re planning on some motorway driving, the 74bhp is the way to go. Climb inside the Citigo and the £8,210 entry-level spec has power steering and comes equipped with a CD player – but if you fancy electric front windows and air-con, opt for the SE trim.
Citroen C1
Original image by Order_242
As far as city cars go, they don’t get much smaller than the cute Citroen C1 – but don’t let size fool you, as this feat of French auto engineering still has plenty to offer. Petrol engine options in the C1 include a 68bhp 1.0 litre and a 80bhp 1.2 litre. Both engines are surprisingly nippy for such a small car and feel right at home in an urban setting. The entry-level Citroen C1 will cost just £8,345, and road tax remains low across the range. If you want more than the basic spec offers, go for the Feel trim – which includes air-con, Bluetooth and a 7 inch colour touchscreen.
VW up!
Original image by Autoviva
Most VW up! reviews describe it as one of the most stylish and well-built city cars on the road – and we agree. The two 1.0 litre petrol engines come with 59bhp or 74bhp – and despite being built for the city, the more powerful engine performs well on the motorway. Inside the cabin, the up!’s minimalist dashboard and simple dials make it easy to navigate. This VW comes in three trims and even the entry-level £8,765 model comes well-equipped – but for a touch of luxury, the top spec High up! comes with heated front seats and a removable Sat Nav system.
Hyundai i10
Original image by Areaseven
In terms of performance, the Hyundai i10 delivers well for a city car. Petrol engines come in a choice of the 65bhp 1.0 litre and the 86bhp 1.2 litre – with the latter performing well on the open road, as well as in the city. The supportive driver’s seat makes covering long distances fairly comfortable – and after the basic spec, all cars come with seat-height adjustment. The Hyundai i10 starts at £9,295 – but if you want more equipment, you might want to spend a little more to get the full interior experience. For a decent amount of kit without breaking the bank, the best option is the SE spec – which comes with air-con, electrically adjustable door mirrors and electric rear windows.
Fiat 500
Original image by Conan
When it comes to aesthetics, the Fiat 500 is the most attractive of our top 5 best city cars – with its wide range of personalisation options only adding to its appeal. With a price tag of £10,420, the 500 might be more expensive than some city cars but it’s worth every penny. For plenty of pace in the city, the 1.4 petrol engine delivers – while the 1.3 diesel engine is more suited to covering distance. Kit in the basic Pop spec includes electrically adjustable door mirrors and remote locking – but if you’re willing to shell out, the pricey Lounge trim adds Bluetooth, air-con and alloy wheels.
So there you have it: our top 5 choices in the battle for the best city car – but which model gets your vote? Whether it’s the retro styling of the Fiat 500 or the cute and compact Citroen C1 that takes your fancy, the Car Loan Warehouse can help. Our range of flexible car finance options can help you get one step closer to the city car of your choice. Apply now or check out our car finance calculator for an instant quote.
