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1955 Ford Crown Victoria
Affordable style and substance are easy to come by in the compact car segment.
Elegant Economies
When the compact car segment was starting out, it came to be expected that buyers were trading refinement for affordability. But those days are long gone and most of the best compact cars (those that comprise our list) make few if any sacrifices in pursuit of value. Instead, these cars provide buyers with everything they’ve come to expect from modern cars, the tech, the efficiency, the style, and at discount compared to (needlessly?) larger vehicles. For the most bang for your buck, consider these, the best compact cars.
9. Volkswagen Jetta
The Breakdown
Great fit and finish
Digital cockpit is cool
Striking interior styling
Cheap materials
Anemic drivetrain
Odd switchgear
Optional AWD would be nice
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
$20,195 - $30,995
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
31 City / 41 Hwy (MPG)
Volkswagen has always been good at building people movers, and in that vein, the Jetta is a solid car. With an attractive interior, plenty of modern convenience, and a decent powertrain, the Jetta hits all the right notes. The base engine, a 1.5L turbo, is adequate and provides good fuel economy, if not excitement. The GLI’s 2.0L turbo puts up 228 horsepower. But light, numb steering and a comfort-oriented suspension hold the Jetta back from being a true performance car. The Jetta’s interior features a tidy, modern design with impressive fit and finish. Material quality, however, leaves a bit to be desired compared to the segment’s best offerings. The Jetta offers a good array of modern tech. Most notable is the standard 8-inch digital gauge cluster. Driver assist and safety tech features includes standard blind spot detection and forward collision mitigation, among others. We liked the Jetta GLI’s larger engine for increased driver engagement, but the $30,995 for that trim is steep in a segment based on affordability.
8. Nissan Sentra
The Breakdown
Starting price of less than $20K
V-Motion front grille lends polished good looks
Multiple layers of standard safety features
Quilted tan leather upholstery is rather ritzy
Needs a more powerful engine option
Nissan nails the price-to-value ratio
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.7/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$20,485 - $23,075
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
29 City / 39 Hwy (MPG)
The Nissan Sentra is the epitome of the compact car segment. A decent car at a decent price. The Sentra is an attractive buy thanks to its impressive interior and assortment of advanced safety features. The Sentra’s main weakness is the anemic 2.0L under the hood. With just 149 horsepower, the inline-four requires patience in getting the Sentra up to cruising speed. Efficiency is good, but not remarkable. The interior of the Sentra is where the car most impresses. The design is among the best the segment has to offer and the optional quilted leather package makes an impressive statement at this price range. Material quality is middling, however, with swaths of hard plastic doing their best to keep the overall price down. Nissan Zero Gravity front seats are another highlight, perfectly suited for easing the aches and pains of a long highway drive. While the Sentra does offer the typical assortment of tech features, the best comes at the higher trims like the SR which gets you items like a larger 8-inch touchscreen and a premium stereo. Nissan Safety Shield 360 provides a good offering of standard safety tech like automatic emergency braking. Overall, the Nissan Sentra is a good car held back from greatness by a so-so powerplant.
7. Subaru Impreza
The Breakdown
Quiet & comfortable interior
Great AWD system
Solid technology
Underwhelming powertrain
Disappointing fuel economy
Meh interior quality
More power would be great
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.7/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$19,790 - $27,455
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
28 City / 36 Hwy (MPG)
The Subaru Impreza suffers a common fate in the compact segment, a good car with a weak engine. In the Impreza, form follows function with standard all-wheel drive and a practical, comfortable interior. For those in snowy climes or homes off the beaten path, the Impreza’s standard symmetrical all-wheel drive is a key attraction. A lackluster four-cylinder boxer engine and CVT are typical of the segment, trading power for efficiency. An optional manual has little to add in terms of sportiness. The Impreza’s 28/36 MPG is a bit below average. Inside, the Impreza continues its theme of practicality with an intuitive layout and a smooth and quiet ride. Though comfortable, the Impreza’s material quality is middling. Standard technology is generous, including Subaru’s EyeSight safety tech package that includes lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control. Infotainment is easy to use and logically designed, though the interface isn’t the quickest to respond. With a combination of standard all-wheel drive, comfort, and affordability, the Impreza warrants serious consideration.
6. Kia Forte
The Breakdown
A lot of car for the entry price
GT models have legit performance upgrades
Available ventilated seating is a high-end touch
Highway Driving Assist aids with long hauls
Manual transmission has poor fuel economy
Lots of amenities without breaking the bank
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$20,085 - $25,485
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
31 City / 41 Hwy (MPG)
The Kia Forte, despite its name, doesn’t excel at any one thing but succeeds based on performing well across the spectrum. Good powertrain options, a charming cabin, and plentiful tech features make the Forte a serious contender in the segment. The Forte offers either a base 2.0L four-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for impressive fuel efficiency or in the GT models, a turbocharged version with a seven-speed dual clutch for a good dose of performance. Yet, it’s the Forte’s interior that most impresses. Fit and finish are great, as is material quality and design. Seats are comfortable and supportive. There’s even optional ambient interior lighting. A broad selection of modern tech is available with smartphone integration, wireless charging, and an optional eight-speaker Harmon Kardon premium stereo. To round things out, the Forte carries Kia’s Drive Wise advanced safety technology. Even with all this, the Kia Forte manages to keep things affordable at with a top range price just under $26,000.
