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

Mini blue car on the road

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.

Ford Focus

black car parked in front of building

black car on the road

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.

Seat Leon

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.

Mini Clubman

blue MINI on the road

Red car on the road

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.

Vauxhall Astra

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.

Skoda Octavia

black car on the road

man driving car

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.

Volkswagen Golf

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.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

silver mercedes on the road

car with bike on the top

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.

Audi A6 Avant

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.

Jaguar XF

dark car on the road

car on the highway

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.

Volvo V90

Compact cars are the ideal solution for families wanting a manageable drive with extra interior space. Now that you know some of the best compact cars available, you’ll know the features to keep an eye out for.

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Best Compact Cars | Cazoo