.jpg?p=120209_04:29)
.jpg?p=120209_04:31)
.jpg?p=120209_04:54)
.jpg?p=120209_04:35)
.jpg?p=111221_03:51)
See TG's Guide to Small Cars gallery
Shock news: Clarkson has admitted that small, economical cars are actually better fun than big, lairy powerful ones.
It’s true. In his column in the new issue of Top Gear magazine (available in all less-than-reputable newsagents), JC writes:
“In the real world, away from the wide open spaces of the TG test track, a Fiat 500 is much more fun to drive than a Zonda. A Zonda will pull more men, but on a bumpy B road, you’ll be wearing a bigger smile in the Fiat, I promise. Or a Mini…”
He’s not ill or anything, honest. Truth is, it’s a great time in history for tiny, great-handling cars. Cars that won’t blow your budget, hobble you with eye-watering running costs or force you to remortgage your kidneys to raise some capital if someone bumps into you in the local multi-storey.
To remind you of all the good stuff out there, we’ve collected together the best little cars on sale today (and one or two ropey ones, just to be on the safe side) and metaphorically glued them all together in a lovely click-through gallery.
It’s definitely much more exciting than that Zonda R. Honest.
See TG's Guide to Small Cars gallery. Or jump straight to our verdicts on each of the cars listed below:
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
swiss commented on this article
at 09:05 am on 08 February 2009
What are you thinking mabye the fiat 500 abarth, but no way is it better than a lambo or a pagani! You are a looney, clarkson
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Conspiracy commented on this article
at 12:13 pm on 08 February 2009
Hey Jeremy... Like I am like so many others a pretty intense fan of you... But this is... isn't you... I know it can't be coming from you! You stand before a T.V show that millions watch, so why would you need to be a tree hugger for them? My neighbor can care for being conscious about the environment and all, and I can be myself, but you of all people have crushed your credibility as a neutral source of good car information. I wonder how much they payed you to say this. :(
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
rowan commented on this article
at 02:26 pm on 09 February 2009
i agree, small cars like the fiat 500 are very fun on the little B-roads at 40-60 mph when a large car seems a bit stiff on sharp slow corners, and people will like you in the fiat and think your a show off in the pagani.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
JouetsCitroen commented on this article
at 05:49 pm on 09 February 2009
Little cars are definitely a lot more fun to drive than anything like a Lambo/Pagani/Ferrari/Spyker - and they're so much more useful. Plus, they're probably a bit cooler. We all know that small Italian or French cars a very very cool indeed! Especially the likes of the 500, Clio, 207 and MiTo. One question - WHY isn't the 500 in the small cars gallery? Anyone who thinks Clarkson is completely wrong is completely wrong.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Capitaine_Lente commented on this article
at 01:23 pm on 13 February 2009
Of course he's right, it's horses for courses. A "bumpy B-road" is not the natural territory for a Zonda or a Lambo; they're too big, too wide for that kind of thing. Perhaps they're OK if you KNOW there's nothing coming the other way, but useless when you come nose to nose with Farmer Giles coming the other way in his Massey Ferguson. Just try reversing a Gaillardo 200m back to the nearest passing place. On that type of road nothing beats a small car, apart from a bike (and we know Jezzer's feelings on those). A Fiat 500 or a Mini (even better a proper Mini) will feel fast on a B-road even if you're not going that fast. And the great thing is, you'll probably get to keep your licence too. Still not convinced? Remember the fastest car on the planet is the Seat Ibiza you hire on your Spanish holiday.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.