8. 2018 Ford Focus
Surprisingly, the 2018 Ford Focus gives a spunky ride compared with some of the others. It’s available in a sporty hatchback or a slightly more efficient sedan. Thanks to Torque Vectoring Control and independent front suspension, it feels nimble. Engine options are all over the map. The standard choice is a 1.0-liter EcoBoost for 40mpg highway and 30mpg city. Or choose an available 2.0-liter Ti-VCT four-banger to get 34mpg highway and 24mpg city. Another efficient option, although costlier, is the 2018 Focus Electric, getting up to 118MPGe city and 96MPGe highway.
The Focus looks better than ever. Less like an economy car and more like a sporty model, it’s a great option for a youthful crowd.
7. 2018 Mazda3
Definitely one of the most stylish compact cars is the 2018 Mazda3 sedan. You get that bold diamond-shape grille, aggressive looks and smooth body lines. The interior is just as refined as the exterior with either good fabric or nice leather upholstery and decent mid-range tech available.
It gets tricky comparing the Mazda3 to the rest of the compact car segment. While its base engine is a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter that can do 37mpg highway, the better option is bigger. The 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder makes 184 horsepower and is way more fun to drive. MPGs are just a touch lower at 26mpg highway, which seems to be an acceptable trade-off for the higher horsepower.
6. 2018 Subaru Impreza
While it looks good for sure, the Subaru Impreza punches its ticket based on performance. Yes, it has a 2.0-liter BOXER engine with a measly 152 horsepower, but the standard-equipment Symmetrical All Wheel Drive and Torque Vectoring make up for it in leaps and bounds. It still gets up to 38mpg highway and 28mpg city, which elevates it up the standings.
The Subaru Impreza has decent looks but it’s not a showstopper. It’s a Cinderella story – the base model is bland and boring, but the dressed-up version gets noticed at the ball.
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