Today, choosing the right car means considering a number of different factors, including fuel economy, design, and practicality. For many people, compact cars offer a perfect blend of each of these things. It suits city commutes and weekend getaways. If you’re in the market for a new car, these are 22 of the top compact vehicles that are sure to impress.
22. Hyundai Veloster: Sporty Looks with Practical Efficiency
The Hyundai Veloster is a favorite among people seeking out a compact vehicle that has a sporty look and feel to it. It has a unique three-door design and offers okay fuel economy (not great). The Veloster offers an estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Hyundai stopped making the Veloster in 2022, so if you’re interested in this vehicle, you’ll have to look on the used car market.
21. Volkswagen Jetta: A Fuel-Efficient Classic
Volkswagen has some pretty iconic vehicles in its lineup, the Jetta being one of them. It’s a good-looking car but, more than that, it is practical. The Jetta is equipped with a number of safety features, like blind-spot monitoring. Overall, it’s a solid car with reliable performance, making it a great long-term investment. On top of that, it gets up to 30 mpg city / 41 mpg highway. For style and dependability, the Jetta is a classic choice.
20. Nissan Leaf: A Compact Electric with Style
Nissan’s Leaf is an affordable compact electric vehicle with an impressive range of up to 226 miles. This has greatly improved since the car first made its way to dealership lots. When it made its debut, the Nissan Leaf could only go 71 miles on a single charge. Now, it’s a bit more practical and the interior is spacious for a compact car. It’s also equipped with modern tech that you’d expect to find in a vehicle in 2024. Not to mention, the starting price for a brand-new Leaf is $28,140, making it a budget-friendly choice.
19. Honda Fit: Small Car with Big Versatility
Honda has another more popular compact car that is closer to the top of this list. However, the Fit often gets overlooked. It is a smaller vehicle that somehow has a spacious interior. The Honda Fit has the Magic Seat system, making it flexible for different cargo configurations. Best of all, it offers up to 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The Fit really does combine practicality with great fuel economy. Unfortunately, Honda stopped making the Fit in 2020, but you can still find some good models on the used car market.
18. Chevrolet Bolt: An Electric Option with Style
I personally know someone who has the EV Chevy Bolt and they love it. It’s a compact car that basically does what you ask of it. On a full charge, you can expect to get up to 259 miles of range. Being a compact car, it is perfect for city driving. Chevrolet stopped producing the Bolt in December of 2023 though. So, you’ll have to look for a used model if you want this stylish little car.
17. Kia Soul: Unique Styling with Space to Spare
While I’m not a fan of the Kia Soul, there are many people who enjoy it. It has decent fuel economy, with an estimated 29 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Despite its smaller size, the cabin feels quite spacious and comes with plenty of tech features. Other safety features, like forward-collision warning, are also standard. Overall, it’s a solid choice if you want something smaller that is decent on gas.
16. Ford Fiesta: Compact and Economical
The Ford Fiesta is level-pegging with the Kia Soul as far as fuel economy goes. It has an estimated 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway. This car is a really great choice for younger drivers because it’s smaller, easy to maneuver, and it’s affordable and efficient. You can find a used version of the Fiesta on the market for less than $9,000. Like several other cars on this list, you’ll have to find it used though. Ford halted production of the Fiesta in the summer of last year.
15. Mazda CX-3: A Stylish Crossover with Compact Efficiency
Mazda has a few cars that offer great fuel economy. The CX-3 is among them with up to 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. It’s got a sporty design and is great for drivers looking for a compact car with an SUV feel. Unfortunately, Mazda stopped making the CX-3 in 2021. So, you’ll have to find this gem on the used car lot.
14. Honda Insight: Sophisticated Hybrid with Excellent MPG
The Honda Insight is the first car on this list that really blows the others out of the water where fuel economy is concerned. It is a refined hybrid that has all the standard safety tech, like lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring. Honda has estimated that the Insight gets up to 55 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. The carmaker discontinued the Insight in 2022 though, so the only way you’ll experience its greatness is if you find one on the used market.
13. Toyota Prius: The Iconic Hybrid That Still Shines
Toyota stands out as a leader in the hybrid market. The Prius was one of the first cars of its kind and it offers astounding fuel economy. Toyota estimates that it gets up to 57 city / 56 highway. That’s miraculous! Although it was one of the first hybrids on the market, the Prius continues to be a top contender due to Toyota’s innovation and the car’s sleek design.
12. Hyundai Ioniq: A Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Hatchback
These cars are pretty cool-looking. The Hyundai Ioniq has an EPA-estimated 58 mpg in the city and 60 mpg on the highway, for a combined 59 mpg. The original Ioniq was put out of production, but Hyundai will be releasing the Ioniq 5 in 2025 and is working on the Ioniq 9. Overall, it is a great vehicle for eco-conscious drivers looking for a comfortable, fuel-efficient ride.
