Suzuki Splash (2008-2014) review
Price based on the test score: £2,094Show context: 70%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Suzuki Splash
Suzuki Splash
Compare and contrast the results: Which? Best Buy
Although it is a capable city car that gets most things right, you should steer clear of the underpowered 1.0-liter engine. The question is, Which? Best Buy.
Pros\sSpacious
Simple access both in and out.
Controls that are easy to use and safe to handle
Weak 1.0-litre engine
Space in the back for passengers to spare is restricted.
Evaluation of the Toyota iQ (2009-2014)
Price derived from test score: 3,469 dollarsShow context 67%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Toyota iQ
Toyota iQ
A judicious approach to driving in the city, according to the verdict.
This compact city car is replete with cutting-edge features, and it performs admirably in its intended role of being simple to manoeuvre and park in congested urban settings.
Pros
Simple in terms of manoeuvring
Excellent performance in the crash tests conducted by Euro NCAP.
Cons
The suspension is very firm
A very diminutive boot
Poor visibility when looking backwards.
Quite unexpectedly hungry for fuel
Mitsubishi i-Miev (2010-2015) review
Price based on the Test score is £4,962Show Context 66%
Identiying characteristics
Only electric power was used in the city.
Mitsubishi i-Miev
Mitsubishi i-Miev
In contrast, the verdict is charming but archaic now.
The range of older electric vehicles (EVs) like this one is extremely limited, and the degradation of the battery makes it even worse. This vehicle offers a number of attractive benefits, but the fact remains that there are other electric vehicles on the market that are more functional and have longer ranges.
Pros
The car is simple to operate and eerily silent.
Low operating costs on a day-to-day basis
Cons
Long charging time
Constrained scope
Expensive
Kia Picanto (2011-2017) review
Price based on the test score is £3,226. Show context 66
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto
A verdict that is comparable: an inexpensive all-purpose runabout
While the first-generation Picanto was inexpensive and rather unremarkable, and was selected primarily for its attractive price tag (less than £5000 when initially purchased under the government’s scrappage scheme, as many of them were), the model that was released in 2011 is more capable, despite having a higher price tag. Other major selling points include its long-term dependability and Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty.
Advantages Warranty good for seven years
Affordable costs
Elegant design Spacious interior Reliability ranging from three to eight years
Poor braking and a small trunk space
Not particularly fuel-efficient
Evaluation of the Smart ForTwo (2007-2014)
The price is based on your score on the test and is 65% of the total.
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Smart ForTwo
Smart ForTwo
Contrast the verdict with the phrase “one-trick pony.”
The Smart ForTwo is essentially a one-trick pony that comes with a number of significant drawbacks; although it is well suited for city living, it is not particularly well suited for anything else.
Pros
Surprisingly roomy up front Low ongoing and maintenance costs
Cons
Meagre equipment Terrible automatic gearbox
Uncomfortable ride
Review of the Toyota Aygo from 2005 to 2014
£1,000Estimated value based on total scoreShow context 64%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Toyota Aygo
Toyota Aygo
The conclusion is that it seems archaic now.
When placed next to its more modern competitors in the subcompact city car category, it feels increasingly dated. Concerningly, electronic stability control was available only as an add-on; if you decide to purchase an Aygo, be sure to get one that already has this feature installed.
Pros
Cost effective in operation
Parking is a breeze, and it’s in a great location overall.
Cons
Only the optional control of stability is included.
Not very sophisticated or elegant.
Boot is very small.
Review of the Toyota Aygo (2014-)
Price based on the Test score is £13,084Show Context 63%
Identifying characteristics
New gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids are available in the city.
Toyota Aygo
Toyota Aygo
Contrast the result with the verdict of the characterful city car
It’s let down by a poor Euro NCAP safety score and high carbon monoxide (CO) emissions in early, pre-facelift models, which originally meant a Don’t Buy rating. This has since been lifted as critical active safety kit is now available across the range, in the UK, following a model update in 2018. Attention-grabbing looks, a quality cabin, and reasonable road manners should spell a winning combination for Toyota’s tiny city car, but it’s let down by these factors.
Pros
Exceptionally unique fashioning
Refined interior Excellent fuel economy Negatives
The engine struggles when travelling at highway speeds.
Active safety kit was either not available on earlier models or was an optional extra.
Review of the Smart forfour from 2015 to 2019
Price determined by test score: £6,168Show context 63%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Smart forfour
Smart forfour
Comparative verdict: Deficient in a few key areas
It’s an interesting city car, but it’s not very practical and it’s more expensive than many of its competitors.
Pros
Well equipped
a charming log cabin
Extremely manoeuvrable when it comes to parking Pros
Congested quarters in the back
Very sluggish 1.0 engine
The most expensive compared to its competitors
Evaluation of the Smart ForTwo (2015-2019)
Price determined by test score: £7,554Show context: 63%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Smart ForTwo
Smart ForTwo
In contrast, the verdict was a little bit of a letdown.
This Smart car may be nimble and easy to manoeuvre, but it is a bit of a letdown due to poor handling and stability, and it falls far short of the mpg claims that it makes for itself.
The turning circle is incredibly small, which is a pro.
A sufficient amount of amenities Spacious internal layout Drawbacks
Poor ability to maintain directional stability
Not nearly as cost-effective as was stated.
Uncomfortable ride
Hyundai i10 (2014-2020) review
Price based on the test score: £5,565 Show context 62%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Hyundai i10
Hyundai i10
The verdict is in: it’s inexpensive and upbeat.
The Hyundai i10 has a lot of interior room, is simple to get into, and has a large trunk for a city car, so it satisfies all the requirements for being comfortable and practical. Even though it takes corners and turns better than the previous model, the new i10 does not have the engaging driving dynamics of its leading competitors. The lineup of engines is also lacking in terms of power. We would advise staying away from the 1.0-liter gasoline, as it has very poor performance outside of the city.
Pros
It is simple to drive.
Decent amount of space and quality inside the front cabin. Good amount of standard equipment.
The 1.0-liter engine seems to lack power.
Disappointing fuel economy
Evaluation of the Vauxhall Adam (2012-2019)
Price derived from test score: £4,344Show context 61% of the total
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Vauxhall Adam
Vauxhall Adam
The conclusion is that driving is not enjoyable.
Unfortunately, there is very little substance to back up the flashy presentation. The ride is uncomfortable and the steering is uninspiring, making for a poor driving experience overall. According to our point of view, Vauxhall should have focused less on style and accessories and more on the core aspects of their product.
Pros
Funky styling
Ample amounts of the typical apparatus
Massive variety of available choices
Cons
Dull to drive
Congested seating in the back and a limited trunk space
The economy of fuel could be improved.
Peugeot 108 (2014-) review
Price determined by test score: £11,811Show context: 60%
Identifying characteristics
New gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids are available in the city.
Peugeot 108
Peugeot 108
Compare and contrast the verdict: an affordable city car with personality
This city car is packed with personality, and in addition to its many positive qualities, it is affordable both to purchase and to operate. Even though there is not a lot of space in the back and it is not extremely refined, it is simple to operate and has a zippy gasoline engine that is 1.2 litres in capacity.
Pros
It is simple to drive.
Cost effective both to purchase and to maintain
Nippy 1.2-litre Cons
Constrained space in the back Not particularly polished
Unsatisfactory performance in the crash test
Citroen C1 (2014-) review
Price determined by test score: £11,518Show context: 60%
Identifying characteristics
New gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids are available in the city.
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
Compare and contrast the verdict: a charmingly affordable city car
When compared to other city cars, the Citroen C1 is quick (at least in its 1.2-liter version), simple to operate, and comfortable to ride in, with a roomy cabin that is thoughtfully designed. On the other hand, it has an unexpectedly large turning circle and a fairly loud engine. It is roomy in the front, although not so much in the back, and the trunk is a workable size.
Pros\s<p>
Very simple and easy to operate.
Cost effective both to purchase and to maintain
Zippy 1.2-litre engine
Excellent dependability over the long term.
Cons
Back space is at a premium.
Noisy
Unrefined
Vauxhall Adam Rocks (2014-2018) review
Price based on the Test score: £7,909 Show Context 59%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Vauxhall Adam Rocks
Vauxhall Adam Rocks
The final verdict: enjoyable, but not suitable for romantic involvement
The regular Vauxhall Adam did not succeed in winning our favour. It may have the looks, but it is not practical, has poor fuel economy, and is boring to drive. It also does not have good looks. In contrast, the sporty Adam Rocks S that we tested is nimble, which contributes to its sense of fun. However, the car is initially enjoyable, but it quickly loses its appeal because of its high fuel costs, its limited storage space in the trunk, and its loud interior.
Pros
Fun to drive
Does not have any problems when driven on open highways.
