Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Thrifty Agenda: Subcompacts Ranked From Zero to Hero

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The traditional subcompact recipe is a simple one: Combine a low price of entry with the promise of low ownership costs, and add just enough comfort and utility to keep buyers interested. It’s not very glamorous, but, with a few notable exceptions, the bland, value-based equation ruled the segment for decades. Thankfully, a new era is upon us, where style, refinement, and genuine driving pleasure co-exist peacefully with a thrifty agenda, presenting the marketplace with an unprecedented bumper crop of quality subcompact offerings. Click through to see how the current group ranks.

13) Mitsubishi Mirage

This basic four-door hatchback comes in straight-from-the-candy-jar colors and has a long warranty and a maximum fuel-economy rating of 44 mpg highway. The Mirage is maneuverable, its one-ton weight is easy to throw around, and its controls and inputs are effortless. The 74-hp 1.2-liter three-cylinder mates with either a five-speed manual or CVT, in neither case is it capable of delivering exhilarating performance. One C/D reviewer remarked that, "the Mirage is one of those rare cars that makes speed limits seem reasonable."

13) Mitsubishi Mirage

A touch of piano black trim on the center console makes an attempt to dress up the generic interior, but the lack of a center armrest and an abundance of hard plastics are a buzzkill, and the absence of a telescoping steering wheel makes for a compromised driving position. Like fast food, the Mirage is inexpensive, doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t, and gets the job done. MIRAGE PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

12) Nissan Versa

The Versa is built to be America’s cheapest car, so if you want a cheap new car, here it is; if you like to drive, keep shopping. Reporting here on the sedan (the Versa Note is its hatchback twin), the Versa has insultingly flimsy materials. Its wimpy 109-hp 1.6-liter engine makes for slow acceleration but is reasonably fuel-efficient. Models equipped with the continuously variable transmission are rated at 40 mpg on the highway, but the five-speed manual is a bit more fun to drive.

12) Nissan Versa

Although the Versa received some "baby Sentra" styling touches for 2015, including a new grille and headlamps, LED gauge illumination, and upgraded upholstery, the Versa's strongest points remain it's spacious rear seat and trunk. Still, the Versa remains a cheap new car for people who would otherwise be driving a used car. VERSA PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

11) Nissan Versa Note

Handsome styling, a roomy back seat, and the promise of astronomical fuel economy are not enough to make the Versa Note an appealing car. Its weak 1.6-liter four-cylinder makes 109 horsepower and pairs with either a sloppy five-speed manual or a drone-inducing CVT. We could forgive the Versa Note its faults if it were fun to drive, but alas, its road behavior is bland thanks to a soft suspension and grip-free tires.

11) Nissan Nersa Note

Nissan says the steering wheel in the 2015 Versa Note SR we tested is inspired by the wheel in the racy 370Z, but as a C/D reviewer noted, "it’s not connected to anything that would otherwise inspire the mention." VERSA NOTE PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

10) Fiat 500

Fiat’s diminutive 500 remains as cute as ever—and it's the cheapest Italian car currently on the market. With a puny, 101-hp four-cylinder, it’s also one of the slowest cars available, too.

9) Kia Rio

The Rio is a stylish, well-equipped and fuel-efficient sedan or four-door hatchback—but as a driver’s car, it’s no fun. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder makes a tepid 138 horsepower and drives the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or slow-shifting six-speed automatic. The sloppy, vague steering does nothing to win the hearts of enthusiasts either.

9) Kia Rio

Build quality is top-notch though, plus the refined interior and lots of standard and available convenience features make the Rio a good value. RIO PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

8) Smart Fortwo

The cute and stubby Fortwo is made for the city—but take it out on a windy road and it can be fun there, too. The rear-mounted 89-hp turbo three-cylinder teams with a six-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. Its diminutive dimensions allow you to park where other cars fear to tread, and its tight 22.8-foot turning circle lets it maneuver in city streets like no other car.

8) Smart Fortwo

While overall length remains the same, the new Fortwo is nearly four inches wider, yielding welcome elbow room for the two occupants. The seats are comfortable, and the dashboard retains some whimsy but stops short of outright goofiness.The tall, upright body lends an airy feel to the cabin and is roomy for driver and passenger, although as you'd expect, trunk space is limited. As a city car, however, with its ability to create its own parking spots and maneuverability that’s clown-car fun, the 2016 Fortwo has no peers. SMART FORTWO PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

7) Chevrolet Spark

The Spark’s persona is less shocking than its name, but those seeking basic urban transportation will be happy. The 84-hp 1.2-liter four-cylinder pairs with either a five-speed manual or a CVT. The Spark is nimble around town, but due to overboosted and vague steering, some of its rivals are more fun to drive. With four doors, a hatch, and room for four, at least the Spark looks cool.

