Written by Darragh May.
In 2016, approximately 29% of all new cars registered were small or medium sized SUVs, with smaller model types such as a compact sedan or hatchback still dominating the market.
Less than ten years on; in 2025 that figure rose to 63% of new cars registered, with 2026 figures looking to follow the trend of increasing SUV sales.
The once unstoppable sedan has been abandoned by manufacturers, now focusing on crossover cars such as the Toyota Yaris cross or the VW T-Cross.
With emissions regulations and consumer demand pushing bigger cars to the forefront, smaller cars such as the iconic Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus have been discontinued.
This has reduced the options for young people and students looking for something that’s small, easy to learn in, and cheap to run.
There are however some great options on the used market for those who need something small but mighty, such as the superb Skoda Citigo.
So is bigger really better? Or does the Skoda Citigo prove once and for all that size doesn’t matter?
The Citigo hit the Irish market in 2012 , alongside the Volkswagen (VW) UP! And Seat Mii; two cars based on the same platform as the Skoda model. The Mii and the Citigo are essentially “rebadged” versions of the VW UP!, meaning all three cars contain the same engine and general components.
The only differences seen between the three models are cosmetic, making them near-identical. However, the VW UP! did receive a sport version, unlike the other two models.
Starting at €9,995 back in 2012, Skoda offered value for money with the Citigo that is unheard of in 2026.
On the used market they can be found in great condition from €4,000-€5,800, more expensive than some other second-hand options such as a Ford Fiesta.
However the Citigo has a great reputation for reliability, and the small 1.0 litre engine is cheap to insure; increasing the cars demand and – unfortunately – the cars cost on the used market.
The small engine powering the Skoda is more than enough for everyday driving and shorter trips, but motorway journeys require pushing the tiny engine hard due to it lacking a turbocharger.
This lack of a turbocharger hurts fuel efficiency on the motorway, and can make the Citigo a bad option for someone who prefers a sportier driving experience.
Comparing the sizes of the 2017 Citigo I tested to a 2017 VW Polo, it shows just how small the Citigo is. The already small Polo is over 40cm longer than the Citigo and 5cm wider.
Despite the car’s small stature, it boasts a 251 litre capacity boot. This is on par with the equivalent Hyundai i10 and bigger than a base model Mini Cooper.
251 litres is more than adequate for a food shop or a small airport run, but the car will struggle to carry bigger loads unless the rear seats are folded down.
Coming in both three and five door options, the Citigo can carry up to four people surprisingly well; albeit tight on space for taller people, especially in the rear seats.
For taller drivers or people who frequently carry passengers, a slightly bigger option may be required as I found longer journeys quite uncomfortable due to the lack of space.
I will however give a huge amount of credit to the engineers behind the car, as they have somehow managed to get an adequate amount of space out of a very small framework.
That small footprint does have some great advantages. Parking the Citigo is extremely easy due to its small stature, making parking in tight areas such as the crowded housing estates near DCU Glasnevin quick and hassle-free.
With Skoda being owned and operated by Volkswagen, nobody should be surprised that the interior of the car feels modern and well built and with classic Skoda charm.
The car came with both manual and automatic transmission options, although I would recommend avoiding the automatic version as it is known to suffer from serious reliability issues.
Thankfully the manual gearbox option is a pleasure to drive, with shifts feeling satisfying and smooth. The manual edition also has much greater reliability and longevity.
It is important to mention for any car, if longevity and reliability is important to you make sure you perform any regular maintenance required such as oil changes. Regular servicing and maintenance is the only way to ensure your car stays with you for years to come.
The driving experience is nothing special, with no real steering feel and a tiny engine the car can feel quite boring behind the wheel.
Bumps in the road and potholes are also an issue with the Citigo, due to the cars miniature size even small road defects can cause serious discomfort for both the driver and passengers.
For learner drivers though, this is a hard car to beat. It has a forgiving clutch for manual students, paired with its small size and plain steering this car is a perfect car to practice in, ensuring you ace that driving test.
Something else that is important to note, for those who love colourful cars the Citigo can be found in a plethora of colour options. Two of my personal favorites are tornado red and kiwi green.
The main issues this car faces are faults of the car’s size, not the car itself. Other similar small cars such as a Fiat 500 or Mini Cooper would face similar issues, however I would recommend this Skoda over most other cars in this small car category.
If small is what you’re after, you would find it hard to find a car that offers as much in such a condensed space.
Despite its small stature, the Skoda Citigo punches above its weight class, offering a great platform for learners or people looking for something more compact.
In a world that keeps getting bigger and bigger, this little Skoda offers an affordable way to get from A to B in a pocket sized package.