Top 5 Best New Small Cars In 2026
Are you in the market for a brand-new small car? Here are our top 5 picks with links to the latest deals.
Ford Puma
Britain’s best-selling new car for much of 2026, the Puma combines an excellent and fun driving experience with the higher driving position of a compact SUV. For a compact Crossover the Puma is spacious and practical, boot space is boosted with Ford’s innovative Megabox which offers additional underfloor storage in the boot. Titanium trim offers a great all round practical package while the ST-Line models add sportier handling and styling and the ST builds on that with higher performance.
Available engines, combined MPG, emissions and 0–62 mph
- 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid (mHEV) 125 PS manual: up to 52.3 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as 122 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 9.8 seconds
- 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid (mHEV) 125 PS DCT: up to 49.6 mpg (combined), CO₂ from 129 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 9.6 seconds
- 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid (mHEV) 155 PS DCT: up to 49.6 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as 128 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 8.7 seconds
- 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid (mHEV) 170 PS ST DCT: up to 47.9 mpg (combined), CO₂ 135 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 7.4 seconds
- Puma Gen-E electric: CO₂ emissions 0 g/km (combined), official 0–62 mph in 8.0 seconds, WLTP range up to 259 miles
Standard equipment
Ford’s SYNC infotainment system with wireless smartphone integration, driver-assistance pack, LED lighting, alloy wheels and a class-leading split boot with underfloor Megabox.
The trim levels & key additions
Titanium
- Exterior: 17-inch Absolute Black machined alloys, Titanium body styling, rear privacy glass, power-adjustable door mirrors.
- Interior / comfort: black/grey cloth seats with grey stitching, 6-speaker audio, power start button, manual tailgate, automatic climate control.
- Driver assistance: rear camera, AEB, cruise and lane-keep suite; rear parking sensors as standard.
ST-Line
- Exterior: 17-inch black machined ST-Line alloys, ST-Line body kit, large rear spoiler, ST-Line badges, power-fold heated mirrors with puddle lamps and Puma logo projection.
- Interior / comfort: black cloth with red stitching, alloy scuff plates, sportier cabin trim.
- Driver assistance: as Titanium, plus the sportier ST-Line suspension.
ST-Line Black Package
- Exterior: 18-inch dark alloys, contrast black roof and mirror caps, black bumper details, large rear spoiler.
- Interior / comfort: ST-Line cabin with the black theme.
- Driver assistance: same core Ford safety suite as ST-Line model.
ST-Line X
- Exterior: 18-inch ST-Line X alloys, ST-Line body kit and large spoiler, privacy glass.
- Interior / comfort: partial Sensico / suede-effect seats with red stitching, keyless entry, powered tailgate.
- Driver assistance: adds Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert and Active Braking.
ST
- Exterior: 19-inch alloys, ST body kit, Performance splitter, red brake calipers, dual exhaust finishers.
- Interior / comfort: Ford Performance seats in premium synthetic leather/suede, keyless entry, powered tailgate.
- Driver assistance: Pre-Collision Assist with intersection warning, plus BLIS and rear cross-traffic alert.
Cabin & boot space, standout features
Practical five-seat cabin and a boot that is unusually useful for a small crossover. Unique Megabox under floor wet storage area (great for outdoor activities and sports).
Compare new Ford Puma latest deals.
Nissan Juke
The Juke has distinctive bold looks, inside you get dual 12.3-inch displays and there is now a full self-charging hybrid option. It’s a funky looking small SUV with generous levels of standard equipment.
Available engines, combined MPG, emissions and 0–62 mph
- 1.0 DIG-T 114 PS petrol manual: up to 48.7 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as 131 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 10.7 seconds
- 1.0 DIG-T 114 PS petrol DCT: combined economy typically in the mid-40s mpg, CO₂ from around 136 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 11.8 seconds
- 1.6 Hybrid 143 PS auto: up to 58.9 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as 108 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 10.1 seconds
Standard equipment
12.3-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear view camera and parking sensors, Nissan Safety Shield driver assistance suite.
The trim levels & key additions
Acenta Premium
- Exterior: 17-inch Sakura wheels, black door mirrors, black shark-fin antenna, grained black door handles.
