The best compact cars
If you want the benefits of a large car without being too big, these cars provide the best of both worlds. Our best compact cars is here to help you find your perfect drive.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 07 March 2025 | 1 min read
What’s a compact car and what features should it have?
Compact cars provide extra comfort and interior space without compromising on design. Unlike larger cars, they’re easy to drive and simple to park.
Whether you’re looking to buy new or wondering which second-hand compact car is the best, you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up the best compact cars to make your next car search easy.
1. Ford Focus Estate
With its sloped roof, raked forward tailgate and Asian-inspired headlights, the Ford Focus Estate is a sporty take on the compact estate car. Along with its attractive aesthetic, this popular drive comfortably fits five passengers and offers ample legroom and sufficient headroom.
2. Seat Leon
Available as a five-door hatchback or Estate, the Seat Leon is a strong choice for growing families. Its boot size is slightly small for its class (estate), but it makes up for this with its passenger space, Euro NCAP five-star safety rating and impressive interior technology.
3. MINI Clubman
With its classic MINI features and quality build, the MINI Clubman is a practical family car that’s good to look at and fun to drive. The boot is small for its class, but it’s reliable, comfy and reasonably efficient. Compared to other MINI models, it’s also a lot more composed on poor road surfaces.
4. Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer
With its compact design, the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer isn’t the most spacious in its class, but it still offers plenty of legroom and headroom and litres of space in the boot. Its engine range is excellent, the brakes are strong and it’s reasonably economical to drive.
5. Skoda Octavia
With its huge boot and sharp exterior, the Skoda Octavia is a family-friendly drive. It’s available in a five-door hatchback or estate and offers low running costs and a comfortable and practical drive. Newer models also feature upgraded cabins and up-to-date infotainment systems.
6. Volkswagen Golf Estate
It’s not quite as stylish as the hatchback, but the Volkswagen Golf is a comfortable and compact car that’s great for families. Available with all the same engines as the hatchback, it’s cheap to run, good to drive and offers both a spacious rear and generous boot size.
7. Mercedes-Benz CLA
Comfortable and refined, the Mercedes CLA is a good-looking, compact car that packs a punch when it comes to tech and safety features. It’s beautifully built, agile to drive and spacious inside. It’s no surprise then that top-spec models can prove rather pricey.
8. Audi A6 Avant
With its roomy cabin and futuristic design, the Audi A6 Avant is a practical car with plenty of high-tech features. On the road, it feels relaxing to drive thanks to its light steering and large windows, and there’s ample space inside for both passengers and luggage.
9. Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Stylish to look at and brilliant to drive, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is both practical and polished. Available in a wide range of engines, it offers ample safety features and its smart interiors are comfortable for both driver and passengers. However, its reliability record could be better.
10. Volvo V90
With its classy design and minimalist aesthetics, the Volvo V90 is an eye-catching car that’s comfortable and affordable. Designed with an array of technology to improve safety on the road, it features roomy interiors with enough space to comfortably seat four adults.