Cars that fall into the “small” category include hatchbacks, small sedans and compact cars. While they may lack the physical presence of bigger cars, they boast advantages such as lower fuel costs, easier parking (especially parallel) and generally lower price tags. But be prepared for a trade-off in passenger and cargo space. So what should you look for in a small car?

Design

These days, small cars need not resemble cartoon caricatures. Car marques are putting out stylish cars that are sometimes marketed as a way for a driver to make a lifestyle and design statement.

Interior space

Most models provide seating for five people, two in front and three in the rear, so it may pose a challenge to seat a three-generation family comfortably. Although the back usually has enough space for three adults, installing a child seat may take most of the available space.

If your back seat passengers are going to be young children, leg room space is not a priority. But with adults, you should check the amount of rear leg room. Adjust the driver’s seat to a distance that is comfortable for you, then see if the remaining space behind is enough.

Access

Some small cars are two-door models, which means you have to move the front seat to let rear passengers in and out. This is not a good idea if you frequently ferry small children or adults with limited mobility.

Cargo space

Check the dimensions of the boot, how it opens (upwards or sideways?), and how high you have to lift objects to place them in the boot. If you often carry big items like luggage or strollers, you may need to measure them to see if they’ll fit into the boot when you car-shop.

Many small cars have back seats that can fold down or be reconfigured to expand the boot space. A split-back design is the most versatile because one side can be folded down while a person occupies the other rear seat.

Engines and transmissions

Most small cars come with a four-cylinder engine and have manual transmission with an automatic option. But if your intention is to save fuel, get the manual version. A continuously variable transmission, an automatic designed to maximise fuel economy, is available in some models. Some cars offer an optional turbocharged engine for more power.

Safety features

Small cars in the budget category may not come with safety features like dual front air bags or anti-lock brake system. But if you have spare cash, these safety features and others like electronic stability control (ESC), traction control and safety-belt pre-tensioners are good to have.