Top 10 best superminis 2023

Save money with new Ibiza deals from What Car?

2. Skoda Fabia

Skoda has seen a clear march upmarket in recent years, and that suits some of its models better than others. Some have got a bit too expensive, but with the latest Fabia, Skoda has nailed the balance.

It’s no longer as cheap as it once was, but it’s still one of the more affordable options in the class. Nevertheless, it is one of the most spacious superminis on the market, with only the Honda Jazz offering more room.

The interior isn't particularly plush, but it is, especially in some of the lower-spec versions, as intuitive as it gets, with big, simple buttons and ergonomics that are spot on.

The engine range is similarly no-nonsense, with no hybrids or diesels available. Instead, there’s a choice of three-pot petrols and one four-cylinder. We would avoid the weedy naturally aspirated models and go for the 95PS TSI turbo. The more powerful engines aren’t really worth the additional outlay.

Despite sharing much of its mechanical make-up with the Ibiza and Polo, the Fabia neatly differentiates itself with its driving experience. It's not trying to be sporty or exciting; instead it rides extremely well without becoming frustratingly floaty in the corners.

The Fabia works best as a practical value option, but if you value tech like matrix LED headlights, driver-assistance systems and active safety features, or a big touchscreen and a digital gauge cluster, Skoda does offer all of those as options.

Save money on new Fabia deals from What Car?

3. Ford Fiesta

The latest Fiesta had the difficult task of bettering its class-leading predecessor, which might have been the best-handling supermini of the past 25 years. This latest version is much more than just a reskin of the old one, and in some respects – namely its supple ride, sparkling on-road handling dynamism and driver appeal – it remains best-in-class.

However, the Fiesta's new crop of opponents have moved the supermini game on in ways that it can't quite cover. Interior quality lets the Fiesta down compared with the very best superminis, and it isn't quite in the same league as the Polo or Ibiza for its equipment sophistication or practicality, either.

The Fiesta’s ‘Ecoboost’ three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines remain outstanding for their blend of drivability and zest, however, and – even after so long with the same unimpeachable positioning – it remains the supermini that a keen driver should default to almost without thinking. It’s simply miles better to drive than it really needs to be.

Save money with new Fiesta deals from What Car?

4. Volkswagen Polo

Still the sensible supermini of choice and recently facelifted, the Polo is usable, refined, easygoing, spacious, comfortable, smart to look at and very solidly built. That kind of roster of qualities, presented at a price that isn't as high as for other VW models, makes it one of the very best option in this super-competitive class.

It was a huge departure from the previous-generation Polo, mixing more impressive technology with improved dynamic capabilities.

Its engines are almost universally strong, and both rolling and mechanical refinement are very good, while there’s room in the back seats for average-sized adults as well as kids.

The Polo's ascent up our top 10 list shows how close it is to being the ideal supermini, and that's pretty painfully close.

It used to be at the top, but other cars have come along with a more imaginative appearance, more vim on the road and an interior that feels both more playful and more upmarket. It’s also quite pricey, and cars like the Fiesta and Ibiza are more fun to drive.

Save money with new Polo deals from What Car?

5. Renault Clio

Not only is the Clio still a charming-looking supermini, but also the latest model has gained newfound substance and some new fundamental strengths behind its chic aesthetic. Cabin design, ergonomic layout and perceived quality have all been improved considerably to near class-leading levels, while value for money remains a real strong suit.

The Clio rides challenging stretches of Tarmac with more of a stiff-legged, occasionally slightly wooden-feeling gait than you expect of a French car. It's far from uncomfortable but less supple than it once was.

This more serious gait doesn’t cause it to forgo handling verve, though. It may not have the most communicative steering rack, but its handling is intuitive and natural-feeling, and although the car rolls a bit more than some might like, there’s a striking sense of inherent cornering balance in its chassis.

