The 10 Best City Cars To Buy or Lease in 2022

11 minutes Published: 18/05/2022
Emily Hanson

A city car is a very small car that is fuel efficient and designed primarily for urban use.

They make up some of the best first cars for new drivers and are a great option for families in need of a second car that won’t break the bank.

If you’re in need of a compact car for urban driving, that is wallet-friendly, has a good array of cabin tech, and is still practical, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our list of the top 10 best city cars you can buy or lease in 2022!

1. Hyundai i10

  • Doors:
  • Engine:
  • Fuel:
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive:
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Very generous warranty for peace of mind.

  • Five seats for greater flexibility.

Cons

  • Infotainment on the entry model is poor.

  • Automatic gearbox is a bit sluggish.

The Hyundai i10 is one of the most affordable city cars available in 2022. Equipped with either a 1.0 or 1.2 litre petrol engine, it can achieve an impressive 56.5MPG. It’s also super cheap to insure (groups 9E-10E), perfect for young drivers or families who don’t want to spend a fortune on a second car. Hyundai also offers a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty on all models.

The i10 is a five-seater, a rarity for city cars. It’s a squeeze for 3 adults. Knee and head room for rear passengers is sufficient, and the floor hump in front of the middle seat is lower so the middle passenger won’t have to scrunch their knees up to their chin! Boot space is expansive, with 258L extending to 1,050L!

The entry trim has a 3.8-inch black and white display but on higher specs, you get a nice and bright 8-inch touchscreen display. Smartphone mirroring is included as standard too. This is useful as there’s no sat nav as standard on any trim. If you fancy a model with a bit more oumph, the N Line is speedy and comes with an optional tech pack, which includes the sat nav and also a smartphone app to track the car location, maintenance requirements and more.

2. Volkswagen UP Hatchback

  • Doors: 3 - 5
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 95 - 127g/km

Pros

  • Very decent boot space for its size.

  • Tech is better than alternatives like the i10.

Cons

  • Only 2 rear seats.

  • Has a mediocre 3 star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The Volkswagen UP! was built alongside the SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo, both of which are now discontinued - the UP!, however, has stood the test of time. It’s one of the most popular cars amongst 17 year olds and a great car for students.

There is a single 1.0-litre petrol (65PS) option, but if you upgrade to the GTI trim, it’s capable of 115PS. The entry model is the most fuel efficient, managing up to 55.4MPG. Insurance is low too, between groups 5E and 10E!

Boot space isn’t as generous as the i10 but still far more spacious than others on this list. As standard, the boot is 251L and when you fold down the back seats, it extends to 959L. It’s a four-seater, with plenty of room for kiddos or a couple of lanky friends in the back seat.

Standard tech is better on the Up! than the i10, with a 5-inch colour screen with Bluetooth connectivity. You can also download a smartphone app with sat nav and music streaming functions, which is only available on much pricier i10 models.

3. Kia Picanto

  • Doors: 3 - 5
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 95 - 152g/km

Pros

  • Longest warranty of all cars on the list (7 years!).

  • Feels very roomy inside.

Cons

  • First 3 trims have very limited tech.

  • Bit slow if you want to venture out of the city.

The Kia Picanto is a long-standing favourite city car, favoured with new drivers and ever-popular as a second family car.

You can expect fantastic MPG with the Picanto - up to 58.9 MPG, making it one of the most economical cars on this list! It also sits around insurance group 9, so overall running costs will be very low, perfect for tighter budgets! It also has a whopping 7 year warranty.

The Picanto feels much larger than you’d expect. The tall roof gives the illusion of more space. It is actually roomier than other models on this list, with 3 rear seats that provide good knee and head room for adult passengers. There’s no awkward hump on the floor in front of the middle seat either! Boot space is ideal for stowing extra stuff away - 255L standard, extending to 1,010L.

The entry trim has very limited tech so you’ll want to upgrade to the Picanto 3 trim to get the 8-inch touchscreen sat nav with Kia Connect and smartphone mirroring.

4. Fiat 500 Hatchback

  • Doors: 3
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P, D, E
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 149g/km

Pros

  • Petrol mild hybrid engine for increased efficiency and lower emissions.

  • Useful tech on “Lounge” trim and above.

Cons

  • 66% adult occupant and 49% child occupant safety rating by Euro NCAP.

  • Bit pokey in the back seat for your tall friends.

The Fiat 500 is an absolute classic and regularly tops the list of the best small cars. It’s undergone some major transformations over its 65 year life so you know what you’re getting now is an incredibly well-thought out model based on decades of real driver experiences. 

