Parking spaces seem a little smaller these days; gaps in traffic a little tighter. It’s the automotive equivalent of using the next notch on your belt. Reversing into the garage is no longer the work of a moment it once was. And as for those width restriction bollards? Oof. Let’s face it, cars are getting wider, and the bloat seems inescapable.
Slim new cars still exist if you know where to look, and we do, so we’ve collated the 10 narrowest new cars on sale in the UK today. As you might expect, most of them are small cars – which is why, as an added extra bonus, we’ve also mentioned some of the slenderest SUVs on sale, just in case you need something a little bigger, but still as thin as possible.
The UK's Narrowest Cars 2024
- 1. Citroen Ami (1,390mm)
- 2. Kia Picanto (1,595mm)
- 3. Fiat 500 (1,627mm)
- 4. Volkswagen Up (1,641mm)
- 5. Smart ForTwo (1,665mm)
- 6. Hyundai i10 (1,680mm)
- 7. Fiat 500 Electric (1,683mm)
- 8. Suzuki Ignis (1,690mm)
- 9. Honda Jazz (1,694mm)
- 10. Mazda 2 (1,695mm)
- The Narrowest SUVs
1. Citroen Ami
Width: 1,390mm
The Ami is cheating a bit here because, technically, it isn’t a car at all – it’s a quadricycle limited to 28mph. The trouble is, it can’t even manage that going up hills, and runs out of puff too soon, causing a queue behind you. If you live in a relatively flat area, it makes some sense as an urban runaround – but of course, that’s a big ‘if’. Just don’t take it anywhere near a motorway. However, it is the narrowest vehicle on our list by more than 200mm, so you probably won’t find anything with four wheels that’s easier to park.
Citroen Ami Review
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2. Kia Picanto
Width: 1,595mm
The Picanto makes the other contenders here look blobby, with its svelte waistline of less than 1.6 metres. What’s even more amazing is that the Picanto has as much space inside as any other city car, even in the back seats, with enough headroom and legroom for adults. A smart interior (although don’t expect the build quality of an Audi or BMW), a long seven-year warranty, and neat handling only broaden its appeal – it is, in short, a class act.
Kia Picanto Review
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3. Fiat 500
Width: 1,627mm
Fiat 500s are everywhere, aren’t they? And with good reason. Few cars offer the ability to make them your own quite like the little Fiat. Combined with retro styling, that’s made it an immense hit among the young and young-at-heart. Forget the bloated MINI — the 500 is much handier in tight spots.
Fiat 500 Review
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4. Volkswagen Up
Width: 1,641mm
The Up is a terrific city car, packing plenty of space and a smart interior into miniscule dimensions, all packaged up in a body that offers a choice of three- or five doors and looks brilliant. What’s not to like? Well, it’s a bit pricey for a small car, and entry-level versions are a bit basic, but given that the Up is such a complete and well-rounded package, it’s worth it, and there’s simply no need to upgrade to the bigger and more expesnsive volkswagen Polo. It’s been on sale since 2012, so there are loads of used car versions available.
Volkswagen Up Review
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5. Smart ForTwo
Width: 1,665mm (hatchback)/1,663mm (cabriolet)
Fans of the Smart already love it for its diminutive length and minuscule turning circle, which make it a doddle to park, but did you know that the Smart is also one of the narrowest cars on sale, and therefore, one of the smallest cars overall? Well, you do now, and that means if you can get away with only two seats and a bare minimum of boot space, the Smart is the ultimate car for squeezing into tight spots.
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6. Hyundai i10
Width: 1,680mm
Hyundai’s neat little city car is one of our favourites, thanks to its winning combination of a high quality interior, lots of space, low running costs, tidy handling, and a comfortable ride. While it isn’t quite as much fun to drive as a Volkswagen Up, you do get Hyundai’s excellent five-year warranty thrown in as an added bonus, which sweetens the deal.
Hyundai i10 Review
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7. Fiat 500 Electric
Width: 1,683mm
Electric cars are gaining a reputation for being big and chunky (the Renault Zoe is 1,787mm wide by comparison) but the 500 Electric bucks that trend. It’s narrow enough to be the perfect urban EV, and has no exhaust pipe emissions to boot. Zingy performance (although don’t go expecting Porsche or Tesla-like acceleration) and quick steering make it particularly wieldy around town, too. Just make sure you don’t need to carry anyone in the back too often because, like most small electric cars, it’s pretty tight back there.
Fiat 500 Review
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8. Suzuki Ignis
Width: 1,690mm
SUV looks are all the rage these days, and the Suzuki Ignis delivers them without the size penalty. Its pumped-up styling gives it the air of a proper 4x4, even though it’s front-wheel drive, but diminutive dimensions mean it’s a cinch to drive around town. Its mild hybrid petrol engine is incredibly fuel efficient, too.
Suzuki Ignis Review
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9. Honda Jazz
Width: 1,694mm
Cramming huge practicality into a small space has always been the Honda Jazz’s forte, and the current version is no exception, which is what makes it one of the best small cars around. It’s incredibly roomy, with lots of space for passengers and luggage, and its party trick is a rear bench seat that both flips up and folds down, allowing you more flexibility to carry tall items upright. This latest hybrid version boasts impressive fuel economy, and is good to drive.
Honda Jazz Review
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10. Mazda 2
Width: 1,695mm
It’s a bit long in the tooth, but the Mazda 2 has just been on the receiving end of a gentle refresh in order to keep it looking sharp. It’s still the same happy, agile little car, with the same revvy engine, the same slick gearbox, the same neatly styled interior, and the same excellent touchscreen infotainment system. It’s marred by cramped rear seats, but if you’re after a narrow supermini that’s fun to drive – especially now that the Ford Fiesta has fallen by the wayside – this is it.
Mazda 2 Review
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The Narrowest SUVs
We’ve already mentioned the slender, 1,690mm-wide Suzuki Ignis, but what if you want a crossover that’s slightly larger to serve as a spacious family car?
Volkswagen has the answer, whether you’re after something boxy and practical in the form of the T-Cross (1,760mm wide – pictured) or a smoother and sleeker equivalent, such as the Taigo coupe (1,757mm). Both are good choices that drive neatly, and offer plenty of space and comfort. If you want something a little different, sister brands Seat and Skoda offer equivalents to the former in the shape of the Arona and the Kamiq.
Then there’s the Kia Stonic at 1,760mm, which matches the T-Cross, though its slightly lower roofline means there’s a touch less space inside. The next widest small SUV is the Citroen C3 Aircross, which measures 1,765mm. It’s a decent enough small SUV with comfortable seats, extrovert styling, and a slightly underwhelming driving experience. And again, if you want something a little different, sister brands Peugeot and Vauxhall offer their own versions.