Seven best jacked-up city cars on sale today

In recent years, a boom in sales of SUVs and crossovers has seen manufacturers come up with new and alternative ways to capitalise on the trend – spawning classes of car previously never thought.

SUV-inspired city runabouts may have seemed a wild idea a decade ago, but now, they’re fast becoming one of the most popular segments on today’s market. Here, we take a look at the seven best on sale today.

Vauxhall Viva Rocks

The Viva Rocks joined the British firm’s line-up late in 2017 and has instantly become one of its most interesting offerings. It’s well-equipped, offers good levels of equipment and is a genuine joy to drive. It maintains all the practicality and usability of the base Viva too, making it a perfect tiny tearabout.

Available from: £11,840

Ford Fiesta Active

This is the Fiesta Active, new for 2018 and guaranteed to be an instant sales success. It takes the already-excellent Fiesta platform, and adds more ruggedness – as well as more kit, including selectable driving modes, meaning drivers will be ready no matter the conditions.

Available from: £17,795

Kia Picanto X-Line

It adds a funky look to the little hatch, as well as more customisation options to give buyers an opportunity to create something unique and reflect their personalities via the means of a small crossover.

Available from: £12,600

Suzuki Ignis

It’s the only car on this list built from the ground up to be a little city tear-up that can also take a little bit more on if need be – especially so when paired with the firm’s excellent Allgrip four-wheel-drive system.

Available from: £9,999

Dacia Sandero Stepway

This budget machine is pretty basic, but as a result, it’s cheap and also boasts plenty of character. If you want something that can take just a bit more than the city runabout, then this is one of the cheapest – and definitely not the worst – way to do so.

Available from: £8,995

Citroen C3 Aircross

The C3 Aircross takes the already eccentric C3 and adds a little more pizzazz, with an increased ride height, beefier bodywork and – for the full lifestyle look – colour-matched roof rails.

Available from: £13,995

Fiat Panda Cross

This is more than just marketing to make it seem like a tiny off-roader – featuring an all-wheel-drive system and skid plates designed to protect the car from any terrain thrown at it. It’s a surprisingly capable little machine, and one we adore.

Available from: £12,995