06 February 2009 - 17:00
Clarkson hearts small cars
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:
Want to comment on this?
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. :(
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
what a car, every one should have 1 instead of walkin :D or just buy a supercar lol love top gear keep it up lads
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.
what a car, every one should have 1 instead of walkin :D or just buy a supercar lol love top gear keep it up lads
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.
He's right, on the public highway would you rather: a/ Drive along at 50, but feel like you're doing 90, with the excitement of squeezing the last ounce of performance from a small hatch. or b/ Drive along at 90, but feel like you're doing 50, permanently frustrated that you can't unleash the lurking ponies because of unsuitable roads and other cars. By the way, before you answer, you hsould know that option b/ mandates a statutory 3 points a year minimum. "Honestly officer, it really isn't fast in one of these!"
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.
Hi,Jeremy....Looks like Top Gear had a new series 13 and I saw a Perodua MyVi, a Proton Satria-neo with herbie stripes(ish),and a Chevy Aveo.When is it showing? I will wait for it in Malaysia.
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.
i agree but you forgot to put the panda in that list. it actually is a better laid out small car than the 500. its really a bundle of fun and a far better car than that rubbish from the koreans like the hyundai.
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement feature
Discover the new Insignia VXR
The Vauxhall Insignia VXR is in showrooms now. To read more about the car and for your chance to win an iPod Touch, click here.
Test Driven
.jpg?p=080926_03:52)
Audi TT Roadster
Forget the hyperdrive quattro versions. This honest, no frills TT is one of the best you can buy.
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
swiss commented on this article
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.