A survey by the Auto Trader Owners' Guide, the first in a series of quarterly reports detailing the car market and consumer behaviour, says that the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Fiesta are the most popular small cars on the market today.
55 per cent of the 2,215 motorists surveyed saying that they had less disposable household income over the second quarter of 2012 than they did last year as a result of this year's double-dip recession.
But despite the strain on their finances, 53 per cent are planning to buy a car that's cheaper to run during the third quarter of 2012.
Between April and June of 2012 small family cars were by far and away the most popular category of car sold, especially amongst females.
The Auto Trader Owners' Guide speculates that a key factor is the large number of small children in the population. 2011 Census data shows there are over 400,000 more under-fives in England and Wales when compared against a decade ago.
Amongst motorists, the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Fiesta were the most popular models. Superminis also saw a rise, with market share growing to over 26 per cent in 2012.
The Fiat 500, Mini Cooper and Kia Picanto are just some of the most popular superminis according to those surveyed.
New Volkswagen Golf prices start from £16,425.
New Ford Fiesta prices start from £9,795.