5 Best Luxury Small Cars

It’s safe to say that Audi was the first of the premium brands to launch a successful smaller car which had the same luxury standard as its larger models, and since then luxury small cars have proved to be a highly successful market. 

Other premium manufacturers have followed suit and now there are many high-spec compact luxury cars out there to choose from. These are not simply small cars with extras added on – these are cars with all the luxury feel and quality engineering of the top brands, in a more compact form. 

So, for those who want something more than a regular family car, and are looking for that high class style and feel when they drive, here is our pick of the top five luxury small cars which are on the market today:  

1. The Audi A3 

Audi worked successfully with Volkswagen to help create the small but perfectly formed Audi A3. This car has the ideal combination of the VW Golf chassis and engine, making it incredibly reliable, but enclosed within Audi’s stylish exterior and topped off with Audi’s luxury plush interior to complete it. 

The Audi A3 looks stunning but combines its sporty good looks with outstanding safety and fuel economy. The technology firing the car combined with the comfort of the interior make it one small car which really stands out from the crowd. 

Today there is a wide range of A3 models to choose from, including petrol, diesel, 1.4 litre and four-wheel drive. It’s one of the top luxury small cars out there and is very popular among commuters and families alike. 

2. The Volvo V40 

While the Volvo V40 might not be the first car that springs to mind when you think of luxury, this model is stylish without being showy. It has an amazing safety record and a really premium feel to the interior. 

It’s one for those who want to stand out from the crowd in a not so obvious way and it comes with Volvo’s reputation for building solid, reliable cars. It is incredibly comfortable and easy to drive making it one of our best 5 luxury small cars. 

3. The Mini Clubman

With Mini having been reinvented by BMW, the resulting cars offer a premium level luxury small car which everyone is clamouring for. The Mini Clubman comes with an amazing array of personalisation choices making it a great option for anyone who wants to make their car stand out from the crowd in a unique way. It offers great fun and style as a driving experience and comes with the luxury feel you’d expect from the German premium manufacturer. 

4. The Mercedes A-Class 

The Mercedes A-Class is a very popular car with all of the features and luxuries which Mercedes is famous for, scaled down into this outstanding small car. It retains the stylish Mercedes looks both for the exterior of the car and the interior. 

There is a wide choice of engine size with this vehicle and it offers a great driving experience and comfort level. For those who never considered a Mercedes to be within their price range, this luxury small car helps to bridge that gap. 

5. The BMW 1 Series 

This series first came on the market in 2004 and has proven popular ever since. The range offers all of the luxury and quality you would expect from BMW but in a smaller format. This small car stands out because it uses the BMW rear wheel drive system making it really fun to drive. 

The range features a choice of models and prices to suit every driver but they are all stand-out-from-the-crowd stylish and built to luxury standards. They all come with sat nav built in as one of the features and the handling is awesome. 

There are more luxury small cars out there on the market as well, but these were the ones which made our top five list due to their luxury feel, super performance and safety records, which make them all-round top small cars. 

Whether you are looking for a luxury, but practical, city car which is small enough to park and manoeuvre through busy traffic, or you want a smart family hatchback which is big enough to fit the whole family in but great to drive, you will find what you are looking for in our top five list. 

All of the luxury manufacturers have followed Audi’s lead in terms of creating successful, popular, high-selling small cars which make the premium brand name available to those who perhaps thought they’d never be able to afford a BMW or a Mercedes. 

This new breed of luxury small cars is paving the way for the future of luxury motoring – premium motoring doesn’t have to mean a huge car which does 7mpg any more. The motoring definition of luxury has changed forever.