Sadly, there won’t be an RS version. Instead, the fastest Clio is the 138bhp Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid. For a supermini, that makes it quite expensive, but no more so than hybrid-only rivals like the Toyota Yaris or Honda Jazz.

The E-Tech powertrain can feel a little underpowered in larger cars, but it’s perfect for the Clio and makes it quicker and more engaging than those two Japanese hybrids.

Save money with new Clio deals from What Car?

6. Hyundai i20

The existence of the garden i20 is overshadowed by the sensationally good i20 N derivative at the top of the range, which goes up against the Ford Fiesta ST and, in some respects, the Toyota GR Yaris.

However, there’s a lot to like about the i20, starting with its spacious cabin, big boot and high level of standard equipment.

On the other hand, the cabin ambience isn’t as welcoming as what you get with the Clio and certainly the Polo, and you might expect just a little better in this regard for the money being asked.

In dynamic matters, the i20 is fairly firm-riding, but this does give it an alertness that's lacking in several alternatives. It’s not as enjoyable as the Fiesta, but it’s far from being outright dull.

It's also worth noting that, as of May 2023, the i20 was given a facelift, including a subtle exterior redesign and new interior. We will drive the updated model soon.

Save money with new i20 deals from What Car?

7. Dacia Sandero

Superminis are about simple, affordable, insurable transport, and if they’re good to drive, that’s an added bonus. 

We won’t pretend the Sandero is the most rewarding drivers’ car on this page, because it absolutely isn’t. But at just over £12,000 and with plenty of space and a surprising lack of crudeness about its build quality, it has plenty of strength elsewhere. 

Add in comfortable seats, well-located controls, decent motorway economy and a crisp exterior design and you begin to understand why the Sandero sits so high in our estimations despite being somewhat flat-footed compared with the Fiesta.

Equally, there’s a rather charming simplicity to operating this car, and you can sense its underlying Frenchness – no bad thing.

Save money with new Sandero deals from What Car?

8. Toyota Yaris

The fourth-generation Yaris marked a superb return to form, being easily the most appealing iteration of Toyota’s ubiquitous supermini since the packaging hero that was the 1999 original. 

It looks better than ever; handles very nearly as keenly as our class favourites; and, thanks to its hybrid powertrain, is impressively efficient in day-to-day use.

That said, it does lack a bit of straight-line punch, and you need to be mindful of optioning the larger wheels. Doing so introduces a stiffer suspension set-up that can afflict the car’s ride, but on the flipside, it does make the Yaris look even smarter. 

Interior space could be a bit more generous, but the Yaris is nonetheless a very easy supermini to like and a prime example of Toyota’s new found sense of character.

Save money with new Toyota Yaris deals from What Car?

9. Peugeot 208

As an exercise in supermini design, the new 208 might just have been the high point of 2019, and it's still easily one of the best-looking superminis in its class.

It backs up the fine exterior styling with a cabin of genuine richness and impressive perceived quality, as well as ritzy technological features such as 3D digital instruments and widescreen sat-nav.

It’s just a shame that similar attention wasn’t lavished on the underlying cabin architecture, which provides only a compromised bent-legged driving position, only restricted visibility of the i-Cockpit instruments and very limited second-row space.

The car has perfectly amenable on-road manners and rides with particular dynamic polish. Although it handles in a largely surefooted and predictable fashion, it’s possible to coax a degree of playfulness from its chassis, should you go looking for it. It might not be quite as alert or fleet-footed as our class favourites, but it’s far from dull.

Refinement also impresses, as does performance from its three-cylinder petrol engine. For the first time, there’s an electric version, too, called the Peugeot e-208.

Save money with new 208 deals from What Car?

10. Audi A1 Sportback

The second-generation A1 Sportback sits staunchly at the premium end of the supermini class and has a price to match.

There’s plenty to like about the way it looks - particularly in some of the sportier trim levels available. Far from being cutesy, it’s one of the more athletically assertive contenders among cars that are predominantly quite pretty but may be lacking in visual presence.