- MSRP: $14,750 - $18,960
- Invoice: $14,236 - $18,277
- MPG: 27 City / 33 Hwy
#1
2009 Honda Fit
Redesigned for 2009, the larger and sportier Fit has quality and utility that few subcompacts can match. Although it's an expensive car compared to other subcompacts and hatchbacks, the Fit ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:9.1 Performance:8.2 Exterior:7.3 Interior:8.8 Safety:9.8 Reliability:8.0
- MSRP: $15,305 - $24,305
- Invoice: $14,113 - $22,368
- MPG: 26 City / 34 Hwy
#2
2009 Honda Civic
Reviewers praise the 2009 Honda Civic's excellent safety features and high-class cabin appointments, but also mention its sleek body style. It is one of the most reliable, visually ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:9.0 Performance:8.3 Exterior:8.4 Interior:8.1 Safety:9.8 Reliability:8.0
- MSRP: $23,650 - $26,850
- Invoice: $21,767 - $24,702
- MPG: 40 City / 45 Hwy
#3
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
The Civic Hybrid qualifications are similar to the popular Toyota Prius, but it offers the conventional styling of a gas-engine sedan. On the other hand, many reviewers report its around-town driving ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.6 Performance:7.1 Exterior:8.4 Interior:7.9 Safety:9.8 Reliability:8.0
- MSRP: $14,120 - $17,820
- Invoice: $13,735 - $17,090
- MPG: 24 City / 33 Hwy
#4
2009 Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra has a low base price and great fuel economy. Plus many say it has one of the most comfortable and spacious cabins in the small car class. ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.5 Performance:7.6 Exterior:7.7 Interior:8.2 Safety:8.5 Reliability:8.0
- MSRP: $16,300 - $19,340
- Invoice: $15,456 - $18,781
- MPG: 20 City / 29 Hwy
#5
2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
The Rabbit is a great performer with plenty of standard features and a high index of class and comfort.
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.4 Performance:8.1 Exterior:8.0 Interior:8.4 Safety:9.4 Reliability:5.0
- MSRP: $17,515 - $23,540
- Invoice: $16,863 - $22,263
- MPG: 21 City / 30 Hwy
#6
2009 Volkswagen Jetta
The Jetta has good power, great safety features and comfortable seating, plus a brand new diesel trim that's earning positive attention for its smooth performance and high ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.3 Performance:8.4 Exterior:7.8 Interior:8.4 Safety:9.4 Reliability:5.0
- MSRP: $15,045 - $22,300
- Invoice: $14,108 - $20,879
- MPG: 25 (Est) City / 33 (Est) Hwy
#7
2010 Mazda MAZDA3
The redesigned Mazda3's aggressively sporty performance is notable among affordable small cars, but its once-sleek exterior is now described as goofy-looking by some auto writers.
