Compact cars may be fading these days in favor of small crossovers, but long-established names like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla still command strong followings. More than 1.2 million buyers bought new compact cars in 2020, and the reasons why are familiar as well. The best compact cars offer everything you need for daily motoring in an efficient package. They return better fuel mileage than crossovers and they’re generally quieter, smoother and more fun to drive. Many compacts offer enthusiast-focused models. For our list of the best compact cars of 2021, which includes a mix of 2021 and 2020 model year vehicles, we’ve focused on the mainstream models, leaving out stand-alone hybrid and performance lines we’ve listed elsewhere. Our top picks, considered for their lengths, from 167 to 179 inches for hatchbacks and 174 to 186 inches for corresponding sedans, offer plenty of practicality, style, tech and driving enjoyment.
- 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- 2022 Volkswagen Golf R
- 2021 Mazda Mazda3
- 2021 Volkswagen Golf
- 2021 Hyundai Veloster N
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- 2021 Toyota Corolla
- 2021 Subaru Impreza
- 2021 Nissan Sentra
- 2021 Lexus IS
- 2021 Toyota Prius
- 2021 MINI Clubman
- 2021 Honda Civic Type R
- 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
- 2021 Hyundai Accent
There are several ways of defining the term “compact car.” The EPA classifies cars purely by interior volume, which can result in some odd vehicles, such as the rather large Ford Mustang, being considered compacts. We’ve defined the compact cars on our list by length, between 167 and 179 inches for hatchbacks and 174 and 186 inches for corresponding sedans, give or take fractions of an inch. Because hatchbacks have larger interior volumes but generally smaller footprints, this equalizes the hatch and sedan versions of models popularly known as compacts. Hatchbacks above 180 inches in length are much closer to midsize cars in their interior volumes.
Methodology
Our evaluation covers five areas:
1. Styling (20 points) An assessment of the car’s overall design, styling and build quality, inside and out. Looks and styling are largely subjective, but a reviewer can still make general observations that hold a degree of objectivity. If the vehicle’s interior trim panels are loose, the switchgear feels cheap and the fitment and gaps of the panels are big and inconsistent, the rating will reflect these observations.
2. Performance (20 points) An assessment of a car’s handling, braking, acceleration, ride quality and other qualitative performance measures like horsepower, torque, zero-to-60 times and top speed. Towing capability for trucks and SUVs also is a consideration. Reviews also thoroughly consider the manufacturer’s data when comparing similar vehicles within the competitive set. While driving, reviewers also look for a melding of attributes relative to the expectations set by the manufacturer about the specific vehicle and by consumer expectations of the segment.
3. Comfort and Convenience (20 points) An assessment of the car’s interior comfort, features and cargo space. Comfort can be subjective, but the reviewer also considers passenger space measurements compared with the segment and competitive vehicles. Cargo space also is based on measurements relative to segment and competitive set as well as functionality and usability. Features are objective and compared against the number and type of standard and available features in segment and competitive set. Price also is a consideration as is execution and efficacy. Extra points may be awarded for exceptional available or standard features or user-friendly infotainment setups. Cars may also lose points for substandard features, or for making certain features only available on pricey option packages of poor relative value.
4. Safety (20 points) The safety score is based on three elements: crash test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; the number of standard advanced driver-assistance safety technology features, such as blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, emergency automatic braking, lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control; and visibility. Cars with official crash data gain points for a five-star overall rating by the NHTSA, or Top Safety Pick/Top Safety Pick+ status by the IIHS. Vehicles not yet rated by either agency will not lose points.
5. Fuel Economy (20 points) The fuel economy score is based on the combined mpg estimate for the model’s base trim with an automatic transmission, according to the Environmental Protection Agency or the manufacturer if EPA has not confirmed data. Some models will get extra points for offering a hybrid or other more fuel-efficient powertrain within the model lineup. Scoring for pure electric vehicles will be based on range and charging time.