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Wintonsworld: TopTens - SUPERMINIs - Car Reviews
Honda Jazz
Honda Jazz
Hyundai Getz Kia Rio
Hyundai Getz Kia Rio
Nissan Micra Suzuki Swift
Nissan Micra Suzuki Swift
Citroen C3 Renault Clio
Citroen C3 Renault Clio
Ford Fusion Fiat Grande Punto
Ford Fusion Grande Punto
Smart ForTwo
Smart ForTwo

Superminis have made huge progress over the last 10 years. They are bigger inside and tougher, and now often have safety equipment that you used to find only on cars costing more than twice as much.

In a rational world, who needs to pay more for a bigger car?

These are my top 10 favourites. The top 4 are Asian because they unfailingly do what it says on the can, and almost never go wrong. Bringing up the rear is the ludicrous and overpriced Smart ForTwo.  

Honda Jazz – Still the king of the superminis, although its lack of a diesel engine is beginning to be a disadvantage. Drive’s well, cute, and has a high quality and attractive interior. The rear seats fold flat into the floor. It will take a mountain bike without removing the wheels – 1.2i-DSI £8,800. 

Hyundai Getz – Almost as cute as the Jazz, and recently face-lifted, the Getz is well-built and cheap. Prices include air conditioning as standard, and a huge amount of extras. Deal-stealing fact - there’s a 5-Year Guarantee – 1.1 GSI 3-door £6,995.

Kia Rio – Korean, like the Hyundai, the Rio looks uncomfortably like the bland Ford Fiesta. Tough, long lasting build, now offers a diesel engine for the same price as a petrol. 3-year guarantee – CRDi LX - £9,000.

Nissan Micra – The district nurse’s favourite, the Micra’s styling with the cut-back rear end is at the cost of practicality. Good value, and cast-iron reliability – 1.2 E 3-door - £8,075.

Suzuki Swift – The Swift looks suspiciously like a Mini, which is no bad thing. Drives well, practical, well equipped - £1.3 GL 3-door - £7,499.

Citroen C3 – if it’s cute you want, the C3 is the car for you. Fantastic deals including free insurance make Citroens great bargains – 1.1iL 5-door - £9,195.

Renault Clio – recently redesigned and relaunched, but still easily recognised as Renault’s biggest seller, the ClioIII is a popular all rounder - £8,895.

Ford Fusion – Ford’s mini-MPV looks like a Fiesta on stilts. Practical, without coming close to the Honda Jazz. Too expensive – 1.4 5-door - £10,245.

Fiat Punto – newly redesigned, the Punto looks good. Puntos have always been practical and good value for money – Price to be announced. 

Smart ForTwo – great looking and trend setting, the little Smarts cost too much money and don’t fulfil enough practical tasks. Chronically incompetent auto box disqualifies this car on its own - Smart Pure £6,810. 

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