City cars are getting better all the time. The days of the cramped, sparsely kitted-out, cheap runabout are long gone, and while the class isn’t populated by quite as many brands as it once was, those manufacturers who have stayed have, between them, driven up standards across the board.
Our list of the top 10 best city cars is stuffed with perky little cars designed to be surprisingly practical and good around town, but mixes those traits with appealing designs, quirky colour choices and generous standard equipment levels. In some cases, they even outdo some of their bigger supermini counterparts by being fun to drive when the occasion allows.
1. Hyundai i10
Hyundai’s diminutive i10 city car has gone from strength to strength to strength. The first- and second-generation versions helped to bring considerable UK success to the South Korean brand - a trend that this new one should only accelerate.
Interior quality and general desirability have increased significantly, as has practicality (this is now one of the most accommodating cars in its class) while its sharp new exterior lends it an additional dash of visual appeal. It rides absorbently if a little noisily and firmly on range-topping 16in wheels, but is surprisingly well equipped (not least with active safety kit) and its 82bhp atmospheric four-cylinder engine (now something of a rarity in cars of this size) lends it decent drivability and useful real-world performance.
It might not have the star appeal of the Volkswagen Up GTI models behind it, but as a well-rounded, sensible, well-equipped city car, it takes pride of place at the top of the class.
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2. Suzuki Ignis
A quirky contender in this rather congested segment, the Ignis is a zesty car blessed with charm, value, space, versatility and fuel efficiency. The fact that it looks more like a crossover than some of its contemporaries do, meanwhile, does it no harm with market tastes being as they are.
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