Top 5 New 2021 Small Cars
Published Date: 18th Nov 2020
Are you in the market for new small car? Check out our top 5 recommended 2021 new small cars that can be ordered on the new 21 registration plate.
- Ford Fiesta - Britain’s favourite small car with a wide range of options and models
- Toyota Yaris - A dedicate range of hybrid models delivering low running costs
- Renault Clio - Latest model benefits from a more upmarket interior
- Vauxhall Corsa - Latest model sees all round improvements
- Volkswagen Polo - Refinement, quality with spacious interior
New Ford Fiesta
It is not potluck that the Ford Fiesta has been the UK’s best-selling new car for more years that we care to remember. It is one of the most fun cars to drive and has just about every base and taste covered when it comes to a small car with a wide range of Fiesta models and specs.
From efficient models that offer low running costs to sporty ST-Line models or even the full hot hatch ST, everything is covered. Need a Crossover version of the Fiesta? No problem, the Fiesta Active and Active X models deliver a ‘jacked-up’ Fiesta with higher driving position, more rugged exterior styling, and additional drive modes to tackle more demanding driving conditions.
Looking for a small car packed with equipment and tech, then the Titanium X Edition grade may be up your street, if you want even more equipment and that extra touch of luxury/comfort, then the top of the range Vignale Edition could be for you.
The new range of Fiestas also benefit from an improved interior and mild hybrid (MHEV) technology paired with the multi-award winning EcoBoost engines across the range.
The new mild hybrids use energy regeneration during coasting and braking to charge a small battery. The mild hybrids deliver lower running costs without sacrificing performance.
You can compare specs and the latest new Ford Fiesta deals here.
New Toyota Yaris Hybrid
The Yaris should be on any shortlist for a new small car, it is a dedicated self-charging hybrid range that delivers super low running costs and there is no need to plug in.
CO2 emissions are around 92g/km (WLTP combined) and can even be as low as 72g/km if most of your driving is around town at lower speeds, combined fuel economy should be up around the 70mpg mark meaning very attractive running costs.
All models are well-equipped, even entry-level Icon trim gets 16-inch alloy wheels, power/heated door mirrors, automatic air con, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise controls and reversing camera.
Design models add extra equipment like LED lights and privacy glass, Dynamic models add a premium JBL sound system, dual zone automatic air con, smart entry and push button start.
Excel models add retractable door mirrors and blind spot monitoring, there is a limited-edition Launch model with a similar spec to the Excel grade with a 10-inch colour head-up display.
The interior of the Yaris is upmarket too, it looks great and quality of materials is excellent. Toyota have also done an excellent job with cabin noise and ride comfort.
You can compare all new Yaris models, deals and specs in detail here.
New Renault Clio
The latest Renault Clio benefits from more interior space and an upgraded interior that boasts improved build quality. Skip the entry-level Play trim and you’ll find a lot more soft touch finishes, you can also add an interior personalisation pack that adds some additional coloured trim and inserts.
Engine options include a new E-Tech self-charging hybrid Clio which forms part of the new Renault E-Tech range of hybrid cars. The new hybrid models return a fuel economy of around 64mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 98g/km.
All models get plenty of driver tech, even entry-level Play trim gets cruise control, a lane departure warning system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, traffic sign recognition. and lane keep assist.
The entry-level Play does lack a touchscreen and alloy wheels, instead you get ‘Flex’ wheels which are steel wheels with upmarket covers. If you need a touchscreen or alloys start your research with the Iconic model which adds a 7-ich touchscreen with navigation, smartphone mirroring, parking sensors, over-speed alert, rear tinted windows, 16-inch alloy wheels and front fog lights.
S Edition adds the larger 9.3-inch portrait touchscreen, automatic air con, auto high beam, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera.
The new Clio R.S Line adds some sporty touches like a unique chrome exhaust grille and 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels. Inside you get aluminium sports pedals inserts, R.S. Line branding and unique upholstery with red detail stitching.
You can compare the latest new Clio discounts, models, and specs in detail here.
New Vauxhall Corsa
The Vauxhall Corsa is a big seller in the UK, and although it has not managed to topple the Fiesta as Britain’s favourite car, it is consistently one of the best sellers across the UK.
The Corsa offers solid petrol and diesel engines returning good running costs, petrol models can return up to 53mpg while the most economical diesels will return up to 70mpg. There is also a new 8-speed automatic gearbox that can be paired with the 1.2-litre (120PS) petrol engine.
The new Corsa-e is a great option for those looking to go full-electric, it has a range of up to 209 miles and you should be able to get a full charge in around 7.5 hours with a home charging box. The Corsa-e is not sluggish either, it can you get from 0-62mph in a nippy 7.6 seconds.
The Corsa’s interior has had something of an upgrade and it feels more upmarket than the older model. All models get the colour touchscreen infotainment system as standard with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
The exterior has had a mild makeover, with new grille, larger intakes and a new lower/wider profile gives the all-new Corsa a stronger, sportier look. All models get LED lights as standard and alloy wheels (16-inch on lower grade models, 17-inch on higher grades).
All Clios are well equipped, entry-level SE models for example get 16-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors and driver tech that includes cruise control, lane departure warning, lane assist, driver drowsiness system, automatic emergency braking and speed sign recognition. Inside you get the 7-inch colour touchscreen entertainment system with smartphone mirroring.
SRi models get unique exterior sporty styling, inside there is a 7-inch digital driver display, aluminium pedals and sports-style seats, additional driver tech includes rear parking sensors.
Elite trim add some extra feature and comfort like heated front seats, while top grade Ultimate Nav models get an impressive larger 10-inch touchscreen with the Multimedia Nav Pro platform, perforated leather seat trim, wireless smartphone charging, electrically adjustable driver’s seat with massage function and LED Matrix headlights.
You can compare all models, specs and the latest Corsa deals here.
New VW Polo
While the Ford Fiesta is arguably the most fun to drive, the VW Polo represents refinement and quality. Inside it has a premium feel and when you drive one it feels composed, smooth and comfortable, unless you are going to look at a premium option like the Audi A1 or a MINI then the VW Polo will be about as good as you can get for refinement.
The Polo has grown significantly too, bringing it closer to the Golf and make it one of the most spacious superminis available, the 3-door option has been dropped. If interior space is a factor for your family, the Polo is going to be a very good fit.
The vast majority of Polos sold will be petrol models, having said that if you are clocking up a lot of miles you should definitely consider a diesel for practical reasons, the caveat here is diesel is not an option on lower grade models.
The 1.0-litre TSi (95bhp) turbo petrol engine is good little runner and great for low running costs and around town driving, if you need more power there is a 113bhp version. Both of these petrol engines are available with manual or automatic transmission. There is a lower powered 79bhp petrol engine, but it can feel a little under-powered.
The new Polo GTi offers a full hot hatch experience, equipped with a 2.0-litre 197bhp petrol engine it can get you from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds making a tad quicker than a Fiesta ST.
Which ever VW Polo you choose, you are getting refinement, comfort and quality German engineering. The Polo is hard to match in the mainstream Supermini class for refinement and interior space.
You can explore all VW Polo models, specs and deals in detail here.