- Interior / comfort: black cloth sports seats, synthetic-leather steering wheel, automatic climate control, wireless phone charging on current UK cars, intelligent key with walk-away lock.
- Driver assistance: rear camera and rear parking sensors, plus the range-wide AEB and lane-keep pack.
N-Connecta
- Exterior: 17-inch black/diamond-cut alloys, rear privacy glass.
- Interior / comfort: syntech leather seats with fabric inserts, navigation, 6-speaker audio, front and rear parking sensors, wireless charging, driving modes.
- Driver assistance: front and rear sensors on top of the Acenta camera and safety suite.
Tekna / Pulse Edition
- Exterior: 19-inch alloys, extra styling details; Pulse adds a distinct design pack.
- Interior / comfort: quilted synthetic leather, Heat Pack (heated front seats, wheel and windscreen on typical Tekna cars), Bose audio on Tekna.
- Driver assistance: Intelligent Around View Monitor (360° camera).
Tekna+
- Exterior: 19-inch 3D-effect alloys, two-tone paint options, satin-silver bumper finishers and personalisation pack.
- Interior / comfort: Alcantara / syntech leather packs, Heat Pack.
- Driver assistance: 360° camera and the full Tekna safety set.
N-Sport
- Exterior: 19-inch black Akari alloys, two-tone paint, gloss-black bumper and side-skirt inserts.
- Interior / comfort: black technical-grain leather with yellow Alcantara and yellow stitching.
- Driver assistance: high-spec camera and advanced driver assistance pack.
Browse new Nissan Juke options and discounts.
Vauxhall Corsa
The Corsa remains the popular traditional small car in this list and the cheapest petrol/hybrid option overall. It is the one to choose if you want a small traditional hatchback rather than a crossover, there are excellent hybrid and a full electric versions available.
Available engines, combined MPG, emissions and 0–62 mph
- 1.2 Turbo 100 PS manual: up to 54.3 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as 117 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 11.2 seconds
- 1.2 Turbo 100 PS auto: up to 50.4 mpg (combined), CO₂ from 127 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 10.8 seconds
- 1.2 Turbo Hybrid 110 PS e-DCT6: up to 62.8 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as 103 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 10.7 seconds
- 1.2 Turbo Hybrid 145 PS e-DCT6: up to 61.4 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as 104 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 8.6 seconds
- Corsa Electric (136–156 PS): CO₂ emissions 0 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 8.2 seconds
Standard equipment
10-inch Multimedia touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity (on higher trims), LED headlights, lane-keep and automatic emergency braking.
The trim levels & key additions
Design / YES
- Exterior: 16-inch alloys, Intelli-LED headlights, dark-tinted rear windows and contrast roof on YES.
- Interior / comfort: cloth seats, 7-inch digital cluster, 10-inch touchscreen on current YES cars, air-conditioning; YES model adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
- Driver assistance: rear parking sensors, plus the range-wide AEB, lane-keep and cruise pack.
GS
- Exterior: 17-inch diamond-cut or black alloys, black roof and mirrors, LED tail lights, dark-tinted rear glass.
- Interior / comfort: sports-style seats, electronic climate control, navigation, wireless charging, keyless entry and start on electric GS.
- Driver assistance: front and rear parking sensors, panoramic rear-view camera; electric GS also gets side blind-spot alert.
Ultimate
- Exterior: 17-inch alloys, Intelli-Lux Matrix headlights and LED tails on the Sight & Light pack.
- Interior / comfort: Alcantara or ReNewKnit seats, heated front seats and wheel, massaging driver’s seat with lumbar support, climate control, extra USB.
- Driver assistance: adaptive cruise control, lane-positioning assistant (auto), enhanced AEB, extended speed-sign recognition, side blind-spot alert, 180° panoramic camera.
Compare latest new Vauxhall Corsa models & prices
MINI Cooper
The premium option in this list. Petrol Coopers still deliver the classic go-kart like fun drive; the all-electric Cooper E / SE adds a zero emissions options without losing the MINI character. Classic is the cheapest MINI; JCW and SE are the top spec models.
Available engines, combined MPG, emissions and 0–62 mph
- Petrol MINI Cooper 3-door: 41.5–47.9 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as 133 g/km (combined); official 0–62 mph from 9.3 seconds on the entry Cooper up to 6.8 seconds for the Cooper S and 6.1 seconds for the John Cooper Works
- Petrol MINI Cooper 5-door: 41.5–47.1 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions from 136 g/km (combined)
- All-electric Cooper E: CO₂ emissions 0 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 7.3 seconds, WLTP range around 180–185 miles
- All-electric Cooper SE: CO₂ emissions 0 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 6.7 seconds, WLTP range up to about 249 miles
Standard equipment
OLED circular display, MINI Operating System, LED lights, sports steering and a high level of driver aids even on Classic.
The trim levels & key additions
Classic
- Exterior: smaller alloys (16-inch on many Cooper C cars), body-colour mirrors, simpler grille finish.
- Interior / comfort: cloth or Vescin seats, knit dashboard finish, sports steering wheel.
- Driver assistance: rear parking sensors / camera depending on pack; core MINI safety suite.
Exclusive
- Exterior: 17-inch alloys, Vibrant Silver grille and logos, extra paint choices.
- Interior / comfort: upgraded Vescin seat colours, lighter knit dash options, extra interior design packs.
- Driver assistance: typically adds parking assistant content over Classic.
Sport
- Exterior: 18-inch JCW-style wheels, JCW aero kit, rear spoiler, black highlights.
- Interior / comfort: JCW-style seats, perforated sport wheel, shift paddles, sportier cabin trim.
- Driver assistance: same electronic safety core, with the firmer Sport chassis setup.
Cooper S / John Cooper Works
- Exterior: S or JCW badging, larger alloys, JCW aero and brakes on JCW, red calipers on JCW.
- Interior / comfort: sport seats, JCW wheel and pedals on JCW, adaptive suspension on JCW.
- Driver assistance: adaptive cruise, parking assistant plus and lane-control assistant when specified on higher packs.
Jaecoo 5
An excellent value compact crossover in this list. It is more spacious inside than the Juke, comes with a generous 7-year warranty, engine options are petrol, full hybrid and electric power.
Available engines, combined MPG, emissions and 0–62 mph
- 1.6 TGDI petrol auto: up to 41 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions 159 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 10.2 seconds
- 1.5 SHS-H full hybrid: up to 53 mpg (combined), CO₂ emissions as low as around 102–120 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in about 7.9 seconds
- E5 electric: CO₂ emissions 0 g/km (combined), 0–62 mph in 7.7 seconds, WLTP range up to 248 miles
Standard equipment
Large central portrait touchscreen, futuristic-looking dash, wireless smartphone connectivity, LED lighting, surround-view camera on many cars, and a comprehensive ADAS suite.
The trim levels & key additions
Pure
- Exterior: 18-inch alloys, halogen headlights, LED DRLs and LED tails, body-colour handles, rear spoiler, silent front glass.
- Interior / comfort: cloth seats, 6-way manual front seats, air-conditioning with rear vents, 6-speaker audio, multi-function wheel, keyless start.
- Driver assistance: 540° camera, adaptive cruise, blind-spot detection, emergency lane-keep, front collision warning, multiple-collision defence.
Luxury
- Exterior: full LED headlights, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, powered tailgate, roof rails.
- Interior / comfort: eco-leather seats, 6-way powered heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, Sony 8-speaker audio, wireless phone charging, multi-colour ambient lighting, cooled front storage.
- Driver assistance: the same Level 2 ADAS set as Pure, with the extra cameras and sensors already standard across the 5 range.
View new Jaecoo 5 models & deals
Summary
The Corsa hybrid offers great efficiency and low running costs (62.8 mpg and CO₂ emissions as low as 103 g/km). The Puma has a model in the range for most tastes, from a 52.3 mpg mild hybrid to a 7.4-second sporty ST and a zero-emission full-electric Gen-E. The Juke offers funky/bold crossover styling that catch the eye, the MINI is the premium small car in this list, and the Jaecoo 5 is an excellent value small SUV with petrol, hybrid and electric options.
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