You might have a narrow driveway, a single-car garage stuffed full of other junk, or you just want something compact to get about town in: there are plenty of reasons for wanting a narrow car. Here, we reveal some of the best that the new- and used car markets have to offer
It goes without saying that the narrowest cars are also the smallest, so if you’re looking for a proper family car, then you’re not in the right place.
However, these city cars (for the most part) are still excellent daily runabouts, many with long warranties and enough head- and legroom for even tall drivers and passengers. They’re also economical, easy to park and manoeuvre, and often low on tax and insurance because of their small size.
Best narrow cars in 2025
1. Citroen Ami
Great fun in the city
Pros
-
Cheap to buy and run
-
Fun to drive
-
More weatherproof than a Renault Twizy
Cons
-
Won't suit every car buyer's needs
-
Interior is best described as basic
-
We wouldn't want to crash one
If you're looking for a narrow car - which if you're reading this, you probably are - then they don't come any narrower than the Citroen Ami.
At just 1390mm across, we've encountered wider birthday cakes. Seriously, if you can't fit this thing in your garage, then we regret to inform you that what you thought was your garage is actually a wardrobe.
That's provided you consider the Ami to be a car at all, of course. Technically, it isn't. According to the law of the land, it's classed as an electric quadricycle. You don't need a full driving licence to drive one, it only does 47 miles on a charge, and the top speed is just 28mph, so it's unadvisable - borderline dangerous, in fact - to take it outside the city limits. What's more, there's no boot, no radio and no air-con, so you do without a lot of things that most car drivers would consider to be deal-breakers.
However, it's nevertheless a cheerful little thing that costs peanuts to buy and run, and it'll get more attention from passersby than the most exotic of supercars.
"It's a quirky and affordable way of getting from A to B in marginally more comfort than on a moped"
Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor
2. Kia Picanto
Compact, good value city runabout
Pros
-
Reasonable running costs
-
Mid-spec cars come loaded with kit
-
Neat and tidy handling
Cons
-
Non-turbo engines are slow
-
Not the roomiest in the back
-
Fidgety ride on 16-inch wheels
The Kia Picanto is a city car with sweet styling and a sensible approach to practicality and interior space. Overall, it's a brilliant all-rounder and one of the best cars in its class. It also measures about 1595mm wide (without mirrors included).
Despite being narrow, you don't get the unpleasant sensation of sitting huddled together with your passenger as you can in a Citroen C1 or Toyota Aygo, for example. All Picantos come with five doors as standard, so getting into the back is also easy.
There’s a 255-litre boot that's bigger than those of all but a handful of rivals and, with the back seats folded down, you can cram over 1,000 litres of luggage in. Bear in mind, though, that if you need even more space, the little Suzuki Ignis is quite a bit roomier, but costs roughly the same.
"The Kia Picanto has good visibility, short overhangs, and light controls"
Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor
3. Hyundai Inster
The slim and tall option
Pros
-
Distinctive styling
-
Flexible interior
-
Lots of large car technology
Cons
-
Only four seats
-
Pricey compared to most of its rivals
-
Range could be better
While not the narrowest car here at 1610mm across, the Hyundai Inster EV probably looks the narrowest (if we ignore the technically-not-a-car Citroen Ami), because it's also quite tall.
Its slim dimensions are a result of the Hyundai Casper it's based on being designed for South Korea's Gyeongcha or 'small car' regulations, which is a bit like Japan's Kei cars, but a bit bigger. The Inster is slightly longer than the Casper, but the narrowness remains.
Because of the height, the Inster feels roomier than you might expect, with an abundance of headroom even for taller occupants. Those with broader shoulders might feel a bit cosy in the front, though, particularly because the two front seats meet in the middle to provide a bench.
Some versions get a sliding rear bench to maximise boot space or rear legroom as desired, plus folding front seats. So you could, if you want, sleep in the Inster, or carry bulky sports equipment like a bicycle (probably with a wheel removed) or a small surfboard.
"The Inster packs a whole lot of practicality in its small frame, but you need to make sure you pick a version with the sliding rear bench and folding front seats"
Ivan Aistrop, Contributor
4. Toyota Aygo
Simple and sturdy city car
Pros
-
Low effort to drive in the city
-
Good specification other than basic model
-
Low running costs
Cons
-
Not much space for rear-seat passengers
-
Adequate motorway performance
-
Automatic gearbox hampers performance
Traditionally, you don’t buy a Toyota Aygo (or indeed any Toyota) with your heart. It’s a rational purchase, led by a reputation for reliability and value for money.
