City cars still exist? Eight cars under 3.8 meters in length.

Compact size, agility, practicality, and affordability: are there cars with these characteristics on the contemporary car market? Yes, even if few. Much fewer than before, let's say. Because the profit margins for A-segment cars, once called superminis, are slim, and so many manufacturers, in recent years, have turned to small cars or small crossovers. There are those, however, who still believe in cars no longer than 380 cm, such as Hyundai and Kia , which offer – on the same platform – the i10 and Picanto respectively. And then, being in the era of the transition to electric, some manufacturers have experimented with ultra-compact battery-powered cars. This is the case of Dacia with the Spring , Fiat with the 500e (which will be joined by the internal combustion engine with micro-hybrid technology ), or DR with the 1.0 and Leapmotor with the T03 . Excluding sporty variants like the Abarth 500e, the current market offering includes the Panda (which, for the present/future, has already been joined by the Grande Panda ), the Suzuki Ignis, and the Toyota Aygo X, which is also arriving in a hybrid version. This selection also excludes several models that are just over 3.8 meters in length, such as the Hyundai Inster or the larger BYD Dolphin Surf, as well as the timeless three-door Mini.

The DR 1.0 is the shortest four-seater car on the market. At 320 cm long, it can accommodate up to four people, who access the cabin through the two front doors. Its electric motor delivers 61 hp and is powered by a 31 kWh battery. The manufacturer claims a range of 210 km in the WLTP cycle. Prices start at €18,900.

The first of the two valid alternatives to the Panda is the Hyundai i10 . It focuses heavily on substance, but does not neglect aesthetics. Refreshed in 2023, it is 367 cm long, 168 cm wide and 148 cm high, with a 252/1,050 liter trunk. It is compact yet spacious, understated yet modern, economical yet super-accessorized. It has everything you need (including safety and connectivity) and puts it to use intelligently. Powered by a 1.0 three-cylinder petrol engine with 63 or 90 hp and front-wheel drive, the former also available with LPG. The transmission is a 5-speed manual, but the same gearbox is also available as a robotized automatic. The Hyundai i10 is available starting from 18,100 euros . It's a shame we couldn't also consider the Hyundai Inster in this article, which is 383 cm long...

The Dacia Spring is the quintessential affordable electric car: for just €17,900, you can take home a city car in the Expression trim level, measuring 373 cm long, 158 cm wide, and 152 cm high, with a 308-liter trunk that can be expanded to 1,004. With an almost crossover look (freshly updated in 2024), the Spring is available with either 45 or 65 hp (€1,000 more). It's inexpensive, but it also has a very small battery: 27 kWh , with a claimed range of almost 230 km . Front-wheel drive, three trim levels, and a slow ride, especially with the 45 hp engine, we recommend opting for the variants equipped with a 30 kW fast charging cable—standard on the top-of-the-range Business trim level or optional on the intermediate Extreme trim level . Inside, it's spartan, but it has everything you need. Ideal for those looking for a second family car and want to go electric without breaking the bank.

While we wait for the micro-hybrid (Stellantis plans to produce 5,000 units by the end of 2025), the 500e is Fiat's offering in the A segment. The Panda's chic sister, the 500e is a concentration of style and technology. 363 cm long, 168 cm wide, and 153 cm high, it has a tiny trunk: 185 liters , expandable to 550 liters. However, it's not as practical as the others, with four seats and three doors and a focus on design. Driving in traffic is certainly not difficult, thanks to the digital living room. The declared range ranges from 190 km for the 21 kWh variants (a very small battery) to 331 km for the 37 kWh variants. Front-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 10 seconds for all (thanks to the 95 or 118 hp) and steep prices. The range is from €29,950 to €39,450 . For an additional premium, you can take home the Cabrio.

The Panda is Italy's best-known city car. Compact (369 cm long, 164 cm wide, and 155 cm high), it boasts a small trunk (225/810 liters). Robust and tireless, it's now powered by a 1.0-liter micro-hybrid engine with a maximum output of 70 hp . Front-wheel drive, a mileage of nearly 20 km/l, a 6-speed manual transmission, and—with the latest update—the most useful driving aids. However, the design remains rather dated, with the current generation having been on the market since 2011. It costs €15,900 (pictured is the Pandina trim, starting at €18,900).

The Kia Picanto, the Hyundai i10's cheeky cousin and a second very valid modern alternative to the Fiat Panda, is the Kia Picanto . Just 360 cm long, 160 cm wide, and 149 cm tall, it has 255 /1,010 liters of luggage space and a personality all its own, with the design philosophy of its bigger siblings clearly visible at first glance. Youthful in design and agile at rush hour, it is designed for those who want a simple, reliable city car with a touch more. It also runs on gasoline only: a 1.0 63 hp or a 1.2 79 hp , with a manual or robotized 5-speed transmission and front-wheel drive. The first of the two engines can also be ordered with LPG. Bonus: Kia offers a full 7-year warranty. Not bad, considering the starting price is 16,800 euros .

Powered by an 83 hp 1.2-liter mild hybrid engine, the Suzuki Ignis is available with both front- and all-wheel drive. Measuring 370 cm in length, it has five doors and a trunk that starts at 260 liters (204 liters for 4WD). It has both manual and automatic transmissions. Its aesthetics and bodywork give it the air of a small SUV. Prices start at €21,400 with a nearly comprehensive list of features.

The Toyota Aygo X also boasts a raised ride, allowing the Japanese manufacturer not only to dominate the A segment but also to relaunch its position among city cars. A full hybrid engine, the only one in this class, will arrive by the end of the year, delivering 116 hp with a 1.5-liter internal combustion engine. Currently, the classic version is on sale, powered by a 998 cc three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 72 hp. The car is 370 cm long (the full hybrid grows to 377 cm) and the trunk capacity starts at 231 liters. The transmission is available in both manual and automatic CVT versions. The standard equipment is excellent, starting with the base Active, which costs €18,950.