The UK’s affinity for small cars with manual gearboxes is well known but there’s no reason why the two should be irrevocably linked. While there’s no doubt a manual gearbox can make a car more engaging, more fun to drive, the best small automatic cars are great to own.
After all, if you spend all your time sat in traffic or constantly nipping around a city, all you’re offered by a manual car is the ability to keep your left hand and left leg busy with a million gear changes. Why not remove all that stress and allow an autobox to take the strain out of city gridlock?
That’s not forgetting the group of people who, for any number of reasons, can’t drive a manual car. Every vehicle on this list can be driven on an automatic-only licence.
While in the past, small automatic cars were slow, thirsty, jerky and expensive, the models on this list are all smooth, quick-shifting and engaging to drive. We’ve sorted the wheat from the chaff and selected excellent cars that also have brilliant automatic gearboxes.
Best small automatics 2024
The best automatic gearbox available on a small car
The strength of the 208’s automatic offering is remarkable, though. It’s an eight-speed ‘traditional’ automatic, which Peugeot calls EAT8. It’s optional for 100hp models, commanding around a £1,400 premium and standard for 130hp variants. We reckon the 208 is the best small automatic on the market, and though it’s quite pricey for a small car it’s well worth the outlay.
Pros
- Looks fantastic
- High-tech, high-quality interior
Cons
- Rear seats are cramped
The grown-up small car with a great automatic
And if you’re in need of an automatic, you can’t do much better. You can have the automatic gearbox with either the 110hp three-cylinder engine or the 150hp four-cylinder, and in both guises it works effectively and provides a good driving experience.
Pros
- Mature, spacious interior
- Efficient engines
Cons
- A bit dull to drive
Even automatic buyers can find a MINI to suit them
It’s good news for two-pedal fans, then, that the MINI Hatch is offered with both a six-speed manual and a very well-rounded seven-speed automatic gearbox.
It’s a dual-clutch type (except on fire-breathing JCW hot hatch models… they get an eight-speed torque converter) and so offers snappy shifts whether you’re pootling round town or zipping down an A road. Since the manual gearbox isn’t exactly the MINI’s strongest suit in the first place, there’s no shame in opting for this automatic.
Pros
- The most characterful small car
- Fantastic fun to drive
Cons
- Can get pricey
- Not very practical
The hybrid hatchback comes of age
The hybrid engine easily achieves over 60mpg without trying too hard and the squat, cutesy little Yaris even handles nicely in the corners. The interior’s a bit cramped though, and with a clever engine and no real entry-level model the price of Yaris ownership starts at quite a chunky sum.
Pros
- Efficient and cheap to run
- Ten-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive to buy
Closely related to the Peugeot 208 and all the better for it
That means not only is this Corsa a huge improvement over the outgoing model in terms of driving dynamics, interior ambiance and efficiency, it also gets the same sublime EAT8 automatic gearbox – an eight-speed torque converter that shifts quickly and with the absolute minimum of fuss.
Easy driving manners and a very conventional (in a good way) interior mean the Corsa’s a simple car to get along with, and a wide array of trim levels means you should be able to find something to suit almost any budget.
Pros
- More conventional than 208 sibling
- Great engine lineup
Cons
- Low-rent interior
One of our favourite small cars is now on sale
It’s not quite as slick as Toyota’s system but is more powerful and almost as efficient. While we’ve had quite the moan about Renault’s hybrid cars in some forms, the system seems to work quite well in the Clio. And if you want this multi award-winning car as an automatic, it’s your only option.
Pros
- Great value
- Huge, practical boot
Cons
- Tight back seats
Sister car to the Fabia - almost as good
There’s not much in it, though, and if you like the Ibiza’s slicker styling next to the Fabia’s ever-so-slightly dowdy image you might prefer the SEAT.
Pros
- Looks good
- Huge boot, spacious back seat
Cons
- No electric, hybrid or plug-in models
A small car with a big interior
The latest model comes with a clever hybrid powertrain and automatic gearbox as the only option, which gives good economy and nippy performance around town. You’ll pay for the privilege, though – the Jazz isn’t a cheap small car.
Pros
- Amazingly versatile and spacious
- High-quality dashboard
Cons
- Not the best motorway cruiser
Fiat's iconic city car gets an all-electric range
As a fully electric car, it doesn’t have a transmission as such – making it just like an automatic to drive, with only two pedals. Like all EVs, it’s peppy and quick around town, but it also has enough performance and a long enough range to be a viable longer-distance car, too. Models with the larger battery pack can go almost 200 miles on a full charge.
Pair that ability with a high-tech and well-designed interior and standout retro-futuristic looks and we think the 500 Electric is a real winner.
Pros
- Great range for a small car
- Cool, characterful design
Cons
- Cramped boot and back seats
Tom Wiltshire’s career in cars started with work experience at Auto Express before joining their team full time and then moving on to Evo Magazine. From there, Tom came to Bauer Media to work with us at Parkers and our sister magazine CAR Magazine as Senior Staff Writer. After contributing to articles, opinion pieces, and reviews, they are currently with Carwow as their Deputy Website Reviews Editor.
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