- New
- Used
Fuel Economy
- 15 MPG or Better (30)
Small Cars $10,000 - $20,000
- MSRP: $11,965 - $15,365
- Invoice: $11,427 - $14,674
- MPG: 27 City / 34 Hwy
Chevy Aveo
#31 in Affordable Small Cars
Compared to sportier models from Honda or Mazda, the Chevy Aveo is merely an adequate performer, plus its standard safety features list is limited. Still, the Aveo has one of the best sticker prices in ...
- Get Chevy Aveo price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 6.5 |
| Performance: | 6.7 |
| Exterior: | 8.0 |
| Interior: | 7.4 |
| Safety: | 6.3 |
| Reliability: | 4.0 |
- MSRP: $15,660 - $23,525
- Invoice: $14,955 - $22,466
- MPG: 25 City / 37 Hwy
Chevy Cobalt
#19 in Affordable Small Cars
The Cobalt is an adequate performer with great fuel economy and enough upscale cabin options to entice a large audience. But its class-leading competitors have similar qualities and more comfortable seating.
- Get Chevy Cobalt price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.5 |
| Performance: | 7.9 |
| Exterior: | 7.6 |
| Interior: | 6.7 |
| Safety: | 9.2 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $16,460 - $24,840
- Invoice: $15,498 - $23,208
- MPG: 24 City / 30 Hwy
Dodge Caliber
#29 in Affordable Small Cars
The Caliber's aggressive styling and spacious trunk are assets for anyone shopping for a hatchback -- but reviewers say the car's underwhelming powertrain and less than stellar build might make you think twice. Consider the ...
- Get Dodge Caliber price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 6.7 |
| Performance: | 6.4 |
| Exterior: | 7.5 |
| Interior: | 7.1 |
| Safety: | 8.1 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $15,520 - $18,265
- Invoice: $14,574 - $16,916
- MPG: 24 City / 35 Hwy
Ford Focus
#11 in Affordable Small Cars
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, leading many to recommend you keep your ...
- Get Ford Focus price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.9 |
| Performance: | 7.6 |
| Exterior: | 7.0 |
| Interior: | 7.7 |
| Safety: | 9.2 |
| Reliability: | 8.0 |
- MSRP: $15,305 - $24,305
- Invoice: $14,113 - $22,368
- MPG: 26 City / 34 Hwy
Honda Civic
#2 in Affordable Small Cars
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 appealing and solidly performing vehicles of the ...
- Get Honda Civic price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 9.1 |
| Performance: | 8.3 |
| Exterior: | 8.4 |
| Interior: | 8.1 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 9.0 |
- MSRP: $14,750 - $18,960
- Invoice: $14,236 - $18,277
- MPG: 27 City / 33 Hwy
Honda Fit
#1 in Affordable Small Cars
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 is a good value over time. It's ...
- Get Honda Fit price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 9.4 |
| Performance: | 8.2 |
| Exterior: | 7.3 |
| Interior: | 8.8 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 10.0 |
- MSRP: $11,070 - $15,870
- Invoice: $10,822 - $15,406
- MPG: 27 City / 33 Hwy
Hyundai Accent
#22 in Affordable Small Cars
The Accent pleases reviewers with its undeniably good value and generous interior space for such a small car. Those same reviewers say the Accent would make a better showing among affordable small cars if it ...
- Get Hyundai Accent price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.4 |
| Performance: | 6.8 |
| Exterior: | 7.6 |
| Interior: | 7.6 |
| Safety: | 6.3 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $14,120 - $17,820
- Invoice: $13,735 - $17,090
- MPG: 24 City / 33 Hwy
Hyundai Elantra
#7 in Affordable Small Cars
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. Throw in its excellent value over time, ...
- Get Hyundai Elantra price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.2 |
| Performance: | 7.7 |
| Exterior: | 7.6 |
| Interior: | 8.3 |
| Safety: | 8.5 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $11,495 - $14,875
- Invoice: $11,045 - $14,120
- MPG: 27 City / 32 Hwy
Kia Rio
#19 in Affordable Small Cars
The Rio is a competent affordable small car with plenty of safety features and an appealing powertrain warranty, but it doesn't have the amenities, utility or comfort that others in its class provide.
- Get Kia Rio price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.5 |
| Performance: | 7.0 |
| Exterior: | 8.2 |
| Interior: | 7.3 |
| Safety: | 6.0 |
| Reliability: | 7.0 |
- MSRP: $13,325 - $15,125
- Invoice: $12,640 - $14,355
- MPG: 27 City / 32 Hwy
Kia Rio5
#10 in Affordable Small Cars
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 few standard cabin amenities, and there are ...
- Get Kia Rio5 price quotes from local dealers.
| 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
Kia Soul
#7 in Affordable Small Cars
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 other small hatchbacks including the Scion xB. ...
- Get Kia Soul price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.2 |
| Performance: | 7.4 |
| Exterior: | 8.4 |
| Interior: | 8.8 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | NA |
- MSRP: $13,200 - $17,100
- Invoice: $12,630 - $15,980
- MPG: 23 City / 30 Hwy
Kia Spectra
#24 in Affordable Small Cars
The Spectra is practical and spacious with a high-quality cabin. In addition, it has one of the lowest MSRPs in its class. But many say the Spectra's handling is soft compared to the sportiest compacts, and its front-row is not ...
- Get Kia Spectra price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.3 |
| Performance: | 7.3 |
| Exterior: | 8.1 |
| Interior: | 7.5 |
| Safety: | 7.9 |
| Reliability: | 5.0 |
- MSRP: $16,345 - $17,345
- Invoice: $15,280 - $16,210
- MPG: 23 City / 30 Hwy
Kia Spectra5
#19 in Affordable Small Cars
The Spectra5 is nimble on highways and easy on the wallet, but is not the best vehicle for impressive power, and most reviewers say you won't be comfortable in the cabin for too long.
- Get Kia Spectra5 price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.5 |
| Performance: | 7.3 |
| Exterior: | 8.0 |
| Interior: | 7.0 |
| Safety: | 9.3 |
| Reliability: | 5.0 |
- MSRP: $15,045 - $22,300
- Invoice: $14,108 - $20,879
- MPG: 25 (Est) City / 33 (Est) Hwy
Mazda MAZDA3
#4 in Affordable Small Cars
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.
- Get Mazda MAZDA3 price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.6 |
| Performance: | 9.0 |
| Exterior: | 5.6 |
| Interior: | 8.4 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | NA |
- MSRP: $18,550 - $28,550
- Invoice: $16,695 - $25,695
- MPG: 26 City / 34 Hwy
MINI Cooper
#13 in Affordable Small Cars
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 the hatchback's unconventional style and fun-to-drive personality, but say ...
- Get MINI Cooper price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.8 |
| Performance: | 8.3 |
| Exterior: | 8.4 |
| Interior: | 6.6 |
| Safety: | 9.1 |
| Reliability: | 4.0 |
- MSRP: $14,540 - $19,540
- Invoice: $13,852 - $18,616
- MPG: 22 City / 30 Hwy
Mitsubishi Lancer
#16 in Affordable Small Cars
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. Still, the Lancer's reluctant engine and sub-standard ...
- Get Mitsubishi Lancer price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.6 |
| Performance: | 7.6 |
| Exterior: | 9.0 |
| Interior: | 7.0 |
| Safety: | 9.6 |
| Reliability: | 4.0 |
- MSRP: $13,990 - $19,370
- Invoice: $13,500 - $18,557
- MPG: - TBD - City / - TBD - Hwy
Nissan Cube
#13 in Affordable Small Cars
According to our analysis, the 2009 Nissan Cube's bold styling, spacious interior and low MSRP should appeal to hatchback lovers who like to make a statement. But several critics say a closer look at ...
- Get Nissan Cube price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.8 |
| Performance: | 7.3 |
| Exterior: | 7.4 |
| Interior: | 9.1 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | NA |
- MSRP: $16,730 - $19,660
- Invoice: $15,823 - $18,334
- MPG: 24 City / 30 Hwy
Nissan Sentra
#22 in Affordable Small Cars
Its low MSRP and high fuel economy rating make the Sentra one of the best values in the affordable small car class. However, its 2.0-liter engine is not as potent as the sporty four-cylinder engines in the ...
- Get Nissan Sentra price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.4 |
| Performance: | 6.8 |
| Exterior: | 6.9 |
| Interior: | 7.9 |
| Safety: | 9.7 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $13,100 - $16,330
- Invoice: $12,645 - $15,750
- MPG: 26 City / 31 Hwy
Nissan Versa
#11 in Affordable Small Cars
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 on other standard features, especially in the ...
- Get Nissan Versa price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.9 |
| Performance: | 7.2 |
| Exterior: | 7.1 |
| Interior: | 8.6 |
| Safety: | 9.2 |
| Reliability: | 5.0 |
- MSRP: $14,335 - $14,335
- Invoice: $13,690 - $13,690
- MPG: 27 City / 34 Hwy
Pontiac G3
Not Yet Ranked
Daewoo calls it the Kalos, and Chevy named it the Aveo, but Pontiac has opted to call this five-door hatchback the G3. With Pontiac dealerships closing, the G3 has one of the shortest lifespans of ...
- Get Pontiac G3 price quotes from local dealers.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | NA |
| Performance: | NA |
| Exterior: | NA |
| Interior: | NA |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | NA |
