The best small automatic cars - driven and tested

Best for: Handling

The Seat Ibiza is another great option if you’re after a small car with an automatic gearbox.

While the Spanish supermini is sold with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, sporty FR trim and above get the option of a seven-speed automatic. 

This is partnered with the Volkswagen Group’s excellent 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which produces 113bhp and offers a 0-62mph time of 10.3sec.

It's pricier than the Clio E-Tech, starting at £23,590, but you do get some decent equipment as standard, including LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, lots of safety systems and cruise control.

Best for: Price

Like the Seat Ibiza, the Skoda Fabia is a Volkswagen Polo underneath, so you’ve got the same 1.0-litre TSI petrol offering with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

It comes in at £21,780, though, which represents a slight saving over the Seat. 

We’re big fans of the Fabia because it’s roomy and practical and has a genuinely user-friendly interior.

What's more, it rides better than some luxury cars on the market - a big boost to its appeal as an everyday runaround.

It’s not quite as fun to drive as the Ibiza, but it’s a great small car in its own right.

Best for: Character

Mini's evergreen hatchback gained a substantial update in 2024, returning for its fourth generation. 

Thankfully, it retained its eye-catching, characterful design, but the brand also chose to keep a choice of petrol or electric power. 

Drivers can choose between Cooper C, Cooper S and John Cooper Works variants.

Power starts at 154bhp in the C, jumping up to 201bhp in the S, and the JCW will pump out a punchy 229bhp when it arrives later this year. 

Mini's decision to drop the manual gearbox for this generation will be disappointing to some. It's a shame, for sure, but it doesn't stop the British-built car from offering one of the most fun driving experiences in its class.

It's the best-handling hatch besides the rally-bred Toyota GR Yaris, with brilliant traction and accurate steering. The ride is a bit firm, though.

Best for: Economy

Yet another great supermini on this list, the Toyota Yaris is offered with an automatic gearbox as standard – but things are slightly different here.

It’s an e-CVT, meaning there's just one continually variable 'gear'. Thankfully, on the surface, it works the same as a traditional automatic. 

The Yaris is priced from £22,640, which makes it one of the cheapest of its kind on sale today. Things are made even more simple because there's just one engine option: a hybridised 1.5-litre petrol.

It matches 114bhp of power (for a 9.7sec 0-62mph time) with class-leading frugality, with up to 70.6mpg officially on offer and achievable in reality.

Best for: Boot space 

After its heralded arrival as an EV, Jeep's compact crossover gained a mild-hybrid petrol option, which brings a near-£10,000 saving and - you guessed it - an automatic gearbox.

It’s the same six-speed dual-clutch automatic as in the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 (all are part of the vast Stellantis stable) with a gearbox-mounted electric motor. 

The motor-and-gearbox combination boosts performance by 30% in the mid-range, but it can be slow to change up or down when you want it to.

That said, it’s still a good alternative to the petrol manual and electric options also offered in the Avenger line-up.

Power stands at 127bhp and torque is 151lb ft, which should be more than enough for most drivers. 

Best for: Style

The Hyundai i20 is a stylish option that isn't the driver of sales it once was but still has an important role to play. 

It's available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and although it isn't the most spritely option, it is nevertheless fairly frugal, offering 52.3mpg. 

The gearbox is mated to a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine with just 99bhp.

It's a pleasant small car; just don't expect fireworks.

Best for: Visibility

The second Toyota on our list of the best small cars with an automatic gearbox is the Aygo X, a compact crossover best described as an Aygo on stilts.

It packs a 1.0-litre petrol engine (no turbocharger here, mind) with 70bhp, which on paper looks a bit measly and underpowered. It’s not bad in town, but that claimed 0-62mph of 14.8sec is telling. 

Because it’s not a hybrid, it’s much cheaper than the larger Toyota Yaris. You will need to spend just £17,245 for the basic 1.0-litre engine with an S-CVT - or ‘small’ CVT.

In our view, the Aygo X's interior is value motoring perfected, with brilliant ergonomics and technology. Refinement is great too. 

Best for: Passenger space

There’s just one powertrain available on the Honda Jazz and just one gearbox option too.

The Jazz comes with an e-CVT and is priced from £26,395. That makes it one of the more expensive options on this list.

It’s a full hybrid, unlike the Jeep Avenger and Vauxhall Corsa, so it can deliver electric-only driving at low speeds, with the engine effectively working as a generator to charge the battery that feeds the motor.

You will get good fuel economy too, with Honda claiming a combined average of 62.8mpg.