Small, agile and affordable cars: the best-selling city cars

In a market characterized by the constant growth of microcars and minicars and the progressive downsizing of segment B cars, increasingly oriented, in form and content, towards the world of Sport Utility Vehicles, citycars firmly maintain their role and an increasingly numerous and varied target audience. The credit goes above all to the great versatility guaranteed by these car models (they are all under 4 meters in length ), with a satisfactory proposal from a quantitative and qualitative point of view with regards to the set-ups and types of engines available under the hood. From full electric to versions equipped with pure thermal engines powered by petrol, or bifuel LPG, up to mild hybrids with reduced consumption and CO2 emissions. Prices? Variable, but overall under 25 thousand euros for models powered by an endothermic engine, while for battery-powered ones you need around 10 thousand euros more. Here are the most popular A-segment models (what were once super-small cars) on the Italian market, with their respective technical characteristics, versions, features and price list.

Twenty years have passed since the launch of the first to the debut of the fourth generation of the Kia Picanto . An important period of time filled above all by the leap in quality made at a technological level, while the dimensions remain almost the same, with a few more millimetres in length (equal to 3,605 mm , with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm , while the width is 1,595 mm and the height reaches up to 1,485 mm , compared to a boot with a capacity of between 250 and 1,010 litres ). The latest series, introduced on the market in spring 2024 , is approved for five people, while under the hood it is possible to choose between petrol engines, 1.0-liter 3-cylinder 63 hp (with declared consumption in the combined Wltp cycle equal to 5.0 and 5.4 l / 100 km , with CO2 emissions of 114 - 124 g / km , a sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 14.6 seconds and a top speed of 145 km / h ) or 1.2-liter 4-cylinder 79 hp (consumption is between 5,207 and 5,610 l / 100 km , with CO2 emissions of 117.7 and 127.0 g / km , a sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 13.1 seconds and a top speed of 159 km / h). h ), and a 1.0 LPG-powered 61 hp (fuel consumption of 5,494 l / 100 km on petrol and 7.5 l / 100 km on Liquefied Petroleum Gas, CO2 emissions of 124.0 and 120.5 g / km , while acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 15.6 seconds and the top speed is 145 km / h ). All variants are front-wheel drive and available with a manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. The on-board technological features include the 4.2" digital LCD cluster display combined with the 8" touchscreen with Kia Navigation system . Four trim levels are available (Urban, 20th Anniversary Edition, Style and Gt Line), with a price list starting from 16,800 euros turnkey for the 1.0 MPi petrol 63 HP in the Urban trim with five-speed manual gearbox, while for the 1.0 Mpi GPL 61 HP the most economical solution is available at 18,400 euros .

2025 will be the year of the arrival of the new Grande Panda , but the Stellantis group does not intend to give up what, for all intents and purposes, remains the best-selling model on the Italian market and which is currently offered in two trims, Panda and Pandina . Compared to the new entry, a larger sister of greater size (it is 3,999 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,540 mm , 2,017 mm wide and 1,585 mm high) available in a mild hybrid or electric version, the city car par excellence is offered exclusively with a mild hybrid consisting of a three-cylinder 1.0 Hybrid engine ( 999 cc displacement) with 70 hp (51 kW) and 92 Nm of torque combined with the 3.6 kW Belt - integrated Starter Generator (BSG) electric system and an 11 Ah lithium battery, with a six-speed manual gearbox. According to the Turin-based company, in the combined WLTP mixed cycle the fuel consumption of this front-wheel drive model is equal to 5 l / 100 km , compared to CO2 emissions of 113 g / km , while the maximum speed is 164 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h occurs in 13.9 seconds . Net of the dimensions closer to the previous series (the length is 3,686 mm , with a wheelbase of 2,300 mm , the width is 1,882 mm and the height is 1,551 mm , while the trunk has a load capacity that starts from 225 litres ), the third generation of this historic car is equipped with a rich on-board technological equipment, with a 7'' Dab touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from which it is possible to manage the infotainment. The list price starts from 15,900 euros turnkey for the Panda trim (with 14" wheels) and from 18,900 euros for the Pandina (the wheels are 15").

