The minicar, the microvan, the nanocar – the tiny vehicles that have been cropping up on city roads across the globe have many names. Japan was among the first countries to recognise their virtues, establishing the kei category in 1949. Others have warmed to them too – most notably China, where surging domestic sales of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV have seen it dethrone the Tesla Model 3 as the world’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV).

With consumers increasingly prioritising energy efficiency, automakers are now offering vehicles that are conspicuously more diminutive than their fuel-guzzling counterparts. Advances in engineering and design have allowed newer microcars to pack more amenities and technology into their bijou frames. Meanwhile, government incentives for compact cars are becoming common, from subsidies in South Korea to preferential parking in Guernsey. 

Almost every major automaker has entered the sector, responding to growing demand – particularly from young urbanites, among whom these compact vehicles have become status symbols. They make sense for urban life: they can zip down alleys and squeeze into tight parking spots, and are safer, quieter and less obtrusive than larger vehicles. But they’re not limited to cities. Models such as the Suzuki Hustler and the Kia Ray are built for country drives, while specialedition models including Fiat’s Topolino are perfect for cruising along the Italian Riviera. Here are 10 of the mightiest microcars on the market. — L

Fiat’s Topolino is a restyled version of the Citroën Ami. Like the original, it’s a two-door, two-seater electric quadricycle, though drivers who want to feel the wind in their hair can choose the Dolce Vita edition, which has a doorless open carriage and a canvas roof. Its name is a nod to the original Fiat 500, which ceased production in 1955 and was widely known as “Topolino” (Mickey Mouse’s Italian moniker). It comes in teal with cream interiors and has a top speed of 45km/h.

Co-founders Merlin and Oliver Ouboter unveiled their Microlino concept at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2016. Four years later, a redesign resulted in the two-seat, four-wheel EV that’s now produced in Turin. The Microlino can reach 90km/h, though it’s so small that it’s technically classified as a quadricycle. It has a sunroof and comes in various shades of pastel or primary colours, with a glossy or matte finish. Prices range from €16,500 to €23,000.

The first generation of the Daihatsu Copen, launched in Japan in 1999, was a two-door roadster with a hard convertible top and bubbly curves suggestive of a children’s toy. The model that’s now in production is slightly more angular but retains the original’s charm and has a top speed of about 170km/h. The Copen – the anglicised form of the Japanese word kopen, a portmanteau of kei and “open” – is a particularly fine example of the light automobile.

The Suzuki Ignis is a rare beast: an suv version of the dinky Japanese kei-class car. It’s reliable and feels roomier than most micro-vehicles, with more than 500 litres of storage when the rear seatbacks are folded. But you won’t buy one for haulage – its main draw is that it’s fun to drive in the city. The 434 option is perfect for more rustic outings, while the new sz-t version comes with roof rails, 16-inch alloy wheels and side mouldings that are guaranteed to turn heads.

This two-door hatchback comes in two versions, the faster of which can reach 85km/h. The Silence s04 has the distinction of being one of the first EVs with a removable battery, making charging more convenient – drivers can plug in at home or subscribe to a service allowing them to swap dying batteries for fresh ones at designated stations. Spain’s Silence produces the s04 at a former Nissan factory in Barcelona and Nissan is leading its distribution in Europe.

The Magic Iris is a diesel-powered microvan produced by Tata Motors, one of India’s largest carmakers. It has four seats, a front cab with two doors and a third rear door, and its top speed is 55km/h. It has diamond-shaped headlights and measures a little under three metres in length. It was designed with the domestic market in mind: it’s a safer alternative to the rickshaws and tuk-tuks that are ubiquitous in the country’s megacities.

The two-door, four-seater Wuling Hongguang Mini is the world’s best-selling EV. It’s also one of the cheapest, with the basic model priced at about €4,000. It was launched in 2020 by sgmw, a joint venture between saic Motor, Guangxi Auto and General Motors. The wallet-friendly price and a Pantone collaboration that resulted in a series offering three pastel-coloured options have made it especially popular among younger drivers. It can reach a speedy 100km/h too.

With its large windows and add-ons such as a side tarp that forms a shaded canopy, the Kia Ray will appeal to camping enthusiasts and day-tripping urbanites. In response to the growing demand for EVs in its domestic market, South Korea’s Kia released a new electric edition of this popular compact car in 2023, having discontinued the first EV Ray in 2018. It comes in shades ranging from white to aqua and the interior can be outfitted in either grey or black.

On the outside, the second generation of Honda’s N-One kei car is nearly indistinguishable from its predecessor. It has slightly deeper-set headlights, a larger grille and an additional strip of rear lights but most of the changes were reserved for the inside. These include enhanced safety features, extra storage space, usb ports and a sleeker dashboard. A special Style 1 Urban edition, launched in 2022, features two-tone leather seats and a faux-wood dashboard.

Released in 2022, Nissan’s four-seater Sakura is Japan’s best-selling EV. Nissan has decades of experience in the sector and pioneered the first mass-market EV but this is its first electric kei car. Though narrow, the Sakura’s height allows for plenty of storage space, especially when the backseats are folded flat. It has an impressive top speed of 130km/h and comes in a range of colours, including pink, in honour of Japan’s national flower, the cherry blossom.