Best Used City Cars to Buy in 2027

Compact, agile, and easy to park, city cars have become a staple in urban environments for drivers who need a car that can navigate tight spaces and unpredictable road conditions while handling constant stop-and-go traffic.

As the name suggests, city cars have a smaller footprint while offering the agility and fuel economy needed to navigate the city with ease. This doesn't mean they compromise on comfort or space; many are designed for four or five occupants and offer equipment levels you'd find in larger models.

Choosing a used city car also means benefiting from affordable prices, reduced depreciation, and better overall value, making it a smart, practical option for those seeking convenience and cost savings. But with so many models to choose from, which used city cars offer the best combination of price, practicality and running costs? Below, we've highlighted ten options that should be at the top of your list.

• Hyundai INSTER
• Leapmotor T03
• Volkswagen up!
• Toyota Aygo X
• Dacia Spring
• Renault 5 E-Tech
• Peugeot 208
• Abarth 500e
• Kia Picanto
• Citroën Ami
• Frequently Asked Questions

Hyundai INSTER

Depicted as a fun-looking, compact city car, the Hyundai INSTER suits those who like something a little off the wall when it comes to styling. With a decent electric range and plenty of standard equipment, the INSTER is a strong option as a used city car.

It comes with two powertrain options: a 97bhp version with a WLTP range of 203 miles and a slightly more powerful 115bhp option with up to 229 miles, depending on wheel size. While both are ideal for city driving, the longer-range option suits those who occasionally head out of town and onto the motorway. It also has a heat pump, which helps preserve range in the colder months.

Inside, it seats four adults comfortably, and the cabin is decked out with recycled materials that add to its charm. And if you like the idea of a small electric car but want a more rugged look, the INSTER Cross adds extra rugged styling with wheel-arch cladding, roof rails, chunkier bumpers, and more. It also comes with desirable extra equipment, including an electric sunroof and a 360-degree camera.

A used Hyundai INSTER will appeal to those who want something small and distinctive with added zing, while still offering good equipment and range, making it a great all-rounder for city driving and beyond.

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Leapmotor T03

If we can't make it tough-looking, we've got to make it cute. And that's exactly the appeal of a used Leapmotor T03. Its quirky styling won't be to everyone's taste, but its nod to the Fiat Panda and almost cartoon-like silhouette will attract city dwellers who need a practical electric car to get about.

With 94bhp on tap, a used Leapmotor T03 isn't going to win any races. However, the 165-mile WLTP range makes up for it, letting you run it around the city and towns for many days at a time if you're light on the pedal. And you'll be doing it in comfort, as the seats are refined and supportive, with enough room for four six-foot adults and plenty of headroom.

Upfront, you get an upright driving position and a clear view of the road ahead, while the interior equipment is simple but includes everything you need. A rear camera and parking sensors come as standard, while a central 10.1-inch infotainment screen can be voice-controlled; alongside its driver aids, this adds to the T03's safety credentials.

The practical nature of the Leapmotor T03 will draw people in, while features such as the panoramic sunroof add to its charm, making a used Leapmotor T03 a strong choice for those after something a little different for city driving.

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Volkswagen up!

Although discontinued in 2023, the Volkswagen up! is a standout option for anyone after a small but mighty city car. With its stylish looks and efficient performance, it’s built to tackle the challenges of city life with ease.

Early up! models offered plenty of powertrain choices. They offered a single 1.0-litre engine with 64bhp, while later versions added a sportier GTI with 113bhp. However, one of the up!’s biggest advantages is its impressive fuel efficiency. The 1.0-litre petrol engine offers up to 60mpg on a combined cycle, making it a cost-effective choice for daily commutes and short trips about town.

The interior of the up! is simple yet functional, with a focus on ease of use. Standard features include a user-friendly infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, and air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable ride every time you get behind the wheel. For those looking for a bit more, higher trims offer upgrades like alloy wheels, a more advanced sound system, and extra tech options.

If you're not quite at Golf level, but still want a well-laid-out city car that's fun to drive and cheap to run, a used Volkswagen up! might just suit your lifestyle. Small in size but big on character, it's a city car that still makes plenty of sense in the used city car market.

