10 Good Small City Cars for 2015

Good small city cars fill the need when a bicycle and a bus pass just won't get the job done. There are many drivers who live in large urban areas that are well-served by public transportation and who only need a car from time to time in order to take care of important errands or visit friends and family on the outskirts of town. Why spend more money on a larger, less efficient compact or mid-size model when a small city car will get the job done at a fraction of the price, and be easier to park when you get back home?

Let's take a quick look at 10 good small city cars and see what they have to offer.

Although its tiny size makes it less appealing for inter-urban travel, the 2015 smart fortwo is ideal for those seeking a good small city car that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. The two-seat Smart Fortwo is compact enough to be able to park perpendicular to the curb if necessary, and it also features eight cubic feet of vertically-stacked storage behind the front row. Available in both coupe and convertible body styles, the Fortwo comes with a 70 horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine and returns fuel mileage of 34-mpg city and 38-mpg highway.

The 2015 FIAT 500 is one of the most stylish small city cars on our list, blending Italian flair with a nod to the 500 model's ancestral designs. The Fiat 500 is offered in a number of different models, but those seeking basic transportation will want to stick with the entry-level two-door and its 1.4-liter, 101 horsepower four-cylinder engine. In addition to delivering 31-mpg in stop and go driving and 40-mpg on the highway, the Fiat is capable of hauling 30.2 cubic feet of total cargo space with the (very tight) rear seats folded forward.

The 2015 Chevrolet Spark is roughly the same size as the Fiat 500 but it adds a second set of doors to the equation in order to boost its day-to-day practicality. 31.2 cubic feet of cargo room can be had inside the Chevrolet Spark if the rear row is unoccupied, and power is derived from a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder mill that is good for 84 horses. Notably, the Spark can be dressed up with Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system, and the vehicle provides 31-mpg in city driving and 39-mpg during highway cruising.

The 2015 Ford Fiesta is intended to please anyone seeking a good small city car that's fun to drive despite its inexpensive price tag. While the Ford Fiesta might not blow your hair back with its entry-level, 120 horsepower four-cylinder engine, its chassis provides pleasing dynamics not often found amongst subcompacts. Hatchback and sedan models of the Fiesta each offer 27-mpg city and 37-mpg highway, but the hatch more than doubles total interior storage space compared to the four-door, with 26 cubes on offer.

The 2015 MINI Cooper is another good small city car that's got the driver's best interests at heart once the road (or urban boulevard) turns curvy. More expensive than the Fiesta, the MINI Cooper's base two-door model comes with slick retro styling and the ability to haul a surprising 34 cubic feet of gear with the rear row out of the picture. A 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine is standard with the Cooper, and it offers 134 horsepower matched with a very respectable 29-mpg around town and 40-mpg on the highway.

The 2015 Hyundai Accent is aimed at value-focused shoppers who are looking to maximize their ratio of features to the dollar. The 2015 Hyundai Accent comes with a decent amount of standard equipment, and even entry-level editions of the car have access to useful options packages. The hatchback Accent's 47.5 cubic feet of total cargo space carry the day over the sedan's still-roomy 13.7 cubic foot trunk, but both cars are motivated by a 137 horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Fuel mileage for this direct-injected unit is listed at 26-mpg in city driving and 37-mpg on the highway.

The 2015 Nissan Versa Note is one of the most spacious subcompact hatchbacks on the market for those looking to maximize rear seat room. On top of its passenger-friendly layout, the Nissan Versa Note also provides 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is quite competitive for a vehicle of its size. Under the hood, the Versa Note's 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine can be relied on to generate 109 horsepower, and fuel economy for the pint-size city car shows as 31-mpg in stop and go driving and 40-mpg on the highway.

The 2015 Scion iQ might look like a two-seat ride, but it's unusual '3+1' seating arrangement can accommodate an extra passenger out back if you slide the front right bucket as far forward as possible. This offset position is something you'll most likely only want to try out every once in a while, but there's 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space on tap inside the Scion iQ if the driver leaves everyone else at home. A 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine ensures 94 horsepower for the tiny iQ, and fuel economy for the two-door hatchback checks in at 36-mpg city and 37-mpg highway.

The 2015 Honda Fit is the true king of space management in the subcompact setting. Tops amongst good small city cars when it comes time to haul anything other than people, the Honda Fit's rear 'Magic Seat' allows it to be configured a variety of ways to accommodate oversized items, ultimately unleashing 53 cubic feet of total cargo space. The redesigned Honda Fit hatchback features a 130 horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is good for 32-mpg around town and 38-mpg on the highway, which are sparkling numbers compared to the SUVs it challenges on the practicality front.

The 2015 Toyota Prius c is the only hybrid on our list of good small city cars, as tiny battery-assisted options are few. The Toyota Prius c pairs a single electric motor with a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder gas unit to produce 99 horses, a number that only seems meager until you consider the car's phenomenal 53-mpg rating in city driving (with 46-mpg following it up on the highway). 17.1 cubic feet of storage space aren't huge for a small hatchback, but the Prius c is the best-driving member of Toyota's hybrid family thanks to its low-mass design.