Best small cars with an automatic gearbox

Close News by Jack Warrick 1 min read 5 April 2024 Follow @jackwarrick With each passing year, more and more drivers are switching to an automatic gearbox instead of a traditional manual.  According to the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVSA), a total of 324,064 driving tests from 2022 to 2023 were completed in an automatic car.  While it’s still far from the 1.36 million manual tests taken in the same period, it’s still an increase of 360% compared to 15 years ago.   Related articles There are a few reasons why this might be, including the rising number of electric cars which don’t have a traditional gearbox, plus the ever-falling number of cars on sale that offer them.  That also means many new drivers will be hunting for their first car with an automatic gearbox, and those on a lower budget will be looking at many of the great small car options on sale in the UK.  But enough waffle. Which are the best small cars with an automatic gearbox on sale in the UK right now? Check out our top ten list below. To be clear, we’ve excluded electric cars from this list. The best small cars with an automatic gearbox 1. Renault Clio9Pros Plush, premium interiorSeemless hybrid drive Cons Ride can feel lumpy at timesRear space lacking The new Renault Clio has a choice of two engines: a 1.0-litre petrol and a frugal E-Tech hybrid. It's only the latter that comes with an automatic gearbox, but the good news is that both are great options on the road. The Clio E-Tech full hybrid produces 143bhp and power is managed by a four-speed automatic with two electric motors.It’s frugal too, with a claimed efficiency of 67.3mpg. It’s the cheapest hybrid on sale in the UK today, starting from £21,495.Read our Renault Clio reviewSave money on a new Renault Clio with WhatCar? Latest Reviews Porsche Taycan Jeep Renegade BMW X6 M Competition View all car reviews Back to top 2. Seat Ibiza9Pros Responsive and refined enginePractical for its size Cons Firm ride in the FRNoisier ride than rivals 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 gets the option of a seven-speed automatic transmission. It’s partnered with the Volkswagen Group’s excellent 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, producing 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 reviewSave money on a new Seat Ibiza with WhatCar?3. Skoda Fabia9Pros Great ride qualityUser-friendly interior Cons Uninvolving to driveScratchy plastics 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 six-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 boasts a genuinely user-friendly interior.Plus, 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.Read our Skoda Fabia reviewSave money on a new Skoda Fabia with WhatCar? Back to top 4. Toyota Yaris8Pros Class-leading economyExcellent around town Cons Poor rear and boot spaceEngine isn't one for the enthusiast... 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. Luckily, 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 with 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 70.6mpg offered.That’s a figure genuinely achievable in day-to-day driving. It’s no slouch, either - you’ll hit 0-62mph in 9.7sec.Read our Toyota Yaris reviewSave money on a new Toyota Yaris with WhatCar?5. Jeep Avenger8Pros Good energy efficiencyThe most well-rounded Avenger Cons Other mild hybrids are more engaging to drivePracticality isn't its strong suit After its heralded arrival as an EV, Jeep's compact crossover gained a mild-hybrid petrol option, with it bringing a near-£10,000 saving and - you guessed it - an automatic gearbox.It’s the same six-speed dual-clutch automatic as the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 - both come from Stellantis’ parts bin - with a gearbox-mounted electric motor. The electric motor