There are no shortage of fantastic cars that are marvelous on the open road but miserable in urban traffic. If most of your time behind the wheel is spent driving in and around town, your best bet is a set of wheels that's easy to park, undemanding to drive, and won't require a bank loan to cover fuel costs. Here are ten outstanding urban warriors that make up in grit what they lack in glamour.
1. Honda Insight
Two seats and upwards of 40 MPG in the city: Double-whammy. The Insight never fails to amaze me. Even in the worst stop-and-go traffic Los Angeles has to offer, and I'm talking 45 minutes at no more than 15 miles per hour, the Insight still tops 30 MPG. That's not just good, that's unreal. Head out for a weekend trip, and the Insight can return nearly double. And if you drive alone to work, as most of us do, do you really need anything bigger than a two-seater?
2. Toyota Echo
Planning a long career in the city? Here's a car you should check out. The Echo is neither inexpensive nor exciting, but its an excellent long-term investment. It's simple, durable, and as reliable as the day is long. Buy an Echo, and it'll still be hauling you back and forth from the office long after other cars of the same vintage are rusting away in the junkyard.3. Scion xA and xB
Read enough of our Top 10 lists, and you'll see the baby Scions appearing time and again. (Since they both have the same city-friendly attributes, I'm lumping them together.) The xA and xB are based on the aforementioned Toyota Echo, and they offer the same outstanding durability and economy with a bit more pizzaz. I prefer the xA's fluid lines, but the xB is better for schlepping large, awkward items that won't fit in other mini-cars. All that, and 30+ MPG.4. Hyundai Accent
The most harsh of urban environments can beat the daylights out of a car. Best to go with something you don't mind getting dinged up, so how about one of the least expensive subcompacts on the market? The Accent isn't just a sacrificial lamb, either. It's small, nimble, powerful enough for decent acceleration with an automatic, and surprisingly entertaining to drive. Not much image, but that's OK. What you save on car payments you can spend on your wardrobe.5. Honda CR-V
The CR-V is based on a Civic, and it drives accordingly; it's nimble, light, and it gets better gas mileage than almost anything in its size class. It's as efficient with space as it is with fuel, thanks to a flat floor with no driveline "hump". And its choice of front-wheel-drive or full-time all-wheel-drive make it much better suited to bad weather. Plainly put: This is the city person's SUV.6. Toyota Prius
Slow stop-and-go driving wreaks havoc on gas mileage, unless you drive a Prius. Thanks to its ability to run on battery power at low speeds, the Prius actually gets better mileage in the city, though you'll need to do some driving at speed to recharge the Prius' battery (otherwise it runs on gasoline, albeit not much of it). Though a little on the large side, the clear-glass hatchback makes the Prius a cinch to park, and it's got enough room to take four co-workers to lunch.7. Volkswagen Golf
If you've been to Europe, you've seen what passes for city streets: Tiny alleys that make our urban arteries look like six-lane highways. (Here in LA, many of our urban arteries really are six-lane highways.) The Golf has been a best seller in Europe for years; its five-door hatchback body combines decent passenger and luggage room with short length. Opt for the diesel and enjoy fuel economy that rivals the hyrids, with fuel that's cheaper than gasoline.8. Jeep Wrangler
Though known as an accomplished off-roader, the Wrangler is as well suited to the urban jungle as it is to the Amazon jungle. A super-tight turning radius and squared-off dimensions make the Wrangler easy to handle and park. Pull down the soft top and you've got an open-air experience that few convertibles can match. At low speeds, the Jeep's lumpy ride is just smooth enough to avoid spilling your Starbucks. Best of all, there isn't a pothole in the world the Wrangler can't conquer.