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.1 Performance:8.7 Exterior:5.6 Interior:8.4 Safety:9.6 Reliability:4.0
- MSRP: $13,325 - $15,125
- Invoice: $12,640 - $14,355
- MPG: 27 City / 32 Hwy
#8
2009 Kia Rio5
The Rio5 offers one of the best safety packages in its class, as well as an outstanding warranty and good cargo capacity. But it also has very ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.0 Performance:7.6 Exterior:8.3 Interior:7.3 Safety:8.4 Reliability:7.0
- MSRP: $13,300 - $17,900
- Invoice: $12,755 - $16,775
- MPG: - TBD - City / - TBD - Hwy
#8
2010 Kia Soul
The Soul is Kia's brand-new car-based hatchback, though it does sport some SUV-like styling. It's about the same length as the Kia Rio compact and competes with ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.0 Performance:7.4 Exterior:8.4 Interior:8.8 Safety:9.6 Reliability:5.0
- MSRP: $17,495 - $26,995
- Invoice: $16,734 - $25,510
- MPG: 20 City / 27 Hwy
#8
2009 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza's leading safety scores and standard all-wheel drive should appeal to practical-minded car shoppers looking for reliable transportation. But some auto writers say the car has little ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.0 Performance:7.6 Exterior:6.1 Interior:7.6 Safety:9.8 Reliability:7.0
- MSRP: $13,299 - $18,639
- Invoice: $12,767 - $17,893
- MPG: 22 City / 30 Hwy
#8
2009 Suzuki SX4
The SX4's fun style, interior features and performance make it a great alternative to the top-ranked small cars, as does its low pricing. But some of its ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:8.0 Performance:7.9 Exterior:7.7 Interior:8.6 Safety:8.1 Reliability:5.0
- MSRP: $18,550 - $28,550
- Invoice: $16,695 - $25,695
- MPG: 26 City / 34 Hwy
#12
2009 MINI Cooper
After a year hiatus, the 2009 MINI Cooper has come back with the same combination of classic and contemporary that won over reviewers in 2007. Reviewers like ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:7.9 Performance:8.3 Exterior:8.4 Interior:6.6 Safety:9.1 Reliability:5.0
- MSRP: $13,100 - $16,330
- Invoice: $12,645 - $15,750
- MPG: 26 City / 31 Hwy
#12
2009 Nissan Versa
The Versa is a roomy subcompact with pleasing performance and a large amount of standard safety equipment -- a rarity for a small car. But the Versa skimps ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:7.9 Performance:7.2 Exterior:7.1 Interior:8.6 Safety:9.2 Reliability:5.0
- MSRP: $17,000 - $17,800
- Invoice: $16,150 - $16,910
- MPG: 20 City / 27 Hwy
#12
2010 Scion tC
Small and sporty, the tC is an affordable coupe with pleasing performance and plenty of customization possibilities.
U.S.News Scores Overall:7.9 Performance:7.8 Exterior:8.0 Interior:7.1 Safety:9.3 Reliability:5.0
- MSRP: $14,540 - $19,540
- Invoice: $13,852 - $18,616
- MPG: 22 City / 30 Hwy
#15
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
The Lancer's attractive exterior styling and balanced handling are strong for this segment, while some of its high-tech cabin features are more common in a luxury class. ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:7.8 Performance:7.6 Exterior:9.0 Interior:7.0 Safety:9.6 Reliability:5.0
- MSRP: $15,750 - $16,700
- Invoice: $14,962 - $15,865
- MPG: 22 City / 28 Hwy
#15
2010 Scion xB
The xB is still square, safe and affordable, but isn't your best option for cabin comfort and gas mileage.
U.S.News Scores Overall:7.8 Performance:7.8 Exterior:8.2 Interior:7.7 Safety:8.6 Reliability:6.0
- MSRP: $14,650 - $15,450
- Invoice: $13,917 - $14,677
- MPG: 27 City / 33 Hwy
#15
2009 Scion xD
The xD is an acceptable car for around-town cruising with plenty of customization options for a unique look and feel. But it doesn't have the stamina or ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:7.8 Performance:7.1 Exterior:7.7 Interior:7.4 Safety:8.8 Reliability:6.0
- MSRP: $15,520 - $18,265
- Invoice: $14,574 - $16,916
- MPG: 24 City / 35 Hwy
#18
2009 Ford Focus
Car writers like the Focus' innovative infotainment SYNC system and are pleased with the car's performance. But the Focus also has an uninspiring exterior design and a cramped second row, ...
U.S.News Scores Overall:7.7 Performance:7.6 Exterior:7.0 Interior:7.7 Safety:9.2 Reliability:7.0
- MSRP: $16,100 - $20,875
- Invoice: $15,376 - $19,936
- MPG: 26 City / 32 Hwy
#18
2010 Pontiac Vibe
The Vibe has cargo space to rival larger crossovers, but its unexciting drive doesn't compare well to newer hatchbacks.
U.S.News Scores Overall:7.7 Performance:7.1 Exterior:7.8 Interior:7.5 Safety:9.6 Reliability:8.0
