Here Are 33 Cars Perfect for City Driving

There are plenty of fun-to-drive small cars out there that are perfect for zipping around any city. Here are some of the best.

Though it may not look (or sound) it, the Spark EV is actually a hot hatch. The 2014 models make 400 lb-ft of torque, which is a whole lot for a tiny car weighing under 3000 pounds.

We'd recommend the Civic Type R, but with a stiff suspension and 20-inch wheels, we have a feeling it wouldn't do well on broken city streets. The Si doesn't have a practical hatch opening, but it does have a sensible wheel-tire setup that won't leave you potentially stranded. It's also a joy to drive. Here's a lightly used one you can own right now.

Live in a city where it snows? The Subaru WRX is still the go-to choice for enthusiasts looking for something fun with all-wheel drive. We'd recommend finding a last-gen hatch like this one for sale—you can never have too much practicality.

While we wouldn't recommend using a stiff, track-minded Veloster N for city driving, the mid-range R-Spec is a delightful compromise. It's fun to drive, and looks unlike anything else on the road. If you want to stand out (what city dweller doesn't?) than this is the car to have. Here's one for sale right now on eBay.

Want something luxurious, but don't want to park a big car in tight spaces? The BMW 2-Series may be the car for you. It has many of the features you can get on bigger BMWs, but without any of the extra length. You can even get it with a manual. Want to save money? Here's a lightly used example listed for under $18,000.

No matter which generation of Volkswagen GTI you prefer, all make for great city cars. They're compact, comfortable, and nimble enough to zip through gaps in traffic. This new one can be yours today.

The Wrangler may be built for off-roading, but ironically, it makes for a great city car as well. A small footprint, tight turning radius, and heavy-duty suspension mean it can take the rigors of big potholes and tight parking that come along with city car life. Here's one painted in a menacing shade of black that you can own right now.

The V60 Polestar is plenty fast, but it also has a bunch of city-minded features that make it a great all-rounder. It has adjustable suspension, a hatchback body, and wonderful seats.

If you need a pickup bed for your city vehicle duties, we can't recommend the ZR2 enough. It's not as big as something like a Silverado, meaning you can fit into tighter spaces. Plus, that magical DSSV suspension means it can soak up even the most brutal road imperfections with ease. This brand-new Bison edition ZR2 can be yours today.

Build-quality issues aside, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 Performance is a wonderful car to drive. We took it on a track test at Lime Rock Park, and loved it. If you can live without an engine and gears to shift, it could be the perfect city car for you.

The AZ-1 is probably the coolest kei car in existence. It complies to all of Japan's small car regulations, using a tiny three-cylinder engine but packaged in a mid-engine layout. It even has gull-wing doors. How could you not love it?

Of course, if you want your Kei car experience to be roof-free, you'll have to go with the Honda Beat. Like the AZ-1, its engine is in the middle, but instead of having gullwing doors, it has a convertible soft top. Did I mention it revs to over 9000 RPM? Here's one you can own for under $10,000.

The Cappuccino is a Japanese-market Kei car never sold in America. Used examples are old enough that they're legally allowed to be imported here, and often times, they can be had for less than $10,000 all-in. This one on eBay is listed for just $7000.

The Corolla name is often associated with blandness and boredom, but the newest version of Toyota's economy car can be purchased in hatchback form, and with a manual transmission. Those two things alone make it worthy enough to be on this list. Mix in Toyota reliability, and you've got yourself a solid city car. This one's painted in a lovely shade of blue, and you can own it right now.

The Mazda 3 is one of the sweetest driving compacts on the market, and when equipped with either a 2.0- or 2.5-liter four-cylinder, it achieves well over 30 mpg on the highway. We recommend the bigger engine and Mazda's nice six-speed manual. Here's a stick-equipped model listed for sale now.

Mazda has yet to announce U.S. fuel economy figures for the new Skyactiv-X-equipped model, so we'll update this slide once it does.

Because the Fiesta ST only weighs 2742 pounds and makes 197 hp, it has the same power-to-weight ratio as a first-gen BMW M3. That's a great start. Add in that it's surprisingly roomy on the inside for how small it is on the outside, and you have a perfect little hot hatch. This one's listed for just above $13,000.

