First designed and built in 1962 on the Isle of Man, the Peel P50 was meant to challenge ideas of personal mobility. Only 50 units were ever made, and just 27 are known to exist today. This microcar gained global fame when Jeremy Clarkson drove it on Top Gear, squeezing through tight corridors and even taking it into an elevator. The car’s tiny size makes it perfect for congested cities, where parking is a nightmare. In fact, you could almost carry it like luggage.

Under the miniature hood is a 49 cc engine producing just 4.5 horsepower. That may sound laughable, but for a car weighing as little as this, it works. The Peel P50 reaches a top speed of 61 km per hour and takes about 30 seconds to go from zero to 50 km per hour. This car is not made for highways or races, it is built for squeezing through alleys and saving fuel. Speaking of which, its fuel tank holds only 3 liters, and it can travel up to 100 km using just 1.2 liters. With its simple brakes and feather-light steering, it offers a surprisingly smooth ride for city streets.

Being ultra rare comes at a price. In March 2016, one of the remaining units sold for over 176,000 USD at a Sotheby’s auction, equal to more than 660,000 SAR. It is not about value for money, it is about owning a piece of automotive history. If uniqueness is the goal, the Peel P50 delivers it better than anything else on four wheels.

If 61 km per hour and no space for passengers sound like too much of a compromise, several compact cars offer a more balanced experience. The Smart Fortwo keeps the size but adds a touch of modern comfort. The Fiat 500 brings iconic style with more practicality. The Mini Cooper gives sporty vibes in a compact body. The Volkswagen Beetle offers timeless design, while the Honda Fit adds impressive cargo space for its size. And for those who value reliability, the Toyota Yaris is always a solid bet. These cars prove that you do not need to be the smallest to make city driving easy.