5. Toyota Corolla
The Breakdown
Great fuel efficiency
Standard complimentary maintenance
Great standard safety features
Still very slow
Apex addition promises too much
Cramped interior
We’d love AWD
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
$20,075 - $28,360
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
35 MPG combined (53 Hybrid)
The Toyota Corolla is a progenitor of the compact car segment. Its consistence success over the decades owes to the perfect mix of practicality, reliability, and affordability. On these metrics and more, the Corolla continues to win over buyers. The base Corolla may not be the quickest in the segment, but its measured pacing results in good fuel efficiency at 32 city and 41 highway MPG. The larger 2.0L adds a bit of extra punch, and a hybrid version grants the Corolla 53 MPG. Look forward to the upcoming GR Corolla with a reported 300 horsepower, arriving this fall, for maximum performance. Toyota has also put a lot of effort into the Corolla’s interior, notable for its solid build quality and elegant design. Even the infotainment system impresses, sometimes a weak point for Toyotas, but not here. Response is quick and the layout intuitive. Safety is another strong point for the Corolla. Not only is the standard safety suite among the most comprehensive you’ll find at this price, but the Corolla also received a 5-star crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Toyota Corolla remains one of the very values around.
4. Hyundai Elantra
The Breakdown
Elantra N is seriously good
Best warranty in the market
Design punches above its weight
Rear seats are drab
Weak base engine
No wireless connectivity for larger infotainment
AWD would be nice
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.2/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$20,885 - $29,250
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
33 City / 43 Hwy (MPG)
The Hyundai Elantra is the most boldly styled car in the compact car segment. But it has a lot more to offer than just good looks. A choice of four powertrains can provide either great efficiency or stellar performance at either end of the spectrum. At one end is the Elantra Hybrid which gets an incredible 56 highway MPG and at the other the Elantra N with a 2.0L turbo making 276 horsepower. The Elantra also sports a roomy, quiet, and comfortable interior. Some areas are still dominated by large chunks of hard plastic, but that’s a minor gripe in an otherwise pleasant cabin. Infotainment is also top notch, though it is odd that wireless smartphone compatibility is only available with the smaller eight-inch touchscreen. Standard safety tech includes lane-departure warning and forward collision warning, many competitors are more generous with their base models. A big attraction for the Hyundai Elantra is the company’s 10 year / 100,000-mile warranty, among the strongest offerings in the industry. The Hyundai Elantra ticks a lot of boxes, style, efficiency, and a great warranty.
3. Mazda3
The Breakdown
Outstanding handling
Terrific value
Great turbo engine
Confined space in back seat
Low on cargo space
base model lacks features
MazdaSpeed3 please?
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.3/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$21,815 - $34,115
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
28 City / 36 Hwy (MPG)
Things get really competitive at this point on our list. The Mazda3 injects some serious wow factor into a traditionally humdrum segment. Elegant and understated, the Mazda3 looks great and drives that way too. A base 2.0L provides the Mazda3’s best gas mileage while the turbo 2.5L makes up to 250 horsepower (on premium gas). Handling, cornering, and overall drivability are a notch about the competition and make the Mazda3 a consistent joy to drive. Plus, Mazda offers the rare choice of optional all-wheel drive for the Mazda3. The Mazda3’s interior is its strongest suit, quality, design, and finish approach luxury levels here. One weakness however is the rear seats which aren’t as roomy as rivals. Cargo is also a bit stingy at 13.2 cu-ft (the hatchback offers a more generous 20.1 cu-ft. The base price is a bit high at $22,000 but is well-equipped, including a good array of standard advanced safety features. The Mazda3 combines refinement and performance as few others in the segment.
2. Honda Insight
The Breakdown
Great fuel economy estimates
6 colors to choose from
Practical car
Lots of standard safety features
Lacks speed
Engine gets noisy
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.5/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$25,210 - $29,240
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
55 City / 49 Hwy (MPG)
The Honda Insight is the sole dedicated hybrid on our list. It makes it to number two not just thanks to its efficiency but its general well-roundedness. The 1.5L engine combines with an electric motor for 152 horsepower. Though the Insight won’t be blowing the doors off even a Prius, its 55 city MPG is nonetheless impressive. The ride is quiet and composed in most driving situations, the lone exception being when hard throttle application strains the small engine. Interior quality is great with high-quality materials and a solid fit and finish. Infotainment is straightforward, easy to use, and thankfully leaves HVAC and other controls to physical buttons. The Insight’s cabin is spacious both in front and back. The only real weakness of the Insight is the shallow trim level options of which there are just two, the EX and Touring. This results in the base trim starting at over $25,000. Thankfully, Honda imbues the Insight EX with a sizable number of desirable features, leaving only the most choice for the top Touring. As a result, the Insight EX is among the best base offerings in the segment.
1. Honda Civic
The Breakdown
New design leaves polarizing 10th gen style
Optional fully digital instrument panel
Latest airbag tech
Deep list of active safety tech
HPD body kit adds some spice
Manual transmission is no more in the sedan
Still affordable and lightweight with more tech
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
$22,695 - $29,295
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
31 City / 40 Hwy (MPG)
Our top pick for compact cars shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The Honda Civic, like the Toyota Corolla, has been a go-to choice for years and its well-roundedness and refinement keep it a cut above the competition. One of the Civic’s biggest attractions is its drivability, which is on almost par with the segment leader in that category, the Mazda3. The Civic’s nimble handling is complimented by your choice of powertrains. A base 2.0L four-cylinder offers an impressive 40 MPG on the highway. A more powerful 1.5L turbo is also available for pairs perfectly with the Civic’s engaging driving characteristics. The Civic impresses with a highly evolved interior that’s high on both style and comfort. Thoughtful ergonomics and straightforward electronics make the Civic the perfect daily commute companion. A hatchback option augments the Civic’s already practical nature. Sterling safety scores and a generous list of standard safety tech items round out the all-star Civic. The starting price of $22,695 is on the higher end for the segment, but Honda provides a lot for that money and even more at higher trims. With all the Civic brings to the table, you’ll need a compelling reason not to consider it when shopping for a compact car.