This Aygo is part of a collaboration between Peugeot, Citroen and Toyota, with each manufacturer producing their own version of the car, so the three are relatively similar and share a width of 1615mm. That's quite a bit narrower than the Aygo X that replaced Toyota's version in 2022.
The Aygo range is simple in terms of the big decisions, with a single petrol engine option, three or five-doors and a choice of manual or automated manual gearboxes. Front seat passengers are well served, with generous legroom and decent headroom, and although the boot is relatively small, it’s far from the smallest in the class.
On the inside, the Mk2 Aygo’s interior is relatively simplistic in its design, but feels like decent quality for a car at this price. As you move up the Aygo range, Toyota offers a wide range of personalisation options. The engine isn’t quite as refined as rivals, either, but it’s a smart choice for those that like the styling compared to Peugeot and Citroen’s offerings.
5. Citroen C1
Low cost but big charm
Pros
-
Easy to drive and to park
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Feel and Flair models are well-specified
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Cheap to buy, insure and run
Cons
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Rear seats are relatively cramped
-
Looks might not win you over
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Automatic saps the petrol engine’s enthusiasm
The Citroen C1 - along with the Peugeot 108 - came about as a result of the same collaboration we were just talking about that also resulted in the Toyota Aygo.
Toyota has since replaced the Aygo with the SUV-inspired Aygo X, but in the name of maximising profits, Citroen hasn't bothered replacing the C1. So, like with the Mk2 Aygo, you'll be looking at the used car market if you want a C1.
At 1615mm wide, the C1 is one of the narrowest cars available. Up front there’s plenty of space to accommodate tall adults. Elbow room is a little less plentiful, but unless both you and your passenger are nightclub bouncers, it shouldn’t be a problem. As for boot space, the C1 offers 196 litres. That’s a lot smaller than the SEAT Mii and Hyundai i10, but it is more than the almost-identical Toyota Aygo.
Despite low used prices, the C1 doesn’t feel like a discount special in terms of comfort or equipment (as long as you skip the base Touch model). Although it is happiest in town, there is enough power to make motorway journeys tolerable as long as you're not too loaded up with people. And it’s frugal, too, with over 50mpg well within reach.
"It doesn't feel as low cost as the price tag would suggest, which is good news for buyers"
Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor
6. Skoda Citigo
Good value, a smart buy
Pros
-
A quality item despite the low price
-
Comfortable ride
-
Costs peanuts to run, low depreciation, too
Cons
-
Rubbish automatic option
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75PS engine on top-spec trim only
-
No chance of three passengers across the back
As the name suggests, the Skoda Citigo is at its best on city roads. With a Skoda badge, the Citigo can also be had a lower price than the very similar Volkswagen Up and SEAT Mii on the used car market.
Inside, the cabin isn’t packed with tech, but it is well thought out. The Citigo is also 1641mm wide, making it a great choice for those with a narrow garage or driveway.
It’s very sensible, although possibly a touch boring (especially inside) compared to more premium or flashy rivals. But original owners could spec more personal, colourful touches if they chose to, so hunt for a car with that sort of specification on the used market. The good news is that the Citigo is one of the best in the class in respect of interior space, despite being under 3.6 metres in length.
In the rear, there is not quite as much space available, but it is still good for a car of this size. And the Citigo’s boot space is equally impressive, with a sizeable 251 litres available, putting it just behind the Hyundai i10 and ahead of the Renault Twingo and Toyota Aygo. Fold the rear seats and this can be expanded to 959 litres, and there’s an adjustable boot floor, too, so you can hide more valuable items.
"As a used buy, its strengths remain: it’s easy to live with, easy to drive and very good value"
Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor
7. Fiat 500
Uses its classic heritage to pull at your heartstrings
Pros
-
Chic styling
-
Low fuel costs
-
Mid-spec models are well-equipped
Cons
-
Cramped cabin
-
Lacklustre handling
-
Unrefined automatic gearbox
The Fiat 500 (for clarity, the petrol-powered one that's been around for yonks, not the Fiat 500e, the electric-only second-generation one that was released in 2021) delivers city car motoring with an Italian twist.
Sadly, though, the little city car struggles when you compare it to the best in class from Volkswagen, Kia and Suzuki. Let's be honest, you’re probably considering the Fiat 500 because of it’s looks. And we agree: its cute styling gives a heavy nod to the 1957 classic.
