New and Used Superminis For Sale

Why should you buy a supermini?

Yellow Renault 5 Exterior Rear with Bike Rack

When a city car starts to feel too small, a supermini is the next port of call. You get more room and engine choices, which enables a more comfortable experience for longer trips, and all without losing the low running costs that draw people to small cars in the first place.

As the city car class shrinks, the supermini has quietly become the default first new car for most buyers, and there are more of them on UK roads than any other type of car.

It’s a broad class, too. The Dacia Sandero and MG3 sit among the most affordable new cars you can buy, while the Hyundai i20 and Peugeot 208 bring plug-in hybrid power and plenty of technology. Prefer to go electric? The Renault 5 can cover up to just over 250 miles on a charge and costs very little to run day to day.

What types of superminis are there?

Superminis, or the car industry’s B-segment by another name, are mostly five-door hatchbacks, but the term stretches further than that, from bargain runabouts to quick, well-finished small cars. These are the types you’re most likely to come across:

Yellow Dacia Sandero Stepway Exterior Front Driving

The most affordable way into the class, built around low running costs and the essentials done well.

Orange Renault Clio Iconic Esprit Alpine

The heart of the segment, with five doors, a family-friendly boot and a wide choice of petrol and hybrid engines.

Red Audi A1 Sportback front quarter shot, parked in front of a white wall

A more upmarket take that pairs a higher-quality interior and a prestige brand name with small-car running costs.

Blue Alpine A290 GTS parked in front of a city skyline

All the usual supermini appeal with an all-electric powertrain and very low charging costs.

Browse SUVs by Brand

Frequently asked questions

How big is a supermini car?

There’s no official rulebook on size so supermini is more of an industry convention than a fixed measurement, but as a rough guide, most sit between 3.7 and 4.1 metres long, which makes them bigger than a city car but smaller than a family hatchback. The Volkswagen Polo is a good yardstick at just over four metres. Inside, you’ll typically find room for five and a boot somewhere between 300 and 390 litres. In short, a supermini is small enough to park almost anywhere, but big enough to handle the weekly shop and the odd longer trip.

What is the fastest supermini?

Among the cars you can buy and drive away today, the hot superminis lead the way. The Alpine A290, for example, will reach 62mph in around 6.4 seconds in its GT Performance trim. The undisputed champion, though, is the Renault 5 Turbo 3E: a limited-run halo car with over 500bhp that covers 0 to 62mph in under 3.5 seconds. Only 1,980 will be built, with the first cars reaching owners in 2027, so this one is very much the exception rather than the everyday supermini.

What is the difference between a hatchback and a supermini?

A hatchback is a body shape: a car with a top-hinged tailgate that lifts as one with the rear window, plus folding rear seats. A supermini is a size class. Most superminis happen to be hatchbacks, but not every hatchback is a supermini, because the hatchback shape runs all the way from city cars up to family models like the Vauxhall Astra.

Are the Nissan Micra, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo, MINI Cooper and Renault Clio superminis?

Yes, all five are superminis, and together they show just how varied the class is. The Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling supermini, while the Renault Clio has one of the biggest boots in the class at 391 litres. The MINI Cooper is the smallest and most upmarket of the group, and is now available as an all-electric too. So whether you want petrol, plug-in hybrid or all-electric, the supermini covers a lot of ground.

Why should you buy a car from Evans Halshaw?

As part of one of the UK's largest automotive retail networks, we have an extensive range of both new and used cars within our group inventory. Having partnered with over 20 of the world's best-known manufacturers, you're also able to access exclusive benefits, schemes, and offers, to ensure you're getting the greatest value when browsing for your next vehicle.

With over 100 locations nationwide, we serve customers up and down the country, and aim to build lasting relationships with everyone that visits our site. From experiencing a car for the first time, through to long-term care for your vehicle, our stores are well-equipped to take the hassle out of vehicle ownership from start-to-finish, allowing you to enjoy every minute behind the wheel.

So, if you're interested in exploring your next vehicle, please get in touch with your nearest Evans Halshaw retailer where an advisor will be on-hand to support your journey.