Best small automatic cars for under £14,000

Need a brilliant compact automatic car for under £14,000? Let us help

Mark Pearson

by Mark Pearson

10 December 2018

Follow @markrjpearson

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Want a new car but don't know where to start? Let us help.

The question:

Hello,

I live in the middle of Manchester, and my current family car is just too big to park on the tight roads around here. I need something small and nimble, and preferably with an automatic gearbox, for less than £14,000. It must be reasonably spacious, too, and have built-in sat-nav, because I don't like the idea of using my phone's data. Alan

Requirements: Petrol engine; Built-in sat-nav; City or small car with an automatic gearbox; Reasonable interior space; Around £14,000

Let's take a look at the options:
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Buying new

Kia Picanto 1.25 3 auto

List price: £13,645

What Car? Target Price: £13,006

From 2014 to 2017, we consistently named the smart and practical Hyundai i10 as our City Car of the Year, but this year that crown was taken by the Kia Picanto. That's because it's deceptively spacious, has a tidy interior and handles well.

We'd recommend opting for the 1.25-litre petrol engine over the entry-level 1.0-litre. The latter is fine if you only drive in the city, but the 1.25's extra power and pace are welcome for those occasional trips further afield. We'd normally suggest sticking with the standard five-speed manual gearbox, but the four-speed automatic doesn't cost much more.
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Kia Picanto 1.25 3 auto

Where the Picanto really impresses is in its handling. It feels more at home on winding country lanes than many of its rivals and darts into bends with surprisingly little body lean. It also has light steering and a tight turning circle, so parking around town won't be a chore. Speaking of parking, the 3 trim level we recommend comes with rear parking sensors and even a rear-view camera. Other luxuries include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, climate control and sat-nav. There's smartphone mirroring, too, in case you change your mind about using your phone in the future.

This version of the Picanto would normally cost you £13,645, but What Car?'s New Car Buying service can reduce that to £13,006.

What are the other new-car options?
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Hyundai i10 1.2 Premium SE auto

List price: £14,425

What Car? Target Price: £13,542

The Hyundai i10 is quieter and more spacious than most city cars. Its safety and security equipment could be better, though.
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Skoda Citigo 1.0 MPI 75 SE L 5dr ASG

List price: £11,770

What Car? Target Price: £11,249

The Citigo is the cheapest new car choice here, but its ASG automatic gearbox is decidedly sluggish.

What about the used-car options for the same budget?
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Buying used

2018 Volkswagen Polo 1.0 Beats DSG

Price: £13,406

Mileage:1200

We’ve deliberately gone up a class here, because our £14,000 budget allows us to choose some very worthy used small car rivals to the new city cars. However, don’t fret that the cars we’ve chosen here will be too large to handle comfortably in city streets and car parks or unnecessarily costly to run.
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2018 Volkswagen Polo 1.0 Beats DSG

For example, this immaculate, one-owner Volkswagen Polo may have a mere 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine under its bonnet, attached to a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, but it’s still capable of polishing off the 0-62mph sprint in just 10.8sec and returning an official average fuel consumption of 60.1mpg. This engine is currently our favourite in the Polo range, being eager, frugal and smooth.

In fact, this car is lovely to drive, with all the qualities inherent in its classy big brother, the Golf. Its automatic gearbox changes gear well, refinement is good and the ride is supple. The Polo also has a smart interior, with plenty of room for a family, while still being small enough to be easy to drive and park in town.
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2016 Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic

Price: £13,495

Mileage: 33,000

The A1 has just been replaced, but this original model is still very accomplished, being great fun to drive and having a very classy interior. Indeed, it’s that interior that sets it apart from other small cars, with a wonderfully minimalist design to the dashboard and its surroundings, many high-quality materials and a perfect driving position. The A1 is also practical and good to drive, while the automatic gearbox in this two-year-old 1.4-litre petrol car we found is smooth and refined.
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2018 Honda Jazz 1.3 EX CVT

Price: £13,999

Mileage: 5200

Among its rivals, the Jazz is noted for the roominess and practicality of its interior and boot, its fine build quality and its outstanding reliability. This 2018 1.3-litre EX model is barely used, so it should offer years of largely trouble-free motoring. And despite its modest external dimensions, this third-generation Jazz can house even the largest of flat-pack items.

It’s easy to drive and smooth and comfortable to be in, too, if not quite as involving for the keener driver as the A1 and Polo. Its automatic gearbox can be noisy when pushed hard, emitting an unusually constant bellow, but the Jazz is, for the most part, quiet enough to make urban use a pleasure.
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Our choice: buy used

The Kia Picanto is an outstanding choice in the city car market, but what swings our vote in favour of the used Volkswagen Polo is just how much car you're getting for your money.

The Polo is comfortable and quiet on the move, it has generous interior space and its DSG automatic gearbox should prove to be a relaxing companion for stop-start urban driving. And let's not forget that the Beats trim level gets you plenty of kit.

Our recommendation, then, is to buy used.

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