What are the best small automatic cars in the UK?

Small automatic cars are a smart choice if you want something compact, easy to drive and light on running costs. They're ideal for city streets, first-time drivers or anyone who simply wants to take the stress out of shifting gears. And the best bit? You don’t have to spend a fortune. Whether you’re eyeing up a zippy hatchback, a great compact SUV or something with a premium badge, there’s a great automatic out there for you.

How we chose our favourite small automatic cars

We’ve chosen these cars based on our expertise, experience and the car’s practicality, value and availability. Our list focuses on new models, but each one is also available used. It’s perfect if you’re budget-conscious or browsing car finance options. Whether you're buying your first automatic or upgrading to something easier to handle, there's a great match here for all budgets and lifestyles.

1. Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo has, for decades, been the go-to choice if you’re looking for a small car that’s a bit more sophisticated than its rivals. That’s truer than ever of the latest model, with its subtly stylish design, upmarket interior and wealth of ‘big-car’ features. 

An automatic gearbox suits the Polo down to the ground because it’s a car that prioritises comfort and makes you feel like you’re driving something larger and more expensive. In fact, the Polo is so smooth and quiet on the move that you could easily think you’re driving its big brother the Volkswagen Golf. And despite being more compact than the Golf on the outside, the Polo is almost as roomy on the inside and has a generously-sized boot. You do pay a little more for the Polo than for some similar cars, but running costs are low and all versions are well-equipped.

2. Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz has always been a small car that over-indexes on two things: practicality and reliability. It might not be the most stylish or fun-to-drive car in the class but if you’re looking for a car that’s incredibly easy to live with, it could be your perfect match. 

Every version of the current Jazz is a hybrid, which means an automatic gearbox is standard and fuel economy is very impressive, with an official average of more than 60mpg. The latest model (introduced in 2020) also has a bit more design flair than previous versions, as well as the choice of a ‘Crosstar’ model that has raised suspension and an SUV-style makeover. There’s also a more upmarket interior, yet the Jazz retains the generous space it’s known for, as well as its famous ‘Magic Seats’. These are rear seats which you can flip up like a cinema seat to create a large storage area behind the front seats. 

3. Toyota Aygo X

‘Cheap and cheerful’ sums up the Toyota Aygo X very nicely, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for a low-priced, no-nonsense automatic city car. As well as its low price, the Aygo X should cost very little to run thanks to its fuel-efficient engine and low insurance group ratings. Toyota’s well-deserved reputation for reliability means that it should also be dependable, and there’s the reassurance of a manufacturer's warranty that lasts up to 10 years or 100,000 miles from when the car was new, as long as you have it serviced at a Toyota dealership each year. 

The upside of the Aygo X’s tiny dimensions is that it will fit into parking spaces you wouldn’t even think about getting some cars into. The downside is that there’s not a lot of interior space, but four adults will fit at a push. Perky and surprisingly fun to drive, the Aygo X is available with lots of colour options, and its combination of city-car dimensions and SUV design elements really stands out from the crowd.

4. Mini Cooper

An automatic gearbox is such a good fit for the Mini Cooper (formerly known as the Mini Hatch) that it’s the only option if you’re buying a new model. And, despite its huge popularity over the past 25 years, it remains one of the most desirable small cars around. It hasn’t stayed ahead by standing still, of course, with the latest update in 2024 bringing it bang up to date in terms of design and tech. There’s a subtle new look on the outside and a total redesign inside that features a huge circular central display, recycled materials and all the latest tech features. 

As ever, the Mini is an absolute hoot to drive thanks to its legendary ‘go-kart’ handling and responsive steering. It’s comfortable and quiet, too, and if the limited back-seat space and boot capacity of the three-door model is an issue, you can opt for the longer five-door version. Whichever version you go for, a huge range of paint and trim options means that you can match your Mini’s style to suit your own. 