All models are petrol mild hybrid, capable of up to 56.5MPG and fewer emissions. You can also choose the new electric Fiat 500e. Running costs stay low when it comes to insurance - the 500 slots somewhere between groups 9U and 10D.

Boot space is reasonable for day-to-day basic use, but not as big as the i10 or UP!. With the seats up, you get 185L. With the seats down, you get 550L. There are just 2 rear seats which offer enough leg and headroom for tall passengers, and are perfect for little kiddos. 

The entry “Pop” tim is a bit basic, equipped with a 5-inch HD touchscreen radio. From “Lounge” up, you get a more substantial 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring. There’s also a 7-inch TFT digital instrument cluster behind the wheel, with key indicators relating to battery level, energy flow, and the recommended gear for efficiency.  The Fiat App allows you to track some of the car’s main features wherever you are too.

5. Suzuki Ignis Hatchback

  • Doors: 3 - 5
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 104 - 170g/km

Pros

  • More versatility with four-wheel-drive.

  • Excellent MPG.

Cons

  • Poor infotainment system.

  • Fewer seats on more expensive trims.

The Suzuki Ignis won the 2022 What Car Award for “best small SUV for value”. If you’re a fan of the rugged SUV body, want a four-wheel drive you can take off-road on occasion, but need something compact, the Ignis is a top pick.

The Ignis is very fuel efficient - its petrol mild hybrid engine achieves up to 58 MPG. Insuring the Ignis varies quite a bit depending on the model. It can be as cheap as group 8A, and goes up to group 21D

Boot space is generous. It boasts 267L of room (big enough for one large suitcase), and extends to 514L (which isn’t quite as spacious as cars like the UP! and i10). Rear seat passengers have loads of knee room, and the back bench seats are raised so you can easily extend your legs. The entry-level model is a 5 seater, but the top tiers are only 4, so keep this in mind if you’re considering this car.

If you choose the Ignis, you’re choosing it for its versatility as a car capable of tackling city streets and more rugged terrain. Infotainment was not as high a priority in the development stage. The speed of operation and graphics on the Ignis’ infotainment system is poorer than competitors, but it does support Smartphone mirroring.

6. Mini Hatchback

  • Doors: 3 - 5
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 216g/km

Pros

  • Good looks.

  • Choice of 3 or 5 door to suit your needs.

Cons

  • No Android Auto option.

  • 3 back seats but one is basically unusable.

The MINI Hatchback is another classic that has retained its popularity over the decades. Available in either a 3 or 5 door variation, you can lease a model which suits your needs best. It’s also available as a MINI Electric.

The MINI Hatch offers great MPG, though not quite as impressive as others on the list. Depending on whether you go for the 3 or 5 door, you’ll get between 51.4 and 52.3 MPG. Insurance costs vary a lot too depending on your model. It can be as inexpensive as group 12E or as pricey as group 34A, so this is worth bearing in mind when pricing up your preferred spec.

It’s a practical model so great if you plan to use it as a small family or for trips away. The boot is a roomy 278L standard, extending to 941L, so on a par with the VW UP!. Despite having 3 rear seats, the middle passenger will be quite squished, with a cupholder bang smack where their feet should be. Knee and head room for 2 adult passengers is fine, but we don’t recommend carrying 5 people at once.

The 8.8-inch central screen is iconically MINI, with great quality graphics and easy navigation. A real pain point is that there’s no way to equip the car with Android Auto, though you can get Apple CarPlay with a Navigation Pack.

7. Honda E

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Very nice, lounge-like interior design.

  • Cameras instead of wing mirrors - actually works better!

Cons

  • Rear seats are not comfortable for adult passengers.

  • Pricey for a city car.

The Honda e is Honda’s first electric car and one of the lowest emission cars on this list. Its design has a retro feel meshed with futuristic inspiration, so it's bound to turn heads on the road!

It’s capable of 137 miles of electric range. In just 31 minutes, it can charge from 0-80% at a rapid charger. You’ll be able to use it for city driving, only needing to charge up every few days. Insurance is generally more expensive for electric cars, so you can expect higher costs than other cars on this list, somewhere between groups 25E and 29E.

The interior is very sleek and it’s clear Honda has put a lot of effort into it. It is lounge-like with contemporary, good quality materials. Whilst it looks good, if you plan to carry adult passengers in the rear, it may be a bit of a squeeze. There are just 2 seats and knee room and under thigh support is lacking. The boot is around 171L with the seats up, and 861L down, which is better than many cars on this list, though the back seats fold down as one unit, so you can’t carry 3 passengers and have more boot space.

