Best cars with small engines
They’re cheaper to buy, insure and live with – what’s not to like?
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Cars with small engines were all the rage before SUVs started dominating the roads.
But now, as prices rise and everything gets more expensive for everyone, smaller cars are coming back into fashion in the best possible way.
And, whether you’re a new driver or just fancy a small runaround with low running costs, there are loads of cracking cars with small engines to look at.
Keep reading to find our six top picks.
What are the best cars with small engines?
Ford Fiesta
Toyota Aygo
Hyundai i10
Škoda Citigo
Fiat 500
Mini Cooper
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Best cars with small engines
Ford Fiesta
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If it’s a small car with a small engine you’re after, the Ford Fiesta is the go-to choice – there’s a reason Ford sold more than 22 million of them in total.
They’re cheap to run and cheap to maintain, and they tick about every other box you could ask for from a small car – from being good to look at to being fun to drive.
Plus, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost is a fine motor that produces 100hp and can achieve up to a healthy 51.4mpg.
Read our Ford Fiesta review
Toyota Aygo
 "Toyota Aygo driving")
The Toyota Aygo is the smallest car the Japanese brand makes and with that comes a car that’s cheap to run and easy to park and drive around town.
Power comes from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces around 70hp and can reach up to 56mpg.
Read our Toyota Aygo review
Hyundai i10
 "Hyundai i10 driving")
Hyundai’s smallest model is the i10 and it’s a fun supermini popular among new drivers and city-dwellers alike.
Part of the little i10’s appeal is its engines. You can get either a 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre petrol engine for between 60hp and 100hp and up to 53.3mpg.
Read our Hyundai i10 review
Škoda Citigo
 "Skoda Citigo front three quarters")
Sharing its underpinnings with the equally excellent VW up! and SEAT Mii, the Škoda Citigo is a tried-and-tested supermini – and it’s the cheapest version of the three.
It’s powered by a 1.0-litre engine that produces around 70hp and up to an enviable 68.9mpg.
Read our Škoda Citigo review
Fiat 500
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While the Fiat 500 is most popular as a fully electric car these days, it’s widely known as having a little petrol engine to help it zip around rural Italian towns.
The 500 usually comes with a 1.2-litre engine, but you can also get it with a 1.4-litre, both of which are cheap to run and buy.
Read our Fiat 500 review
Mini Cooper
 "Mini Cooper front three quarters")
Probably the most famous and recognisable petrol hatchback in existence is the Mini Cooper, and for good reason – it’s great.
Power comes from a small three-cylinder engine that produces up to 200hp and around 51.4mpg – what more do you need?
Read our Mini Cooper review
What does it mean for a car to have a small engine?
If a car has a small engine, it’s usually more fuel efficient and cheaper to insure – two things that no motorist wants to pay through the nose for.
What is considered a small engine
A small engine varies from country to country. For example, in the American market, a V8 is very common, but in the UK that’s pretty much the biggest you’d find in most places.
As a general rule, small cars with small engines have a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine like the Fiesta.
How does engine size affect power and efficiency?
Usually, bigger engines are less efficient because they need more fuel to power them (e.g. a 3.0-litre engine needs more fuel than a 1.0-litre engine).
It’s not quite as simple as this all the time, but generally speaking, the lower the number of litres an engine is, the less fuel it’ll drink.
The benefits of a small engine
Are smaller engines more efficient?
Small engines tend to be more fuel efficient than big engines because they need less fuel to power them.
It’s not always the case, and things like turbochargers and hybrid tech can make bigger engines more efficient, but it’s a good rule of thumb to say engines with fewer litres are more efficient.
Are smaller engines cheaper to buy?
Not always, but usually, a small car with a little engine will be cheaper to buy and then run.
Are smaller engines cheaper to insure?
Most of the time, yes. If you have a small engine, you’re likely to sit in a smaller insurance group than a V8 in a Ford Mustang, for example.
Are small engines okay for motorway driving?
Modern small engines can very easily tackle motorways, especially those fitted with turbochargers that only kick in when the engine needs a bit more grunt.
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Explore used cars with small engines
If you’re after a small car with a small engine, why not begin your journey with us?
Simply go on to our website, app or visit us at one of our cinch Stores to get up close and personal with one of our small cars.