Outside of the U.S., large cities such as London, Paris, and Tokyo are filled with little microcars such as the Fiat 500 and the Smart Fortwo. Sure, they may be small and city-friendly, but they lack the practicality you can find in cars not much bigger. In the U.S., microcars are a small segment, but many city dwellers are looking to downsize to smaller vehicles. For those urbanites, here are 15 subcompact and compact cars for conquering the city without fear of not fitting into a tight parking space.
2016 BMW i3: Extra Range
BMW’s first dedicated electric car, the i3, is an excellent urban runabout that offers cutting-edge technology in a city-friendly package. Should you have some range anxiety, the i3 is also available with a range extender that improves its range from 81 miles to 150 miles on a single charge.
2016 BMW i3: Polarizing Looks
Your urban runabout doesn’t have to look dull, and the BMW i3 is anything but boring on the eyes. With the i3’s exterior design—as polarizing as it is futuristic—you’ll never lose it in a crowded parking lot even if it’s flanked by boring SUVs.
2016 Chevrolet Spark: Small but Roomy
Slotting below the subcompact Sonic in Chevrolet’s lineup is the diminutive little Spark, a four-door hatchback that blurs the line between microcar and subcompact. The Spark offers seating for up to four passengers and generous cargo space that can be expanded from 11.1 cubic feet to 27.2 cubic with the split rear seat-backs folded down.
2016 Chevrolet Spark: Lightweight
Don’t let the 1.4-liter I-4’s rating of 98 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque fool you because the Spark knows how to make the most out of its modest output. Weighing in at 2,278 pounds with the optional CVT (2,248 pounds with the manual), the Spark doesn’t need much to get it going, especially when zipping around the city.
2016 Buick Encore: The Inventor of a Segment
Essentially the founder of the small luxury crossover segment, the Buick Encore offers a premium experience in a downsized package. Now, the Encore is one of Buick’s best-selling models. It also offers turbocharged power as standard.
2016 Buick Encore: New Sport Touring Model
Does the base 138-hp, 1.4-liter turbo-four not have enough power for you? Then Buick has an easy solution in the Encore Sport Touring, which comes with a new 1.4-liter turbo-four with direct injection. The new mill produces a healthy 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, which should be plenty to get the little munchkin going with more gusto.
2016 Mazda CX-3: The Stylish Urban Driving Enthusiast
Perhaps the most attractively styled small crossover available is the Mazda CX-3, which features the brand’s Kodo: Soul of Motion design language. Unlike some entries in the segment, the CX-3 begins punching above its weight from its exterior and brings plenty of upscale style to the masses.
2016 Mazda CX-3: The Driver’s Small Crossover
Though its 2.0-liter I-4 produces only 146 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque, the CX-3 offers an engaging driving experience thanks to its nimble handling and excellent steering. If you live in a four-season state, you can also get the CX-3 with all-wheel drive, so you can have fun and conquer whatever bad weather comes your way.
2016 Kia Soul: Funky and Fun-Loving
Kia’s little hamster mobile became an instant hit after its charm and funkiness won over everyone who drove it. Now in its second generation and packing even more power, quirkiness, space, and technology, the Soul is the ideal runabout for those who want to make a statement.
2016 Kia Soul: Electrified Hamster
In addition to the gas-powered models, you can now get the Kia Soul as an EV that offers up to 93 miles of range per charge. Thanks to its compact footprint and spacious interior, the Soul EV is an excellent urban runner for the environmentally conscious city dweller.
2016 Honda HR-V: Practically a Cavern
If practicality is your main priority, then the Honda HR-V is calling your name. Featuring up to 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space, the HR-V will swallow everything and anything you throw at it from kayaks and surfboards to Ikea furniture and shopping bags from Costco.
2016 Honda HR-V: Fuel Efficiency
Despite being the most spacious in its class, the Honda HR-V is also one of the most fuel-efficient, and is EPA-rated at 28/35 mpg city/highway in front-drive guise and 27/32 mpg with all-wheel drive. Should you decide to get the base-spec HR-V with the six-speed manual, that model is rated at 25/34 mpg.
2016 Fiat 500X: Italian Flair
Featuring an exterior design inspired by the 500 hatchback, the Fiat 500X is a subcompact crossover with major style. Under the hood, you can choose an optional 2.4-liter I-4 rated at 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque to give your rugged Italian some substance to go with its retro-chic style.
2016 Fiat 500X: AWD Model Is Italian-American
Should you decide to get a 500X, the available all-wheel drive system, which is shared with the Jeep Renegade, will allow you to traverse trails and unpaved roads with ease. However, when you don’t need traction at all four wheels, the system disengages the rear axle to maximize fuel economy.
2016 Toyota Prius C: Prius Hatchback Downsized
Essentially a subcompact Prius hatchback with a more traditional two-box design, the Toyota Prius C offers city-friendly dimensions and excellent fuel efficiency wrapped into a single package. With a fuel economy rating of 53/46 mpg, the Prius C will help you carry out your urban adventures with no problem.
