There are many reasons to justify your interest in lighter cars. Number one: They’re safer. Manufacturers invest millions of dollars in R&D to develop lightweight materials due to their safety benefits.
Yes, lighter cars are faster, but that’s not the only thing carmakers are after. Lighter chassis and body constructions improve the effectiveness of crumple zones and make driving on bad roads easier and, therefore, safer. Why? The car isn’t as weighed down and can maneuver those roads more freely.
The good news is that safety is just the start. Lighter cars tend to accelerate faster and exhibit a more responsive character – agile and needing less power to run. So, they burn less fuel and, as research has shown, can turn over up to 8% better fuel economy, corresponding to a 10% less weight. Here are 10 featherweights of the automotive world you can buy right now.
Kia Picanto
- Curb Weight: 2,160lbs
- Gross Weight: Around 2,976lbs
- MSRP: $11,580 (Approx.)
Can you believe the Picanto has never been officially available in North America despite its popularity in various international markets? It recently received a thorough redesign in preparation for many more years of serenading its markets, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan, as well as South American regions like Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia.
We almost envy our Strayan friends who got the facelifted Picanto with full specs for the pocket-friendly price of AUD 17,890 to AUD 21,290. That’s like USD 11,600 to USD 13,774.
It’s a popular choice for urban drivers due to its compact nature and fuel efficiency. At just 2,976 lbs (or less with the 3-door variant), the Picanto is one of the lightest cars money can buy this year.
Toyota Aygo X
- Curb Weight: 2,094lbs
- Gross Weight: 2,734lbs
- MSRP: $20,405 (Approx.)
The Aygo, with its Aygo X variant, is another popular brand that has never set foot on North American soil. At least, not officially. Their primary markets are Europe and other regions, including the UK.
Similar cars in the US would be models like the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent. In any case, the Aygo X is a compact urban crossover that Toyota used to do what it knows how to do best – blend style with practicality and efficiency.
Built on Toyota’s GA-B platform and weighing just 2,734 lbs, it is one of the lightest cars on the road today. It uses an efficient 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 72 hp, mated to a 5-speed manual or CVT.
Mitsubishi Mirage
- Curb Weight: 2,080lbs
- Gross Weight: 3,021lbs
- MSRP: $18,250
The Mirage is one of a handful of new cars you could still buy for under $20,000 in the US, although that list is about to shrink even further. Yes, rumors of the Mitsubishi Mirage facing the guillotine are true, but the automaker told Car and Driver it will have enough dealer stock to last into summer 2025.
In other words, while the Mirage is discontinued after the 2024 model year, it remains one of the lightest and most affordable cars you can buy right now – until summer 2025, at least.
We’re not surprised Mitsubishi doesn’t even have plans for a Mirage replacement. At least, none that we know of. Models like the Mirage G4 sedan are an endangered species in this SUV dispensation.
Smart ForTwo
- Curb Weight: 2,050lbs
- Gross Weight: 2,094lbs
- MSRP: $12,332 (Approx.)
Don’t be surprised to see many Foreign-focused models in this or any list of the lightest cars on the market. You can blame the trend on America’s obsession with larger, well-appointed models. Even so, the ForTwo is a popular nameplate in America because it used to be here until as recently as 2019.
It had to go away due to declining sales, but you can still find used models in decent condition for around $3,795 to $17,988.
In case you’re curious (of course you are), Smart is a division of the Mercedes-Benz Group and was born from a joint venture between Mercedes and Swatch (yes, the watch brand). The ForTwo EQ Coupe weighs just 2,888 lbs, while the standard model weighs around 2,094 lbs.
Fiat 500
- Curb Weight: 2,050lbs (gas-powered Dolcevita)
- Gross Weight: 2,952lbs
- MSRP: $32,500
The 500 is still soldiering on in the US market with the all-electric 500e, although we don’t know how much longer the romance can hold out. Fiat (not FCA) isn’t exactly having a wonderful time in North America, and that has been the story for a while now.
In any case, the electric 500e brings the 500’s iconic style and city-friendliness to the modern era. It’s also one of the lightest cars on the market, weighing around 2,952 lbs.
MINI Electric
- Weight: 3,704lbs
- MSRP: $30,900
BMW’s MINI models have always been a great choice for drivers looking for a stylish, fun-to-drive, and now it is environmentally friendly, too. The MINI going electric is no compromise on performance or features.
Also known as the MINI Cooper SE, it brings the nameplate’s iconic design to the modern era of electric technology. The classic telltales are still there – the compact dimensions, round headlights, and signature grille. You get to personalize your MINI Electric with various customization options, including different color choices, wheel designs, and interior trims.
The 2024 MINI Cooper SE weighs around 3,704 lbs, receiving motivation from a 32.6 kWh battery pack with up to 145 miles of range on a single charge. It is good for 181 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque.
Honda Fit
- Curb Weight: 2,500lbs
- Gross Weight: 3,417lbs
- MSRP: $17,000
The Honda Fit’s discontinuation in the US market after the 2020 model year came as no surprise as the model struggled with sales for years. Even so, the Fit is readily available in the used market for as low as $1,799 to as high as $29,995, although the average price is around $4,900.
It continues to serenade international markets like Japan and Europe, where it is known as the Honda Jazz. It received a mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year, including new features and a sporty RS trim.
The Fit has always been one of the lightest cars available, competing for our city streets with models like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Civic.
Ford Fiesta
- Curb Weight: 2,480lbs
- Gross Weight: 3,472lbs (EcoBoost 5-Door)
- MSRP: $23,920
Ford discontinued the Fiesta compact car for the North American market after the 2019 model year to focus on the prevailing SUV and truck segments. Even so, the rumor mill has it that Ford plans to return the Fiesta in electric guise, making it part of a range of smaller and more affordable electric cars built on its new platform developed by a former Tesla engineer.
While this new underpinning, known as Gen-2, won’t arrive until 2026, used Fiestas are readily available for around $3,199 to $20,998.
We expect the Fiesta’s return to stir the market significantly, considering the model’s popularity in the past. An electric Fiesta should square off nicely with the likes of Volkswagen ID.2 and Renault 5.
Hyundai i20
- Curb Weight: 2,450lbs
- Gross Weight: 3,594lbs
- MSRP: $34,990
In the i20’s absence from the North American market, US shoppers can make do with alternatives like the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. With Europe, Asia, and other regions as its primary markets, the i20 remains one of the lightest cars money can buy, weighing less than 3,600 lbs with a full belly.
The car benefits from Hyundai’s “Sensuous Sportiness” design language, which explains its dynamic appearance and drooping front region.
It’s a practical hatchback powered by a 1.0-liter Turbo GDI engine producing around 100 hp. It uses a 48-volt mild hybrid technology paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Volkswagen Up
- Curb Weight: 2,400lbs
- Gross Weight: 2,844lbs
- MSRP: $13,990
Though not available in the US market, this compact city car is one of the lightest on the road. The alternatives stateside include models like the Chevrolet Spark and Fiat 500. The Up’s primary targets include European countries like Germany, Netherlands, and the UK; South American countries like Brazil and Argentina; and select Asian regions like Japan.
The Up’s compact dimensions make it highly maneuverable in urban settings. It measures 3,540 mm to 3,563 mm long and 1,641 mm wide, weighing just 2,844 lbs on a full belly.
It uses a range of 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engines, including petrol and petrol/CNG variants, although the Up also has an electric version called the e-Up.
