What's your favourite small car "icon"?
Discussion
I'll avoid "best", as that's a little subjective.
The ones I'm thinking of really are the original post-war "people's cars", which depending on where you live would be the original VW Beetle/Type 2, Morris Minor/Austin Mini, original Fiat 500, Citroen 2CV and Renault 4, which have always slightly intrigued me. Do they still have merit/pass scrutiny today as classic cars to be cherished and enjoyed or have they rightfully been left in the past?
Perhaps some later cars maybe qualify too though and do it better such as the Renault 5, Peugeot 205, mk1 Golf, Fiat Panda etc or even the original Twingo, mk1 Ford Ka or VW Up but that may be pushing it a bit.
I also find it interesting that ignoring high performance cars, it tends to be small, cheap cars of the past that have been bestowed with iconic status. Are there any non-performance-oriented larger cars that would be considered as motoring icons? I can only think of the W123/W124/190 E Mercedes, 200-Series Volvos and classic Land Rover Defender/Range Rover perhaps?
I admit to having limited experience of most of the original small car "icons". The Mini and 2CV were the only ones around in massive numbers as a kid in the 1980s/1990s. My dad had a few 2CVs and I hated them at the time but wouldn't mind revisiting one now, I always wanted a classic Beetle and have never driven one but most were rusty heaps even in the 80s but I have spent a weekend with a Type 2 bay window camper and found it quite charming if rather underpowered but perhaps the lighter Beetle has more acceptable performance? Minis were of course prevalent but seemed a bit "old hat" in the 80s next to more modern hatchback superminis. I can't say that I remember seeing many Morris Minors/Fiat 500s/Renault 4s in my childhood, certainly in daily use, although my dad had a Fiat Panda and I don't recall it being considered as an "icon" at the time, just a cheap car if you couldn't afford an Uno, which were really popular but now largely forgotten. I have seen a fair few "classic" Fiat 500s when holidaying in Italy though and have to say that they look gorgeous but perhaps not so enjoyable to drive?
Interestingly, I have actually owned the "new" versions of the Mini, Fiat 500 and VW Beetle. Can they still be considered as small car icons? I'm not sure. The early MINI's certainly had the cheekiness/chuckability of the original Mini and although I think it's a fantastic piece of design, it is a slightly "premium" product and a triumph of form over function. Much the same with the 500 and VW, which don't really have that much in common with their ancestors. That being said, the MINI and 500 (and to a lesser extent the new Beetle) have certainly been a commercial success and appealed to the nostalgia of older people whilst also attracting a new, younger audience.
I'm still surprised that Citroen have yet to cash in on the cult following of the 2CV. My dad would argue that his C3 Picasso maintains the spirit of the 2CV but I think that it lacks the character and will be largely forgotten in 20 years time. I would also argue that my current fleet: mk4 Renault Clio and mk1 Captur are in the spirit of the original Renault 4/5 and one could argue that the Clio has in fact a longer 30+ year lineage than the 5 but then there is now a new Renault 4/5 EV, so perhaps I'm wrong about that?
I think there's a difference though. The originals were designed that way to be cheap to build and buy and just happened to become iconic designs ie function over form. The new reimagined versions are styled that way deliberately to evoke nostalgia for the originals and as a result can be compromised slightly in terms of practicality and not as cheap to make as their modern counterparts eg Clio/Captur in this instance.
You can't deny that the new 5 is the "must have" small car of the moment though, which speaks for the iconic status of the original design? I think that Peugeot are trying to evoke the 205 with the 208 a bit but aren't quite there yet. If they can nail it, then they might also have a car that everyone wants.
What of the Ford Fiesta and VW Polo though? They have both been around for the best part of 50 years and are both really great and well-loved, if not always class-leading small cars over the years but are they iconic? I'd have to say no. I don't think if Ford/VW launched a new Fiesta/Polo with a design throwback to the mk1 Fiesta/Polo that anyone would care or it would generate the same excitement as the new MINI/Fiat 500/Beetle/Renault 5 did. Is that because back in the day, you bought a Fiesta/Polo because you couldn't afford an Escort/Golf rather than because you wanted one like some of the other cars (Renault 5, Mini, 2CV, Fiat 500 etc)? Perhaps.
Anyway, to answer my original question. I would love a 205 GTi 1.9/mk1 Golf Gti as a usable, practical classic with "modern" performance but £20k for a nice one and £10k for a slightly ropey one is a little hard to jusify in 2026. I notice that nice (or cars that appear to be nice) examples of the 2CV/Beetle/Fiat 500/Mini etc are available for sub £10k, so is there still some enjoyment to be had in owning/driving them or are they just too outdated/underpowered to be useful or enjoyable in 2026? I think that a modern "classic" Cooper would still keep up fairly well with modern traffic and be enjoyable for a B-road blast but they probably command the highest prices of the 4 and potentially have the most catastrophic rust problem. I'm tempted by a classic Beetle, as I'm a long time VW enthusiast, my daughter really likes them and I've always wanted one and perhaps I'm more intrigued to revisit the 2CV to see how it drives and try the 500, as they just look so gorgeous but perhaps I would ultimately find both a bit frustrating?
