Picture a compact car; you might imagine a small vehicle struggling to keep up on the highway. This is not always true. Here are 21 compact vehicles that show a dynamite can fit into an egg-sized container. When it comes to compact cars, they come in small beans, but they pack a lot of ‘punch’ inside.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is more than a simple convertible. It is an aggressive roadster with a perfect weight share – 50/50. This beauty weighs very little and is powered by a 2.0-litre in-line four engine producing 181 hp. What is quite interesting is that Miata also holds the Guinness World Record as the best-selling two-seater sports car ever.
Honda Civic
Honda Civic is that one friend you can always rely on. It has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit that generates 158 horsepower. The body rests upon a high-strength steel frame and other advanced ultra-strong materials for safety and performance. It averages at about thirty-two mpg in the city. It is a classic. No wonder that for 24 years in a row, Civic has been the best-selling car in Canada!
Mini Cooper
Don’t let the “mini” moniker fool you. The Mini Cooper’s turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine delivers 134 horsepower. Its lightweight construction and go-kart-like handling make it a joy to navigate city streets. The Mini Cooper’s stylish design and distinctive cabin, complete with airplane-inspired controls, add to its charm.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The VW Golf GTI is all that, and there are some for cars. This five-door hatchback with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine at 241 horses is rugged to keep within the speed limit. It is made of high-tensile strength steel and advanced composite materials, providing durability and lightweight properties. The Golf GTI even features an adaptive chassis system whereby the suspension height depends on the road conditions. Stat check: This compact hatchback can go from a standstill to sixty miles per hour in five point six seconds only!
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Though simple in appearance, the Corolla Hatchback hides a potent 2.0-liter Dynamic Force engine rated at 168 hp. It is very strong and efficient due to the use of lightweight aluminum and high-tensile steel. The Corolla is popular worldwide and thus features in history as one of the best-selling cars. Over 44 million Corollas have been driven off from dealerships since 1966, the highest tally for any vehicle in the world!
Hyundai Veloster N
How about a car with three doors? Say hello to the Hyundai Veloster N, powered by a 2.0-liter turbo engine producing 275 hp. It has a sturdy body with advanced high-strength steel, making sharp turns possible, along with brilliance in handling. Fun fact: The concept for the model was provided by the N division of Hyundai, which specializes in performance-oriented products and has been inspired by racing.
Fiat 500 Abarth
Despite its small size, the Abarth packs a powerful punch. Its turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir engine delivers 160 horsepower and a thrilling exhaust note. In the US, the 500 Abarth gained a reputation for being “the most fun with 160 horsepower.” It’s a truly Italian driving experience, as spirited and enjoyable as a slice of pizza.
Ford Fiesta ST
A sporty subcompact? The Ford Fiesta ST challenged this notion with its 197-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine. Constructed using high-strength boron steel, the Fiesta ST has a lightweight body and handles and drives very well. It also has a “torque vectoring” system that keeps it glued to the corners.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Could an electric vehicle be this compact? The Chevy Bolt EV is fast and has a horsepower of 200 and a range of 259 miles on a single charge. The body is built using aluminum and carbon fiber to make it lightweight and more effective. Not to mention, it is a cost-friendly vehicle – it also has no adverse effects on the environment. In 2017, The Bolt was named North American Car of the Year, and the Bolt even won Motor Trend’s 2017 Car of the Year Award.
Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX, with its rich rallying heritage, boasts a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 268 horsepower. This compact sedan is known for its exceptional performance and handling, thanks to its high-strength steel construction and Subaru’s renowned symmetrical all-wheel drive system. The WRX has a proven track record of success, having won numerous rally championships worldwide.
Kia Soul
Funky and square, the Kia Soul has a 2.0 L four-cylinder engine that generates 147 hp. It is made of advanced high-strength steel to enhance durability. The Soul is known for its unique styling and roomy cabin, but many are unaware that it is one of the cheapest cars due to its very low running costs. It makes for enjoyable and satisfying transport!
Nissan Versa
Those in need of financial accessibility should check out the Nissan Versa, which costs just over $16K. It features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower and an impressive fuel efficiency of 40 mpg on the highway. Its lightweight, high-strength steel construction contributes to its fuel-efficient performance.
