Category Compact Cars

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is different than the regular 2 Series Coupe. For starters, the Gran Coupe is a front-wheel drive-based sedan compared the rear-wheel drive 2 Series Coupe. Power for this car comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes between 228 to 301 hp depending on trim level. 

For decades the BMW 3 Series has been the standard of the compact luxury sedan world. With the latest model, this still appears to the case. The performance, comfort, luxury, and enjoyment is unmatched by most competitors. 

Not happy enough with the 4 series coupe and convertible, or the 3 series sedan, BMW has created a third compact car. Called the 4 Series Gran Coupe, it’s a more stylish sedan that trades a bit of practicality for a swoopier shape. Like its siblings, the Gran Coupe is offered with a choice of turbocharged four and six cylinder engines.  

Looking for Ford Escape accessories? Click Here. 

CHECK BEST PRICE

The Mazda3 covers a large section of the compact car market. The naturally aspirated sedan battles the likes of the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra . The model’s all-wheel drive hatchback goes toe-to-toe with the likes of the Subaru Impreza. At the other end of the segment, the turbocharged Mazda3 holds its own against models like the Acura Integra and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. 

The compact C-Class from Mercedes-Benz can come as both as coupe and a convertible. Unlike it’s sedan counterpart, the two-door models of the C-Class still ride on the previous generations architecture. Power for both vehicles comes from a choice of turbocharged engines, a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder.

The CLA Coupe is Mercedes-Benz swoopy four-door subcompact. Yes, despite what the name implies, the CLA is in fact a sedan. But it does feature an aggressively racked rear roofline that gives it a coupe-like profile. 

The MINI Cooper Clubman is a unique vehicle from a unique manufacturer. It is a small wagon-like vehicle with twin-swing doors at the rear in place of a traditional lift gate. Available with all-wheel drive, the Clubman is a great alternative to small crossovers. Especially if driving enjoyment is high on a customer’s priorities list.

MINI went electric a few years ago with the Cooper 2-Door SE. The all electric MINI offers minimal range and is intended as more of a commuter than a longer distance driver. But the Cooper SE does feature on thing most EVs do not – that fun to drive factor.

One of the original hot hatches, the Volkswagen GTI continues to be a great performance value. The front-wheel drive five-door is available with a manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission and a 241 hp engine.

This is the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N and yes it looks different, and no that’s not all that’s changed here.

For some people, all-wheel drive is a necessity when shopping for a new car.

Mini and fashion have been inextricably tied together basically since the car’s inception.

Hot hatches offer a ton of fun per dollar. Although they're not quite the bargain they once were, vehicles like the Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla, and Volkswagen Golf R still combine sports car performance with everyday practicality. They’re also getting more refined (well maybe not the GR Corolla).

Safety hasn’t been overlooked. Every Civic now includes blind-spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. The Honda Sensing driver assist package is standard, packing features like a Collision Mitigation Braking System with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. The Civic also features Honda's award-winning three-chamber airbag design for the driver and front passenger.

Just because you’re ready to move up to a luxury brand doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate a good deal.

The Honda Civic is getting a big update for the 2025 model year, but that doesn’t mean the 2024 model is no good. In fact, we’d say it’s the best in class, with an asterisk. But more on that asterisk a bit later.

Two years ago, the latest generation Honda Civic earned the AutoGuide 2022 Car of the Year Award. With a fantastic blend of refinement, composure, performance, and comfort, we were quite impressed with Honda's small sedan.

The Volkswagen Jetta is celebrating a big anniversary this year. The sporty version of the Jetta. Called the GLI, has been on our shores for 40 years. That’s a long time for any model to last, especially one that’s a bit niche like the GLI.

The Volkswagen GLI is celebrating its 40th anniversary. More importantly though, it is tasked with carrying the enthusiast torch as the final VW to have a manual transmission. With the Golf GTI and the Golf R both losing their six-speeds after 2024, the GLI will be the lone soldier.

First impressions matter—and the Civic Si didn’t make a good one.

The all-new 2025 Kia K4, fresh with a new design, upgraded interior, and loads of new tech, made its global debut at the New York International Auto Show.

With the new 2024 Subaru Impreza, a choice of engines has returned to the lineup, including a more potent 2.5-liter unit in the RS trim. To emphasize why this is important, here’s a quick history lesson on the compact car.

Hatchbacks: they’re like SUVs, just better—in ways.

Honda has finally given us our first look at the latest Civic Hybrid, which leads off a round of styling changes for the best-seller.

Chevrolet might not be cornering the SUV market, but it is successfully bookending it.

The electrified 500 is finally coming to Canada and the US early next year.

Not so long ago, the Nissan Leaf was cutting edge.

Thorough Refresh for All Models

Remember the 1990s?

When it comes to affordable, compact German sedans, there’s only one choice: the Jetta.

For those who initially questioned the validity of Acura reviving the Integra: here is the 320-horsepower response.

Spoiled. That’s what we are. Flat-out spoiled. Just look at what we’ve gathered together for the latest Best Performance Car AutoGuide shootout brought to you by WeatherTech.