So what is your favourite small car "icon", why and which would you most like to own?
The ones I'm thinking of really are the original post-war "people's cars", which depending on where you live would be the original VW Beetle/Type 2, Morris Minor/Austin Mini, original Fiat 500, Citroen 2CV and Renault 4, which have always slightly intrigued me. Do they still have merit/pass scrutiny today as classic cars to be cherished and enjoyed or have they rightfully been left in the past?
Perhaps some later cars maybe qualify too though and do it better such as the Renault 5, Peugeot 205, mk1 Golf, Fiat Panda etc or even the original Twingo, mk1 Ford Ka or VW Up but that may be pushing it a bit.
I also find it interesting that ignoring high performance cars, it tends to be small, cheap cars of the past that have been bestowed with iconic status. Are there any non-performance-oriented larger cars that would be considered as motoring icons? I can only think of the W123/W124/190 E Mercedes, 200-Series Volvos and classic Land Rover Defender/Range Rover perhaps?
I admit to having limited experience of most of the original small car "icons". The Mini and 2CV were the only ones around in massive numbers as a kid in the 1980s/1990s. My dad had a few 2CVs and I hated them at the time but wouldn't mind revisiting one now, I always wanted a classic Beetle and have never driven one but most were rusty heaps even in the 80s but I have spent a weekend with a Type 2 bay window camper and found it quite charming if rather underpowered but perhaps the lighter Beetle has more acceptable performance? Minis were of course prevalent but seemed a bit "old hat" in the 80s next to more modern hatchback superminis. I can't say that I remember seeing many Morris Minors/Fiat 500s/Renault 4s in my childhood, certainly in daily use, although my dad had a Fiat Panda and I don't recall it being considered as an "icon" at the time, just a cheap car if you couldn't afford an Uno, which were really popular but now largely forgotten. I have seen a fair few "classic" Fiat 500s when holidaying in Italy though and have to say that they look gorgeous but perhaps not so enjoyable to drive?
Interestingly, I have actually owned the "new" versions of the Mini, Fiat 500 and VW Beetle. Can they still be considered as small car icons? I'm not sure. The early MINI's certainly had the cheekiness/chuckability of the original Mini and although I think it's a fantastic piece of design, it is a slightly "premium" product and a triumph of form over function. Much the same with the 500 and VW, which don't really have that much in common with their ancestors. That being said, the MINI and 500 (and to a lesser extent the new Beetle) have certainly been a commercial success and appealed to the nostalgia of older people whilst also attracting a new, younger audience.
I'm still surprised that Citroen have yet to cash in on the cult following of the 2CV. My dad would argue that his C3 Picasso maintains the spirit of the 2CV but I think that it lacks the character and will be largely forgotten in 20 years time. I would also argue that my current fleet: mk4 Renault Clio and mk1 Captur are in the spirit of the original Renault 4/5 and one could argue that the Clio has in fact a longer 30+ year lineage than the 5 but then there is now a new Renault 4/5 EV, so perhaps I'm wrong about that?
I think there's a difference though. The originals were designed that way to be cheap to build and buy and just happened to become iconic designs ie function over form. The new reimagined versions are styled that way deliberately to evoke nostalgia for the originals and as a result can be compromised slightly in terms of practicality and not as cheap to make as their modern counterparts eg Clio/Captur in this instance.
You can't deny that the new 5 is the "must have" small car of the moment though, which speaks for the iconic status of the original design? I think that Peugeot are trying to evoke the 205 with the 208 a bit but aren't quite there yet. If they can nail it, then they might also have a car that everyone wants.
What of the Ford Fiesta and VW Polo though? They have both been around for the best part of 50 years and are both really great and well-loved, if not always class-leading small cars over the years but are they iconic? I'd have to say no. I don't think if Ford/VW launched a new Fiesta/Polo with a design throwback to the mk1 Fiesta/Polo that anyone would care or it would generate the same excitement as the new MINI/Fiat 500/Beetle/Renault 5 did. Is that because back in the day, you bought a Fiesta/Polo because you couldn't afford an Escort/Golf rather than because you wanted one like some of the other cars (Renault 5, Mini, 2CV, Fiat 500 etc)? Perhaps.
