10 Cute Small Cars

Toyota Yaris ・ Photo by Toyota

Small cars in North America have traditionally been simple, cheap, and utilitarian. At the same time, some of them managed to be good looking, despite the boxy designs of the time. Today’s modern subcompacts are anything but simple, with high-end features and aerodynamic styling trickling down to them from higher end models. Despite the increased luxury and complex styling found in these new cars, they are still sold based on their price, economy, and styling. Thankfully these days inexpensive doesn’t necessarily have to mean cheap, and many small cars are genuinely cute and attractive.

If we were shopping for a small car based mainly on its looks (though that’s not something that we would recommend), here is what we’d be looking at.

BMW i3

The BMW i3 is a small urban electric car with futuristic styling, an airy interior full of eco-friendly materials, and an optional range extender. The electric drivetrain allowed BMW to put the wheels right in the corners of the vehicle, and the lack of an internal combustion engine in the front makes for a cute, stubby design. The wheel and tire combination is tall but narrow (to make the car more aerodynamic while retaining BMW levels of grip), and combined with the two-tone exterior give the i3 a sense of presence, especially from the side. With a range of 80 to 100 miles for electric-only models, and 160-180 miles with the range extender, the cute, small i3 should be useable for most day-to-day journeys.

Photo by BMW

Chevrolet Spark

The Chevrolet Spark is a small four-door city car powered by a thrifty 1.4-liter engine that puts out 98 horsepower. Redesigned for 2016, the new Spark features an exterior that is much more attractive than the outgoing model, especially when viewed from the front or sides. The interior is also now more inviting, with nicer materials and better controls. The Spark is also quite roomy, with almost adequate space for four normal-sized adults. Leg room in the rear is down from the old model, and can sometimes be at a premium, and there isn’t much space available for luggage behind the rear seat. Like an increasing number of cute small cars, the Spark is also available as an electric vehicle.

Photo by General Motors

Fiat 500

Like the original, the modern FIAT 500 is a cute, small, stylish two-door Italian car with seating for four. Thanks to its retro styling and choice of frugal or powerful engines, the 500 offers the looks of the original with modern features, reliability and performance. The 1957 edition is our choice, and includes even more retro styling touches, including painted body-color wheels, a Bianco (white) roof and mirrors, a retro fascia, and retro FIAT badging. The interior looks nice and has enough room for two adults, but headroom can be a bit tight for taller drivers (especially with the glass roof), and cargo space is limited. An electric version called the 500e is also available, though only in a few states.

Photo by FIAT

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is a subcompact car that is available in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback versions. The two versions share basically the same styling from the C-pillar forward, though we find the hatchback form to be the better looking of the two. While it doesn’t have quite as much interior space as some rivals, it is well designed and uses quality materials. The hatchback can’t compete with its rivals when it comes to cargo space, but the sedan does offer a fairly roomy trunk. All versions of the cute and compact Fiesta handle with eagerness, but the high-performance ST version is one of the best driving and best handling hot-hatches on the market.

Photo by Ford

Honda CR-Z

The Honda CR-Z is a sporty compact two-door hybrid car that follows in the Honda tradition of making small, fun, economical cars. The only hybrid on the market available with a manual transmission, the CR-Z was updated for 2016 with a new front end and some tweaks to the rest of the car. The result is a car that is much more attractive than the outgoing model, despite retaining many of the same body parts. Handling is great for a small hybrid, but only okay when compared to other sports cars, while fuel economy is quite good, but nowhere near as good as some of the other hybrids available. Overall the CR-Z is quite compromised, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t the perfect car for you, especially if you want something cute and small.

Photo by Honda

Hyundai Veloster

Thanks to its unique blend of styling, the cute, compact three-door Hyundai Veloster stands out from the crowd. Part sports coupe and part hatchback, the Veloster has one door on the driver’s side, and two doors on the passenger’s side. Inside, the Veloster isn’t as practical as you might think; the front is comfortable, but the rear is cramped, and the trunk opening is small and high up. Regular models don’t have the oomph to match the car’s looks, but the Turbo has a 201-horsepower engine, stronger brakes, and stickier tires that make the Veloster go as good as it looks. R-Spec models are even sportier, with a stiffer suspension, sportier trim, and a B&M sport shifter.

Photo by Hyundai

Mazda Mazda3

The Mazda3 is available as either a 5-door hatchback or a 4-door sedan, and both versions feature nearly identical Kodo-inspired design. From the side, the hatchback is just slightly better looking thanks to its weightier rear end, though from the rear the sedan is more attractive. The long hood gives both versions of the Mazda3 a unique and aggressive-looking side profile. Inside, the 3 has a driver-centric layout and a premium feel, though the rear is a bit cramped and some of the materials are shiny and hard. While the engine isn’t particularly powerful, it is frugal and fun to wring out. Even without a surplus of power, the cute and small Mazda3 is one of the best handling cars in its class, though the tradeoff is a ride that can sometimes get a bit rough.

Photo by Mazda USA

Scion iA

The Scion iA is a small four-door car built by Mazda (alongside the Mazda2, which is not currently available here) at one of its plants in Mexico. Scion has designed their own front end with a huge grille for the iA, but from the side it would be easy to think you were looking at a Mazda. The interior looks classy and has good fit and finish, though the materials aren’t of the highest quality. Cabin space is good for front passengers, though like in most subcompacts, rear seat space is cramped. Power comes from a Mazda-sourced, 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 106 horsepower which is willing enough and economical. Ride comfort in the iA is surprisingly good for such a small car, yet also agile and fun-to-drive (more Mazda-like than Toyota-like).

Photo by Scion

Smart Fortwo

Though it does feature a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive, the cute and small smart fortwo isn’t anywhere near as sporty as its layout might suggest. Most versions come with a tiny, 0.9-liter three-cylinder engine that puts out 89 horsepower, though an all-electric version is also available. Despite being such a small car and having such a miniscule engine, the Fortwo is not particularly frugal. The powertrain arrangement does influence the styling, and allows the car to be made very short, yet retain a reasonably-sized interior and a relatively large cargo area. There is plenty of space for two, though storage is at a premium. Interior materials are good, and ride quality is much improved over the previous generation, but the short wheelbase means that it isn’t quite at the same level as some of its larger rivals.

Photo by smart

Toyota Yaris

The Yaris is Toyota’s entry in the subcompact segment, and is available in either three-door or five-door hatchback versions. It features fairly simple exterior styling, which gives it a clean European look (the Yaris was designed in Toyota’s design studio in the South of France). The interior is largely traditional, with easy to use controls and many storage cubbies. Space in the front is good, but as you might expect, the rear is snug. The 1.5-liter engine puts out 106 horsepower, which despite the Yaris’ small size and light weight doesn’t make for a particularly exciting drive. The car’s ride is comfortable, and handling is good, especially with the SE’s stiffer suspension. The Yaris is getting a bit long in the tooth, but for the moment at least, it still looks young.

Photo by Toyota