5. MG 3 Hybrid+

The main attraction of the MG 3 is that it's the cheapest new hybrid car in the UK, undercutting the next-cheapest (the Renault Clio) by thousands, rather than hundreds of pounds. In fact, the MG 3 costs less than most similar cars with a petrol engine and a manual gearbox, yet, as with all new hybrid cars, it has an automatic gearbox as standard. 

But there’s more to the MG than just its low price. It’s also surprisingly quick and enjoyably smooth to drive, and can travel short distances using electric-only power. The interior features a large touchscreen infotainment system that looks good and is easy to use. Despite its low price, even the most basic version has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, sat-nav and a rear-view camera as standard. On top of all that, the MG 3 (like every new MG) comes with a generous seven-year/80,000-mile warranty. 

6. Renault 5 E-Tech

Every electric car has an automatic gearbox, and there’s no better small electric car than the Renault 5 E-Tech, which excels in just about every area you can think of. It’s great value, for one, with a lower starting price than many similar cars. It’s also very well-equipped, with LED headlights and electrically folding door mirrors standard even on the entry-level model. It’s impressively roomy for a small car and has a decent boot. 

Battery range is up there with the best in the class, at 192 miles with a standard battery and 252 miles with the long-range battery option. The Renault 5 also pulls off the trick of being both fun to drive and comfortable, no mean feat for a small car. And, finally, it looks absolutely stunning – a perfectly judged blend of retro and modern details inside and out, and available in some gorgeous colour combinations. 

7. Audi Q2

The Audi Q2 is a classy little crossover that gives you a scaled-down version of the Audi SUV experience, with lower ownership costs to match. It more than lives up to its premium image thanks to its smart looks, high-quality interior and smooth drive, and that’s especially true with an automatic gearbox. 

It was launched back in 2016, so you can now pick up an early Q2 for a surprisingly low price, but even the most affordable versions are well-equipped and provide decent performance. Newer, high-spec versions cost a lot more, but the Q2 feels like a car that’s worth paying a premium for, and it has a good record for reliability. 

8. Toyota Yaris

Like the Honda Jazz we mentioned earlier, the latest version of the Toyota Yaris is available only as a hybrid, so an automatic gearbox and excellent fuel economy come as standard. In fact, this is one of the most fuel-efficient small cars you can buy – the official average is about 70mpg and many owners report getting at least 60mpg in real-world driving. It helps that the Yaris can travel further than many similar cars using electric power alone, and if much of your driving consists of short, low-speed journeys, then you’ll mainly be using battery power. On faster roads, the Yaris combines its power sources, and it feels nippy and nimble. 

The interior is on the small side, but there’s plenty of space up front, and the infotainment system is easy to use. It’s not cheap, but the Yaris is very well-equipped for a small car, and in addition to Toyota’s excellent reputation for reliability, you get the reassurance of a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty from new.

9. Lexus LBX

If you like the idea of a high-spec luxury SUV but want a car that’s compact and cost-effective, then the Lexus LBX could be the car for you. Because with the LBX, Lexus has packed 25+ years of know-how in large, premium SUVs into a car that’s not much bigger than a Volkswagen Polo.

Hybrid power comes as standard, so you get a smooth automatic gearbox and low CO2 emissions. The interior looks like it belongs in a car from the class above, and as well as good space for passengers, there’s a large boot. The LBX’s prices reflect its premium status, but average fuel economy is about 60mpg, and few brands can match Lexus’ reputation for reliability, or its ten-year warranty cover. 

10. Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 has a greater focus on comfort than most small cars, which is why it’s so well-suited to an automatic gearbox. You can feel that comfort-first vibe in the i10’s smooth ride and quietness at speed; add an automatic gearbox and you’ve got a car that can make journeys more relaxing than in most city cars.

A generous amount of interior space helps, and there’s a larger-than-average boot. You also get plenty of mod-cons, with all new versions coming as standard with a touchscreen sat-nav system, heated door mirrors, and both reversing sensors and a rear-view camera. The i10’s status as a car that’s easy to live with is enhanced by a solid reliability record and Hyundai’s very generous five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty.