Despite America’s voracious appetite for SUVs and pickups, cars still makeup about 20% of new vehicle sales. They remain a true plate by being more affordable to own and operate, and the fact that they are often more enjoyable to drive. And these days you don’t have to go big just so the family can ride in comfort. So, here’s a rundown of compact cars that buyer’s thing are “Top of the Charts”.
Honda Civic
Acknowledging that compact cars have become the new family car for many households, and that sedan sales are on the rise here in the U.S. mainly due to higher gas prices, here’s a look at the top 5 sellers in the compact car segment.
And it should come as a surprise to no one that the top seller in the compact car segment is the Honda Civic. This staple for first time car buyers continues to sell in big numbers and comes with a standard 150 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine for a starting price of $25,990. $30,690 will get you a hybrid powertrain that delivers an additional 50-horsepower, as well as a boost in fuel economy from 36-combined to 49.
It’s a big step up, but we feel the Hybrid delivers a much better overall driving experience, something to consider if you don’t need an entry-level ride.
Toyota Corolla
Also, no surprise, following the Civic is the Toyota Corolla. Here, we feel the $24,620 base LE comes more than well-equipped enough to keep both new buyers and budget minded families well satisfied.
That includes its standard 169-horsepower 2.0-liter I4. But, stepping up to the Corolla Hybrid costs less than 2-grand, at $26,470, and boosts the combined fuel economy rating from 34 to 50; and all-wheel-drive is even available with the Hybrid for another $1,400. It’s the only member among the list of top 5 sellers with available AWD.
Whether you choose front or all-wheel-drive, you’ll get a simplified and highly functional approach to interior controls and a ride that prioritizes comfort over sportiness.
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai has made big strides in this segment over recent years, as their number 3 Elantra offers a lot of features for a starting price of just $24,120.
You can step up all the way to top Limited for only $28,670 and get bigger screens, luxury-minded synthetic leather upholstery, and additional active driving features. A Hybrid is available here too, starting at just $26,945 and boosts the combined fuel economy rating as high as 54; up from the 35-combined of the standard 147-horsepower 2.0-liter I4 engine.
Of course, Hyundai continues to attract buyers by delivering America’s Best Warranty, 5-years/60,000 miles coverage for the whole vehicle, and 10-years/100,000 miles for the powertrain, while it’s top-5 Japanese brand competitors provide a 3-years/36,000 miles vehicle warranty with 5-years/60,000 miles for powertrain.
Nissan Sentra
The 4th bestselling compact car in the U.S. is currently the Nissan Sentra. It earned that by offering great comfort, more than capable handling, sporty style, lots of interior space, and comprehensive tech and safety features including 12-inch touchscreen infotainment, lane departure mitigation, and even adaptive cruise control for a starting price of just $24,265.
Though the fact that Nissan recently stopped selling their sub-compact Versa sedan has certainly contributed to Sentra’s popularity as well.
The Sentra’s 149-horsepower 2.0-liter I4 gets a combined rating of 33, but no hybrid is available. For just $26,265, the sporty SR adds 18-inch alloy wheels, dark exterior trim, and sport seats with upgraded cloth and contrast stitching.
Kia K4
Rounding out our look at the Top 5 best-selling compact cars is the Kia K4. It’s a platform mate to the 3rd place Elantra and shares its 147-horsepower 2.0-liter I4. Replacing the Forte in the Kia lineup just last year, the K4 quickly built a following due to its dynamic style, spacious rear seat, and numerous tech features. It also has the lowest starting price on the list at $23,535, and like the Elantra, comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile full vehicle warranty with 10-year/100,000 miles for the powertrain.
But unlike the Hyundai, there is no hybrid option with the Kia, and it comes with a combined rating of 33 miles-per-gallon. EX grade would be our choice here, adding upgraded materials, a 12-inch digital driver display, and 17-inch alloy wheels for $25,375.
Well, that’s our look at the top 5 selling rides in the Compact Car segment. We’ll be back in a few weeks with a look at very popular Compact SUVs.