In Italy they are increasingly the queens of the market, classified as segment A and segment B: their success story and main characteristics
Italy remains a country where small cars have an important market: according to Unrae data, the union of foreign car manufacturers, in 2025 and considering both sedans and SUVssegment A cars reached 11.4% of the total and segment B cars 48%. Together, we are not far from 60%. For the record, in 2019 – always a reference year for the Italian market – the respective shares were 16.9% and 34.9%, yet another confirmation that fewer and fewer smaller-sized cars have entered dealerships and the number of slightly larger models has increased dramatically. If this were not the case, given the economic moment, the A segment would do very well. Unrae divides the planet into city cars and small cars, attributing, as mentioned, a different segment and further dividing between sedans and SUVs which obviously did not exist until the 1990s. To be clear, the small ones are the eternal Fiat Panda (which will become Pandina) and the 500, the Kia Picanto, the emerging Leapmotor T03, the Toyota Aygo X (which is the most popular SUV). Instead, those defined as utilitarian are Dacia Sandero, Renault ClioToyota Yaris and among SUVs Jeep Avenger, Citroen C3, Fiat Grande Panda, Peugeot 208. There are no millimetric rules, but let’s say that a segment A car measures from 270 to 390 cm and a segment B from 370 to 420 cm, with some exceptions, among SUVs, which ‘exceed’ the ancient C segment by a few cm.
the weight of fiat
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The concept of the small car is the undisputed child of Fiat’s vision in the immediate post-war period. The first small car dates back to 1948, when the 500 B range was introduced Mickey Mouse second generation, which marks the debut of the Giardiniera variant: wagon, of course, but also the only car that combines the practicality of four seats with a larger trunk. Why small car? For the idea of a vehicle that would fulfill the needs of daily transport in an essential and practical way, favoringutilityreduced consumption, compact dimensions and affordable cost compared to comfort or performance. In fact, the 500 B is the forerunner of Turin’s small cars of modern design, which will take off from the following 600, the car which in the 1960s, together with the Cinquino, will lead the country towards mass motorisation. All cars characterized by small dimensions, ideal for urban use, and small-displacement engines that guaranteed low running costs. From today’s eyes, it seems incredible that they were used for outings or even holidays but just (re)see the Aurelia in it The Overtakinga masterpiece film directed by Dino Risi in 1962, to verify the average typology of Italian cars of the time. A first change in typology occurred at the beginning of the 70s with the advent of two-volume cars with a rear door – the Fiat 127 was the most illuminating example – the meaning of small car also extended to economical small-displacement cars. In this specific case, the first generation was fitted with a 900 cc petrol engine and cost 920 thousand lire. Little by little, a distinction was created between the new small cars – such as the Volkswagen Golf, born in 1974 – the so-called super-small cars, modern versions of cars designed almost exclusively for urban centres. Hence the more international synonym of city car. A perfect example, coincidentally still very Italian, is that of Autobianchi Y10 of 1985, whose baton was taken up by the Lancia Y. Together with the Fiat Pandaborn five years earlier, wrote the history of the national automotive industry, both with numbers that are probably unattainable in the future, covering two different fronts. An exemplary city car is the Smart which in the early 2000s with the fortwo invented the concept of the premium two-seater.
THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE
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How to frame the two categories today? With the necessary nuances, it can be said that super-utilities (or city cars) are cars closely linked to the needs of cities: first and foremost the small size, the practicality even if obviously the trunk has a limited capacity (from 200 to 250 liters in normal configuration), the great maneuverability and a reduced turning circle. The price lists range from 15 thousand to 20 thousand euros (or a little more) and we are reaching a predominance – logical considering the priority use – of electric motorization. The small cars – beyond their larger dimensions and greater attention to design – have more elaborate and voluminous interiors than those of the previous category: an aspect that leads them to guarantee a greater level of comfort (at least for four people) and above all makes them suitable for longer journeys and not just urban mobility. Heat engines survive and there is no shortage of electric ones, but it is the reign of mild hybrid and more and more full hybrid. The prices? Except for rare exceptions and promotions, the norm is between 20 thousand and 30 thousand euros for the entry level versions but it is not difficult to ‘override’ the 30 thousand for high level versions. The other profound difference between the types is represented by the offer on the market: currently in Italy there are around fifteen models in the A segment between sedans and SUVs while moving up the segment there are over 40 sedans and over 50 SUVs with a growing presence of Chinese manufacturers. Which not surprisingly look more at utility than style.
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