Best Compact Cars

The EPA defines cars by size classes. By its yardstick, compact cars have between 100 and 109 cubic feet of space for passengers and cargo. Some popular cars that once were compact may not be in the list: the Honda Civic, for example, is technically a mid-size car.
Related Rankings: Small Cars | Luxury Small Sedans | Small Hatchbacks | Coupes | Subcompact Cars
1
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
star medal icon
MSRP From: $41,800
See Your Price
8.5
Expert Rating
“The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 cleaves throwback styling with cutting-edge electric car performance.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
9 / 10
Performance
7 / 10
Comfort & Quality
8 / 10
Safety
9 / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
10 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
2
2024 Kia EV6
2024 Kia EV6 GT
MSRP From: $42,600
See Your Price
8.3
Expert Rating
“Well-balanced and loaded with value, the 2024 Kia EV6 is a must-see for electric crossover shoppers.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
8 / 10
Performance
7 / 10
Comfort & Quality
8 / 10
Safety
8 / 10
Features
9 / 10
Fuel Economy
10 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
3
2025 Volkswagen ID.4
2025 Volkswagen ID.4
8.0
Expert Rating
“The 2025 VW ID.4 stands out as a good value, even if it’s not as exciting or stylish as top competitors.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
7 / 10
Comfort & Quality
8 / 10
Safety
8 / 10
Features
9 / 10
Fuel Economy
10 / 10
4
2025 Volvo EX30
2025 Volvo EX30
MSRP From: $34,950
7.6
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Volvo EX30 loads up on features for a low starting price, though some will be cool to its thrifty cabin and its adequate range.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
8 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
N/A / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
10 / 10
Specifications »
5
2025 Honda Civic
2025 Honda Civic Hybrid
MSRP From: $24,250
See Your Price
7.2
Expert Rating
“With 200 hp and 49 mpg combined, the new Honda Civic Hybrid slam-dunks its siblings for efficiency.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
8 / 10
Performance
6 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
8 / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
7 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
5
2025 Nissan Leaf
2025 Nissan Leaf
MSRP From: $28,140
See Your Price
7.2
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Nissan Leaf is a good overall EV for shoppers looking for a commuter car value.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
6 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
10 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
7
2025 Kia Niro
2025 Kia Niro
MSRP From: $26,990
See Your Price
6.8
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Kia Niro makes a name for itself with its modest size and variety of electrified powertrains.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
5 / 10
Comfort & Quality
7 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
10 / 10
Fuel Economy
6 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
8
2025 Hyundai Elantra
2025 Hyundai Elantra
MSRP From: $21,875
See Your Price
6.5
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N delivers a refined driving experience, but its interior lacks the quality touches we’ve seen in the automaker’s other models.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
7 / 10
Performance
5 / 10
Comfort & Quality
5 / 10
Safety
8 / 10
Features
9 / 10
Fuel Economy
5 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
8
2024 Volkswagen Golf
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI
MSRP From: $31,965
6.5
Expert Rating
“The 2024 VW Golf lineup delights in any form. Grab a base GTI S for the most approachable thrills, or vault all the way to the delightful Golf R.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
7 / 10
Comfort & Quality
7 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
9 / 10
Fuel Economy
3 / 10
Specifications »
10
2025 Mazda MAZDA3
2025 Mazda Mazda3
MSRP From: $23,950
See Your Price
6.3
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Mazda 3 is a compact car with verve and slick styling but a lousy infotainment system.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
7 / 10
Performance
7 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
8 / 10
Features
6 / 10
Fuel Economy
4 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
10
2025 Toyota Corolla
2025 Toyota Corolla
MSRP From: $22,175
See Your Price
6.3
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Toyota Corolla offers something for just about everyone, though the sweet spot for commuters is the excellent hybrid.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
5 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
6 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
10
2025 Volkswagen Jetta
2025 Volkswagen Jetta
MSRP From: $21,995
See Your Price
6.3
Expert Rating
“A mild update for 2025 keeps the VW Jetta looking fresh, though we’ll miss its standard manual gearbox.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
5 / 10
Performance
6 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
9 / 10
Fuel Economy
5 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
10
2024 Subaru Impreza
2024 Subaru Impreza
MSRP From: $22,995
See Your Price
6.3
Expert Rating
“The 2024 Subaru Impreza presents value-minded transportation with the flexibility of a hatchback.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
6 / 10
Comfort & Quality
7 / 10
Safety
8 / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
4 / 10
10
2024 Subaru WRX
2024 Subaru WRX TR test drive review, Sicily
MSRP From: $32,735
See Your Price
6.3
Expert Rating
“Practical but fun, the 2024 Subaru WRX is the enthusiast’s everyday driver.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
