Top 5 Compact Cars 2024

My Top 5 Ranking of Compact cars, along with 2 others I couldn't include for one specific reason!

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[dlakerguy]

I had a 2014 Elantra. The engine died around 30, 000 miles. But thankfully it was under warranty. About 8 years in, the paint started peeling. If you look at Hyundais out there on the road, a ton of them had this peeling paint problem. When I got rid of it, it had about 165, 000 miles and the engine started to sound like it was going out again.

[timkraft]

The civic of the 90s had beatiful lines. Actually looked like a mini sedan. I think it was the best model made inside and out.

[CRITICAL_HATE]

uhg minivan/suv/beige opinions on something fun...yippie

[Lsleeko]

Well Jon I broke down and treated myself to a new car after 23 years. I think I was due lol. As My 2002 Hyundai Sonata started throwing Small EVAP leak codes, I discovered that parts for this older vehicle were getting hard to find. One part was the last one available in the country and my local dealer was able to snag it. Long story short, the EVAP warning code came back after a month. I ended up Purchasing a 2025 Toyota Corolla SE with a few options for $25, 000.00 during the Toyotathon with $1000.00 off. I was back and forth with this model and the Buick Envista. It's tried and true and I'm very happy with my purchase.

[winstonmiu]

Hondas don’t do seats very well, for some reason. They are either too hard or soft enough but lack support.

[baronvonjo]

I think the Civic looks awesome but I kinda agree with what you say.

Honestly every sedan Ive been in as been style over function. The roofs are so low, the car is so low and easy to damage, you feel like you're in a cock pit. However it seems people prefer this.
You can see a huge shift in what sedan meant to people in the 2000s. If you wanted bland basic transportation the sedan use to do that. But people started moving to crossovers.

A bland boring basic sedan really just doesn't cut it for many brands anynore. They have to be stylish and swoopy and sporty now. Thats the mass market appeal of the shape. People who want function moved to crossovers in mass.

I drive a 2018 Honda Fit. It feels like a small mpv with the shape. I didnt realize how much I loved the roof and giant windshield till I dove a Civic and then paid attention to my moms Camry. These cars are just so ridiculously low and small inside. The roofs are so low. I dont think I can really ever justify buying a sedan ever again and will probably buy a crossover.
And about the Honda seats, my Fits seats are definitely the worst seats I have ever been in. I have to have a lumbar pillow like a old man lol and Im only 22. I get made fun of all the time.

But going back to the Civic I honestly think the direction they taken the car has been a success for them. I cant really blame them for continuing to take it that way.

[jeffreybrooks]

Great video, Jon! I am a bit surprised that the Subaru WRX did not make the list, as well as maybe the Mini Cooper.

[danr]

Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it not good. My son has a one year old Civic, nice car. Zero issues in 30, 000 miles. It would be my list. The basic cheep little Civic wouldn't see, We want style.  It has style. The Corolla is trying to be a Civic. Not a bad thing.

[Fred-F]

Very interesting rating and commentary!

[michaelbogdanowicz]

I think you summed it up one hundred percent

[gtobob]

I had a 2023 Civic for 3 weeks while my 2017 Accord was being repaired (waiting on parts). It was ok. That's it. As for the rest, the Nissan interests me for its seats and overall ride. Toyota at #1 is no surprise. The Hyundai is also no surprise. Really good review!

[mbd]

I drive a 2016 Jetta and like it. Among compact cars, the most fun-to-drive are the Jetta, Civic and Mazda 3. Those 3 have the best performance.

[JCVACCARO]

I have a 2019 Corolla SXE hatchback I bought new. It has 57, 000 miles now and has been flawless. Perfect daily driver.

[ianperkins]

For those that might be interested, all of the cars on Jon's list can be had with a manual transmission except for the Sentra and Impreza (cvt only, booo), though the Corolla offers it only on the GR spec and the Elantra on the N spec, both of which are the sporty variants and cost a lot more. Mazda only offers a manual 3 on the Premium trim, which will also cost a bit more. A manual on the Civic is limited to the Sport and Sport Touring hatchbacks, the Si and Type R variants. This model/trim marix strikes seems oddly specific. It looks like only the Jetta can be had with a manual on the base model/trim.

[davidp]

I've had 4 Corollas since 2009 and love their reliability. My one complaint is the CVT. Merging onto a freeway can be downright scary if you don't plant your right foot down at the correct time. I'm considering something more powerful with a traditional transmission.

[kcscott]

“I’ve heard they’ve got their CVTs all figured out now” - back in 2009 when I bought my Altima, that’s what I had heard, too. I wasn’t convinced, so went with the manual instead (luckily there was that option back then). Still today, I hear more reports of problems with (Jatco) CVTs than anything good. Probably the best advice is Car Wizard’s, which is that since CVTs naturally shed particles into the fluid, to regularly have the fluid changed and keep it clean.

[UncleJoeLITE]

Interesting list. Biggest difference to here - we buy ~85% of small cars as hatchbacks, not sedans.
Some very significant differences in brand perceptions & current status too. Yeah, interesting. Thanks.

[ENCAGED]

To hear the seats in the Civic were worse than the Versa is crazy! I’ve rented the Versa several times because it was cheap and got good gas mileage. It’s one of the most uncomfortable car seats I’ve sat in 😂

[MyHumanWreckage]

It’s a shame if a consumer wants to buy a compact car, they have to go to an Asian manufacturer.

[batfury]

Out of all the cars you talked about if was planning on buying a good small or compact car I would have to go with the Corolla because of its reliability. But for now I’ll just hold on to my 2000 Honda Accord which has been very reliable and just the right size car.