Best Compact Sedans 2016 | CarGurus Compact Sedan Roundup
146Compact sedans manage to back fuel efficiency, safety, and low prices into a small, but often practical, package. CarGurus tested 8 competing compacts in 2016: the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Chevrolet Cruz, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, and Mazda3. In the CarGurus Compact Sedans Roundup, we take a look at which car offers the best of all worlds.
Engines range from the Ford Focus’s optional 1.0-liter turbocharged inline 3-cylinder to the Mazda3 S’ 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder. Power runs a similar gamut; the Nissan Sentra’s little 1.8-liter inline-4 produces 130 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque on one end of the spectrum, and the 2.5-powered Mazda3 puts out 184 hp and 185 lb-ft. As one would expect, the relative lack of grunt stems from a focus on efficiency. The Ford Focus struggles to compete when equipped with the standard 2.0-liter, but the EcoBoost 3-cylinder returns a compelling 30 mpg city/41 highway/34 combined. Even still, it’s not quite good enough to best the 1.5-liter turbo in Honda’s Civic, rated at 31/42/35.
Inside each car, you can find a wide assortment of technology. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both featured in the Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, and Volkswagen Jetta, while the Sentra offers the pared-down Siri Eyes Free system. Honda’s 2016 Civic has made waves with its surprisingly upscale interior, making the tech in the 2016 Toyota Corolla look a little dated.
Cargo volume shines a positive light on some of the other contenders, too. While the Sentra disappointed in terms of horsepower and interior appointments, it’s good-size back seat and impressive 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space will make plenty of owners smile. Only the Volkswagen Jetta left us more impressed, with 15.7 cubic feet in the trunk and enough space behind the driver for 6 feet of cameraman.
In terms of safety, each car earns 5 stars from the NHTSA, is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, or both. Pricing ranges from $16,620 for a base-trim Chevy Cruze to $26,500 for a top-shelf Civic.
For more information on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, see the CarGurus Test Drive Review: https://cargur.us/9byCT
For more information on the 2016 Ford Focus, see the CarGurus Test Drive Review: https://cargur.us/cG74N
For more information on the 2016 Honda Civic, see the CarGurus Test Drive Review: https://cargur.us/9WllM
For more information on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, see the CarGurus Test Drive Review: https://cargur.us/cG77n
For more information on the 2016 Mazda3, see the CarGurus Test Drive Review: https://cargur.us/cG797
For more information on the 2016 Nissan Sentra, see the CarGurus Test Drive Review: https://cargur.us/cG7c9
For more information on the 2016 Toyota Corolla, see the CarGurus Test Drive Review: https://cargur.us/cG7dw
For more information on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, see the CarGurus Test Drive Review: https://cargur.us/cG7fK
Presenter: Matt Smith
Producer: Jake Hughes
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