11. Mini Cooper: Small Car, Big Style
I typically wouldn’t recommend the Mini Cooper, but it is certainly a compact car and it’s decent on gas. It gets up to 29 city / 38 highway. Many people enjoy its compact size, especially if they do most of their driving in the city. The cabin isn’t as spacious as some of the others listed here, but there are plenty of the modern bells and whistles you’d expect. Additionally, the Mini can actually feel a bit zippy on the road and is known for its sporty performance. So, for those looking for something fuel-efficient that is also fun to drive, the Mini Cooper is a decent option.
10. Subaru Impreza: All-Wheel Drive and Efficiency
Subaru vehicles stand out with their all-wheel-drive capabilities. The Impreza has the same all-wheel-drive and a good fuel economy of up to 27 city / 34 highway. Its interior is fairly spacious and has plenty of user-friendly technology. What many drivers like about the Impreza is its versatility. It performs well in various driving conditions, making it a great choice for many people.
9. Chevrolet Spark: Compact Size, Big Personality
Our neighbors have a Chevy Spark and I was intrigued when we pulled up to our new home and saw it in their driveway. This compact car has an estimated 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. One of the cool things about the Spark is the color options available. They come in some pretty awesome yellows and blues. While Chevrolet stopped making the Spark in 2022, they are still available on the used car market. And they are incredibly affordable with starting prices for a brand-new 2022 starting at $13,600.
8. Nissan Sentra: Sleek Styling with Great Efficiency
Nissan’s Sentra is a popular compact car. It has a bold look and offers a decent fuel economy of up to 30 city / 40 highway. The interior is comfortable and stylish. Best of all, it’s affordable with 2025 models starting at $21,590. Overall, the Sentra is a great option for drivers wanting to make a statement without breaking the bank.
7. Kia Forte: Budget-Friendly with Bold Design
Kia replaced the Forte with the Soul, which we previously mentioned on the list. This year is the last year the carmaker is producing the Forte. However, it’s not too late to get in on its amazing fuel economy of 30 mpg city / 41 mpg highway. It is also extremely affordable, with prices starting at $19,990.
6. Ford Focus: A Practical and Stylish Classic
The Ford Focus is another popular choice. It boasts a fuel economy of up to 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The Focus is nimble and handles well. More importantly, if you want to get a Focus, 2025 will be your last year to get a new one. Ford recently announced it will stop producing the Focus next year.
5. Volkswagen Golf: Fun to Drive with a Focus on Efficiency
We owned a VW Golf for several years and only upgraded to a midsize SUV after having kids. I still wish we kept the Golf though because it was fun to drive and had a practical fuel economy. It got up to 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Not to mention, it was just a cool little car. It has all the safety features you want in a modern vehicle and the VW Golf is the epitome of a hot hatchback. Overall, it’s a great choice if you want something that’s cool and affordable that won’t make you go broke at the pump.
4. Hyundai Elantra: A Modern, Fuel-Efficient Favorite
The Elantra is another cool little car. It has a futuristic look to it and there are hybrid options that can help you get up to 50 mpg. Its bold design ensures it stands out from other compact cars. The Elantra’s fuel efficiency and tech-forward features appeal to drivers looking for style on a budget. It’s a smart, stylish choice for the modern driver.
3. Mazda3: A Touch of Luxury on a Budget
The Mazda3 is another great choice if you want a compact car that will save you money at the pump. It gets an estimated 27 mpg city / 37 mpg highway. This car is cool-looking and its agile handling makes it fun to drive. The Mazda3 is also loaded with advanced tech, like a heads-up display and driver-assist features. Overall, Mazda3’s elegance and efficiency make it hard to overlook.
2. Honda Civic: A Fusion of Style and Fuel Economy
Honda has made a name for itself in the car world as an affordable, reliable, and practical car brand. The Civic is a compact car that is known for its sporty look and fuel efficiency. It gets up to 32 city / 41 highway. Of course, it has all the tech and safety features you’d expect in a Honda as well. As far as compact vehicles are concerned, it stands out for its style, comfort, and efficiency.
1. Toyota Corolla: A Timeless Choice with Modern Updates
Toyota is another beloved brand that is known for reliability and innovation. The Corolla has a number of modern updates, including hybrid options that can help you get up to 52 mpg combined. Even without the hybrid, the Corolla gets up to 41 mpg on the highway. This timeless model offers longevity and cost-effectiveness in style.
Compact Cars that Combine Practicality and Panache
Each of these cars proves you don’t have to choose between fuel economy and style. Whether you’re looking for a cool hatchback like the Golf or a timeless classic like the Corolla, there’s a model to suit your taste and your budget.