You wouldn't think the Subaru BRZ (or Toyota 86) is something most people would choose to own in a city, but in reality, it's a good option. You can sneak in and out of traffic like an urban autocross and then, when you get a chance to get out of town, you have a car that'll be at home on any road. A real winner. Here's one you can own for under $18,000.

Honda gave the new Fit a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 130 hp. And you'll definitely be able to make the most of that power because the tiny Fit also comes with a six-speed manual transmission. This used example can be yours today.

As Audi's first plug-in, the Sportback e-tron isn't the cheapest hybrid you can buy: At nearly $40,000, it's about $10,000 more expensive than the Prius. But it looks way better and it has a combined power rating of 204 hp. You can also drive it in full electric mode if you want to save gas while cruising around the city.

The Sonic's 138 hp from the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine is especially fun when paired with the optional six-speed. It's a small, light car that is perfect to zip in and out of traffic in a crowded city. And once you've had your fun, this thing will be just as easy to parallel park. Here's a new example you can own today.

The Ford Flex is a neat alternative to a van, able to carry lots of people while still looking cool. Plus, you can even get it with the 355-horsepower Ecoboost engine from the Taurus SHO. Here's one for sale right now.

The days of passing up a parking spot labeled "compact" are over. The minute, spunky, and punchy 500 Abarth makes 160 hp and it'll draw attention anywhere it goes. It's got sportier looks and bits over the regular Fiat 500, and it sounds absolutely amazing. Perfect for echoing off of those tall building downtown. This one can be yours for under $8,000.

Though the new Miata is a tiny bundle of joy. The new one has more than enough power and torque to shoot for gaps, and it's easy to park. Plus, you can put the top down at any stoplight for an amazing view of the buildings above. Here's a Club version you can own right now.

Whenever you mention a city car, a Mini will undoubtedly come to mind. And the JCW Hardtop is among the most fun. It might be expensive, but it's fast and funky. Isn't that what counts? This one has low miles, and you can own it.

The i3 is BMW's vision for the future of urban transportation. It has 170 hp from its electric motors and has lightweight carbon fiber construction to help maximize the range. It also looks like a sci-fi film come to life. Here's an early production model you can own for just $15,000.

The regular Smart ForTwo is a great city car, but the Brabus version takes it to another level. Making 123 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. of torque from a rear-mounted three-cylinder engine, it's guaranteed to make for a fun city runabout. Plus, you'll have no trouble squeezing into tight parking spots.

Though the Chevy Bolt has no sporty intentions, the instant torque it provides from zero rpm thanks to its electric powertrain means it can get out of its own way rather quickly. That, plus the small hatchback shape means you'll be diving for gaps in no time. This one has some miles on it, and now it can be yours for just $23,000.

You can't currently buy a new Elise in the U.S., but a pre-facelift model would still do nicely in the city. There's tons of visibility with the top off, and its small footprint and great Toyota engine mean maneuvering through tight spaces is a breeze. Here's a silver model listed on eBay right now.

If you like the idea of the Elise, but want something more livable, consider the Porsche Cayman. It's as agile as the Elise, but has a real interior and more power. This 2007 base model can be yours for just under $18,000.

Want the mid-engine experience in a tight package, but don't want to spend a bunch of money? The Toyota MR2 is the perfect solution, especially the first-gen model. It has a tiny footprint, making parking and cutting through lanes a breeze. If you're street parking it, we'd recommend avoiding the T-tops—they have a tendency to leak with old age. Here's one up for sale right now.

If you have the cash, there's no better way to cruise through the city than with an ultra-luxury car. And there is no better ultra-luxury car than the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Sure, it's harder to maneuver, but that's something your driver has to worry about, not you. This new white and silver model should do nicely.

If you absolutely must have a mid-engine supercar to show off on visits to late night clubs in the city, we suggest the McLaren GT. It's the company's attempt at a comfortable grand tourer, with a softer suspension, more luggage space, and shorter overhangs. That means you won't scrape on steep curbs pulling in and out of parking lots, but you'll still look good doing it. Here's a brand-new one you can own today.