7) Chevrolet Spark

Despite measuring only 144.7 inches in length, the Spark fairly roomy inside. Our six-foot-seven driver fit comfortably up front, with enough space left over for an adult human in the seat behind him. Fold the rear bench, and the Spark will haul 31 cubic feet of cargo. An all-new Spark goes on sale in January 2016, so if you like what you see here, now is the time to make a deal. SPARK FORTWO PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

6) Hyundai Accent

Hyundai has built its reputation on cars that are affordable, practical, and even stylish—and the Accent is good example. Available as a sedan or a four-door hatchback, the Accent feels more upscale than the competition. The standard 137-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder can be paired with a perky six-speed manual or a sluggish six-speed automatic transmission; either one earns outstanding fuel economy. Then there's its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

6) Hyundai Accent

Although quiet and reasonably comfortable, the Accent's interior suffers from an abundance of low-grade plastics. The current, fourth-generation car has been around since the 2011 model year, and it's a good bet that Hyundai is hard at work on its replacement. So if having the latest and greatest Accent extant is a priority, it may be prudent to wait until the new version drops.ACCENT PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

5) Toyota Yaris

In an increasingly cutthroat segment, the Yaris is a well-made but unremarkable option. Available as a two- or four-door hatchback, the Yaris showcases fresh, assertive styling and Toyota’s Entune infotainment system. Both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission are available. We suggest the manual to help squeeze as much life out of the feeble 1.5-liter four-cylinder as possible.

5) Toyota Yaris

In addition to the freshened styling that arrived for the 2015 model year, Toyota made chassis and suspension tweaks that make the Yaris surprisingly quick on its feet. The Yaris SE gets an even a firmer suspension, and benefits from better brakes. YARIS PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

4) Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic, in sedan and hatchback models, puts a bowtie on a handsome compact offering with masculine styling, a high level of content, and responsive and agile handling. There are four trim levels, a palette of youthful colors, and two engines- a standard 1.8-liter and an optional 1.4-liter turbo. Both develop 138 horsepower but the turbo has a much more pleasing torque curve, and with the stick, is the way to go.

4) Chevrolet Sonic

We’ve grown a little more jaded about the Sonic as the B-segment fun-to-drive quotient expands with new entries, but it's up-to-date infotainment and safety systems make keep it near the top of the subcompact heap. SONIC PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

3) Ford Fiesta

Ford's littlest sedan and four-door hatchback offer spritely, fuel-efficient fun, with engaging driving dynamics to boot. Two engine choices are available: a standard 120-hp four-cylinder or an optional 123-hp turbocharged three-cylinder. A five-speed manual is standard on both engines while a clunky six-speed automatic is optional.

3) Ford Fiesta

The interior feels nicer than the Fiesta’s price suggests, but the list of upscale features, both standard and optional are at a minimum. Still, its balanced and quiet ride and predictable braking keep the subcompact Fiesta's fun factor high. FIESTA PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

2) Honda Fit

The Fit proves that a small car needn’t be punishment for spending less, as it successfully mixes economy, versatility—and even a little mischief. Its 1.5-liter four-cylinder makes 130 horsepower; a slick-shifting six-speed manual is standard, while a CVT is optional. The chassis is willing to play when you are, but the brakes are merely average. Rear-seat legroom is ample, and thanks to rear seats that fold flat, cargo capacity—at 53 cubic feet—is impressive, too.

2) Honda Fit

As we noted in a recent review of the Fit, the Fit enjoys a marked uptick in material quality and design. The doors and dash boast luxurious soft-touch panels; and matte-finish “fauxluminum” flourishes accent the dash, door handles, and air vents. Considering the Fit's incredible versatility and reasonable pricing, It should come as no surprise that we put it near the top of our rankings. FIT PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

1) Scion iA

The iA has daring looks and a long list of amenities that make it hard to call it basic transportation. Basically a Mazda 2 underneath the sheetmetal, the economical, 106-hp 1.5-liter four teams with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. A low-speed pre-collision safety system, Bluetooth connectivity, and seven-inch touchscreen infotainment make the iA a well-equipped choice. In true Scion fashion, a collection of dealer-installed accessories makes for simple customization.

1) Scion iA

We commend Scion for offering the iA in a single, value-packed spec that includes push-button ignition, a backup camera, cruise control, USB and auxiliary audio inputs, Bluetooth, and a seven-inch touchscreen that can also be controlled via the knob in the center console. While It’s easy to be dismissive of a carmaker that doesn’t actually make its own cars, it’s difficult to fault Scion for this particular move. The iA is likely far better to drive than anything Toyota would have built to take its place. iA PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE>>

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