Choosing the right vehicles for your company is a complex process which involves assessing a wide range of factors, from financial issues to making sure your drivers are happy with the car choice they are offered.

The first issue to be considered is what the vehicles will be used for, or are they ‘fit for purpose?’.

If drivers do not need to carry loads for their work, smaller cars should be considered, for example offering a Ford Focus rather than a Mondeo.

On the flip side, drivers covering high mileages in the course of their work should be offered a vehicle that is a comfortable place for them to do that it in – a Smart car is great for city work but drivers wouldn’t thank you if they had to cover 1,000 miles a week up and down motorways in one.

Costs are a key factor in the decision, too, and this not only includes how much the vehicle costs at purchase time. Servicing costs, fuel economy and a car’s residual value will all affect its wholelife cost proposition, particularly the RV element (or how much the vehicle will be worth in three years and 60,000 miles’ time).

Driver taxation is also a key issue, with many employees looking to lower their tax liability, either by downsizing into a vehicle from the class below they normally drive, or by choosing one of the many low emission special models now being offered by the car manufacturers.

You will also need to consider safety issues, such as how many stars the vehicle scores in the EuroNCAP crash tests.

In this feature we will examine five of the best superminis on the market and give you all the facts and fingers at your fingertips.

And in our future monthly small fleet insight features, we will examine other vehicle sectors, helping you to build up a quick reference guide to the best models in every market, from city cars to estates.

Ford Fiesta

Ford’s new Fiesta is the best supermini on the market, blending stylish looks with a surprisingly spacious interior.

A wide range of petrol and diesel engines mean a car to suit all needs, mileages and pockets, while the Econetic version offers 98g/km CO2 emissions, which means zero road tax and the lowest 13% diesel benefit-in-kind tax banding.

Great to live with, great to drive and great as a company car.

Range overview

Models offered Three and five-door hatchback, van
Engine range Petrol: 1.25 60 & 82bhp,1.4 96bhp,1.6 120bhp. Diesel: 1.4 68bhp,1.6 90bhp
Price (OTR) £9,995–£14,795
Average fuel economy 47.9-76.3mpg
CO2 emissions 98-139g/km
EuroNCAP safety 5/5
Wholelife costs (3yr/60k) 18.98-26.21ppm
Rating 5/5

Pick of the range

Model Fiesta 1.4 TDCi Style 5-dr
Price £11,805
Residual value £4,325/37%
CO2 110g/km
Driver BIK (20%) £25 per month
Insurance group 3
Average fuel economy 67.2mpg
Wholelife cost (3yr/60k) 21.20ppm
Lease rate (with maintenance, 3yr/60k) £230 a month

Mini

With its retro styling, funky interior and personalisation options, the Mini is a popular choice, especially among younger drivers drawn to its strong brand image.

The choice of models is wide: three-door hatchback, the unusual (and larger) Clubman ‘estate’, plus a new Convertible model.

A pricey option in the supermini sector, but the Mini’s exceptionally strong RVs help reduce running costs.

Range overview

Models offered Three and four-door hatchback, convertible
Engine range Petrol: 1.4 95bhp,1.6 120 & 175bhp. Diesel: 1.4 110bhp
Price (OTR) £12,345–£18,995
Average fuel economy 45.6-72.4mpg
CO2 emissions 104-149g/km
EuroNCAP safety 5/5
Wholelife costs (3yr/60k) 21.25-33.75ppm
Rating 4/5

Pick of the range
Model One 1.4 Pepper Pack
Price £13,245
Residual value £5,900/45%
CO2 128g/km
Driver BIK (20%) £33 per month
Insurance group 5
Average fuel economy 53.3mpg
Wholelife cost (3yr/60k) 22.84ppm
Lease rate (with maintenance, 3yr/60k) £245 a month

Mazda2

One of the best-looking superminis on the market, Mazda’s philosophy with its smallest model is simple – lighter weight, rather than advanced technology, is the way to get low emissions and high fuel economy.

Sharing the sharp styling with the 6 upper-medium model, the Mazda2 feels light on its feet and offers an easy drive – although for long distance work it’s not as good as the Ford Fiesta.

Range overview
Models offered Three and five-door hatchback
Engine range Petrol: 1.3 75bhp,1.5 103bhp. Diesel: 1.4 68bhp
Price (OTR) £8,899–£12,042
Average fuel economy 49.6-65.7mpg
CO2 emissions 114-135g/km
EuroNCAP safety 5/5
Wholelife Costs (3yr/60k) 17.51-24.19ppm
Rating 4/5

Pick of the range
Model 1.4D TS (a/c) 5-dr
Price £9,796
Residual value £4,100/42%
CO2 114g/km
Driver BIK (20%) £21 per month
Insurance group 3
Average fuel economy 65.7mpg
Wholelife cost (3yr/60k) 18.70ppm
Lease rate (with maintenance, 3yr/60k) £207 a month

Honda Jazz

Despite a limited range (two petrol engines and available only as a five-door), Honda enjoys continued success with the Jazz.

The brand’s reliability and quality helps, as does the amount of space inside the Jazz, and the way the seats can be moved and folded to create a versatile little load carrier.

The two petrol engines are quite noisy though, so again another car better suited to around town or short journey work.

Range overview
Models offered Five-door hatchback
Engine range Petrol: 1.2 90bhp,1.4 100bhp
Price (OTR) £9,990–£12,990
Average fuel economy 52.3-53.3mpg
CO2 emissions 125-128g/km
EuroNCAP safety Not yet tested
Wholelife costs (3yr/60k) 18.58-22.48ppm
Rating 4/5

Pick of the range
Model 1.2 S
Price £9,815
Residual value £4,275/44%
CO2 125g/km
Driver BIK (20%) £24 per month
Insurance group 4
Average fuel economy 53.3mpg
Wholelife cost (3yr/60k) 18.58ppm
Lease rate (with maintenance, 3yr/60k) £190 a month

Fiat 500

Like the Mini, Fiat’s 500 majors on funky, retro looks and a host of personalisation options.

Fuel-saving technology is to the fore in the 500, with a memory stick which can be plugged into a computer to download driver economy information, and a start and stop version – which automatically switches the engine off at rest – is due to be launched this month to raise fuel economy even further.

Range overview
Models offered Three-door hatchback, convertible
Engine range Petrol: 1.2 69bhp,1.4 100 & 135bhp,1.6 120bhp. Diesel: 1.3 75bhp
Price (OTR) £8,100–£13,600
Average fuel economy 47.1-67.3mpg
CO2 emissions 118-149g/km
EuroNCAP safety ★★★★★
Wholelife costs (3yr/60k) 16.52-22.39ppm
Rating 3.5/5

Pick of the range
Model 1.2 Lounge
Price £9,410
Residual value £4,200/45%
CO2 119g/km
Driver BIK (20%) £15 per month
Insurance group 4
Average fuel economy 55.4mpg
Wholelife cost (3yr/60k) 18.21ppm
Lease rate (with maintenance, 3yr/60k) £200 a month