Our Top 5 Compact Cars of 2022

Even in a world where most drivers lean toward SUVs, the compact car segment continues to be a strong competitor.

The cars we see in this class offer the balance of size, quality, price, efficiency, and imagination to give you the drive you desire. Whether you want to head out for a fun ride around some curves or you’re looking for a great way to save fuel during your regular commute, one of these compact cars can be the answer for you. Let’s look at the five best models for you to drive.

Toyota Corolla – An Excellent and Reliable Car

The Toyota Corolla is a name you’ve known and admired for a long time. This reliable car has been around for several decades, topping the sales charts and giving us a fun small car to drive for many years. You can’t go wrong with the Corolla if you’re looking for good fuel economy, user-friendly items, and standard driver-assist features.

Pros

• Easy-to-use touchscreen
• Many standard safety and tech features
• Comfortable ride
• Great gas mileage

Cons

• Underpowered base engine
• Small trunk area

The Toyota Corolla is one of the top compact cars on the market. Over its many years of existence, this car has won many awards and is one of this class’s top choices nearly every year. If you’re looking for a vehicle that brings you the longevity, you’re after and a drive that you won’t soon forget, look to the Corolla and let it show you what makes it one of the top models in its class.

Hyundai Elantra- Refined Sportiness at the Right Price

It’s hard to believe the Elantra wears the Hyundai badge. You’ll be blown away by what this amazing car delivers when you step behind the wheel and enjoy the refined powertrain, polished handling, and incredible touchscreen. Hyundai packs a lot of features into the Elantra to make it one of the most well-equipped small cars you’ll find. The latest addition to the Elantra is the N trim, which offers sporty driving dynamics and plenty of fun for you on any road.

Pros

• • Standard features and tech
  • Straightforward infotainment system
  • Impressive engine lineup offering plenty of acceleration
  • Good handling and ride on any road
  • Low starting price

 

Cons

• • • Some cheap cabin materials

It’s hard to argue with the quality and drive you to find in the Hyundai Elantra. If you’re looking for one of the compact cars that brings you an excellent package, you’ve seen it in this car. The Elantra reaches the fourth spot on the list to be a car that can easily take you everywhere you want and offer an impressive style that makes you smile.

Kia Forte – Resembling Larger Kia Models Extremely Well

If you’ve admired the style and build of the former Optima or the current K5, you’ll love the looks offered by the Kia Forte. This small sedan is easy to drive, it comes with a slew of standard equipment, and it’s much more comfortable than you might expect. Enjoy the spacious and upscale cabin while you go along, barely using any of the fuel because of the impressive economy offered in this Kia.

Pros

• • • Affordable base price
    • Great fuel economy
    • Well-built, roomy cabin
    • Large trunk

Cons

• • • The ride can feel firm
    • Handling could be better
    • CVT is unrefined

Among the compact cars, the Kia Forte is undoubtedly a good car. It has more room than you would expect in the rear seat and the trunk. You’ll be pleased with the helpful infotainment system and well-built cabin. The base engine offers enough power, but the Forte GT delivers a more capable ride, offering you a car that can be a pleasure to take out on the road.

Mazda3 – Closer to a Premium Marquee than Expected

The second-highest rated car in the compact class is the Mazda3. This impressive little car comes to you like a sedan or a hatchback to be the car that delivers agile driving dynamics, energetic engines, and the cabin materials that are the best in the class. You’ll be blown away by the quality offered in the Mazda3 with everything it brings to your drive.

Pros

• • • Athletic driving dynamics
    • Speedy acceleration
    • Top-notch interior materials
    • Intuitive infotainment system

Cons

• • • Cramped back seat
    • The small cargo area in sedan versions

When you want a sporty sedan to drive, there aren’t any other compact cars that can compete with what the Mazda3 brings to the road. This car delivers a joyful drive and plenty of performance qualities when you’re behind the wheel. The suspension is smooth, handling any bumps or abrasions with ease. Let this car offer you the comfort you’ve been searching for when you want a vehicle that’s affordable and well-built to give you the desired experience during your drive.

Honda Civic – The Cream of the Crop

If you want to drive the top-rated compact car in the class, the Honda Civic is what you’re after. You’ll find a fully redesigned model for the 2022 model year, giving you an even better compact car than before. This impressive vehicle has a sleek interior, special seating, and the performance features you want during your drive. In the class of compact cars, you can’t get any better than the Honda Civic.

Pros

• • • Fresh and modern cabin
    • Excellent fuel economy
    • Plenty of technology
    • Impressive handling

Cons

• • • Acceleration could be better in the base engine

The 2022 model year starts the 11th generation of the Honda Civic. This new model builds on everything that has made this car one of the most popular models. The sporty driving dynamics and excellent ride make this small car one of the most affordable, practical, and impressive for your time on the road. The Civic was named the U. S. News and World Report 2022 Best Compact Car for the Money, and you can easily see why that’s the case during a test drive.