Tech is very modern. Screens spread right across the dashboard. Instead of wing mirrors, the e has cameras with water repellent coating - you can view them on screens displayed on each side of the dash. These are actually a major improvement on standard wing mirrors! The graphics on the infotainment system are a little washed out, but that’s being super picky!

8. Toyota Aygo X Hatchback

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: M, A
  • CO2: 109 - 114g/km

Pros

  • Rugged SUV body in a compact package.

  • Some of the lowest running costs of all cars on the list.

Cons

  • Only 2 rear seats with poor legroom - surprising since it’s a chunkier car.

  • Not very versatile outside urban use so the SUV body is just for show.

Toyota has done away with the original Aygo and in its place is the Aygo X. This is one of the bigger “city cars” on this list, falling more into the “mini SUV” category - but very mini, so it still makes our list!

Running costs are impressively low for the Aygo X. You’ll get up to 58.9 MPG, plus insurance costs are very low, sitting somewhere between groups 5A and 7A. These are the best running costs we’ve seen on the list so far!

The rear bench is suitable for two people. If you do need room for 5, this is a bit annoying given the size of the car compared to 5 seaters on the list like the i10. Boot storage is decent, but again not as large as others on the list. You can stuff 226L worth of things as standard, or 829L with the back seats folded down.

Depending on your trim choice, the infotainment screen is between 7 and 9-inches and is easy to use. Smartphone mirroring is standard. You can also upgrade to Toyota Smart Connect with the Exclusive and Limited Edition models, allowing you to keep your phone and car in sync. The MyT app also allows you to remotely operate the cabin and door controls!

9. Smart Fortwo Coupe

  • Doors: 2
  • Engine:
  • Fuel: P, D, E
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: A, M
  • CO2: 137g/km

Pros

  • Super small so perfect for securing the tightest of tight parking spots.

  • Decent electric range for its size, keeping running costs low.

Cons

  • Great cargo capacity.

  • Class-leading quality of interior.

Smart makes quirky cars that have a premium feel (the company is owned by Mercedes-Benz). You won’t see many Smart cars on the road, so if you like to stand out from the crowd, the Fortwo Coupe is definitely worth adding to your shortlist.

All Smart cars are electric. The Fortwo Coupe is designed for those who need an incredibly compact car and don’t want to spend a fortune on fuel. It can do between 74 and 83 miles on a single charge, which is more than enough for a few days of city driving. It can be insured somewhere between groups 10 and 13.

It’s a two seater and is perfectly comfortable. It has a pretty generous boot space for its small size (350L).

As a product of the Mercedes company, the interior is better quality than most in its class. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen that’s easy to use, but no built-in sat nav. Smart offers an app you can use to check the car’s location, battery charge, and more.

10. Citroen AMI

  • Doors: 2
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Has full doors with windows unlike the competing Renault Twizy!

  • Very eco-friendly - all parts are 100% recyclable (except battery which is 85% recyclable).

Cons

  • Kitted out with the least impressive tech we’ve seen on a car for a long time.

  • Won’t win any prizes for exterior or interior design.

Last on the list is a brand spanking new addition for 2022 - the Citroen AMI. This 2-seater electric vehicle is technically a “quadricycle” and it definitely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But if you need a super compact, eco-friendly set of wheels for quick errands, it may be for you.

The AMI is only 2.41m long which is 1m shorter than other cars on this list. You’ll have no issues zipping in and out of lanes and parking in the tightest of spots. It has a small electric range of 43 miles and a top speed of 28 mph which is just fine for city driving. You can’t use it on the motorway, so bear this in mind.

For such a compact car, the cabin is surprisingly roomy. Citroen claims a 6’6” driver will fit just fine. The cargo compartment has 260 litres of storage space, more than cars like the Fiat 500. There are lots of handy storage spots in front of the passengers, without encroaching on leg room.

The cabin is a bit basic. For example, there’s no A/C but there is a fan. There’s also no stereo, but there’s a slot to hold your smartphone and a Bluetooth speaker. The digital driver’s display also looks a bit like a retro digital watch. Clearly, the AMI wasn’t designed to scoop up tech and design awards, but it certainly fits the bill of a convenient city runaround!

Conclusion

Whether you’re a young driver who doesn’t need a big SUV, or a parent looking for a second, budget-friendly runaround, we hope this list of the best city cars has been helpful.

Lease Fetcher is a car leasing comparison site, making it easy to find a hot deal on your perfect car with ease! Check out our city car lease deals to compare all compact models.