With the exit of the mild hybrid version, produced until the summer of 2024 in the Polish plant in Tychy, the Fiat 500e has become the only option available for one of the most popular models in the range. While waiting for the arrival of a hybrid variant based on the new generation , arriving between the end of the year and the beginning of 2026 with production in Mirafiori , the Turin-based company owned by the Stellantis group maintains its presence in the A segment mainly with an electric city car available in three proposals both in terms of body style ( Sedan , 3 + 1 and Cabrio ) and in terms of available trim levels ( Red , La Prima and Giorgio Armani ). According to the company, the versions equipped with a 95 hp (70 kW) permanent magnet electric motor and 220 Nm of torque combined with a 23.8 kWh lithium-ion battery have a maximum range of 190 kilometers (0 to 100 km/h takes 9.5 seconds , with a top speed of 135 km / h ), while with the 118 hp (87 kW) engine and 220 Nm of torque with a 42 kWh battery you can reach (depending on the selected configuration) up to 331 km (0 to 100 km/h takes 9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 150 km / h ). The battery can be recharged either with direct current, with expected times of 30 (from 0 to 80% at 50 kW for the 23.8 kWh version) and 35 minutes (at 85 kW ) or with alternating current at 11 kW (ranging from 2 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours and 15 minutes ) and with a 3 kW domestic socket ( 8 hours and 45 minutes and 15 hours and 15 minutes ). This model has a length of 3,632 mm , with a wheelbase of 2,322 mm , compared to a width of 1,683 mm and a height that reaches up to 1,527 mm . The trunk has a load capacity that stands between 185 and 550 liters , while from a technological point of view the beating heart is represented by a 10'' display placed in the center of the dashboard. The price list for Italy starts at 29,950 euros for the Fiat 500e in the sedan variant in the Red trim with a 95 hp (70 kW) electric motor and 220 Nm of torque combined with a 23.8 kWh lithium-ion battery.

In a future that looks increasingly electrified for the brand, the Abarth 500e certainly represents the current reference model of the entire range. Starting from the official presentation, which took place in November 2022, the Scorpion aims to sting the international market with a model made in two versions , Hatchback and Cabrio (both are also available on the Turismo trim, with 18" wheels), equipped with a 155 HP (113.7 kW) permanent magnet electric motor, with a maximum torque of 235 Nm , combined with a 42.2 kWh battery ( 37.8 kWh net). According to what was declared by the Turin-based company owned by the Stellantis group, in the combined Wltp cycle the energy consumption is between 17.1 and 18.8 kWh / 100 km , depending on the version, while the sprint from 0 to 100 km / h takes place in 7 seconds and then pushes up to 155 km / h . The compact dimensions (it is 3,673 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,322 mm , wide 1,682 mm and 1,518 mm high, while the trunk has a load capacity of between 185 and 550 litres ) guarantee adequate space inside a well-accessorised passenger compartment and a strong identity spirit linked to the brand . From a technological point of view, a 7" TFT instrument panel with dedicated graphics stands out, combined with a 10.25" touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect radio and the new Performance Pages. The price list starts at 37,950 euros for both the Hatchback and Cabrio versions, while the 500e Turismo costs 42,650 euros .

DR 1.0 is the most compact car of the lot, with its dimensions (it is 3,200 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,150 mm , 1,670 mm wide and 1,550 mm high, while the boot has a load capacity of between 110 and 630 litres ) making it ideal for urban travel. Moreover, this electric city car is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor capable of delivering a maximum power of 61 hp (45 kW) and a torque of 150 Nm combined with a battery with a capacity of 31 kWh rechargeable both with direct current ( 50 minutes to go from 0 to 80% at 40 kW ) and alternating current ( 6 hours and 50 minutes from 0 to 100% at 6.6 kW ). According to the Italian brand, in the Wltp combined cycle the maximum autonomy is 210 km , with an electrical energy consumption of 15.6 kWh / 100 km , while the acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h occurs in 17 seconds and the maximum speed is 120 km / h . At a technological level, the 3.5" instrument panel stands out combined with a 9.7" touchscreen for infotainment. In Italy the price list of this model starts at 18,900 euros turnkey.

In 2025, the range will be enriched by the debut of the ultra-compact electric SUV Inster , but the Hyundai i10 remains the reference model for city cars. Despite the confirmation of its dimensions (it is 3,670 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,425 mm , 1,680 mm wide and 1,480 mm high, with five seats and a boot that can accommodate between 252 and 1,050 litres ) and the three available trims ( Connectline , Prime and N Line ), the My25 version presents some new features in terms of content. Under the hood, for example, it is possible to choose between petrol variants, with 1.0 3-cylinder 63 HP internal combustion engines, with manual five-speed gearbox (with fuel consumption of 5,050 - 5,586 l / 100 km in the combined WLTP cycle, while CO2 emissions stand at 114 - 126 g / km ) or automatic (fuel consumption of 5,243 - 5,936 l / 100 km , CO2 emissions of 119 - 134 g / km ), and 90 HP (turbo) for the N Line version (fuel consumption of 5,418 - 5,461 l / 100 km , with CO2 emissions of 123 - 124 g / km ), or the 61 HP LPG version (with consumption of 5,586 l / 100 km with petrol and 6.7 l / 100 km with Liquefied Petroleum Gas, while CO2 emissions are between 126 and 108.3 g / km ). In addition to a rich equipment in terms of Adas and safety-related systems, from a technological point of view the 8" touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity located in the center of the dashboard stands out. In Italy the price list starts at 18,100 euros turnkey for the Connectline trim with 1.0 three-cylinder Mpi petrol engine with manual gearbox, while for the LPG version it starts at 19,600 euros turnkey.

