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While the Honda Civic might be the obvious pick when considering compact sedans, have you ever stopped to consider the Kia Forte, a Mazda3, or the Subaru Impreza? There’s more to shopping for a compact sedan than you might realize.
If you’re looking for a car that’s affordable, reliable, and just a little sporty, the Honda Civic is a great choice. A winner throughout the years, the Honda Civic has become one of the most dependable cars available in America today. But what if you find its practicality a little boring, or are looking for a livelier driving experience?
Chances are you’ve overlooked some great alternatives if the Honda Civic isn’t checking all your boxes. Explore your other options with
Jerry
, the car insurance
shopping app. We can also help you find savings on your Honda Civic insurance cost
.1. Toyota Corolla
Starting price: $21,520 to $26,665
Selling points: Fuel-efficient powertrains, roomy rear seat
Weak spot: Not very fun to drive, hatch option has less cargo space
If safety is your top priority, you should consider the
Toyota Corolla
as a viable contender to the Honda Civic. Each Corolla comes loaded with standard safety features like lane departure alert, pre-collision system, road sign assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. It tops our list as the safest car available.The Corolla is available in both a sedan and hatchback style, like many compact sedans today. If you opt for the hatchback style, you’ll lose some cargo and backseat space, but you’ll get a sportier drive in return. If you regularly have backseat passengers, the sedan is the better choice.
The Corolla isn’t as fun to drive as some of the other cars on this list, but if you’re looking for something safe, reliable, and affordable, you can’t go wrong with this Toyota classic.
2. Nissan Sentra
Starting price: $21,045 to $23,795
Selling points: Handsome inside and out, great standard tech features
Weak spot: Optional sunroof limits headspace, tough to pick up speed
Finally, a sedan that doesn’t look like it belongs in a rental fleet! The
Nissan Sentra
is an undeniably handsome and well-appointed car. It’s not winning points for luxury per se, but you’ll definitely be comfortable in its spacious and decked-out front seat. While the Sentra is a practical, dependable choice, those seeking a lot of fun out of their cars should keep shopping. This isn’t the car for risk-takers or sporty drivers. The Sentra only offers one engine to its shoppers—a slightly underpowered 4-cylinder instead of the turbocharged or hybrid powertrains available from some of its competitors.
That being said, the Sentra comes with plenty of features and the type of ride stability only Nissan can offer. That’s something a lot of people appreciate.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers3. Kia Forte
Starting price: $20,185 to $24,585
Selling points: Great value pricing, good-looking exterior, well-equipped base model
Weak spot: No hatchback, lethargic acceleration
Are you looking to maximize value? Don’t care about sacrificing performance? The
Kia Forte
might be the car for you. The cabin and chassis are tuned for comfort, not sporty driving, so speed demons should move on. The year 2022 was good to the Forte—it now has a fully updated exterior, new standard features like lane-following assist, and a new electronic parking brake with auto-hold. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also part of the new standard feature lineup, which is great news for music lovers out there.
It’s worth springing for the turbocharged 4-cylinder over the standard engine to put a little pep in the Forte’s step. Without it, it lags behind the competition and makes for a truly dull ride.
4. Hyundai Elantra
Starting price: $21,245 to $29,645
Selling points: Great price, good engine pep, unique look
Weak spot: Too many of its tech offerings are optional
Environment lovers rejoice: finally, a compact car with an optional hybrid powertrain! Even if you opt for the standard gasoline engine, you’ll be wowed by the
Hyundai Elantra
’s fuel economy of 50 mpg combined. With mileage like that, you’ll be able to slash the cost of ownership!Dressed in a futuristic design and next-level optional tech features, driving the Elantra feels like something out of the 22nd century. The infotainment and center console wrap around the driver like we imagine a spaceship to be, though the passenger side isn’t as impressive. You’ll find plenty of space in the rear seat and the trunk offers plenty of room for cargo as well.
Overall, the Elantra takes the lead for compact sedans thanks to its futuristic styling and peppy drive (if you upgrade the powertrain). Even after upgrading the trim and adding a tech package or two, you’ll find it’s not breaking the budget after all.
5. Subaru Impreza
Starting price: $20,290 to $27,355
Selling points: Standard all-wheel drive, quick steering, easy-to-use infotainment system
Weak spot: Lackadaisical fuel economy, poor acceleration
Adventurous drivers rejoice—the
Subaru Impreza
comes standard with all-wheel drive. While this compact sedan isn’t one we’d recommend taking off-road, you can handle a muddy (albeit flat) field thanks to this drivetrain option.The Impreza isn’t the most exciting sedan on our list, but it’s a sensible option for those looking for practicality and comfort over performance and style. While there’s a manual gearbox available, choose the automatic transmission for a more precise drive—the manual shifting is clunky and somewhat imprecise.