Anyway, to answer my original question. I would love a 205 GTi 1.9/mk1 Golf Gti as a usable, practical classic with "modern" performance but £20k for a nice one and £10k for a slightly ropey one is a little hard to jusify in 2026. I notice that nice (or cars that appear to be nice) examples of the 2CV/Beetle/Fiat 500/Mini etc are available for sub £10k, so is there still some enjoyment to be had in owning/driving them or are they just too outdated/underpowered to be useful or enjoyable in 2026? I think that a modern "classic" Cooper would still keep up fairly well with modern traffic and be enjoyable for a B-road blast but they probably command the highest prices of the 4 and potentially have the most catastrophic rust problem. I'm tempted by a classic Beetle, as I'm a long time VW enthusiast, my daughter really likes them and I've always wanted one and perhaps I'm more intrigued to revisit the 2CV to see how it drives and try the 500, as they just look so gorgeous but perhaps I would ultimately find both a bit frustrating?
So what is your favourite small car "icon", why and which would you most like to own?
Liked my old man's Panda4x4
For me it's MG Midget. Still a very affordable way into classic ownership. Not terribly practical but I know at least one bloke who has owned his almost 50 years and has never owned a "modern".
I've had three myself, but they were toys. I dailied them all but always had a backup family car.
For me it's MG Midget. Still a very affordable way into classic ownership. Not terribly practical but I know at least one bloke who has owned his almost 50 years and has never owned a "modern".
I've had three myself, but they were toys. I dailied them all but always had a backup family car.
There are too many to choose from...all the classic 80's hot hatches were small cars compared to what we have now, all of them must be in with a shout.
From the small cars I've owned VW Polo's were good little motors, bullet proof cars and easy to work on.
My 2005 Fabia VRS was a hilarious riot of a car never once was I fed up its power delivery which was too addictive.
This next one is so close to being my favourite, a 2014 Suzuki Swift Sport its one of the best best cars I've ever owned, it was small and light, it had just the right amount of power, handling to die for and over the four years I owned it not one thing went wrong.
I am now into year four of owning the best small hatchback out of all the cars I've mentioned, it has the addictive power delivery of the Fabia VRS, even better handling than the Swift Sport and so far the same bullet proof reliability, this one has a Toyota badge on the front, my 2021 GR-Yaris...its just amazing..!!!
From the small cars I've owned VW Polo's were good little motors, bullet proof cars and easy to work on.
My 2005 Fabia VRS was a hilarious riot of a car never once was I fed up its power delivery which was too addictive.
This next one is so close to being my favourite, a 2014 Suzuki Swift Sport its one of the best best cars I've ever owned, it was small and light, it had just the right amount of power, handling to die for and over the four years I owned it not one thing went wrong.
I am now into year four of owning the best small hatchback out of all the cars I've mentioned, it has the addictive power delivery of the Fabia VRS, even better handling than the Swift Sport and so far the same bullet proof reliability, this one has a Toyota badge on the front, my 2021 GR-Yaris...its just amazing..!!!
My favourite is probably the Fiat 127 because my Mums' one was the first car I drove after passing my test!
Although her 1979 Fiesta 1.1S was great fun to rag around too. Going up a little in size I loved my MK1 Golf GTi. Throttle response was fantastic even if the brakes were a bit crap.
Although her 1979 Fiesta 1.1S was great fun to rag around too. Going up a little in size I loved my MK1 Golf GTi. Throttle response was fantastic even if the brakes were a bit crap.
Lester H said:
The response will depend on whether the OP is asking favourite icon, or favourite classic to drive. Maybe the Model T is now a bizarre example, but the original Beetle, the Morris Minor and Renault 4 are all definitive icons, but would you want to drive around in one now?
Absolutely. Well, not the Minor, but I'd drive an original Beetle or 4 every day. Favourite small car 'icon'? I'm going to stay relatively modern. Mk1 Ford Ka...I don't think a car from this class has ever driven so well, or been such an advance over its competitors. Fiat Panda original model...such a clever design, absolutely utilitarian from an ownership and manufacturing point of view and lastly, Smart 450. Featured in various art museums over the years and a joy to own, a jewel amongst grey porridge 'budget' cars. Renault 4 also makes my list. Sumptuous ride, outrageous handling. Lester H said:
The response will depend on whether the OP is asking favourite icon, or favourite classic to drive. Maybe the Model T is now a bizarre example, but the original Beetle, the Morris Minor and Renault 4 are all definitive icons, but would you want to drive around in one now?
I have got a Morris Minor Traveller, while I will hold my hands up to not having driven it in a while (ok 30 years, other projects keep coming along) but I would not have an issue driving it day to day, I did 8 years ago upgrade it with disks brakes and a 1275 taken out to 1310cc so should go and stop a bit better. The plan is to have it and use it for local duties. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff