The modern car market offers its customers a wide variety of cars designed to meet any demand. These are representative models, and smart sports cars, and the budget group “B”. Separate attention is deserved by cars of a class "A" - the compact cars intended for trips in the conditions of the city. We have compiled a review that will introduce you to representatives of this category, the most popular in Russia and abroad.

Modern cars for the city should be comfortable and compact

The main characteristics of the category

Segment “A” cars are ultra-compact low-speed cars with excellent maneuverability, perfectly adapted to driving on city streets. In some countries, for example, in Great Britain, they bear such a name - “city car” or “city car”. In Russia, the name “mini-class” is sometimes used to designate a category.

The most striking modern representatives of a very small class are such models as Dawood Mathew, Smart, Toyota Aygo, Subaru R2, Peugeot 107, Fiat Panda, Citroën C1, Chevrolet Spark and others. Until recently, the VAZ-1111 “Oka” was manufactured in Russia - a minicar city car of the budget category.

Video about choosing A-segment machines:

The main characteristics of machines of this class include:

• especially small body sizes - from 3 to 4 meters;
• front-wheel drive;
• front transverse engine;
• low speed - from 150 to 180 km / h.

The width of mini-cars does not exceed 1.6 meters. This allows you to perform complex parking maneuvers in a small space. Low speed does not allow to use such cars on intercity routes, but for the city 150 km / h will be quite enough.

The car maintains stability due to low ground clearance, but this factor has a negative effect on its permeability. However, in the conditions of the city, this characteristic is not basic.

Toyota Aygo

If you look at the photo of a very small segment of cars, you can see that these are mainly 3 and 5 door hatchbacks. In most models, the engine is located in front, but some manufacturers prefer to move it back, sacrificing a boot.

In order to provide the driver and passengers with sufficient internal space, the designers reduced the size of the wheels and wheel wells, as well as increased the height of the ceiling of the cars - this is clearly seen in the photo. Despite the fact that mini-cars are designed for 4 passengers, it will be more convenient for them to move two adults with oversized baggage.

The advantages of the A-class cars include low fuel consumption, low tax on transport, reasonable prices, affordable service and a high level of security.

Fiat Panda

The smallest and most popular

We offer you a small overview of category “A” cars that are in demand in Russia and other countries.

• Kia Picanto. One of the most popular on the used car market model. This car received 3 stars in the EuroNCAP crash test, which is quite a good indicator for this category. Has a body length of up to 3.5 m, four-speed automatic transmission and engine, the volume of which can vary: 1 liter with a power of 60 hp and 1.1 liters with a power of 64 hp Decent appearance (which confirms the photo) in combination with a reasonable price and build quality makes this model quite attractive as a second car for the owner of the family.

  

  Kia Picanto

• Peugeot 107. These stylish French cars have won the recognition of residents of Russian cities due to their compact size, modern design, economical 3-cylinder petrol engine and camshaft timing system. It is worth highlighting the fact that according to the results of crash tests of EuroNCAP, these mini-cars received 4 stars. Comfortable lounge is equipped with all necessary systems that ensure a comfortable ride through the city.

  

  Peugeot 107

• Dawood Mathew. Photos of this baby can be seen on advertisements of cars of class “A” - it is so characteristic for this segment. The advantages of the model include a stylish look, a fairly powerful motor (1 l and 0? 8 l with a power of 64 hp and 52 hp, respectively) and a low price. Among the shortcomings - the lack of ABC and airbags. These cars can often be seen on the streets of major cities of Russia: compactness and maneuverability, coupled with stylishness, added points to the rating of this baby and allowed him to get into our review.

  

  Dawood Mathew

• Hyundai Getz. This budget Korean copes with the Russian climate, fuel and roads. The car is equipped with a 4-cylinder engine for 1.3 or 1.6 liters with a power of 85/105 hp, running on gasoline. The manufacturer offers its customers a choice: 1 or 2 camshafts, as well as automatic 4-speed or manual 5-speed gearbox. Thanks to the increased ground clearance and enhanced suspension, this mini-car demonstrates good handling and a smooth ride. The safety of passengers and cars while traveling is monitored by various passive and active systems.

  

  Hyundai Getz

• Nissan Micra. To create this model, the developers used a retro-style: the photo shows graceful arches of arches and highly placed headlights of the original form. The engineers drove the rear and front wheels as far as possible for this class, thanks to which four adult passengers fit freely in the spacious cabin. To accommodate luggage, you can fold or remove the seat. The package includes: three petrol or two diesel engines, 4 or 5-speed manual gearbox, ESP, EBD, Break Assist, rain sensor, climate control, side curtains safety, airbags front and side. The motor starts with a chip key, which also controls the trunk and door lock.

  

  Nissan Micra

• Audi A2. Complete our review of a stylish city car, the creation of which worked German engineers. Aluminum frame body design gives this car reliability and lightness. The front part is created according to the honeycomb principle, which allows to reduce the impact energy in case of an accident. An economical 1.4-liter engine can run on gasoline or diesel fuel (in the first case a 4-cylinder engine is used, in the second - a 3-cylinder engine) and to produce 75 hp of power. The maximum speed of movement of this car is 173 km / h, and the acceleration time to 100 km / h is 12 seconds.

  

  Audi A2

Class “A” vehicles are often used in Europe as a transport for couriers and service men, as well as taxis or cars for traveling to the country. They are very appreciated by students - for a democratic price, a presentable look and economical engines, as well as girls - for good handling, compactness and style. In our country, the popularity of mini-cars is growing every day. They are purchased as a second car in the family, for trips out of town, as a working machine for a company representative and much more.