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What is a supermini?

  • Benefits of a supermini explained
  • Should I consider buying one?
  • Parkers explains the small-car genre

Written by Parkers Published: 15 March 2018

A supermini is a relatively small, cheap and economical car. Larger than a city car but smaller than a family hatchback, it’s no wonder these small cars are selling like hot cakes as a busy world downsizes…

Pros

Cheap to buy, cheap to run, easy to park, often good fun to drive. It’s motoring at its simplest.

Cons

Limited space, not the most comfortable long-distance tourer, not particularly powerful.

Examples

The Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car in the UK and the second best across Europe. Rivals include the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208.

Looking for more jargon-busting motoring meanings? Head over to our Parkers Car Glossary page and take a look at our other definitions