Best Small Cars for Commuters

If you’re all too familiar with the daily grind that comes with travelling to and from work, then you’ll want a car that makes the commute stress-free, frugal and – dare we say – enjoyable.

Indeed, while few will admit to enjoying the commute at the start and then the end of a busy working day, knowing you’ll be doing so in a car that makes light work of heavy traffic is a consolation.

Whether you’re looking for affordability, premium quality or creature comforts, there are myriad perfect choices at Vertu when it comes to finding the best small car for commuters…

Toyota Yaris

Few small cars on the market today can boast the maturity and quality feel quite like the latest Toyota Yaris.

Indeed, while the current generation maintains the fun spirit of its predecessors, the latest model lavishes on a premium feel inside and out too giving this small car the feel of a much bigger one.

Lightweight and agile, the Yaris skips through city streets with ease, before transforming into a peppy, yet refined companion at higher speeds.

Better still, the Yaris comes with Toyota’s patented self-charging Hybrid system, which delivers almost 70mpg and sub-100g/km emissions figures – ideal if you’re watching those pennies.

Skoda Elroq

The Skoda Elroq is the latest addition to the Czech manufacturer’s wildly popular electric car range and presents itself as an excellent commuting choice.

As with all Skodas, the Elroq is the perfect embodiment of the firm’s ‘Simply Clever’ mantra, providing genuinely useable practicality, quality beyond its price tag and a driving experience that makes good use of its electric running gear.

Beyond the understatedly handsome exterior you’ll find a logical, well-equipped interior, all with plenty of head and legroom for driver and passengers.

Three battery size options are available – starting with 55kWh, rising to 63kWh and the flagship 82kWh unit. Great value base models can go upwards of 232-miles in range, while the largest option manages 339-miles.

Volvo EX30

For a model that offers the agility and nimbleness you’ll need for commuting, yet still feels like a high-end product, few small cars exude sophistication quite like the Volvo EX30.

The EX30 stands out from the crowd with its simple, clean lines – a signature of Scandinavian design – while you’ll find a similar treatment in the minimalist, modern-looking interior, which is resplendent in mostly recycled materials.

On the road, the EX30’s raised ride height and excellent visibility is a boon in urban environments, while – being a Volvo – safety equipment is both top notch and very effective.

It’s electric too, the EX30 providing powerful and responsive on open roads, yet also deliver calm, economical range up to 300-miles with a 69kWh battery.

Vauxhall Mokka

The bold, sharply styled Vauxhall Mokka proved the manufacturer can show a wild creative streak when it was launched in 2020 and enthusiastic buyers have been lapping it up ever since.

A small SUV with the dynamics of a nippy small hatchback, the Mokka complements its funky looks with a compliant chassis that handles the dredge of the commute painlessly.

The single 1.2-litre Turbo engine can be optioned as either a petrol ICE or a Hybrid, with the latter proving particularly affordable to run by returning almost 60mpg.

Inside, the Mokka gets a smart interior design topped by a large central infotainment screen, while everything is easy to reach and use on the move.

Smart #1

Forget the original Smart car, the SUV-inspired Smart #1 ushers in a new era for the manufacturer as a trendy, premium alternative to the conventional norm.

At the heart of the #1’s appeal is its effortless desirability, from the smooth, eye-catching looks to the high-end, sumptuously styled interior.

It even comes complete with 64-colour ambient lighting – the ideal tool to help you decompress on your commute home from a stressful day at work!

It’s spacious too and comes complete with a very useful sliding rear seat, while the smooth electric powertrain can achieve over 270-miles of range with the 66kWh battery.

Nissan Micra

The Nissan Micra is back and this time it has gone electric… not that it has completely ignored its roots as a cute, affordable urban runaround.

For starters, there are plenty of Micra design signatures that have been given a contemporary makeover, giving it a classy and distinctive look out on the road.

A solidly-built, well-designed interior will help soothe those commuting miles, while standard kit includes Google-enabled navigation system, cruise control, parking sensors and a reverse camera.

The choice of 40kWh or 52kWh batteries delivers 200 and 260-miles of range respectively with both providing responsive acceleration, while its compact size makes the Micra a whizz to drive in town environments.

Kia EV3

A forerunner of the electric car movement, the Kia EV3 is just one an extraordinary six ‘EV’ badged models from the Korean firm now – though the SUV hatchback is arguably its best effort yet.

Kia has put electric efficiency at the heart of the EV3, not least the design which is distinctive but also curated for aerodynamics and lightweight to maximise range.

Speaking of range, the EV3 comes with the choice of 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh batteries and the result is class-leading economy – 270-miles for the former, 375-miles for the latter.

Beyond that though, the EV3 offers impressive practicality, has an interior that feels modern and premium, and is accomplished to drive too. Plus, it comes with a seven-year warranty.

Toyota Urban Cruiser

If the Yaris is a bit too ‘common’ for you, then why not consider one of the newest additions to the Japanese marque’s range – the Toyota Urban Cruiser.

Slotting in above the Toyota Yaris Cross and below the Toyota C-HR, the Urban Cruiser blends sleek yet rugged design on the outside, and an attractively styled interior too.

Riding higher than your average hatchback gives you a commanding view, while it is light and easy to drive in towns or cities – it even has a tight 10.4m turning circle.

Available with electric power, the Urban Cruiser is good for up to 215-miles or 265-miles depending on the model