Here are five of the best superminis you can buy right now

This is the Renault 4 (Luca de Meo’s version), a modish small SUV with a retro jacket on that offers a smidge more practicality than the smaller 5 hatch. It’s also our reigning EV of the Year. Vive la France!

Aimed at: young French farmers

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There’s a delicate line to tread with a retro modern take on a stone cold classic, but Renault has managed it well with its new 5. Nods to the past abound, but that doesn’t stop the supermini from being a great all round small electric car.

Aimed at: retrospectives

Read the full Renault 5 review

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Latest version of the Swift shows that cheap can still leave you feeling cheerful, especially with low monthly costs and the right kit levels.

Aimed at: bargain hunters

Read the full Suzuki Swift review

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The Renault Clio gets a lot right: the interior is good, the ride is forgiving, fuel economy is excellent and it even handles pretty keenly. And given that the base model gives you most of what you need, it’s competitively priced too.

Aimed at: Nicole, papa, toute le famille

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We were sceptical that Mini could convincingly update a decade-old design to remain competitive with this new-gen car, but partly because of the Mini’s inherent quality and partly due to the lack of convincing new rivals in this sorely underrepresented class, it’s still an easy car to recommend.

Aimed at: young urban professionals/estate agents

Read the full Mini Cooper Review

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