Best small cars with an automatic gearbox | Autocar (2024)

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2. Seat Ibiza

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The Seat Ibiza is another great option if you’re after a small car with an automatic gearbox.

While the Spanish supermini is sold with a five-speed manual as standard, the sportier FR trim and above get the option of a seven-speed automatic transmission.

It’s partnered with the Volkswagen Group’s excellent 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 113bhp and offers a 0-62mph time of 10.3sec.

It is pricier than the Clio - it starts from £23,590 - but you do get some decent equipment as standard, including LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, lots of safety kit and cruise control.

Read our Seat Ibiza review

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3. Skoda Fabia

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Like the Ibiza, the Skoda Fabia is a Volkswagen Polo underneath, so you’ve got the same 1.0-litre TSI petrol offering with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

It comes in at £21,780, which is a slight saving over the Seat, though.

We’re big fans of the Skoda Fabia because it’s roomy and practical and has a genuinely user-friendly interior.

What's more, it rides better than some luxury cars on the market - a big boost to its appeal as an everyday runaround. It’s not quite as fun to drive as the Ibiza, but it’s a great small car in its own right.

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4. Toyota Yaris

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Yet another great supermini on this list, the Toyota Yaris is offered with an automatic gearbox as standard, but things are slightly different here.

It’s an e-CVT, which is programmed to select the most efficient gear itself. Thankfully, on the surface, it works the same as a traditional automatic.

The Yaris is priced from £22,640, which makes it one of the cheapest of its kind on sale today. Things are made even more simple because there is just one engine option, a 1.5-litre hybrid petrol unit.

Power - 114bhp on this Yaris - is matched with class-leading frugality, with up to a claimed 70.6mpg on offer.

That figure is genuinely achievable in day-to-day driving too. It’s no slouch, either: you can hit 0-62mph in 9.7sec.

Read our Toyota Yaris review

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5. Jeep Avenger

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After its heralded arrival as an EV, Jeep's compact crossover gained a mild-hybrid petrol option, which brings a near-£10,000 saving and - you guessed it - an automatic gearbox.

It’s the same six-speed dual-clutch automatic as in the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 -both are, like the Jeep, part of theStellantis stable-with a gearbox-mounted electric motor.

The electric motor and gearbox combination boosts performance by 30% in the mid-range but it can be slow to change up or down when you want it to.

That said, it’s still a good alternative to the all-electric and manual options offered in the Avenger line-up. Power stands at 127bhp and torque is 151lb ft, which should be more than enough for most drivers.

Read our Jeep Avenger review

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6. Hyundai i20

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The Hyundai i20 is a stylish option that isn't thedriver of sales it once was, but it still has an important role to play.

It's available with aseven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and although it is notthe most spritely option, it is nevertheless fairly frugal, offering 52.3mpg.

The gearbox is mated to a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine with just 99bhp. That said, it's a pleasant small car. Just don't expect fireworks.

Read our Hyundai i20 review

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7. Toyota Aygo X

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The second Toyota on our list of the best small cars with an automatic gearbox is the Aygo X - a compact crossover best described as an Aygo on stilts.

It packs a 1.0-litre petrol engine (no turbocharger here, mind) with 70bhp, which on paper looks a bit measly and underpowered. It’s not bad in town, but that claimed 0-62mph of 14.8sec is telling.

Because it’s not a hybrid, it’s much cheaper than the larger Yaris, though. You’ll need to spend £17,245 for the basic 1.0-litre engine with an S-CVT gearbox - or ‘small’ CVT.

In our view, the Aygo X'sinterior is value motoring perfected, with brilliant ergonomics and technology. Refinement is greattoo.

Read our Toyota Aygo X review

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8. Honda Jazz

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There’s just one engine available on the Honda Jazz and just one gearbox option too.

The Jazz comes with an e-CVT and is priced from £26,395. Thatmakes it one of the more expensive options on this list.

It’s a full hybrid, unlike the Avenger and the Corsa, so it can deliver electric-only driving at low speeds, with the engine effectively working as a generator to charge the battery that feeds the motor.

You’ll get good fuel economy too, with Honda claiming a combined average of 62.8mpg.

Read our Honda Jazz review

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9. Peugeot 208/Vauxhall Corsa

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The Peugeot 208 is mechanically similar to the Vauxhall Corsaand that includes its six-speed automatic transmission, which is fitted with an electric motor.

According to Peugeot, the hybrid offers 15% lower fuel consumption than the regular petrol car.

A choice of power options is available – either 100bhp or 136bhp, with prices starting from £23,310 for the latter.

That’s around £1000 more than the cheapest Corsa hybrid. Ultimately, both are refined, comfortable and good to drive - so it’ll be down to how stylish you are…

Read our Peugeot 208/Vauxhall Corsa review

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10. Mini Cooper

Okay, it's not quite here yet. But the new Mini Cooper will receive a makeover for its new generation.

It will be offered only as an automatic, with two options: a standard or sport dual-clutch automatic. While the standard auto will cost you £23,135, the sport version will start from £26,635.

The new Mini comes with some decent equipment as standard, including a heated steering wheel, a huge circular infotainment display, LED headlights, parking assistance and a suite of safety technology.

Read our Mini Cooper review

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