Partnered Post
If you love cars you’ll know what engine displacement is. You’ll know what power to weight ratio is. And you’ll also know not to put up your nose at a small car with a small engine. The Renault Clio, Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Golf and Fiat 500 have shown the world that small cars can be extremely good fun. However they also have some natural advantages that you might need to take a longer look at. They are small and perfect for those that live in large cities. They are economical because most of them won’t have displacements larger than 2.0-litres. They are easy to drive, so great for beginners. They are lightweight thus they handle great. What’s not to love? If you’re in the market for a small hatchback, what are your best options in this category?
Not that small after all
With newer and better engines, we have seen that 1.0 litres isn’t that bad for everyday driving. Look at the 2016 Audi A1 3-door which has a 1.0-litre engine with 93bhp on CVS Vans. it’s a petrol and manual drive but it has a combined fuel economy capability of 67 miles per gallon. It comes with a 6 month warranty as well as recovery and assist. There’s the usual things you would expect such as air conditioning, bluetooth, electric windows and electric mirrors. Priced at £11,500 it’s also affordable for young professionals. It’s not your usual typically small hatchback either, and sits between a full-sized family hatchback and small city car. The average weight of this model is around 1,200kg making it light and nimble through corners. The torque level is 118lb-ft so low level acceleration is also great for quick dives into gaps when driving in the city.
Solo driver
If you live alone and are a young professional, a small hatchback is excellent for your needs. You just want to get to work, go to the shops and maybe drive down to the beach on a weekend. It’s simple driving that doesn’t require you to put too much effort in and neither should the car. Another benefit to owning this kind of car is the fuel economy. The Ford Fiesta is the Ford Focus’s little sister. It weighs just over 1,000kg but it has the new EcoBoost engine technology in it’s 1.0-litre inline 3-cylinder engine. It has an even 100bhp but has quite an impressive 125lb-ft of torque. The city mode achieves a staggering 76 mpg and the combined city and motorway is 65 mpg. Since it’s a Ford, you can expect an abundance of parts and cheap repairs too. If you are a solo driver and don’t have a family this is a great car for your needs.
Small little hatchbacks always have their advantages. The next time you see an Audi A1 or a Ford Fiesta, you should think twice before you dismiss it as something you’d never own or drive. They are fuel efficient, small, nimble and with new technology quite fast considering their engine sizes.