2016 Toyota Prius C: Vibrant and Fun-Sized
At nearly the same dimensions as Toyota’s own Yaris, the Prius C is at home in zipping around in the city and cutting through tight spaces that other cars can’t handle. In case you need your little eco-friendly urban warrior to stand out, there’s a wide selection of vibrant exterior colors including lime green, yellow, orange, baby blue, and red.
2016 Ford Fiesta: Great Handling and Fuel Economy
Even the most basic variants of the Ford Fiesta offer excellent handling, meaning that you’ll be able to easily avoid the obstacles the city throws at you. For maximum fuel economy, consider the SFE variant with the turbocharged I-3 motor and the five-speed manual, which is rated at 31/43 mpg city/highway.
2016 Ford Fiesta: Scorching Hot ST Model
Got a need for a huge adrenaline rush? Consider the Fiesta ST, which is the perfect subcompact hot hatch for the urbanite who also likes to carve up canyons with authority. Powered by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbo-four that’s been massaged to the tune of 197 hp and 202 lb-ft of torque, you’ll have plenty of power on tap and then some.
2016 Nissan Versa Note: Downsized Versatility
Large spaces in small packages are important when you’re living in a crowded city, and the Nissan Versa Note offers plenty of flexibility in its cabin so you can configure the car accordingly. From split-folding rear seats to a dividable cargo floor, the Versa Note gives you up to 38.1 cubic feet of space in a compact package.
2016 Nissan Versa Note: Customizable Cargo Hauler
Nissan has recently expanded its color studio program, and you can now customize the Versa Note with an endless array of color combinations. From the roof spoiler to the center wheel caps and interior trim pieces, you can personalize your Versa Note with fun colors to make it stand out from the crowd.
2016 Volkswagen Golf: A Hatchback for Every Taste
For the most urban dweller with the most discerning of tastes, the Volkswagen Golf family offers a version for every need, want, and desire. Daily commuters will enjoy the Golf TSI for its compact footprint, spacious interior, and fun driving dynamics, while the eco-conscious will appreciate the all-electric e-Golf and its 83 miles of range on a full charge for running errands in the urban jungle.
2016 Volkswagen Golf: The Standard Bearer of Hot Hatches
Those looking for more performance will appreciate the Golf GTI with its impeccable ability to balance everything in perfect harmony. However, if the GTI’s 210-220 hp isn’t enough, the all-wheel-drive Golf R and its 292-hp turbo-four will give you a nice shot of adrenaline when you need it.
2016 Audi A3 e-tron: The Only Premium Hatchback in the U.S.
Hatchbacks are perfect for the urban landscape and if you want one with a premium badge, the only choice currently available is the Audi A3 e-tron, a plug-in hybrid. The A3 e-tron Ultra package, which adds 16-inch alloy wheels with ultra-low rolling resistance tires to improve the fuel economy rating from 33/37 mpg city/highway to 37/41 mpg.
2016 Audi A3 e-tron: Packs a Punch
Equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo-four paired to an electric motor, the Audi A3 e-Tron produces a combined output of 204 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, giving it plenty of power for passing, merging, and making emergency maneuvers. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the car’s EV mode—it can travel up to 17 miles on electric power alone.
2016 Honda Fit: Your Personal Cavern
Thanks to clever packaging tricks, the Honda Fit is essentially a cavern hidden in the body of a subcompact hatchback. This makes it an ideal city runabout because you’ll be able to squeeze the Fit into virtually every parking spot and you’ve got up to 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space for hauling your gear.
2016 Honda Fit: Flexible Interior Arrangement
Perhaps the most notable feature in the Honda Fit is its Magic Seats, which gives the car four configurations. Cargo mode maximizes cargo space, Tall mode allows you to fit objects of up to 4 feet in height, while Long mode will let you throw a surfboard or even a kayak in the Fit’s cabin. There’s also a Refresh mode that will let your passengers put their legs up and relax on a long road trip.
2016 Hyundai Veloster: Polarizing and Asymmetrical
No other car on the road today looks like the Hyundai Veloster. Featuring an aggressive front end and an asymmetrical design with one door on the driver’s side and two on the passenger’s side, the Veloster stands apart from the crowd. The Veloster is also offered in vibrant exterior colors such as orange, yellow, and red to make it pop out even more.
2016 Hyundai Veloster: Turbo Power
Optional on the Hyundai Veloster is a 1.6-liter turbo-four with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque that gives the little hatchback a generous dose of power for quick getaways. When equipped with the turbo-four, you’ll also get a choice between a six-speed manual and a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
2016 Mini Clubman: The Largest Mini
It is Mini’s biggest model in terms of size, yet the Clubman remains city-friendly because it still has compact dimensions. Behind the car’s unique split rear barn doors, there’s 17.5 cubic feet of cargo space that can be expanded to 47.9 cubic feet via the split-folding rear seats to accommodate any treasures you find on your urban escapades.
2016 Mini Clubman: All-Turbo Lineup
To ensure that you can zip through the city as quickly as possible, the Mini Clubman comes with two turbocharged engines, a 1.5-liter I-3 rated at 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque and a 2.0-liter I-4 with 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and are guaranteed to provide plenty of power when you need to get a move on.
The post 15 City Runabouts That Aren’t Microcars appeared first on Motor Trend.
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