Top 5 best automatic city cars

Updated: July 1, 2024

City driving can get a bit tedious. Getting around isn’t pleasant if your car isn’t up to the task of being optimally equipped to make the journey. When cars start to pile up and you start to hit stop-and-go traffic, you’re going to wish that you got that automatic transmission or a few more features. While there are a few of us who still prefer a manual transmission, there is no denying that an automatic gearbox will be much easier to operate in the slow-moving traffic of the city.

A recent addition to the MG lineup, we’ve got the MG 3. It has a wheelbase that’s similar in length to the Wigo and Mirage but with a bit more length making it a bit larger than the cars in this list. 

What makes the MG3 unique from its rivals is that it is available with either a pure internal combustion powertrain or a hybrid powertrain. The ICE variants are powered by a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 118 hp and 150 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed CVT or a five-speed manual gearbox for the entry-level variant. Meanwhile, the hybrid MG 3 has a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 191 hp and 250 Nm of torque.

Sweetening the deal is the inclusion of modern amenities on CVT variants like a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, an electronic parking brake with Auto Hold, a reverse camera, and a tire pressure sensor. 

In addition, the MG3 Hybrid is the real deal, with a price tag of P1,088,888 and full EV driving capability, you can enjoy the benefits of the EVIDA law like coding-free motoring. 

One of the more enduring nameplates from the Mitsubishi lineup for the Philippines is up next – the Mirage. This subcompact car, whether in its Mirage hatch or Mirage G4 sedan form is still a great choice in the Philippine market that could make for a good purchase with the brand’s reputation for reliability, and history with Filipinos. Equipped with a 1.2-liter naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine, the gasoline motor produces 77 hp and 100 Nm of torque, which is not a lot, admittedly. If you’re a hatchback lover, then the top-of-the-line Mirage goes for around P770,000, while the top-of-the-line G4 costs a little above the P900,000 mark. 

It won’t be the most equipped either. The infotainment could use an upgrade, however, given the space and the adequate amounts of ride comfort, the Mirage is a viable option if you need a reliable city car without much fuss.

Next on the list comes from Mazda, it’s the Mazda 2 Hatchback. Powering the Mazda 2 Hatchback is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 108 hp and 141 Nm of torque. Power is sent to a six-speed automatic transmission which then drives the hatchback’s front wheels. 

If you're searching for an inexpensive car just to get you from point A to B, the Mazda 2 isn't the best choice. Priced at P1,250,000, it’s the most expensive car on this list. However, it compensates with abundant tech features, a premium interior, and a highly refined yet engaging driving experience. If you’re very particular about how a car should feel and drive, the Mazda 2 Hatchback may be the right fit for you.

While this is a small hatchback by classification, it’s closer to a crossover, but with all the good qualities of a city car. There is more ground clearance on the Suzuki S-Presso, but you don’t get the added heft and bulk of a higher-riding crossover. It’s still light to pilot, and thanks to Suzuki’s styling, you will get a quirky look to go along with it. Sharing the same bones as the Celerio, it has distinct styling that sets you apart from the more “normal” cars out on the road. On top of that, and thanks to the 1.0-liter engine, you can expect peppy performance and great fuel economy. As tested we were able to get 11 km/L in the heat of city traffic, and amazingly, 19 km/L once things cleared up. 

The S-Presso offers the option of a five-speed manual transmission or Suzuki’s AGS transmission, giving buyers a choice between manual flexibility or the ease and convenience of an automatic. It delivers excellent value, particularly considering its price significantly below the P700,000 mark.

A very popular hatch from the lineup, the Toyota Wigo is one of the best options for consumers on the lookout for a fuel-efficient and cost-effective city car from the most well-known brand in the Philippines. It has a good amount of features that are adapted to today like its eight-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration. Another amazing trait of the Wigo is its vast amounts of space. Even if it is a city car, it does have a lot of leg and headroom in the rear which makes it one of the best models in the segment. Equipped with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, the model gets good fuel economy in the city, especially now that it is fitted with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). In our testing, we were able to get 10 km/L in the city with a bit of traffic. To top it all off, the price of the Wigo is quite accessible to many, with the range-topper topping out a little above the P700,000 flat for the G variant

Though, let's look at the cons of this car. While it may come from a trustworthy and reliable brand with a good track record for durability, the interior certainly isn’t the most attractive. Like the brand’s reputation, it's more simple and durable than plush and luxurious, the Wigo may not be the premium pick of the bunch, but in terms of getting you where you need to go reliably, it does that to the letter.