In the first half of 2024, Dacia introduced the second generation of the Spring to the market, the electric city car made in four trims ( Expression , Extreme , Business and Cargo ) and with two distinct engine options. In Italy, in fact, it is also possible to choose between a 45 hp (33 kW, with 14" wheels and 113 Nm of torque) permanent magnet synchronous motor and the more performing 65 hp (48 kW, with 15" wheels and 125 Nm of torque), in both cases combined with a compact 26.8 kWh lithium-ion battery which, according to what was declared by the Romanian company owned by the Renault group, in the combined mixed Wltp cycle guarantees a maximum range of between 225 and 228 km (and 305 km in the city). In addition to accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 13.7 seconds , with an energy consumption of 13.5 kWh / 100 km , the Electric 65 version is equipped with a battery that can be quickly recharged at a direct current (DC, 30 kW) charging station in 45 minutes (to go from 20 to 80%), while the entry level of the range with the 45 HP engine is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 19.1 seconds , with a declared consumption of 14.1 kWh / 100 km , and with battery charging times of between 4 hours (from 20 to 100% when connected to a wallbox with a charging power of 7.4 kW), 6 hours and 50 minutes (with a 3.7 kW wallbox) and 10 hours and 50 minutes (2.3 kW domestic socket). Despite its compact size (it is 3,701 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,423 mm , 1,583 mm wide and 1,519 mm high, while the trunk has a load capacity of between 308 and, by lowering the seats in the second row, 1,004 litres ), there is adequate space on board for four people, with a 7" digital instrument panel available as standard combined with a 10" screen with a Media Nav Live multimedia system for infotainment placed in the center of the dashboard in the medium and high-end trims. In Italy, the price list starts at 17,900 euros turnkey for the Electric 45 version in the Expression trim.

Suzuki Ignis is an ultra-compact SUV that arrived in dealerships, in its current version, in the first half of 2020. It is a compact car (it is 3,700 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,435 mm , 1,660 mm wide and 1,605 mm high, while the trunk has a load capacity of between 260 and 514 liters ) made with a single 1.2 Hybrid engine consisting of a four-cylinder internal combustion engine with a displacement of 1,197 cc , capable of delivering a maximum power of 83 hp (61 kW) and a torque of 107 Nm , combined with a battery increased from 3 to 10 Ah . According to the Japanese manufacturer, in the WLTP combined cycle fuel consumption is 5 l / 100 km ( 5.5 l / 100 km with automatic transmission), compared to CO2 emissions of 112 g / km ( 122 - 124 g / km with automatic transmission). The formula chosen for this city car is that of five doors and four seats inside a passenger compartment characterised by the presence of a 7" touchscreen for infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Suzuki Ignis Hybrid is available in the Top trim in three different versions, respectively with a five-speed manual transmission, for a list price starting from 21,400 euros turnkey, with automatic transmission (the price rises to 22,900 euros ), or with Allgrip all-wheel drive, starting from 23,400 euros .

The latest version was introduced to the market in 2022, with a single engine and a rich proposal in terms of trim levels ( Active , Trend , Trend Air , Lounge , Lounge Air and Jbl Special Edition ) that makes up the entire range of a Toyota Aygo X. Under the hood of this four-seater city car , in fact, there is a 1.0 three-cylinder in-line petrol-powered internal combustion engine capable of delivering a maximum power of 72 hp (53 kW) and a torque of 93 Nm combined with a five-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission (S-CVT). According to what was declared by the Japanese company, in the combined WLTP mixed cycle, fuel consumption is 4.8 l / 100 km (and 5 l / 100 km for the version equipped with automatic transmission), compared to CO2 emissions of 109 g / km ( 113 g / km with S-CVT). The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 14.9 seconds ( 14.8 with automatic transmission), while the top speed is 158 and 151 km / h respectively. The compact dimensions (it is 3,700 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,430 mm , 1,740 mm wide and 1,525 mm high, while the trunk has a maximum load capacity of 231 litres ) make it ideal for urban travel. From a technological point of view, the 7 or 9-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, for infotainment stands out. In Italy, the price list starts at 18,950 euros turnkey for the Active trim.

The Leapmotor T03 is one of the new models introduced on the European market in 2024. Characterizing the debut on the Old Continent of this compact electric city car (it is 3,620 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm , 1,577 mm wide and 1,652 mm high, while the trunk has a load capacity of between 210 and 880 liters ) with five doors and four seats assembled inside the Polish plant in Tychy, as part of an agreement signed with the Stellantis group, is the presence of a single version . It is equipped with a 95 HP (70 kW) permanent magnet synchronous motor, with a maximum torque of 158 Nm, combined with a 37.3 kWh battery that can be recharged both at a traditional direct current charging station in 36 minutes (to go from 30 to 80%, with a maximum power of 48 kW ) and in 3.5 hours using a 6.6 kW charger. Four driving modes are available, Comfort , Eco , Sport and Standard , with a maximum range of 265 km in the combined Wltp mixed cycle and 395 km in the city. The rich standard equipment includes 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a 42-inch panoramic roof with electric sunshade, the main latest-generation ADAS and an 8-inch LCD instrument panel combined with a 10.1-inch central touch screen. Three colors are available ( Light White , Starry Silver and Glacier Blue ) for the bodywork, the price list starts from 18,900 euros turnkey.