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Toyota Aygo X

The Toyota Aygo X is a small crossover hybrid that looks like it's been to the gym, thanks to its compact frame and muscular styling. Facelifted in 2025, it offers stylish looks, with a silhouette that looks as wide as it is long, giving it a balanced road presence.

While earlier versions had a 1.0-litre 71bhp petrol powertrain, the later model was upgraded to a 114bhp 1.5-litre petrol self-charging hybrid (HEV), giving the Aygo X a bit more pep and making it more capable when taking it out of town. It also comes with Toyota's excellent reliability reputation, giving you peace of mind on longer trips.

The Aygo X really shines with its official 76.4mpg, which means you can fill the tank and drive a fair bit before needing to visit the pumps again. It's also a solid choice if you don't have home charging infrastructure, offering a strong alternative to an electric city car while keeping the convenience of quick refuelling.

It's fairly comfortable inside, and arrives with a strong list of standard equipment, including a central infotainment screen, a reversing camera and automatic air conditioning. It's the ideal choice if electric city cars are off the table, with exceptional fuel economy and Toyota reliability making a used Toyota Aygo X an easy-to-live-with option for everyday driving.

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Dacia Spring

Dacia has been slowly building a strong presence with some excellent SUVs, crossovers and hatchbacks. Holding its own as the most compact Dacia is the Dacia Spring, an affordable all-electric city car that's surprisingly nimble and well-kitted out.

Out on the road, it drives like a modern-day Citroën 2CV, rolling enthusiastically into the corners while taking bumps with ease and grace. Its 44bhp or 64bhp powertrain options aren't built for strong sprints, but in the city and towns they're ideal, zipping around and making light work of tighter urban streets.

The Spring also has a WLTP range of 140 miles, which works well on everyday journeys such as commutes and trips around town. Rapid charging from 20 to 80 percent takes a mere 35 minutes, while a home charge is just under four hours.

Inside, you get space for four adults, with the entry-spec model being quite basic but still offering everything you need for a comfortable drive. Step up a trim, and you've got a central 10-inch infotainment screen, plus USB ports and a rear parking camera.

Although plenty of used electric city cars are available, a used Dacia Spring makes a strong case with its keen pricing and nimble nature, while its ability to navigate busy streets and squeeze into tight parking spaces makes it city-ready.

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Renault 5 E-Tech

Launched in 2024, the Renault 5 E-Tech has emerged as a firm favourite among drivers: a retro-inspired modern electric that's small in stature and big on looks. Taking its styling and name from the original Renault 5 from the 1970s, it brings that silhouette into the 21st century as an all-electric model.

With supermini sizing and city-car handling, the Renault 5 bridges the gap between the two, making it a useful everyday car that can take to the motorway while easily navigating tighter, busier streets. It offers two powertrains: a 118bhp unit with 192 miles of WLTP range, and a quicker 148bhp option, better suited to out-of-city driving with 250 miles of WLTP range. All trims also feature a heat pump, which helps maintain range in winter.

If you like your interior with a bit of French detailing, then you've come to the right place. Renault has combined modern touches with retro flair to create a spacious cabin that's comfortable for all occupants, while also nodding to the culture of the original. It also has a decent boot space of 326 litres, making it well-suited to weekend getaways without losing its character as a compact, capable city car.

What's more, if you love the Renault 5 E-Tech as a concept but it's not sporty enough, the Alpine A290 steps in, upping the power to 217bhp with a more performance-led vibe, while still zipping around the city with ease.

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Peugeot 208

With the 108 no longer in production, the Peugeot 208 became the brand's smallest option, and like the Renault 5 E-Tech, it's a sizable choice with city-car DNA.

Landing with Peugeot's distinctive design language, including claw-inspired running lights and a bold, aggressive grille, the Peugeot is a sporty-looking city car that's also practical. It'll fit four adults in comfort, or five at a squeeze, while the boot space is a functional 309 litres.

A huge range of powertrain options are available for every type of driver and lifestyle. For those who spend a lot of time on city roads, standout powertrains include the first-generation 1.2-litre petrol PureTech 110, or the second-generation 99bhp or 136bhp mild hybrid. These options balance good fuel economy with power, while the all-electric e-208 suits emission-free driving.

Equipment levels vary by trim. Second-generation 208 models feature Peugeot’s i-Cockpit as standard, which is designed to give the driver a confident driving experience; advantageous for navigating busy streets, where a good driving position and easy access to the controls can make all the difference.