However, most of the Fiat 500's problems are caused by the fact it's very small. The cabin is cramped, the seats are narrow and the boot is barely large enough to cope with a weekly food shop. Generally, both short and tall drivers will find the 500 equally frustrating in the long run. Yet, that doesn’t deter swathes of buyers from putting their cash into one.
So, what does the 500 do well? The 500 is an easy thing to live with in a town or city where space is limited. What’s more, at 1627mm metres wide, the 500 has little trouble cutting its way through heavy traffic or squeezing into a narrow parking space. But, you get just 185 litres of boot space, which is significantly less than the 250-260 litres you get in the Volkswagen Up, Hyundai i10 and Suzuki Ignis.
"It doesn’t fare well against its rivals for value, performance or practicality"
Ivan Aistrop, Contributor
8. Suzuki Ignis
Pseudo SUV for the city
Pros
-
Interesting design inside and out
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Low running costs
-
Good standard specification
Cons
-
Some cheap-feeling interior elements
-
Top models expensive
-
Ride upset by some surfaces
The Suzuki Ignis is a chic mini-crossover, with an eye-catching design that features retro styling inspired by the 1970s’ Suzuki Whizzkid. Being exactly 3.7 metres long, it’s just 10 centimetres longer than a Volkswagen Up, and at 1660mm wide, it’s certainly narrow.
Where the Suzuki Ignis differs from almost every other city car, though, is in it’s height, meaning it can fit four adults with ease and comfort, and the boot space is right up with the best in class. It's no longer available to buy new, but it's a shrewd used buy.
The Ignis is good fun to drive, too, though not flawless. Most importantly, it’s great in town, where its compact dimensions and lack of weight make it highly manoeuvrable and easy to park. The ride quality is good in most conditions, too, with a suspension setup designed primarily with comfort in mind. SZ3 models get a bench rear seat that has three seat belts, while SZ-T and SZ4s get two rear seats that can slide forwards or backwards to increase the amount of legroom or boot space.
The boot has a handy 260 litres of space with the rear seats in place, a little more than most of its rivals, and that increases to 514 litres when you fold the rear seats. However, the boot on AllGrip four-wheel-drive versions is smaller by 60 litres because of the extra mechanical hardware required. While the Ignis is a bit of a leftfield choice in this class, low running costs, a practical nature and extra character make it an attractive option, especially as it comes with optional four-wheel-drive.
"There’s a lot to like about the Ignis, not least because it’s something a bit different"
Phil Hall, Senior Editor
9. Hyundai i10
More space than most
Pros
-
More space for the money than many rivals
-
Comprehensive five-year warranty
-
Excellent ride quality
Cons
-
Sluggish auto gearbox to be avoided
-
No adjustable boot floor
-
1.0-litre engine strained at motorway speeds
The Hyundai i10 is very good value for money while offering plenty of room inside, with especially impressive space in the back and a decent boot.
On the move, the i10 also feels like a bigger car than it is and that's down to its impressive refinement. No other car this size is as quiet at motorway speeds.
What the i10 does so well is get the basics right: it's well built, good to drive and has a quality interior. Throw in two great engines and a brilliant reputation for reliability, and you've got a winner on your hands.
While the latest model is fantastic, it’s ever so slightly wider than the model that came before it - you might want to look at an older car if space is a major issue.
10. Renault 5
One of the best electric superminis out there
Pros
-
Fabulous styling
-
Well-judged ride and handling
-
Good value
Cons
-
Limited rear seat space
-
Awkward gear selector
-
We’re yet to try the cheaper 40kWh car
Okay, so the Renault 5 isn't the narrowest car on our list - partly by virtue of that fact that it's new, and new cars are usually bigger than older ones - but it is arguably the coolest, and it's narrow enough that we feel justified in including it in this list.
Seriously, just look at it. The cool retro-modern design is a really cohesive re-imagining of the original 5, adding a healthy dose of nostalgia to its effortless style.
Happily, it's as good to drive as it is to look at, with a really good balance of ride comfort and handling agility, and perky, seamless acceleration from its all-electric powertrain. Fitted with the bigger 52kWh battery, the 5 is good for an official WLTP range of 252 miles, which should be enough for most urban dwellers who find themselves in the market for a small, narrow car.
Granted, rear space is predictably tight, but the boot is decent and the interior is attractively finished and packed with an impressive amount of tech. And, compared with many other electric cars - even small ones - the Renault's pricing looks very competitive.
