Smallest Electric Cars 2023
In this article, we will be discussing the latest small electric cars available in the market, ranging from drive range to electric motor specifications. While there were initial concerns about the feasibility of electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, due to insufficient infrastructure and lack of favourable policies, the market seems to be evolving rapidly. 2023 appears to be the year that will witness an upsurge in the market for electric and autonomous vehicles.
1. Mazda MX 30
Mazda is known for its innovative approach, and the MX-30, its first all-electric car, is no exception. This vehicle has a unique design, featuring toy-car looks and an unusually small battery pack of just 35.5kWh. This translates into an official range of 124 miles, a range Mazda believes is sufficient for most owners. The car's compact battery size also reduces unnecessary weight and cost.
Despite the small battery, the MX-30 offers a reasonably spacious interior, an SUV-lite body style, and interesting cabin materials that create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Additionally, the car has distinctive suicide rear doors, a nod to Mazda's previous rotary-powered RX-8 coupe. However, these doors can be impractical for everyday use.
The MX-30's driving experience is where it truly stands out. The 143bhp electric motor is not the most powerful, but the vehicle handles exceptionally well on interesting roads with a bit of pace. The MX-30's steering is nicely weighted, and the suspension transfers weight in a supple manner during cornering, reminiscent of Mazda's iconic MX-5 sports car. However, the car's driving experience may feel a little plain around town. The MX-30 has a charging capacity of up to 50kW, making it easy to charge on the go. If the limited range meets your daily needs, there is much to appreciate about this unusual vehicle. It could serve as an effective second car.
The MX-30's small battery size may concern some potential buyers, but Mazda has thoughtfully designed the car to offset this concern. The company suggests that this range is more than adequate for most drivers' daily needs, and the smaller battery results in a lighter, more agile vehicle with a lower overall cost.
The MX-30's interior is well-designed and spacious, with an SUV-lite body that is popular with today's drivers. The car's cabin is also unique, with interesting materials and a warm atmosphere that sets it apart from other electric cars on the market.
When it comes to driving, the MX-30 truly shines. The vehicle's handling is exceptional, particularly on winding roads, and the steering and suspension are reminiscent of Mazda's beloved MX-5 sports car. While the car's performance may feel a little plain when driving around town, it's still a pleasure to drive.
In conclusion, the Mazda MX-30 is a unique and appealing electric car option that challenges the conventional wisdom regarding battery size and range. If the limited range meets your daily needs, there is much to like about this innovative and stylish vehicle.
2. MG 4
The MG 4 is a compact hatchback car produced by the British carmaker MG Motor. It was first launched in China in 2013 and has since become available in other markets, including the UK. The car is designed to offer a blend of style, performance, and practicality, making it an ideal choice for drivers looking for a compact car with good fuel economy and practical features.
On the outside, the MG 4 has a sporty and modern design, featuring a bold front grille, sharp headlights, and a low-slung profile. It is available in several different trims, including the entry-level Explore, mid-range Excite, and top-of-the-line Exclusive. The car's exterior is available in a range of vibrant colours, giving buyers plenty of options to choose from.
Inside, the MG 4 offers a spacious and comfortable cabin, with ample headroom and legroom for up to five passengers. The dashboard is designed with functionality in mind, featuring an intuitive touchscreen infotainment system that includes satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rear view camera. The car also comes with a range of safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and airbags.
The MG 4 is available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, depending on the market. In the UK, the car comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which produces 106 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, although an automatic gearbox is available as an option. The car's fuel economy is rated at 42.8 mpg on the combined cycle, which is competitive for its class.
The MG 4 is designed to offer a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, with a suspension setup that strikes a good balance between comfort and handling. The car's steering is responsive, and the brakes are strong, giving drivers confidence when driving on a range of different roads.
In terms of practicality, the MG 4 is designed with everyday use in mind. The car's boot is spacious, with a capacity of 280 litres, which can be expanded to 1,332 litres with the rear seats folded down. This makes the car ideal for drivers who need to carry larger items, such as luggage or sports equipment.
In conclusion, the MG 4 is a well-designed and practical compact car that offers good performance, fuel economy, and a range of practical features. Its sporty design and modern features make it an attractive choice for younger drivers, while its practicality and spacious cabin make it a practical choice for families. Overall, the MG 4 is a versatile car that is sure to appeal to a wide range of drivers.
3. Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a small car that has been in production since 1957. The car has been an iconic part of Italian automotive culture for decades and has undergone numerous updates and redesigns over the years. In this article, we will explore the latest version of the Fiat 500, which is an all-electric car.
The Fiat 500 electric, also known as the New 500, was introduced in 2020 as an eco-friendly update to the classic Fiat 500. The car is available in three different variants: the hatchback, convertible, and 3+1, which is a unique design that features a small door on the passenger side for easier access to the back seat.
The car is powered by a 42 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides a range of up to 199 miles on a single charge. The battery can be charged using a standard home charger or at public charging stations. The car also has fast-charging capabilities, allowing it to charge up to 80% in just 35 minutes.
The electric motor in the Fiat 500 produces 117 bhp of power and 220 Nm of torque. The car can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 9 seconds and has a top speed of 93 mph. The car's performance is smooth and responsive, with a quiet and refined driving experience.
In terms of design, the Fiat 500 electric retains the classic styling of the original 500, but with modern updates and features. The car has a rounded body shape and a retro-inspired interior with a minimalist dashboard and a large touchscreen display. The car is also available in a variety of vibrant colours and customization options, allowing buyers to personalize their car to their liking.
The Fiat 500 electric also comes with a range of advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The car has been awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP, making it one of the safest cars in its class.
Overall, the Fiat 500 electric is a stylish and practical electric car that combines classic design with modern technology. It offers a respectable range and performance, making it suitable for daily driving and longer journeys. The car's eco-friendly credentials and advanced safety features make it a compelling choice for those looking for an electric car that is both practical and fun to drive.
4. Peugeot e-208
The Peugeot e-208 is an all-electric car that was introduced in 2019 as part of Peugeot's 208 line up. The car features a stylish design, advanced technology, and eco-friendly credentials that make it a compelling choice for buyers looking for an electric car.
The Peugeot e-208 is powered by a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides a range of up to 217 miles on a single charge. The battery can be charged using a standard home charger or at public charging stations. The car also has fast-charging capabilities, allowing it to charge up to 80% in just 30 minutes.
The electric motor in the Peugeot e-208 produces 134 bhp of power and 260 Nm of torque. The car can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 93 mph. The car's performance is smooth and responsive, with a quiet and refined driving experience.
In terms of design, the Peugeot e-208 features a sleek and modern exterior with a distinctive front grille and LED headlights. The car is available in a range of colors and customization options, allowing buyers to personalize their car to their liking. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with a minimalist dashboard and a large touchscreen display.
The Peugeot e-208 also comes with a range of advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The car has been awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP, making it one of the safest cars in its class.
In addition to its impressive range and performance, the Peugeot e-208 also offers a range of advanced technology features. The car comes with a fully digital instrument panel, a 10-inch touchscreen display, and advanced smartphone connectivity. The car also features Peugeot's i-Cockpit technology, which includes a compact steering wheel and a heads-up display for a more immersive driving experience.
Overall, the Peugeot e-208 is a stylish and practical electric car that combines advanced technology with eco-friendly credentials. It offers a respectable range and performance, making it suitable for daily driving and longer journeys. The car's advanced safety features and technology make it a compelling choice for buyers looking for an electric car that is both practical and fun to drive.
5. Vauxhall Corsa-e
Vauxhall has introduced its latest all-electric car, the Vauxhall Corsa-e, which shares many features with the Peugeot e-208. Although it may not have the same style and interior configuration as the French version, it is still a car worth considering. The Corsa-e boasts a respectable WLTP range of 222 miles, just slightly behind its sibling, and its exterior design is still handsome enough to turn heads.
However, the real beauty of this car lies in its performance. With a genuine everyday battery range of 180 miles, the Corsa-e handles corners with ease and offers a comfortable ride. The standard 100kW DC rapid charging compatibility is also a great selling point, enabling the car to be charged quickly on the go. Additionally, Vauxhall offers incentives such as free home charger installation and access to a special home energy tariff.
