Tested, driven, and approved by people who know what it’s like to park in a European city.
Let’s be real: choosing a city car is not the most thrilling part of adulthood. But it’s a decision you’ll feel every day. When you’re stuck in traffic, hunting for parking, or just trying to zip across town without draining your savings (or sanity).
After a week of driving through narrow lanes, dodging scooters, and yes, parallel parking with an audience, here are the 3 cars we’d actually recommend. Not because a brochure says they’re great, but because they genuinely made our lives easier, not harder.
1. Fiat 500e – The Stylish City Slicker
Type: All-electric
Price: ~€28,000
We weren’t sure if it was the matte pastel paint or the iconic silhouette, but the amount of people who turned their heads when we drove the 500e? Unexpected.
Beyond the looks, this car gets city life. It’s small enough to slide into impossible parking spots and smooth enough to forget you’re driving on cobblestones. We especially loved the regenerative braking in stop-and-go traffic—it just makes sense.
Why we liked it:
- Instant acceleration (it’s nippy!)
- Super quiet
- Feels luxurious inside, without being pretentious
- Easy to charge with fast-charging options
- Range? Around 250 km if you’re not flooring it—perfect for daily runs
Perfect for: Urbanites who want an electric car that feels like a statement piece—but is still practical AF.
2. VW Up! – The Low-Maintenance Legend
Type: Petrol
Price: ~€16,000
Okay, we admit it: the VW Up! is kind of the sleeper hit of this list. It doesn’t scream “look at me,” but after a few days of driving it, we were weirdly attached.
It just… works. Simple controls, solid engineering, easy on fuel, and affordable. No fuss, no fluff.
Why we liked it:
- Doesn’t feel cheap, even though it’s on the budget end
- Light steering, great turning circle
- Fits everywhere
- 251L of surprisingly usable boot space
- Super fuel-efficient (we averaged around 4.9L/100km)
Perfect for: First-time drivers, students, or anyone who wants a trusty daily drive without the drama (or the charging cables).
3. Renault ZOE R135 – The Smart Choice for Practical People
Type: Electric
Price: ~€32,000
The ZOE was probably the most surprising of the three. From the outside, it’s not shouting about being an EV, but inside? It’s got space, comfort, and enough range to do a spontaneous weekend getaway and still make it to Monday meetings.
Driving it feels light and intuitive—honestly, it’s kind of the EV Goldilocks: not too small, not too big, just right.
Why we liked it:
- Real range of about 300–330 km (yes, really)
- Smooth ride, even on less-than-perfect roads
- Quiet and refined cabin
- Big boot for the category (338L!)
- Easy to charge—50 kW fast charging available
Perfect for: Small families, commuters with range anxiety, or anyone who doesn’t want to compromise between eco and practical.
Our Final Thoughts:
- Want something fun, electric, and full of personality? Go for the Fiat 500e.
- Need a budget-friendly warrior that does what it says on the tin? VW Up! for the win.
- Looking for an EV that does everything right? ZOE’s your girl.
All three are winners in our book. It just depends on your vibe (and your budget).
Let us know if you want a follow-up on hybrids, or a deeper dive into running costs. And if you’ve test-driven one of these too, tell us what you think!
