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DETROIT — Purchasing an extended cab pickup truck might not be the best option for buyers who reside in large metro areas so AOL Autos assembled a list of what it called the Top City Cars.

Like a cozy, one-bedroom apartment, AOL Autos believes this selection of vehicles mostly from foreign automakers offers drivers plenty in a compact package. Mazda had two selections, while Jeep was the only domestic brand represented.

"People who own and drive cars in big cities get a lot of flak for clogging streets and polluting skies, and rightly so," AOL Autos reviewer Josh Max wrote when unveiling the list.

However, if you've ever tried to carry a drum kit or a dozen bags of groceries home on the bus, subway or even into a cab, you know that a set of sturdy wheels can be worth bearing the hassles of parking, insurance, theft, dents and more," Max continued.

Here are the nine vehicles AOL Autos named as Top City Cars as well as one the site didn't particularly find appealing. Included is synopsis of Max's assessment.

Mazda5

"If you've finally faced the grim reality that your Corvette dreams have been usurped by the practical needs of a family and you find yourself eyeballing minivans, fear not."

Honda Fit

"You've got to admire a tiny hatchback that offers optional shift paddles to go with its wannabe pocket rocket 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine."

Jeep Wrangler

"It may seem like a strange choice, but the Wrangler expresses your urban cowboy like no other ride."

Kia Soul

"It's ideal for city-dwellers who are looking for a useful vehicle with a small footprint."

Volkswagen New Beetle

"Unlike some do-overs of iconic vehicles that keep the name and nothing else, VW wisely hung onto the Bug's instantly recognizable pod shape when it was re-launched in 1997."

Mazda MX-5 Miata

"Its old ‘Miata' moniker was a more creative name than the bland-as-tofu ‘MX-5,' but that's one of the few aspects of this car that hasn't evolved."

Rolls-Royce Ghost

"Hey, not everyone is a struggling fill-in-the-blank in the big city."

Audi A3

"Audi doesn't make a bad set of wheels, and its entry-level A3 wagon provides relatively plenty of room and excellent mileage."

Mini Cooper Clubman

"With a wheelbase that's stretched a bit compared to the regular Mini, the Clubman has a slightly more forgiving ride and a considerably more useful back seat and cargo area."

Dishonorable mention: Smart fortwo

"I should celebrate and adore the tiny Smart fortwo and its reported 41 miles per highway gallon. But go ahead and hit me with a carrot stick, as this thing should come with its own clown nose."

For more details about each of these vehicles and the original story from AOL Autos can be found here.