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We ranked the best compact cars of 2023 by scoring their technology, interiors, powertrains, and available options. Which car is number one?
Ranking the Best Compact Cars of 2023
Compact cars are some of the best vehicles for daily drivers in the city. They provide some of the best fuel economy numbers around, are easily maneuverable in tight spaces, and have enough room to for full sized adults in every seat. There are even a few compact cars that have some extensive performance additions the higher you climb these trim levels. The Carsforsale.com team reviewed and scored each of the available compact cars for 2023 to compile a list of the best in the segment. See which models sit at the top and who’s dropped to the back!
7. Volkswagen Jetta
The Breakdown
Standard manual transmission
Tremendous fuel efficiency
Easy on the wallet
Nondescript style
Dour cabin
Limited standard amentities
Low-cost driving fun
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.5/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$21,760 - $32,680
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
31 City / 41 Hwy (MPG)
The Volkswagen Jetta was recently refreshed last year and is slowly becoming VW’s lone sedan champion. Shoppers have the choice of an efficient 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder or the sportier 2.0L turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder found in GLI models. Both engines direct power to the front wheels (FWD). Both engines are also paired with a standard 6-speed manual transmission. The 1.5L Jetta can have an 8-speed automatic optioned in while the GLI 2.0L version has an available 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
The Jetta’s interior is pretty spartan, yet it provides a good amount of passenger space for front and rear passengers. A 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, but an 8-inch display is also available on higher trims. VW provides a couple of advanced safety features like blind spot monitoring as standard, but the rest of their safety suite becomes available for only higher trims or as an optional package. VW does sweeten their deal though with an additional two years or 20,000 miles of complimentary maintenance alongside their standard warranties.
6. Subaru Impreza
The Breakdown
Good handling
Clean interior design
Excellent AWD system
Drab drivetrain
Middling fuel economy
Limited safety features
We’d like better transmissions
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.6/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$20,815 - $28,415
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
28 City / 36 Hwy (MPG)
The 2023 Subaru Impreza is essentially a carryover model of last year. Like nearly all Subaru models, the Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). The lone engine paired to that drivetrain is a 2.0L flat-four engine making 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque that’s mated to either standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fuel mileage isn’t the best compared to the rest of these compact cars, so Subaru may want to explore a hybridized offering to keep themselves relevant. The Impreza does provide one of the better interior spaces in both sedan and hatchback form. Entertainment duties are handled by either a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen or a larger 8-inch unit on higher trim levels. Subaru offers a number their advanced safety features from their EyeSight suite on CVT installed Impreza models.
5. Kia Forte
The Breakdown
Lots of standard safety features
Generous warranty
Excellent fuel economy
Base engine is lacking
No standard adaptive cruise control
Handling isn’t great
An overall great value
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.1/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$19,490 - $24,190
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
30 City / 41 Hwy (MPG)
The Kia Forte has come a long way in this segment of compact cars. While it’s noticeably missing a hybridized option that its Hyundai cousin provides, the Forte still provides an affordable price point and more than adequate fuel economy rating from its 2.0L four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT. For those looking to add a little more excitement behind the wheel, climb up to the Forte GT trim that drops in a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a standard 7-speed DCT or an optional 6-speed manual.
The Forte is noticeably nicer than its price would suggest and even offers one of the largest trunks for a sedan of this size. Kia also adds to its value by providing a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, but a larger 10.25-inch unit can be found on the top trims. Not only that, but the Forte provides a great list of standard advanced safety features starting at the base level and one of the longest warranty coverages in the business.
4. Volkswagen Golf
The Breakdown
Cool plaid seats
Great engine
Above average warranty
Understeering is still an issue
Priced higher for the segment
Lackluster infotainment system
Lots of room for improvement
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.4/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$31,625 - $46,035
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
24 City / 34 Hwy (MPG)
The Volkswagen Golf has grown beyond its economy car past and come into its own as a performance hot hatch that enthusiasts love. For 2023, VW provides shoppers with both the Golf GTI and the Golf R. Both versions come equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, just packaged differently. The Golf GTI sends 241 horsepower exclusively to the front wheels while the Golf R generates 315 horsepower sent to all four wheels. Both Golf versions are available with a 6-speed manual or an optional 7-speed automatic transmission.
