The law of unintended consequence can be cruel - you only have to look at the city car sector to understand that.

At a time when we’re being encouraged to consume less, these penny-pinching machines that use the least materials to build, and use very little energy when running, are being squeezed out by low CO2 legislation that has contrived to make a 2500kg plug-in hybrid SUV a more ‘environmentally acceptable’ choice. Hey ho.

Still, the best city cars aren’t going down without a fight, and despite the increasing challenge of making these mini marvels meet lawmakers' demands the current crop is some of the best ever.

Anyone who reckons downsizing means you’ll be shackled with a cramped, spartan and cheaply engineered tin box should think again. 

In fact, such has been the pace of change in this class that most in our list (there is one exception) could cope as everyday transport regardless of whether you spend the day darting around the urban jungle or pounding up down motorways. 

What’s more, with their skinny tyres, low mass and peppy engines, these machines often deliver driver thrills way out of proportion to their humble place in the automotive pecking order.

Our top 10 is packed with charming city cars that mix low running costs with a surprising sheen of sophistication that often makes them a more compelling proposition for supermini models in the class above, which cost quite a lot extra for very little material gain. As a result, our advice is to snap one up now before it’s too late.

The best city cars