10 Cars Similar to the Toyota Aygo

Small city cars are becoming harder to find, but the Toyota Aygo shows there’s still a place for easy-to-drive runabouts. Its tiny footprint makes it perfect for driving along narrow streets and squeezing into tight parking spots. Besides, it offers great value for money.

Still, there are plenty of alternatives worth considering if you want something with a bit more space, extra punch for motorway driving, or a more premium interior.

1. Citroën C1

The Citroën C1 is a fun, affordable alternative to the Toyota Aygo, with its own quirky style and plenty of city-friendly features. Most come with a frugal 1.0-litre petrol engine. You can find three-door, five-door, and even Airscape versions with a full-length fabric roof for a bit of open-air driving.

The Touch trim has the basics, Feel adds a 7-inch touchscreen and air-con, and Flair tops things off with alloys, a reversing camera, and heated mirrors. The infotainment on Feel and Flair is great for easy smartphone use.

The ride can be bouncy, and it’s not the most stable on the motorway, but around town, it’s in its element. There’s good space up front, but less in the back.

2. Peugeot 108

The Peugeot 108 has the Aygo’s city-friendly size but its own character. Most have a 1.0-litre petrol engine that’s cheap to run and fine for short trips, though it feels sluggish with passengers or on hills. Earlier models also offered a punchier 1.2-litre.

It’s light to steer and stable in corners, but the ride can get bouncy on rough roads. Motorway driving isn’t its strong point, with slower acceleration and more noise, but in town it’s right at home.

There’s decent space up front and handy storage, but the back seats are tight. Active trim has the basics like air-con, touchscreen, and Bluetooth, and Allure and Collection add more kit and style.

3. Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is a strong alternative to the Aygo, with a proven track record built over more than two decades. In its more recent form, it’s a small hatchback that feels well made, offers plenty of useful features even on the lower trims, and keeps running costs low.

The petrol engines aren’t very well suited to long motorway runs, but they’re efficient and dependable for city commutes or short trips. With Kia’s long warranty, it’s a car you can rely on for years.

Inside, the Picanto feels more grown-up than you might expect for a car this size. The layout is simple and logical, with controls that are easy to reach and materials that feel sturdy enough to handle daily use.

4. Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 shares a lot with the Picanto underneath, so it comes with many of the same strengths. It’s affordable to buy, inexpensive to run, and offers a level of quality that feels reassuring in a car this small. There’s a decent amount of space inside, and the boot is impressively sized for its class.

The i10 is well suited to city driving thanks to its light steering and compact dimensions, but it can handle longer journeys without feeling out of its depth. That said, the automatic gearbox is best avoided. It’s slow to respond and makes the car feel lazier than it should.

If you stick with the manual, you’ll get a small car that’s dependable and good value for money.

5. Volkswagen Up!

The Volkswagen Up has the same easy-to-park size but with a more refined feel. Engines range from the basic 59bhp 1.0-litre to a punchy 89bhp turbo, plus the sporty 113bhp GTI and the all-electric e-Up. The 89bhp version is the best all-rounder.

It feels confident and composed on the road. It’s also impressively smooth for such a small car. Move Up is where you’ll want to start, as it adds air-con and split-folding rear seats.

There’s plenty of space in the front, and the boxy shape means even rear passengers get decent headroom. The boot is a useful shape, so it’s fine for shopping or a weekend bag rather than big loads.

6. Suzuki Ignis

The Suzuki Ignis is fun and unusual. The cabin feels bright and cheerful thanks to its two-tone design, and while the plastics are hard, the switches and controls feel solid. There’s enough space for four adults, which is rare in a car this small.

It’s lively around town, with engines that feel eager and sound good. The Ignis grips well in corners, leans less than you’d expect, and the four-wheel-drive model can even handle light off-road use. Bigger bumps are soaked up nicely, but smaller potholes make it fidgety, and the steering feels vague.

The basic SZ3 has the essentials, SZ-T and SZ5 add more kit, and the Adventure version gets chunky styling for a tougher look.

7. Fiat 500

Fiat 500 has a retro-inspired design that echoes the original from the late 1950s and ’60s and gives it a timeless charm. The 2016 facelift sharpened the styling and brought in a better infotainment system, so newer models feel more up to date.

The latest version you’ll find in most showrooms is the mild hybrid, which pairs a 1.0-litre petrol engine with a small electric motor. It can’t run on electric power alone, but it’s economical and lively enough in town, even if it feels a bit underpowered on the motorway. Older models offer more engine choices.

Inside, the 500 keeps the retro theme going. Space in the front is decent, but the back seats are tight, and the boot is small.

8. Renault Twingo

The Renault Twingo comes with a choice of small three-cylinder engines, from a basic 69bhp 1.0-litre to a 108bhp turbocharged version found in the sporty GT model. On the road, it’s agile with good grip and body control, though it’s not the quietest ride. The steering is light and responsive at low speeds thanks to its variable-ratio system on higher trims.

Inside, the Twingo surprises with space. Four adults fit comfortably, which is unusual for a city car. The boot is smaller than some competitors, but loading is easier thanks to the low lip and fold-flat rear seats. Plus, clever touches like a folding front passenger seat and hidden storage compartments add to its practicality.

9. Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz comes exclusively with a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid system, which offers quiet driving in most situations and strong fuel economy without needing to be plugged in. Performance is respectable for the class. It handles predictably and safely, but it leans a bit more than others in corners due to its taller body.

Inside, the Jazz is great. The cabin feels airy and comfortable, with plenty of soft-touch materials and lots of clever storage spaces. There’s generous room for tall adults both front and rear, and the rear seats can flip up like cinema chairs to create a tall load space. The boot is square and practical and holds a good amount for the class.

10. Mazda 2

The Mazda 2 is worth a serious look. It’s one of the few small cars that can make a twisty road feel like a treat, with sharp steering and a balanced chassis that gives you confidence in corners. It looks smart on the outside and has an interior that feels nicer than you’d expect from a small car.

Up front, there’s enough room to stretch out and get comfortable, and the driving position feels spot-on. Rear space is tighter, and the boot isn’t huge, so it’s not the most practical option.

Verdict

The Toyota Aygo is still a smart pick for city driving thanks to its compact size and low running costs, but it’s not alone in the segment. As you now know, some rivals offer more space, better performance, and extra features for a similar price. If you’re looking for a small car, definitely take a look at these other options before you decide.