The Best Small German Cars
We list the best small German cars that combine premium quality, practicality, and performance. From the iconic Volkswagen Golf to the luxurious Mercedes-Benz A-Class, explore our top 10 picks
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 13 October 2025 | 12 mins read
When you think of German cars, you might picture powerful saloons cruising down the motorway. But German manufacturers also make some of the best small cars around. They pack all that famous engineering, solid build quality, and premium feel into a smaller, city-friendly package. Brands like Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi have mastered the art of the small car.
Whether you’re looking for a compact city runaround, a sporty hatchback, or a premium supermini, there's a German car that perfectly blends practicality, performance, and a touch of class. Let’s dive into some of the best small German cars that could be just right for you.
Why go for a small car?
Thinking about downsizing? Small cars have some big advantages, especially if you spend a lot of time navigating busy city streets. If you're not sure if a compact car is for you, here are a few points that might help you decide.
- They’re more affordable. Small cars often have a lower price tag to begin with.
- Lower running costs. You can expect better fuel efficiency and often cheaper insurance.
- Super agile. They're a dream to manoeuvre through tight streets and traffic.
- Parking is a breeze. You can squeeze into those smaller parking spots others have to drive past.
- They can be great fun. A light, small car can be incredibly enjoyable and zippy to drive.
- Perfect for new drivers. Their ease of use helps build confidence behind the wheel.
- Surprisingly practical. Don't let the 'small' tag fool you; many are cleverly designed to be spacious and comfortable.
Top 10 Small German Cars
Here’s our rundown of the best small German cars. Each one brings something special to the table, from premium features and great reliability to pure driving pleasure.
1. Volkswagen Golf
The VW Golf is a true legend and a bestseller for a good reason. It’s a fantastic all-rounder, known for its strong build quality, refined feel, and premium cabin. The Golf offers a brilliant driving experience and a great selection of efficient engines to keep running costs down. It’s a car with wide appeal, suiting everyone from families to new drivers. And because it's so popular, there are thousands on the used market, so you’ll have no trouble finding one you love.
Best Features:
- Solid, premium build quality.
- A comfortable and refined cabin.
- An excellent, engaging driving experience.
2. Audi A1
If you want a supermini with a premium badge and top-notch German build quality, the Audi A1 is hard to beat. This stylish little car is great to drive, with a sporty design and a beautifully laid-out interior. It's practical too. As a used car, it offers excellent value, giving you that premium feel for a lot less. Just be aware that its premium badge can mean slightly higher insurance costs for younger drivers.
Best Features:
- A proper premium supermini.
- Superb build quality inside and out.
- Great to drive and easy to live with.
3. Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo consistently sets the standard for superminis and is a firm favourite on UK roads. It’s a lot of fun to drive, far more practical than its size suggests, and has a comfortable, premium-feeling cabin. It’s also very safe, with that reassuringly solid German build. The Polo offers good economy, making it a reliable and sensible choice that still knows how to have fun.
Best Features:
- Fun and easy to drive.
- A comfortable and high-quality cabin.
- Strong build quality and safety credentials.
4. Volkswagen Up!
When it comes to city cars, the VW Up! is a true star. It’s available with a range of frugal petrol engines or as an all-electric model (the e-Up!), offering very low running costs and cheap insurance. This compact car is well-built, agile for zipping through town, and good fun to drive. It also shares its DNA with the Skoda Citigo and the SEAT Mii, so if you like the Up!, it’s worth checking out its siblings to find an even better deal.
Best Features:
- Great to drive in the city.
- Very low running costs.
- An affordable starting price.
5. Audi A3
The Audi A3 is a premium family hatchback that does everything well. It’s stylish, practical, and has a classy interior that feels special. You get a spacious cabin, an excellent safety record, impressively low running costs, and an enjoyable driving experience. As one of Audi’s bestsellers, there are plenty of fantastic used deals available, so you can find a high-quality car at a great price.
Best Features:
- Spacious, practical, and comfortable.
- Impressively low running costs.
- An enjoyable and refined drive.
6. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Mercedes-Benz is a name that means luxury, and the A-Class brings all the hallmarks of the famous brand to the compact hatchback world. It has a stylish exterior and a high-quality interior that really sets the standard. It also offers an excellent driving experience and, as you'd expect, feels incredibly well-built. The A-Class is a leader if you're looking for a genuinely premium small car.
Best Features:
- A stylish, head-turning exterior.
- A truly high-quality, luxurious interior.
- Excellent to drive, balancing comfort and sportiness.
Search Mercedes-Benz A-Classes
7. Vauxhall Corsa
As one of the most popular cars on British roads, the Vauxhall Corsa is a superb supermini that’s very cheap to run and affordable to buy. Built by a German manufacturer, it has long been a favourite with new and young drivers, partly because of its great price tag, but also because it’s so easy and fun to drive. It’s a brilliant, well-rounded car that offers fantastic value for money.
Best Features:
- A very affordable supermini.
- Easy and enjoyable to drive.
- Great value for money.
8. BMW 1 Series
A direct rival to the A-Class and A3, the BMW 1 Series is a premium hatchback that is famously fun to drive. As you'd expect from BMW, the car has excellent build quality, stylish looks, and a high-quality cabin. Most models come well-equipped as standard, adding to that premium feel. It brings BMW’s luxury and driving pleasure to a more affordable and practical package.
Best Features:
- Lots of fun to drive, with refined handling.
- Excellent build quality.
- Stylish looks, inside and out.
9. BMW i3
With a funky, futuristic look both inside and out, the BMW i3 is a car that dares to be different. It’s available as a fully electric car or as a "range extender" with a small petrol engine for backup. It’s nimble, quick, and quiet, just as you’d expect from an EV. It’s a charming and unique choice if you’re looking for a small car with very cheap running costs and a lot of personality.
Best Features:
- A unique and funky design.
- Good to drive, feeling nimble and quick.
- Very cheap to run.
10. Porsche Macan
Okay, we’re bending the rules a bit here, as the Porsche Macan is a compact SUV, not a small car. However, it is German, and it’s one of the smaller, more accessible models in Porsche's prestigious range. Simply put, no other compact SUV comes close to the Macan for driving pleasure. It’s highly refined, with a spacious and comfortable cabin, and offers the best driving experience you’ll find in an SUV. To own a Porsche is to join an exclusive club, and for many, the Macan is the perfect entry point.
Best Features:
- The best SUV to drive, hands down.
- Refined, spacious, and comfortable.
- The prestige of the Porsche badge.