9 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
8 / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
2 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
15
2025 Buick Envista
2025 Buick Envista
MSRP From: $22,900
See Your Price
6.0
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Buick Envista is cheap but cheerful, with a nice cabin and a good feature set. It’s all the car many shoppers really need.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
8 / 10
Performance
5 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
N/A / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
4 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
15
2025 Chevrolet Trax
2025 Chevrolet Trax
MSRP From: $20,400
See Your Price
6.0
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Chevy Trax is one of the most appealing ways to spend $25,000 or less on a brand-new car, so long as you can convince yourself that you don’t really need AWD.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
8 / 10
Performance
5 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
N/A / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
4 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
15
2025 Ford Mustang
2025 Ford Mustang 60th Anniversary Package
MSRP From: $31,920
See Your Price
6.0
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Ford Mustang is no bargain performance car, but it brims with style, personality, and poise.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
7 / 10
Performance
8 / 10
Comfort & Quality
5 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
1 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
15
2025 Toyota 86
2025 Toyota GR86
6.0
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Toyota GR86 is for true enthusiasts.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
9 / 10
Comfort & Quality
4 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
2 / 10
19
2025 Kia Soul
2025 Kia Soul
MSRP From: $20,290
See Your Price
5.8
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Kia Soul is a high-personality, low-price commuter.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
7 / 10
Performance
5 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
5 / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
4 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
19
2025 Nissan Sentra
2025 Nissan Sentra
MSRP From: $21,590
See Your Price
5.8
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Nissan Sentra is a reminder that inexpensive cars needn’t be penalty boxes.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
5 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
4 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
19
2025 Subaru BRZ
2025 Subaru BRZ
MSRP From: $31,095
5.8
Expert Rating
“Entertaining for novice and professional drivers alike, the 2025 Subaru BRZ is one of the world’s most enjoyable sports cars.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
9 / 10
Comfort & Quality
4 / 10
Safety
N/A / 10
Features
8 / 10
Fuel Economy
2 / 10
Specifications »
22
2024 Nissan Versa
2024 Nissan Versa
MSRP From: $16,679
See Your Price
5.7
Expert Rating
“The 2024 Nissan Versa looks, feels, and drives nicer than its price point.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
4 / 10
Comfort & Quality
5 / 10
Safety
7 / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
5 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
23
2024 Lexus RC
2024 Lexus RC
MSRP From: $44,770
See Your Price
5.6
Expert Rating
“Though the 2024 Lexus RC goes hard with its styling, its powertrain lineup, composed ride, and refined cabin deliver on expectations.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
7 / 10
Performance
7 / 10
Comfort & Quality
5 / 10
Safety
N/A / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
2 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
23
2024 Nissan Z
2024 Nissan Z Nismo
MSRP From: $42,970
See Your Price
5.6
Expert Rating
“The 2024 Nissan Z Nismo returns to wring more power and more thrills out of the visceral sports coupe.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
8 / 10
Performance
8 / 10
Comfort & Quality
3 / 10
Safety
N/A / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
2 / 10
25
2025 Nissan Kicks
2025 Nissan Kicks
MSRP From: $21,830
See Your Price
5.4
Expert Rating
“The 2025 Nissan Kicks is a grown-up entry-level vehicle, offering good equipment for the price, AWD at last, and the SUV looks everyone wants.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
6 / 10
Performance
4 / 10
Comfort & Quality
6 / 10
Safety
N/A / 10
Features
7 / 10
Fuel Economy
4 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
25
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MSRP From: $28,985
See Your Price
5.4
Expert Rating
“You won’t find the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s driving enjoyment in any other car at this price point.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
8 / 10
Performance
8 / 10
Comfort & Quality
3 / 10
Safety
N/A / 10
Features
5 / 10
Fuel Economy
3 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
27
2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
MSRP From: $16,695
See Your Price
3.8
Expert Rating
“A good deal on a used car may be a better buy than the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage.” Read Full Expert Review »
Styling
3 / 10
Performance
1 / 10
Comfort & Quality
3 / 10
Safety
5 / 10
Features
6 / 10
Fuel Economy
5 / 10
Specifications » Colors and Options »
Compare up to 3 cars

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

From dealers near you
Go!
Find Used Cars
Go!

Latest Car News

2025 Honda Civic Hybrid
Cheapest new hybrids under $30,000? Honda Civic makes the cut
2025 Nissan Sentra
Toyota Corolla vs Nissan Sentra: Compare Cars
2025 Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Corolla: Compare Sedans
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda MX-5 Miata, Fiat 124 recalled for excessive airbag force
More Car News »