The interiors of these Golf models are laid out with a modern, sporty design and provide a nice amount of space for passengers and cargo. Although, there are some features missing that can be found standard on cheaper cars and there are a couple of gripes with interior quality. That can be made up though by the great safety suite comes standard at every level and the two years or 20,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
3. Toyota Corolla
The Breakdown
GR Corolla is a revelation
Great safety equipment
Inexpensive hybrid fuel economy
Normal Corollas are too slow
Not enough storage space
Loud interior
A Corolla for every buyer
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.6/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$21,500 - $49,000
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
53 City / 46 Hwy (MPG)
Toyota has only further made the Corolla more enticing for 2023 by continuing to improve upon the model and by introducing the GR Corolla performance variant. Base Corolla models now benefit from a more powerful 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 169 horsepower and 158 lb-ft of torque mated to a CVT sending power to the front wheels. A hybridized 1.8L four-cylinder is also available with eCVT that achieves some of the best fuel economy numbers in this class. Then there’s the exciting GR Corolla with a 1.6L three-cylinder engine that generates 300 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque that’s sent to all four wheels and achieves one of the fastest 0-60 times in its class.
Toyota Corolla models are available in either sedan or hatchback style and provide a comfortable interior. Technology is a little lacking with a 4.2-inch infotainment system as standard and a 7-inch unit on higher trims, but Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 suite picks things up and is standard on every Corolla. Toyota also throws in two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary service on top.
2. Hyundai Elantra
The Breakdown
Look-at-me styling
20-inches of screens
N is a bargain hot rod
Best tech somewhat limited
Styling could be called overcooked
Watch for torque steer
An Elantra for everyone
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.8/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$21,545 - $33,195
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
53 City / 56 Hwy (MPG)
The Hyundai Elantra has come into its own as one of the top compact car options on the market. For 2023, the Elantra is available in FWD with the standard 2.0L four-cylinder, a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder in the N Line, a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder in the N, or a hybridized 1.6L four-cylinder. The hybrid option gets one of the best fuel economy ratings for this class, while the N model keeps up with the likes of the GR Corolla and Civic Type R. Inside is a nicely appointed interior for a compact car and a comfortable space in every seat. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, but a 10.25-inch system is available as is a similarly sized digital gauge cluster. Hyundai adds onto the Elantra’s value by providing a good list of advanced driver-assistance aids from their SmartSense suite as standard features and they provide the best warranty in the business with an included three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
1. Honda Civic
The Breakdown
Great top-trim engines
Fuel efficient
Fantastic cabin
Dreary base 2.0-liter
Limited storage
FWD only
A great all-arounder
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
9/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$26,145 - $44,390
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
33 City / 42 Hwy (MPG)
The 2023 Honda Civic kicks off the 11th generation of this famous compact car and it is considered one of the best iterations of the model ever. Customers have the choice of either a hatchback or sedan body style and one of four powertrains. Honda provides a 2.0L four-cylinder as standard, a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder, an up tuned Si version of that same 1.5L, and the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder found in that slick performance Type R model. The non-Si 1.5L engine provides the best fuel economy for a non-hybridized engine in this class of compacts while the Type R keeps things exciting for drivers with all the added equipment tailored for carving up a track.
The 2023 Honda Civic introduces one of the best interiors for the model in a while now. Its design mixes functionality with elegance well and it provides a roomy experience for passengers in every seat. While the 7-inch and available 9-inch touchscreen is smaller than some competitors, they’re both very responsive and easy to use. Honda also provides a number of advanced safety features as standard equipment and tacks on two years or 24,000 miles of complimentary maintenance to make the Civic a bit more enticing than its new updates already do.