"Renault hasn’t done things by halves in bringing back one of its most beloved shapes and nameplates from the past"
Antony Ingram, Contributor
Well, that really depends on the size of the garage. But for the most part, yes. Even smaller garages on older houses should be able to fit a relatively small city car with the mirrors tucked in.
No, the width stated for the cars in this list (and on most marketing material) is with the door mirrors excluded.
Overall, our pick would be the Kia Picanto, taking narrowness, price, long warranty and overall owning experience into account. The Hyundai i10 is also excellent.
Find a Citroen Ami for sale
Find a Kia Picanto for sale
Kia Picanto1.0 GT-line 5dr [4 seats]
202314,028 milesPetrol£191 mo£12,395
NN15NSKia Picanto1.0 2 5dr [4 seats]
202230,946 milesPetrol£149 mo£9,000
AB123ADKia Picanto1.0 2 5dr [4 seats]
202332,300 milesPetrol£221 mo£9,799
SO509SJKia Picanto1.0 2 5dr [4 seats]
202332,540 milesPetrol£218 mo£9,699
SO509SJKia Picanto1.0 2 5dr [4 seats]
202334,500 milesPetrol£216 mo£9,599
SO509SJKia Picanto1.0 1 5dr
202024,250 milesPetrol£203 mo£8,995
CT11YYKia Picanto1.0 2 5dr [4 seats]
202238,208 milesPetrol£151 mo£9,141
PE304JHKia Picanto1.0 Shadow 5dr [4 seats]
202320,060 milesPetrol£199 mo£11,923
SL25EA
Find a Toyota Aygo for sale
Toyota Aygo1.0 VVT-i X-Clusiv 5dr
201559,564 milesPetrol£5,370
CM129ETToyota Aygo1.0 VVT-i X-Plore 5dr
201934,662 milesPetrol£133 mo£8,499
DE143SZToyota Aygo1.0 VVT-i X-Trend TSS 5dr x-shift
202035,614 milesPetrol£153 mo£10,991
WA13LRToyota Aygo1.0 VVT-i X-Trend 5dr
201932,796 milesPetrol£193 mo£8,450
S711AJToyota Aygo1.0 VVT-i X-Play TSS 5dr
202219,149 milesPetrol£138 moor £9,790£10,110
£320 offG537RAToyota Aygo1.0 VVT-i X-Press 5dr
201839,492 milesPetrol£122 mo£8,499
BN238ASToyota Aygo1.0 VVT-i X-Cite 6 5dr
201946,360 milesPetrol£119 mo£8,999
BN238ASToyota Aygo1.0 VVT-i X-Play 5dr
201827,000 milesPetrol£123 mo£7,150
L204TX
Find a Citroen C1 for sale
Citroen C11.0 VTi 72 Shine 5dr
20217,218 milesPetrol£9,395
LA33PACitroen C11.0 VTi 72 Shine 5dr
202110,677 milesPetrol£10,750
LS124RJCitroen C11.0 VTi 72 Shine 5dr
202114,568 milesPetrol£151 mo£8,993
SO303DSCitroen C11.0 VTi Feel 3dr
201713,363 milesPetrol£146 mo£6,591
SK110LPCitroen C11.2 PureTech Flair 5dr
201735,315 milesPetrol£129 mo£5,825
HP91QJCitroen C11.0 VTi 72 Shine 5dr
202131,125 milesPetrol£158 mo£8,750
DE142AWCitroen C11.0 VTi 72 Feel 3dr
202029,000 milesPetrol£156 mo£7,995
TQ27AJCitroen C11.2 PureTech Flair 5dr
201771,125 milesPetrol£101 mo£4,490
NG56BH
Find a Renault Twingo for sale
Find a Skoda Citigo for sale
Skoda Citigo1.0 MPI Colour Edition 5dr
201639,309 milesPetrol£6,290
WS73GJSkoda Citigo1.0 MPI 75 GreenTech Elegance 5dr
201550,000 milesPetrol£5,450
PE15PTSkoda Citigo1.0 MPI Colour Edition 5dr
201850,171 milesPetrol£134 mo£6,057
DN25DXSkoda Citigo1.0 MPI GreenTech Monte Carlo 5dr
201947,165 milesPetrol£136 mo£7,290
NE47ADSkoda Citigo1.0 MPI 75 GreenTech SE L 5dr
201645,349 milesPetrol£134 mo£6,161
SO302HESkoda Citigo1.0 MPI SE 5dr
201760,700 milesPetrol£120 mo£5,250
WF29RYSkoda Citigo1.0 MPI GreenTech Colour Edition 5dr