Advantages of having good brakes and visibility
High fuel costs
Noisy
Convertible boot
inconvenient access to the rear seats
Peugeot iOn (2011-2018) review
Price determined by test score: £4,729Show context 58%
Identifying characteristics
The city exclusively used electric
Peugeot iOn
Peugeot iOn
The verdict is in: there are now better electric vehicles available.
The Peugeot iOn was one of the first electric cars, but it has a short driving range and a high (new) price tag, which makes it less appealing. The claimed range of 93 miles by Peugeot was significantly lower than our own measurement of 58 miles. It has an odd appearance, and it also has a slightly dated feel to it. Additionally, the crash protection it offers is below average.
Comfortable, and a quick way to get around town Pros
Costs of living that are relatively low
Affordable options for previously owned Cons
Poor protection against crashes.
Close quarters
Insufficient skills and application in real life
Evaluation of the Renault Twingo (2014-2019)
Price derived from the test score is £4,776. Show context 58%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Renault Twingo
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo is an affordable and practical city car, but it is not really suited to be driven outside of the urban environments for which it was designed. The turbocharged model is fantastic; it is nippy enough to zip through traffic and is incredibly easy to manoeuvre. However, the extremely small boot could be off-putting to some customers.
Pros
Interior space
Miniscule turning radius
Manoeuvrability
Exceptionally high levels of visibility Pros
Convertible boot
Access to the battery compartment is cumbersome.
engine with no turbocharger and insufficient power
Peugeot 107 (2005-2014) review
Price based on Test score: 1,496 dollarsShow Context 56%
Identifying characteristics
Only city that was used
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Peugeot 107
Peugeot 107
Comparative verdict: suitable for use within the city
The Peugeot 107 is a compact city car that is an excellent option for those who do not require a significant amount of space. It is inexpensive both to purchase and maintain, it is a pleasant surprise to drive, and the interior is not overly claustrophobic. The only problem is that it has a really tiny trunk, isn’t very versatile or practical, and its safety isn’t even close to being on par with the best in its category.
Pros
Low ongoing operating costs
Simple both to drive and park in
Quite comfy Cons
Poor protection and security during crashes.
Review of the tiny trunk found in the Fiat 500C (2009-)
Price determined by test score: £15,762Show context: 56%
Identifying characteristics
New gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids are available in the city.
tiny trunk found in the Fiat 500C
tiny trunk found in the Fiat 500C
Comparative verdict: enjoyable, but with a few drawbacks
The 500C has established itself as the pinnacle of cool city car street cred. However, you will undoubtedly incur additional costs as a consequence of opting for the convertible version.
Pros
It is simple to drive.
Spacious front cabin
Appropriately positioned controls
Cons
Not included as standard: stability control
When the roof is down, the view in the rear is poor.
Evaluation of the Smart Fortwo EQ (2018-)
£17,043Estimated cost of the project based on the test scoreShow context 55%
Identifyig characteristics
City with new Electricity Available
Smart Fortwo EQ
Smart Fortwo EQ
To compare, the verdict is excellent within the city but extremely restricted outside of it.
There are a lot of things about the Smart EQ Fortwo that are appealing, such as the fact that it is extremely small, that it is easy to manoeuvre, and that it is lively in the city, but in terms of day-to-day usability, it is difficult. Not only does it have a very small trunk, but it also has a very low range, so it can only be used for very short trips. Due to the unreliable nature of the brand, you should avoid purchasing this particular model.
Pros
Extremely nimble and manoeuvrable
vivacious performances in urban settings
Cons can be recharged for a low cost.
Constrained scope
Poor ride
Tiny little boot
Evaluation of the Smart EQ Forfour (2020-)
£17,313Estimated cost of the project based on the test scoreShow context 55%
Identifying characteristics
City with new Electricity Available
Smart EQ Forfour
Smart EQ Forfour
The conclusion is that there are far too many shortcomings.
In spite of the fact that the Smart EQ Forfour is appealing in some respects due to its small size, easy manoeuvrability, and lively performance around town, it is difficult to maintain and drive. The trunk is extremely small, there is very little room in the back seats, and the vehicle’s range of 62 miles means that it can only be used for very short trips. As a direct consequence of this, it’s a Which? Don’t Buy.
Pros
Cost effective in operation
Extremely nimble and manoeuvrable
Very simple and easy to operate Cons
Constrained scope
Poor ride comfort
confined space in both the trunk and the back seats