Despite the engine’s sluggishness, overall the drive is comfortable and responsive, if not a bit laggy. The interior features are adequate, with an intuitive infotainment system that’s easy to navigate. If you’re looking for a compact sedan that can handle any terrain, this might be the choice for you.
6. Chevrolet Spark
Starting price: $14,595 to $17,995
Selling points: Nimble handling, nice interior
Weak spot: Cramped backseat, tough to fold rear seats
Okay, the
Chevrolet Spark
is more of a two-door hatchback than a compact sedan, but it’s a great alternative for a young, single person living in the city. If you don’t have extra adults or kids to haul around and the biggest cargo you’re worried about stowing is an especially big Whole Foods trip, it’s worth considering the Spark.Are you an old-fashioned manual transmission lover? Start celebrating because the Spark offers a manual option across all trim levels—a rarity nowadays. You’ll have a better driving experience if you choose the manual option, but the automatic transmission will get you to your destination with no problem, too.
Despite its small size, the Spark doesn’t win any awards for fuel economy—31 mpg for city, which is lower than what we’d expect from a vehicle this size. Overall, if you’re not looking to tote around a bunch of people or camping gear, the Chevrolet Spark is a great starter car for those looking to save.
7. Mazda3
Starting price: $22,165 to $34,465
Selling points: High-end feel, nice interior
Weak spot: Base model lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, expensive turbo engine
Love a fun drive? Buckle up for the 2022
Mazda3
, a winner of Car and Driver’s Editor’s Choice award
. This affordable, sporty ride can keep up with its more luxurious German counterparts at a fraction of the price—but don’t expect the same level of luxury in the cabin.Despite its limitations, the Mazda 3 still has a nicely-appointed interior that feels more luxe than some of its side-by-side competitors. It’s sophisticated, stylish, and at an affordable price point that the average joe can afford.
The chassis lends itself to a fun, responsive drive—but avoid the hatchback unless you want major blind spot blockage. This car is rounded out by an average fuel economy of 27 mpg combined.
8. Volkswagen Jetta
Starting price: $21,460 to $29,190
Selling points: Great ride quality for price range, lots of storage
Weak spot: Unengaging drive, no hybrid option
While driving enthusiasts will be lining up elsewhere, the rest of us will be satisfied with the 2022
Volkswagen Jetta
. Despite being classified as a compact car, the Jetta has a surprising amount of room for both passengers and cargo. While the more desirable features are found in the upper trims, the base is enough to satisfy our basic expectations—you really do get what you pay for.The Jetta isn’t the most fun to drive compared to the zippier Mazda 3, but you can opt for the 5-speed manual transmission if you need a more engaging drive than an automatic transmission can offer.
The exterior and interior are more reserved than the flashy Hyundai Elantra, but upon closer inspection, you’ll find features that are pleasing to the eye and comfortable to relax in. The infotainment system is driver-focused and even allows for gesture controls.
Honda Civic vs. the competition
Want to see it all laid out? Below is our side-by-side comparison of the 2022 Honda Civic with its fiercest competitors.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum trunk volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$23,645 to $31,145 | 4-cylinder | 5 | 14.8 cubic feet | 1,100 pounds | 31/38/34 mpg | |
$21,520 to $26,665 | 4-cylinder | 5 | 13.1 cubic feet | 1,500 pounds | 26/36/32 mpg | |
$21,045 to $23,795 | 4-cylinder | 5 | 14.3 cubic feet | 921 pounds | 28/37/32 mpg | |
$20,185 to $24,585 | 4-cylinder | 5 | 15.3 cubic feet | 1,023 | 30/40/34 mpg | |
Hyundai Elantra | $21,245 to $29,645 | 4-cylinder or hybrid powertrain | 5 | 14.2 cubic feet | 1,133 pounds | 49/52/50 mpg |
$20,290 to $27,355 | 4-cylinder | 5 | 12.3 cubic feet | 2,645 pounds | 28/38/32 mpg | |
$14,595 to $17,995 | 4-cylinder | 5, but it’s a squeeze | 11.1 cubic feet | Not recommended | Fuel economy 31/41/36 mpg | |
$22,165 to $34,465 | 4-cylinder | 5 | 13.2 cubic feet | 2,000 pounds | 23/32/27 mpg | |
$21,460 to $29,190 | 4-cylinder | 5 | 14.1 cubic feet | 2,000 pounds | 29/40/33 mpg |
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It takes a long time to compare the pros and cons of each model that rivals the Honda Civic—we should know! Another important step in buying a new compact sedan is comparison shopping for great car insurance, but who has the bandwidth after shopping for the car itself?
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By Cassandra Hamilton
Expert Insurance Writer
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett.
- 1. Toyota Corolla
- 2. Nissan Sentra
- 3. Kia Forte
- 4. Hyundai Elantra
- 5. Subaru Impreza
- 6. Chevrolet Spark
- 7. Mazda3
- 8. Volkswagen Jetta
- Honda Civic vs. the competition
- How to compare car insurance quotes in under a minute
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