The numbers behind the best selling compact cars used to be right behind midsize cars as overall sales leaders. Times have changed, and now compact SUVs or crossovers have assumed that position. Not to mention pickups. Still, there’s money to be made in selling compact cars, so these numbers still matter.
In figuring what the best selling compact cars were for 2017, we didn’t include vehicles like the Nissan Versa, which sold quite well. It’s technically a subcompact, as is the Honda Fit, Chevrolet Spark, Hyundai Accent and other models.
Without further delay, these were the best selling compact cars in 2017.
This mighty hatchback many drivers turn to for fun is still alive and kicking. Gone are the three-door models, because people have pretty much stopped buying them.
While that might make a few shoppers sad, the reality is the current Volkswagen Golf is still pretty amazing to drive. That big opening in the back makes it practical, too. Obviously, enough people find this combination compelling.
The Mazda3 is one of those compact cars you can still get as a sedan or a hatchback. That, and the fact that Mazda seems to put some solid zoom factor into its vehicles, makes this an attractive option.
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Speaking of attraction, quite a few people are a fan of the Mazda3’s looks. SkyActiv Technology makes this a practical vehicle to own, since it’s light on the gas without adding an expensive hybrid powertrain.
Yes, another Volkswagen. Despite Dieselgate, people haven’t completely lost faith in this German brand. Honestly, the upcoming generation looks amazing, but the one that people scooped up in 2017 is a little generic and soft.
Maybe it was all the incentives VW was throwing around? Or the fact that they could get a cool-looking European sedan on the cheap? Who knows, but sales figures for 2018 should be dramatically higher.
Ever since Subaru shifted the WRX models to their own separate platform, the Impreza has been pretty much forgotten by enthusiasts.
But, if you’re shopping for an affordable car that feels sporty to drive, this one is a true gem.
Available as a sedan or wagon, both feature tight handling, plus you can get a snappy manual transmission for even more fun. And, that Boxer engine can be pretty rev-happy.
While it’s true that the Kia Forte can be had in hatchback form, called the Forte5, most opt for the sedan. Whichever you get, Kia has stepped up its quality game in a big way. You’ll be hard-pressed to find many differences in the fit and finish of this car versus something like the Civic or Corolla, which is really saying something.
People are noticing and realizing that the Forte is a steal, which is probably why it keeps moving up this list of best selling compact cars.
If you’re a Ford person, you might think the Focus is the only compact car out there. Of course, most rabid fans of the Blue Oval are more into the larger offerings from the brand, but surely some Focus buyers are drawn in by the loyalty factor.
That’s not to say the Focus doesn’t have its positive qualities. It does. But when held up against the competition, the Focus really shows that it’s in need of a serious update. At least you can still get this one in sedan and hatchback forms.
Like a few others, the Cruze comes as a sedan or a super sexy hatchback.
Making it unique, though, is the availability of a diesel engine, something that’s always had a stigma in the United States, and that factor is growing.
Like the Focus, brand loyalty likely is driving plenty of Cruze sales, because the current generation is getting a little long in the tooth. Still, plenty of people seem to like it, making the car No. 5 in the segment for 2017.
Just like its brand sibling, Kia, Hyundai has really stepped up its game. The Elantra offers even more refinement than the Forte, in my opinion, and can be scooped up for under $15,000. That makes value-conscious shoppers sit up and notice.
On top of that, the GT hatchback is actually a blast to drive, if you’re into having fun behind the wheel.
Are you surprised to see the Nissan Sentra on this list, let alone in third place? Like the rest of the modern Nissan lineup, it sports weird looks, bland performance, and not much that’s really noteworthy.
But plenty of people are looking for a basic form of transportation to get them to and from point A and B. The Sentra fills that role, and you can get one for under $17,000. Plus, highway fuel economy is 37 mpg. There’s a lot to love about this car.
Drivers have always been passionate about their Corolla compact cars, and their sentiments have been reaffirmed time and again. Consumer Reports ranked the humble Toyota Corolla as the best compact car for 2018.
However, even with the introduction of the Corolla iM hatchback, Toyota couldn’t sell more of their compact cars in 2017 as they could in 2016. Sales were down 13 percent.
The next generation Corolla is coming for model year 2019. Whether it has enough pizzazz to push it to the top spot, we will have to wait and see.
Once again Honda is king of the best selling compact cars. After a fall from grace, the Honda Civic is back to its old tricks of great economy combined with razor-sharp handling and practical fun.
Even with the turbo engine, you’re not going to smoke any Mustangs, but something tells me Civic shoppers don’t care. If you do, the new Type R is a unicorn that at least gets people in dealerships, where they probably get a nicely appointed EX-L.
Not everyone is a fan of the busy, wild styling, but obviously whatever Honda is doing works, at least for now.
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