If you need wheels on a budget-- and honestly,
who isn't on a budget these days--
compact sedans are a great way to get around.
And the good news is there are a ton of great use options.
I'm Travis from Edmunds.
We test and review hundreds of cars, trucks,
and SUVs each year, while CarMax buys
sells and expertly appraises thousands upon thousands.
We're combining our testing knowledge
with CarMax's experience to help you make the right choice
for your next car.
For a full article on all the cars in this video,
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what your favorite compact sedan is.
Sure, SUVs have been the big sellers for years.
But their sedan counterparts are typically lighter and smaller,
which makes them more fuel efficient and more
fun to drive.
And on top of that, they've got the same levels
of comfort and technology.
So today we're going to go over our list of our top five
favorite sedans in the compact segment.
We're going to start here with the 2020 Hyundai Elantra.
The Elantra is a small sedan that
goes big on features, technology, and efficiency.
In this generation, there were three available engines,
starting with a base 2.0-liter engine, the Eco,
which had a 1.4-liter turbo-charged engine,
and the sportier trim that had a 1.6-liter turbo-charged engine,
all of which had pretty average power outputs for the segment.
The Eco is understandably the mileage leader of the bunch,
with an impressive EPA estimated 36 MPG in combined driving.
The base engine gets within 1 MPG of that mark
while the 1.6 liter turbo gets EPA estimates as
high as 29 MPG combined.
On the inside, the Elantra is straightforward and easy
to use.
All the buttons and controls are where you'd expect them to be.
Back when this generation debuted in 2017,
we were particularly impressed with the materials quality.
But the competition has caught up since then.
Also, several driver aides were not
available or limited to higher trim levels back in 2017.
But the Elantra has since caught up.
For example, in 2020, you could get forward
collision mitigation and lane keep assist as standard.
The Elantra isn't as spacious as some rivals,
but it should be OK for most passengers.
Taller drivers are going to wish this seat came up
a little bit higher.
But passengers over 5'9 are also going to wish the headliner
didn't rub against their head in the back seat.
It's clear the Elantra isn't the sporty choice
and handling capabilities further confirmed that.
It navigates curves on smooth pavement with confidence.
But on choppy roads, the rear wheels feel unsettlingly busy.
As far as comfort goes, the Elantra
is about average for its rivals.
The suspension does a decent job of reducing any harshness
from big potholes.
But the rather firm and flat seats
can cause some hard spots on longer trips.
The Elantra isn't exciting.
But that's to be expected from affordable sedans like these.
It's sensible and it gets you a lot for your money, which is
really what's most important.
Its pros are it has good value and good fuel economy
estimates from the EPA.
The cons-- it's got weak performance and firm,
flat seats.
This current generation Kia Forte
is one of our favorites in the compact class,
sitting right near the top of the segment
since its introduction in 2019.
The Kia Forte us over with its abundance of standard features
and its relatively low price.
It offers pretty good value.
On top of that, we're big fans of the sleek styling.
And it's got an infotainment interface
that's really intuitive and easy to use.
Plus, it gets pretty good fuel economy estimates from the EPA.
The Forte lineup has changed a bit over the years
but it generally started with the base
FE trim, then moving up to the LXS, the EX, and the sporty GT
trim level.
A 2.0-liter, 4 cylinder engine powers most Forte models.
In 2020, the GT trim debuted with a turbo-charged 1.6-liter
engine.
If that sounds familiar, it's because it's the same engine
in the class average Elantra.
The FE is the mileage leader, with the EPA estimated 35 MPG
while the turbo drops to 30 MPG.
The Forte's interior fights well above its weight class.
Its design and materials are almost Audi-reminiscent.
It masks its affordability really well.
Front passengers have a ton of room,
even if you're in 6'0 range.
Rear passengers have adult-sized head room
but my room is limited.
The front seats offer good amounts of support
and the cabin remains relatively quiet,
giving the Forte strong scores for long distance comfort.
Unlike some other sedans, the Forte
includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
on all models in this generation.
With the 2.0-liter bass engine, the Forte was able to go from 0
to 60 in our testing in 8.7 seconds,
which is about average for the segment.
Handling's pretty average too, with minimal body roll
through the corners.
But the Forte does have some stiff suspension.
So if you hit a bump mid-corner, it might get a little skittish.
In our testing, we've found that the driver aides are well-tuned
and avoid false alarms.
Standard, you'll get forward collision mitigation.
But you'll have to go to upper trim levels for stuff
like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring.
But that's pretty typical amongst cars
in the compact segment.
The Forte has lots of features for the money.
It's got strong fuel economy estimates and a refined
interior.
But it does have a stiff ride quality and limited rear seat
space.
The Mazda 3 represents a bit of an outlier in the class.
Its evocative styling makes the rest seem dull by comparison.
And it performs on a much higher level.
It's going to cost you, though.
When the Mazda 3 was redesigned in 2019,
it came with a 2.5-liter base engine.
Later, a new base engine would be introduced,
but also, the high horsepower turbo model, which has some
of the most power in the class.
And Mazda 3 is available with all-wheel drive,
which is a rarity amongst compact sedans.
The Mazda 3 holds a power advantage
over comparable sedans.
But that comes at the expense of fuel economy.
The most efficient base engine only
manages to achieve a 31 MPG estimate
while other models drop slightly until you
reach the all-wheel drive Turbo model.
Mazda 3 sleek exterior design is echoed on its upscale interior.
On higher trim levels, it feels downright luxurious.
And that's thanks in part to high quality craftsmanship
and premium materials that feel like they belong in a much more
expensive vehicle.
Were it not for some practicality drawbacks,
the Mazda would likely rank higher.
As it is, taller drivers will easily fit.
But they probably wish their steering wheel would extend
a little bit further back.
Rear seat space is below average and can
be constrained further when you have large front passengers.
As far as tech m the Mazda 3 receives
praise for its easy to use infotainment system that
can be controlled via BMW or Audi-like central dial.
It's good enough that you might not even use
Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
But luckily, they're standard on all models
except for the base trim, anyway.
The Mazda 3 is a performance stand-out in the segment.
The 2.5-liter engine is pretty punchy.
But for driving thrills, the Turbo is our choice.
Handling deserves a lot of praise too.
Not only does the suspension give you a lot of confidence,
but can also keep spirit of drivers
entertained on a fun, twisty road.
Despite its cornering prowess, the Mazda 3
is also comfortable over bumpy surfaces.
Sure, it rides a bit stiffer than other sedans.
But impacts are never harsh.
Overall, we wish all sedans drove as well
as the Mazda 3 does.
For the Mazda 3, it's got put potent performance,
attractive styling, refined interior,
and available all-wheel drive.
But it does have limited rear seat space, a small trunk,
and it's pricier than rivals.
If you're looking for simply the best small sedan,
look no further than the Honda Civic.
When this generation of Civic debuted in 2016,
it quickly grabbed the best in class spot.
And it remained Edmunds top rated sedan
for the entire generational life.
Over the five years that it was around,
you had EX, LX, Sport and Touring trims,
and if you really wanted to go fast,
there was the Type R. Power is supplied
in based models by a 2.0, four cylinder engine.
EX and Touring models get upgraded to a turbo-charged
1.5-liter engine.
These numbers may not seem impressive,
but the Civic makes use of every bit of that power.
Like all the other cars on this list,
we're partial to the turbo engine,
but not just for the power.
It gets as high as an estimated 36 MPG in combined driving.
While the 2.0-liter gets EPA estimates that are closer to 33
MPG.
In Edmunds ratings, the Civic leads amongst compact sedans
in pretty much every category, and that
includes interior space.
Adults can fit comfortably in both the front
and the back seat.
But there is one thing in the interior
that's a minor gripe of ours.
Earlier models this generation had this weird capacitive touch
volume control.
We weren't big fans.
So if you want to avoid that and get a volume knob,
look for models that 2019 or newer.
The infotainment system itself has some drawbacks
with outdated graphics, confusing menus,
and slow responses.
On the plus side, you can bypass a lot
of this with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto,
which are standard equipment on everything but the base trim.
Pros-- it's got quick acceleration, sharp handling,
spacious cabin, and high fuel economy estimates.
Cons-- frequent false alarms from the driver aides,
distracting lane watch camera, and outdated infotainment.
Lastly, we have the Corolla, one of the best-selling vehicles
of all time.
Its popularity is due in large part
to its reputation for a high quality
interior and affordability.
The Corolla was last redesigned in 2020.
So this one's still pretty fresh.
There are five trim levels to choose from,
starting at the base L, and working your way up
to the top of the line, SXE.
Base models get to 1.8-liter, four cylinder engine.
And as you work your way up the line,
get a 2.0-liter four cylinder engine.
But both of those engines are pretty anemic for the class.
Our pick is the 2.0-liter engine,
not just for the added power, but it also gets better EPA
fuel economy estimates.
It's an MPG or two better than the base engine,
depending on the trim.
The Corolla's interior is pretty basic.
But that's not necessarily a knock against it.
There are high quality materials and an easy to understand
layout, which gives it a leg up on the competition.
There's plenty of room up front for taller folks.
But as you'd probably expect from this segment,
it's a little bit crowded in the back.
So you may not want to have your adult friends sit back there.
When it comes to technology, the Corolla
is a little bit hit or miss.
There are a lot of standard driver aides
but the infotainment interface is not our favorite thing.
Don't get me wrong, it's a big improvement
over the old generation.
But even on this 2020 model, you only get Apple CarPlay.
Android Auto, you've got to get 2021 or newer.
If you're only seeking transportation that'll
get you from point A to point B, the Corolla
will easily satisfy.
Compared to other sedans in this class,
it's fairly anemic though, even in sporty terms.
The larger 2.0-liter engine is still down on power compared
to rivals.
And the continuously variable transmission
makes it feel even weaker.
That means you'll probably have to floor
it when getting on the highway.
In the handling department, it doesn't
fare much better the soft suspension tuning results
in a lot of body roll in the curves
and the tires don't provide much grip either.
Instead, the Corolla focuses on comfort.
And it does that well.
The ride quality is smooth and the front seats
will keep you fatigue-free on long road trips.
Pros-- lots of standard driver aides, high quality interior,
comfortable ride.
Cons-- slow, technology features could use an update,
limited rear seat space.
So what did we learn?
Well, small sedans are still a viable alternative to SUVs.
And there's pretty much a small sedan for everybody,
whether you're looking for one that's
affordable or nice and refined.
The Hyundai Elantra is packed with features
at a reasonable price and its fuel efficient.
But it's a bit lifeless in the driving department.
The Kia Forte is a very affordable car
while not skimping on features.
It's efficient and it has a great interior
but the rear seats are small and the ride is too stiff.
The Mazda 3 is the sexy athlete of the bunch.
It's a joy to look at and to drive.
But it comes up short in regards to practicality
and it can cost more than rivals.
The Honda Civic, it's the all-around champion-- expertly
balances performance, comfort, and practicality.
Lastly, Toyota Corolla strengths include high quality interior
and comfort, but too bad it's slow
and it's in desperate need of a tech update.
Not seeing what you like?
Well, the Subaru Impreza has always been a good sedan,
even though it's got a little bit of a thirsty engine.
And the Volkswagen Jetta, if you can find one
for the right price, might be a good choice.
But it's had a hard time pushing past its general averageness.
For more information on all the cars in this video,
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And thanks for watching.