One of the main advantages of the Corsa-e is its wide availability, with Vauxhall's extensive dealer network across the UK. This combined with Vauxhall's attractive pricing and purchase incentives has made the Corsa-e one of the most popular EVs in the country, even among those who were initially hesitant about electric motoring. Testers agree that the Corsa-e is an impressive car that leaves a good impression on all who drive it.
Overall, the Vauxhall Corsa-e is a reliable and practical choice for those in the market for an electric car. Although it may not have the same flashy design and interior configuration as the Peugeot e-208, it offers impressive performance and accessibility at an affordable price point. With its substantial range and rapid charging capability, the Corsa-e is a car that can be driven with confidence both in the city and on longer journeys.
6. Mini Electric
Electric cars have been growing in popularity over the past few years, and the mini electric car is one of the latest additions to the market. This compact vehicle is a version of the classic Mini, which has been popular since the 1960s. The mini electric offers all of the style and charm of the original Mini, but with the added benefit of zero emissions.
The mini electric is powered by a 32.6 kWh battery, which provides a range of up to 145 miles on a single charge. It can be charged using a standard household socket, but it's recommended to use a dedicated charging point to ensure faster charging times. The mini electric can be charged up to 80% in just 36 minutes when using a 50 kW DC fast charger.
The electric motor provides instant torque, which means that the mini electric is surprisingly nippy and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 7.3 seconds. It has a top speed of 93 mph, making it suitable for both city and motorway driving.
The mini electric also features regenerative braking, which means that energy is recovered and stored in the battery when the driver brakes or decelerates. This helps to extend the range of the vehicle and maximise energy efficiency.
Inside, the mini electric is just as stylish as its petrol-powered counterpart. It features a 5.5-inch digital instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of headroom and legroom for both the driver and passengers.
Safety features on the mini electric include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. There's also an optional Driving Assistant pack, which includes features such as adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a reversing camera.
Overall, the mini electric is a fun and practical electric car that's perfect for city driving. It's stylish, efficient, and offers a decent range on a single charge. It's also packed with features and offers a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. With the growing popularity of electric cars, the mini electric is a welcome addition to the market and is sure to appeal to both Mini fans and electric car enthusiasts alike.
7. Ora Funky Cat
The ORA Funky Cat is a small electric car that was launched in China in 2020 by Great Wall Motors. With its quirky and unique design, the Funky Cat stands out from the crowd and has quickly gained popularity among young urban drivers.
The Funky Cat is a compact car, measuring just over 3.6 metres in length, making it ideal for city driving and parking. It's powered by an electric motor that provides 47 horsepower and a top speed of 100 km/h. The car has a range of up to 305 km on a single charge, which is more than enough for most daily commutes.
The design of the Funky Cat is what sets it apart from other cars on the market. The car features a rounded body shape, with a playful and cartoon-like front grille that resembles a cat's face. The car is available in a range of bright colours, including yellow, blue, and green, which further adds to its fun and playful appeal.
The interior of the Funky Cat is spacious and comfortable, with seating for four people. The car features a large touchscreen display in the centre of the dashboard, which provides access to the car's infotainment system, climate control, and other features. The car also features a panoramic sunroof, which adds to the car's airy and open feel.
Safety features on the Funky Cat include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and a rear view camera. The car also has airbags for the driver and front passenger, as well as side curtain airbags for both rows of seats.
One of the most impressive features of the Funky Cat is its price. The car is priced at around $10,000 in China, making it one of the most affordable electric cars on the market. This has helped to make electric cars more accessible to a wider range of consumers, particularly in urban areas where the cost of living can be high.
In conclusion, the ORA Funky Cat is a unique and fun electric car that's perfect for city driving. With its quirky design and affordable price, the Funky Cat has quickly gained popularity among young urban drivers in China. The car's spacious interior, range, and safety features also make it a practical choice for those looking for an electric car that's both fun and functional. As electric cars continue to grow in popularity, the Funky Cat is sure to be a popular choice for those looking for an affordable and stylish way to get around town.
