In recent years, cars have been getting bigger and bigger. If you take a look back at footage from the 60s and 70s, you might be amazed at just how svelte every car is. It’s part of the reason that finding space to park has gotten more difficult – we’re now driving vehicles that are twice the size of their forebears.
But that’s not to say that there aren’t small cars out there, and that they aren’t worth your consideration. Let’s look at a few reasons why a compact car beats a larger one.
Parking
We’ll begin with one of the more obvious points in favour of a smaller car: it’s easier to find a space to park in, and it’s easier to park once you’ve found it. Getting around tight bends and narrow alleyways in historical town centres is easy if the car’s sufficiently small.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is a fantastic reason to go small. Since smaller cars are carrying less weight, it follows that they’re able to get more miles from every gallon of fuel they consume. You can expect up to 70mpg from a smaller car, which makes it an economical choice, particularly for drivers who rack up a lot of miles.
Cheaper to Buy
The upfront cost of a smaller car tends to be a great deal less than that of a bigger car. This is because they require less raw materials to manufacture, and they’re easier to keep in storage. Smaller cars generally tend to be aimed at the more affordable end of the motoring market; they make it easier to shop according to a tight budget. With that said, there are still premium options out there, if you’d like to combine compactness with luxury. The Vauxhall Corsa, for example, offers tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control, and a heated windscreen; it’s available from Peter Vardy for around twelve grand, depending on whether you’re after three or five-door.
Lower Road Tax
This efficiency has other benefits. Since small cars only need small engines, they’re nowhere near as pollutive. This means that they’re often to be found on the lowest road tax band. If you opt for a hybrid or electric car, then you’ll save even more.
Lower Service and Insurance Costs
Smaller cars tend to be cheaper to service, simply because replacement parts require fewer raw materials. This in turn means that insurance providers can slash their premiums while still keeping their margins intact.