Downsizing on size doesn't mean downsizing on performance - the Ford Fiesta is among the best in its class to drive
Downsizing on size doesn't mean downsizing on performance - the Ford Fiesta is among the best in its class to drive
More of us are choosing to downsize our car than ever before. Last year one in ten of us downsized to a smaller vehicle, making the ‘petite range’ the most popular choice for buyers in the UK. It’s easy to see why people are opting for smaller models as some have amazingly low running costs and returns of over 80mpg.
If you’re thinking about downsizing, here are some key things to consider:
Small cars have low running costs, and with many being exempt from road tax they are an ideal option for budget conscious buyers. The Hyundai i20 1.1 CRDi Blue can do an incredible 88.3mpg and the Kia Rio Hatchback 1.1 CRDi Air EcoDynamics will return you an impressive 78.5mpg. Some bigger cars do still offer impressive fuel economy though - the BMW 5 Series Saloon was found by What Car? to average 54.5mpg.
There’s no getting around the fact that you’re not going to get SUV boot space in a ‘supermini’. However, small cars have come a long way in making the most of the space available to them. The Volkswagen UP!, Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii all have a deep 251-litre boot space. Look out for clever features which extend rear boot space – the Honda Jazz has smart ‘Magic Seats’ that fold down to create a handy large vertical load space.
Small cars are ideal for squeezing into tighter spaces and are easy to manoeuvre. In busy areas such as Westminster, motorists now have 20% less space in which to park than they did a decade ago, so being able to squeeze into tight spaces is a big advantage.
Small cars usually cost less to buy new than their larger rivals. You can easily pick up a brand new car for less than £10,000. A brand new Dacia Sandero will set you back only £5995 and you can pick up a Citroen C1 for just £6988.
Good news - downsizing does not need to mean sacrificing on style! The Audi A1, Vauxhall ADAM and Citroen DS3 are all good examples of small cars which look great on the road.
Many small cars on the market offer brilliant performance. The Ford Fiesta is among the best in its class to drive, with the Fiesta ST being one of the best ‘hot hatches’ on the market. The Suzuki Swift is fun on the road with great steering and lots of on-road grip.
Safety technology has come on leaps and bounds in the last ten years, and many features previously found in high-end luxury cars are now available in small cars. Many superminis, such as the Ford Fiesta, now carry a 5 star NCAP safety rating.
