The small car class, the supermini, has continued to grow in popularity in the past few years, and rightly so. They are a great price, with excellent fuel economy, lower CO2 levels, and easy to drive on country roads, motorways and city streets.

The compact size makes these cars versatile enough for everyday life, easy to manage and manoeuvre, and for any driver, whether as a first car, family car or sole driving.

Of all the small cars on the market, there is one bestseller: the Ford Fiesta.

Here we explore some similar alternatives to the Fiesta, focusing on different preferences for this type of car, including performance, value for money, quality, insurance group or comfort. Let’s take a look at the Renault Clio, Mini Hatch, Peugeot 208 and Volkswagen Polo. We have also included specific models for a like for like comparison on some of the key elements.

Ford Fiesta

As one of the bestselling cars in the UK of all time, the Fiesta may appear as an unbeatable choice in the supermini class. With great driving performance, fuel economy, and a great range of specs to choose from, the Fiesta has been a favourite for 45 years.

Ford Fiesta Hatchback 5 Door 1.0T EcoBoost 95 Trend

Fuel Economy (Mpg) 55.4

Luggage Capacity (Boot only) 292L

Insurance group 10E

Lease From (Per month) £214.71

Renault Clio

From the clean layout of the interior, intuitive handling and high-end tech and spacious interior, this car from Renault is undeniably good value for money.

A good overall driving experience brought about from a low set comfortable driving position, well-proportioned steering wheel and simple car instruments.

Although not as exhilirating to drive as some of the others on this list, the Renault Clio is well-priced and does everything you could want from a small car.

Renault Clio Hatchback 1.0 TCE 90 Play

Fuel Economy (Mpg) 54.3

Luggage Capacity (Boot only) 300L

Insurance group 9E

Lease From (Per month) £187.12

MINI 5Dr hatch

The supermini with maximum performance. Loved for its retro, slightly quirky style, the MINI is full of character and personality, whilst the interior maintains a premium feel to it.

Sporty and powerful steering, great grip on sharp corners and larger engines all make the MINI a pleasure to drive. The drawback of this performance is a reduction in some of the comfort and practical aspects of the car; a small boot of 278 litres, limited legroom for adults in the backseats and a firmer ride than a Fiesta but the great MINI styling more than makes up for this!

As the most premium option on this list, the MINI is the best rival to the Fiesta’s fine handling.

MINI Hatchback 5 Door 1.5 One Classic Nav Pack

Fuel Economy (Mpg) 47.9

Luggage Capacity (Boot only) 278L

Insurance group 13E

Lease From (Per month) £219.33

Peugeot 208

Often regarded as one of the best-looking superminis on the market, the high-quality interior of the Peugeot 208 complements the exterior styling. There is also the option for the all-electric e208, which keeps the desirable look both inside and out.

When stepping into the Peugeot 208, the first thing you will likely notice is the small steering wheel, the smallest on this list. This slightly unusual design choice can affect the feel of the steering; however, many drivers claim it does help with manoeuvrability.

The 10-inch colour touchscreen allows easy access to all audio, air-con, and connected navigation features, although slightly insensitive. The Peugeot 208 is a stylish, modern, high-quality and well-made alternative to the Fiesta.

Peugeot 208 Hatchback 5 Door 1.2 PureTech 100 Active Start+Stop

Fuel Economy (Mpg) 48

Luggage Capacity (Boot only) 311L

Insurance group 19E

Lease From (Per month) £200.40

Volkswagen Polo

The best way to summarise a Polo? Sensible. The Polo is a great all-rounder, providing comfort, practicality, generous space, a smart look, and everything else most Fiesta drivers are looking for.

Often compared to the Seat Ibiza, the Polo boasts a high-quality interior and a mature feel to it.

Topping Autocar's list as the closest thing to an ideal supermini, it is unlikely you’d be disappointed by the interior space, comfort and smooth quiet ride of the Volkswagen Polo.

Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 5 Door 1.0 TSI 95PS SEL

Fuel Economy (Mpg) 53.3

Luggage Capacity (Boot only) 351L

Insurance group 8E

Lease From (Per month) £193.63

The Verdict

It would be unfair to claim that there is a perfect supermini. Each has its advantages and as with any car choice, it is best to go with your instinct. All of these superminis are a good alternative to the Fiesta, with each excelling in a specific area:

Performance & handling - The MINI.

Sensible all-rounder – Volkswagen Polo.

Value for money – Renault Clio.

High quality looks – Peugeot 208.

This is not a comprehensive list by any means, as there are many other similar and price competitive superminis such as the Citroen C3, Skoda Fabia, Nissan Micra and Seat Ibiza.

Browse our special car leasing offers for small cars here at Pink Car Leasing or talk to an expert on 0116 402 6500.