While smaller used city cars are available, a used Peugeot 208 broadens the choice by offering a car that can handle tight street spaces and keep up with motorway traffic. Throw in a wide range of trim levels, and there’s plenty of choice for those looking for something that suits their needs and budget.

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Abarth 500e

Blending city-car practicality with performance-led fun is a fine line to walk, yet the Abarth 500e does it incredibly well. Based on the Fiat 500e, the Abarth 500e takes that configuration and turns it up to 11, offering a nimble, fun pocket rocket that's just as good at navigating busy streets.

Led by a 155bhp electric powertrain, a used Abarth 500e will sprint from 0 to 62mph in a quick 7.0 seconds, while its tighter suspension and re-tuned steering make it agile through corners. It even has a throaty 'exhaust' sound generator that announces your arrival and helps you gauge your speed when you're skipping around twisty country roads. But don't worry: once you're in the city, you can turn it off, and the 155bhp can be reduced to a more town-friendly 136bhp, ideal for less frantic road manners.

It offers 164 miles of WLTP range, which is low for a modern EV, but enough to keep you in and about the city for a few days without charging. Speaking of which, rapid charging a used Abarth 500e takes it from 10 to 80 percent in 35 minutes, while home charging takes up to five and a half hours; perfect for an overnight top-up.

Moving inside, the hot-hatch detailing continues, and while space is generally fine up front, the back is a squeeze. The boot space is also pretty small at 185 litres. However, you don't buy a used Abarth 500e for its ability to carry lots of luggage; you buy it because you want a fun weekend driver that can act like a useful commuter car during the week.

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Kia Picanto

Small and well-formed, a used Kia Picanto offers a practical, well-styled city car that features mature driving manners and excellent efficiency.

Newer Picanto models feature a single 1.0-litre petrol powertrain, while you'll find older models with a nimble 1.2-litre petrol engine and 77bhp available. Although this doesn't make much difference in the city, if you're occasionally hitting the motorways, the extra oomph will help. They'll all give you a decent fuel economy of up to 54.3mpg, making the Picanto efficient as well.

Its boxy shape will hold four adults easily, and five at a squeeze, while the 255-litre boot space helps too. You also get a range of interior touches including a touchscreen as standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for media access.

For those who prefer something sportier, the GT-Line adds a more performance-led look with aggressive front and rear bumpers, larger wheels, and LED lighting upgrades.

The Kia Picanto is great as a first car for new drivers and for those who won't be putting lots of miles on the clock. It comes with Kia's solid 7-year warranty, which is transferable too, so when buying a used one, you'll still be protected for any remaining cover.

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Citroën Ami

Citroën saw a market gap and created the Citroën Ami. It's the ultimate in budget city transport, designed only for city or town use, with no ability to go on roads much faster than 40mph. Motorways are a definite no because of regulations.

So who's it for? Those living in busy cities who need a small car for commuting or popping to the shops, but want something safer than a bike while still having room for two people. Its tiny battery gives 47 miles of range, while the small motor maxes out at 28mph. But it was never designed to go fast or too far; it's built for easy parking, low running costs, and making short trips around town as simple as possible.

It fits two people and offers more protection from unpredictable UK weather and other road users than an electric bike. Its cargo space is small, offering a mere 63 litres, which is probably perfect for gym gear or office attire. The Ami Cargo is also an option if you're more likely to travel solo, with the passenger seat removed and replaced by 400 litres of cargo space. This is a good option for those who work in last-mile delivery or food delivery services.

It's certainly not for everyone, but that's missing the point. It was never meant to replace a supermini or hatchback. It's an affordable, quirky alternative to an e-scooter, bicycle or small car for people who spend most of their time in and around big cities.

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Frequently asked questions

Find your next used city car with Evans Halshaw

You have plenty of choice when buying a used city car, whether it's from the selection above or another one you spot on your buying journey. You have lots of options to consider, such as powertrain type, space, equipment levels, and safety features, and it really boils down to what fits your driving needs and lifestyle.

Evan Halshaw has a large selection of used city cars suitable for every type of driver. Drop into your local Evans Halshaw retailer and speak to one of our team, who will show you all the options available.