Over the past few years, city cars have become increasingly popular with urban motorists. Not only are they more fuel-efficient, meaning they're better for your wallet as well as for the environment, they're also much more practical when it comes to navigating city centre streets.
If you’re thinking of joining the growing movement away from large vehicles and towards cheaper, cleaner, smaller alternatives, here's what you need to know:
Some big questions to ask when choosing a city car
As with all types of vehicle, you will literally find yourself spoilt for choice when searching for the right city car for you. Almost all the major automotive manufacturers now produce at least one model specifically designed for urban motoring, and choosing between the myriad options on offer can be time-consuming and even confusing.
To make your search for the perfect car for you easier, you need to ask yourself a few important questions. Once you have the answers to here, you will find that your search has been significantly narrowed, and so then it's simply a matter of comparing the costs and even designs of the few cars that have made it though the selection process. So, above all you need to consider:
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What is your budget? The very first thing you need to do before you start shopping for a new car is to draw up a budget and work out how you will fund any purchase. Will you be able to part-exchange your existing car for a new one? Will you need to take out a loan, or credit with the dealership, or would you prefer to pay up-front in one go? Take the time to put together an accurate budget and then, once you have the finances sorted, you can consider other matters.
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Driving alone or taking the kids? City cars are, in essence, compact run-arounds. Generally speaking, they are a big hit with urban couples of families where they will just be used by a single driver. If this describes you, then a supermini could be the perfect option. If, however, you may need to use your city car to carry a couple of children to school or friends to the football, then you need to think bigger. Look out for five-door models and also compare things like boot space and whether or not the car comes equipped with mounting points for fitting child seats.
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Will you be venturing beyond the city limits? A tint 1.0-litre petrol engine is more than adequate if you're just going to use your car to drive a couple of miles to and from work or to the shops every day. If, however, it's likely that you will need your car to do more than this, then such an engine might prove too puny. For instance, if it's likely you'll use your new car outside of the city centre, or if you may need it to carry heavy shopping or other goods, then you will probably want to go for something with a bit more power. Check out the performance ratings of the larger city cars and don't forget to make full use of online review sites and other expert sources.
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How important are gadgets or fancy extras? As a rule, urban motorists love gadgets and in-car technology, and manufacturers know it. Given this, most city cars come equipped with a great selection of fancy add-ons, including technology designed to help parking in small city centre streets even easier. Be aware, however, that many of the leading brands also offer very basic versions of their city cars, with their sales teams then working to convince customers to upgrade. So, again, do your homework and be sure you're only paying for the extras you think you might actually need.
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How does a model fare on safety and reliability? As well as being cheap to run, compact city cars are generally very reliable. In fact, since they're smaller, there's much less that can go wrong when compared with bigger vehicles and, if something does in fact go wrong, parts tend to be cheaper. Safety is another matter, however. Driving a smaller car can make you feel extra vulnerable, especially in a busy city centre, though most of the big makes spend as much time and effort making their smaller cars safe as they do their larger, family-friendly models. For extra peace of mind, look out for city cars fitted with electronic stability control (ESC), though be aware that you may have to pay a premium for this.
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New or used? One other big decision to make is whether you want to buy a city car brand new from the forecourt or would prefer a used vehicle. A second-hand car will always be cheaper, though the finance schemes offered by most brands has made buying new increasingly affordable over recent years. Buying new also allows you to buy the car you want as you want it, for instance by choosing the perfect colour and any accessories, plus you will be able to benefit from extra peace of mind in the shape of an extended warranty should something go wrong.