Best Compact Cars of 2025: A Straight-Up, No-Fluff Breakdown

2025 Mazda 3

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2025 Honda Civic

[{"selector":"#anim-a86bd37f-9cdd-4ee4-8730-9379d7616bc0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-563b30c0-4aee-43e2-a1fa-f806a745664e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af8493e8-4572-49dd-8c43-9014243eed4c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ffedd77b-c7bc-4f4f-99b0-5a0729840ec9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 981.94512%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-290c83d6-b43b-4526-917f-11a87a2a4a3e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f4250bcf-589c-4ea6-86c9-cb460c6aeac7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 293.65076%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A perfect mix of style, efficiency, and reliability. One of the best-selling compact cars. Starts at $23,500 .

2025 Toyota Corolla

[{"selector":"#anim-696afbd8-b030-4d49-83f6-64a10410d65e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-734449b2-21a3-415b-9465-a461d6f6f9ed","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ec56fcf5-3fd8-4d2c-bfbc-deb91b07358e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dde8caa2-c68d-4cda-8fc0-9f61e1bde26e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 981.94512%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4fe2c02b-c716-4063-9dc4-1b70efea9520","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-66e07f28-ce54-495b-aae4-ec71ec984141","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 392.97371%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The no-brainer choice—efficient, reliable, and available as a sedan or hatchback. Starts at $22,000 .

2025 Nissan Sentra

[{"selector":"#anim-12cd04e5-8ed3-46af-9e79-43418f1d7565","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7dfb82d1-0f95-486f-876c-6f6c98e4453d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb60