2023 Top-5 Compact Sedans // Which would you pick?

#Top5CompactSedans
#Top5CompactCars
#CoupleCarReview
This is a Motormouth couple car review of the top-5 compact sedans, top-5 cars.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has two engine choices, both matched to a CVT and FWD only. The base engine is a 2L 4-cyclinder with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The second a 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful engine is only available on the top model. A hybrid is coming but no information has been released on that model yet.
Pros: The HondaCivic has a fresh new look to its exterior and interior with an available larger touchscreen and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. It’s a very spacious sedan and offers good fuel economy.
Cons: The Honda Civic has a higher starting price than its competitors.

Hyundai Elantra is a FWD model and has many powertrain options. The base engine is a 2L 4-cylinder matched to a CVT, 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The Hyundai Elantra N Line has a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
The more fuel efficient Hyundai Elantra hybrid has a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder with a 6-speed eco shift dual clutch transmission, a combined 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
There’s the more powerful Hyundai Elantra N with a 2L turbocharged 4-cylinder with a 6-speed manual or an available 8-speed dual clutch transmission, 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. Premium fuel is recommended for better performance.
Pros:Plenty of different powertrain options including a hybrid, roomy cabin and some good standard features including wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Offers a great starting price. Excellent fuel economy on the base gas model especially on the highway.
Cons: Sharp styling is not for everyone, 6-speed manual is only available on the Elantra N model.

Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra has 2L 4-cylinder engine matched to a CVT with 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, FWD only.
There is a 6-speed manual transmission available on the base and SR trims.
Pros:Great price point, manual transmission available on two trims in Canada, well laid out interior.
Cons:No manual transmission available in the US anymore. Fuel economy isn’t as good as its competitors especially in the city. Only one powertrain option.

Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla sedan has two powertrain options, the hybrid has a 1.8L 4-cylinder matched to an ECVT with Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive, a combined 138 horsepower, FWD and AWD options are available. The gas model, a 2L 4-cylinder match to a CVT with 169 horsepower, FWD only.
Pros: Comfortable interior, the hybrid option gets great fuel economy. Updated infotainment including, standard wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Updated Safety with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Good horsepower for this class.
Cons: Small back seat, the infotainment system can glitchy when using wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto

Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta comes with a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a standard 6-speed manual transmission or available 8-speed automatic transmission, 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, FWD only.
Pros: Spacious, comfortable, smooth ride with excellent fuel economy
Cons: Suspension is soft and steering is very light

Mazda3 Sedan
The Mazda3 comes with s 2.5L 4-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic transmission, 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. FWD and AWD options are available. A turbocharged 2.5L 4-cylinder with up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with standard AWD and finally a 2L 4-cylinder with a standard 6-speed manual, available 6-speed automatic transmission, 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, FWD only. This is the only trim with a manual transmission, the US no longer has a manual option on the sedan.

Kia Forte
The Kia Forte has two engine choices, a 2L 4-cylinder matched to a CVT, 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque and a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Forte is a FWD model.

There is a 6-speed manual transmission available on the base model in Canada but not in the US however, the US does get a manual transmission on the top GT trim with the turbocharged engine, this is not available in Canada.

[bradbates]

I like the reminders you've been providing about fuel economy in sedans vs SUVs. A lot of the SUVs on the road now could've been sedans if people really questioned their driving needs.

[dennisalexanderreilly]

Love that you both love sedans instead of SUV's! Great review, as always.

[tyroneshoelace]

I've found myself liking your reviews the best. Thanks guys.

[daniel]

Thank you! My son has the base Jetta as his first new car, and it’s perfect. I have a GLI manual for my personal car, which I really enjoy. My wife has the Tiguan, which she enjoy. We didn’t intend to be a VW household, but that’s the way it went and if all goes well, it will continue.

[goldieARZ]

Im looking for a late model used sedan. These reviews were so helpful. TY!!!

[davidbias]

I get 48 mpg on the highway quite often in my 2019 Jetta. Solid car.

[danhall]

Great video, so many really good cars out there today that it is hard to decide. I have two single, lady friends (one is 50, the other 73) who I will be helping to purchase new cars in the next year. They both keep cars 10 yrs+. At this point I plan on recommending hybrids to them as I can only see the price of gas going up in the future. The Corolla hybrid is a steal (at least in the US) for someone like this. My 2nd choice for them is a Kia Niro as I think hatches are so practical it packs in a lot of nice features at a very reasonable price.. The Elantra Hybrid is also in the running but it probably bigger than they need.

[AATom]

Compact has always been the segment that makes the most senses. I currently own 2 Civics. Mazda3, Corolla and Impreza were on the shopping list. Back in 2018 and 2019, "regular" Golf was available with 1.4T 8-speed AT. Mk8 Jetta has just introduced.

In the future, I would still consider anything gasoline and hybrid engines. As long as its not 100% electric, I would consider anything in compact class.

[TheHi-T]

KIA Forte. Have not had any maintenance issues after 3+ years of ownership. I have the hatchback (Forte5 GT) for the larger cargo space. Fun to drive!

[AP-ocqw]

The Mazda 3 should most definitely be one of the top 5, for many, many reasons (best handling, best looking, highest quality materials, fit and

[Tom]

Honda guy here. I love the new 11th gen civics. Definitely have a more premium/upscale look and feel to em. I'm going to be ordering mine in the next month or two, a 2024 sport sedan (cdn spec). Took one out for a drive at my local dealership when they first came out in 2021, absolutely gorgeous. Gonna be quite the upgrade from my current driver, a 2019 lx sedan. I've owned it for a little over 4½ years, and it's been amazing.

[vicp]

Civic hatch hybrid max 33k cdn. Make it happen Honda. Great video guys

[DougCeleste]

Nice reviews but I would have loved to see the Mazda 3 featured as one of the Top 5. It gets my vote along with the Civic and the Corolla.

[jtsimaras]

Wow the Civic is priced high I bought a new 2015 civic si it was only 28, 000 all in CAD !! Nice review 👍🏽

[Eskimo]

Great Comparison Video!
Thanks Guys!
Honda Civic, my pick

[timphillips]

Enjoying your latest video listing your top 5 compact sedans Andrea, always informative. I prefer a sedan as a wheelchair user.

[stevehuk]

I grabbed a 23 civic si in pearl white this past January. I get 5.5L/100 and it's decently fun to drive.

[michaelgarvin]

Wow! the Honda Civic is expensive in Canada. The Nissan Sentra seems like a good deal all around, a suprise about the Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy. All in all good choices 👍🙂. Great review!!

[lenak]

Needed a commute car. So I just bought the 2023 Elantra limited a week ago. Great mileage, great looking car in intense blue. Wish it had a little more power and 360 cameras. I’m happy overall esp with the pricing.

[gregkramer]

Last year my wife bought the Forte. The price was very good and we got it for MSRP. As an example the Civic would have been about 30% more money. Here in TX we wanted ventilated seats and we got that with a MSRP of $25, 473. Mileage has been great which was a big item for her.