Mazda3
Small cars have an unfortunate reputation for cutting corners to remain within budget, but the Mazda3 defines refinement among compact cars. The body is built using Mazda’s Skyactiv technology, while high-strength steel helps keep the car lightweight and safe. And that interior? It is so plush that you could even ignore that it is a small car. Did you know that the Mazda3 was awarded “World Car Design of the Year” for 2020?
Audi A3
This compact sedan may be small on the exterior, but under its hood resides a 201-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Its construction is aluminum-intensive, making it solid and lightweight. It also has Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which means it has excellent grip and best-in-class handling in terrible weather conditions. Fun stat: The A3 has won the What Car? Car of the Year award multiple times. Quality always stays in style!
Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is a perfect fit for the name because it’s a compact hatchback that you can fit practically everything because of its “Magic Seat” features, which allow several configurations of space inside. There is also a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 130 horsepower. The body frames are lightweight, high-strength steel; hence, they are agile and economical (33 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway). Did you know that the Fit car is known as the Jazz car in certain regions?
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
You may not look at BMW in the compact car segment, but the 2 Series Gran Coupe is worth it. With a 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engine with 228 horses under the hood, this sporty coupe is commendably nippy, registering a brisk 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds. It is a car lover’s dream, aided by aluminum structural elements and renowned BMW driving dynamics. Fun fact: It does have plenty of luxury onboard even though it is compact, such as the gesture control technology and a panoramic sunroof!
Hyundai Kona
This strange mixture of an SUV and a crossover has the heart of a subcompact! The 2018 Hyundai Kona, powered by a 2.0L inline-4 engine, develops 147 horsepower. It’s ready for the urban jungle and weekend getaways thanks to high-tensile steel and lightweight construction. And to add the icing on the cake: There’s even an electric model with 258 miles range, so eco-friendly isn’t dull. Fun fact: The Kona is named after a region in Hawaii that is both adventurous and calming – the coast.
Chevrolet Spark
Owing to its reasonable price point of $14,595, the Chevrolet Spark ranks among the most inexpensive cars on this list. However, it is fully packed with features. Its engine is a 1.4-litre four-cylinder with a power output of 98 HP, sufficient to zoom around the city. The body is a combination of high-strength steel in a bid to reduce weight and enhance efficiency. Being small helps Spark park in all spaces, as it is easy to park even in the tightest spaces. Interesting fact: The Spark offers ten airbags hidden in all the possible places in and out of the car, which is rare for such a small vehicle!
Toyota Yaris
If reliability and efficiency are your foremost criteria for a car, the Toyota Yaris does not fail. A 1.5-liter, four-cylinder internal combustion engine sitting at the car’s heart produces 106 horsepower and, astoundingly, manages a city and highway mileage of 32 and 40 mpg, respectively. The Yaris uses a combination of light materials to construct its parts for active performance whilst still incorporating the safety levels required by Toyota.
Jeep Renegade
The Renegade has a -1.3 L turbocharged engine that gives 177 hp, which is adequate for going off-tarmac but still compact for the inner city. The strong and tough design of the Renegade is further enhanced using high-strength steel, which provides its high ruggedness even in any adventure. Besides, just kidding: however small it is, the Renegade is equipped with the renowned Jeep 4×4, making it one of the tiniest off-road vehicles.
Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks is an inexpensive, functional, and attractive crossover designed for the urban generation. It has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit producing 122 bhp. The Kicks is made of lightweight, high-tensile steel, which allows for good handling with excellent fuel consumption of 31 mpg in the city and 36 mph on the highway. What makes it unique? It has Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility System fitted, which includes features such as an automatic emergency brake to enhance safety.
12 Cars That Are Known for Their Unbreakable Reliability — They Just Don’t Quit
Reliability is a core feature that defines a vehicle. Over the last few decades, some vehicles have emerged as a reliable and durable option, standing out as workhorses that never quit. These vehicles not only prove themselves in terms of performance but transcend their role and become reliable partners, always fulfilling their role. Here are 12 Cars known for their unbreakable reliability.
12 Cars That Are Known for Their Unbreakable Reliability — They Just Don’t Quit