201918,139 milesPetrol£143 mo£8,865
WF27AWSkoda Citigo1.0 MPI GreenTech Colour Edition 5dr
201825,000 milesPetrol£171 mo£7,742
TS183RT
Find a Fiat 500 for sale
Fiat 5001.0 Mild Hybrid Sport 3dr
202110,473 milesPetrol£162 mo£9,650
BD21AZFiat 5001.2 Lounge 3dr
201847,823 milesPetrol£149 mo£6,490
WF28DHFiat 5001.0 Mild Hybrid Connect 3dr
202114,052 milesPetrol£172 mo£9,990
IP15NYFiat 5001.0 Mild Hybrid Lounge 3dr
202115,388 milesPetrol£166 mo£9,821
SK110LPFiat 5001.0 Mild Hybrid Top 3dr
20245,347 milesPetrol£251 mo£14,295
PL13QLFiat 5001.0 Mild Hybrid Red 3dr
202220,462 milesPetrol£161 mo£9,995
LN67QYFiat 5001.2 Lounge 3dr
201831,528 milesPetrol£166 mo£7,500
BD12EPFiat 5001.0 Mild Hybrid 3dr
202320,823 milesPetrol£187 mo£11,045
NN39HG
Find a Suzuki Ignis for sale
Suzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet SZ-T 5dr
201813,983 milesPetrol£9,270
S62FZSuzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet 12V Hybrid SZ5 5dr
202129,777 milesHybrid£179 mo£11,999
FK77LQSuzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet 12V Hybrid SZ-T 5dr
20218,121 milesHybrid£193 mo£12,443
YO266RBSuzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet SZ-T 5dr
201843,827 milesPetrol£174 mo£7,991
SO302HESuzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet SZ-T 5dr
201747,634 milesPetrol£162 mo£7,390
DN48SJSuzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet SZ-T 5dr
201824,372 milesPetrol£198 mo£8,795
PE304NBSuzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet 12V Hybrid SZ-T 5dr
20243,759 milesHybrid£247 mo£16,490
SO403ADSuzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet 12V Hybrid SZ-T 5dr
202014,372 milesHybrid£179 mo£11,490
PH15AE
Find a Hyundai i10 for sale
Hyundai i101.0 T-GDi N Line 5dr
202311,634 milesPetrol£194 mo£13,650
PE217QSHyundai i101.0 Go SE 5dr
201974,998 milesPetrol£135 mo£6,100
LS197BZHyundai i101.2 SE 5dr
201630,744 milesPetrol£144 moor £6,499£6,919
£420 offL204TXHyundai i101.2 MPi Premium 5dr Auto
202213,762 milesPetrol£237 mo£14,414
S419EGHyundai i101.2 MPi SE Connect 5dr
202119,925 milesPetrol£184 mo£11,381
RH109JYHyundai i101.2 MPi SE Connect 5dr
202121,500 milesPetrol£177 mo£11,495
TR138REHyundai i101.0 MPi SE Connect 5dr
202016,790 milesPetrol£166 mo£10,495
ST44FDHyundai i101.0 [63] Advance 5dr [Nav]
20251,500 milesPetrol£257 mo£14,799
BH125BA
Find an Renault 5 for sale
Renault 590kW Techno Urban Range 40 kWh 5dr Auto
2025858 milesElectric£372 mo£22,999
SP27PWRenault 590kW Techno Urban Range 40 kWh 5dr Auto
Electric£25,690
LE27JURenault 5110kW Iconic Five Comfort Range 52 kWh 5dr Auto
Electric£30,240
LE27JURenault 5110kW Techno Comfort Range 52 kWh 5dr Auto
20255,514 milesElectric£355 mo£22,574
LE27JURenault 5110kW Techno Comfort Range 52 kWh 5dr Auto
Electric£473 mo£27,840
EX28NTRenault 5110kW Techno Comfort Range 52 kWh 5dr Auto
20252,200 milesElectric£24,595
BB15DGRenault 5110kW Iconic Five Comfort Range 52 kWh 5dr Auto
Electric£480 mo£30,195
EX28NTRenault 5110kW Roland Garros Comfort Range 52 kWh 5dr Auto
14 milesElectric£343 mo£29,944
AB123AD
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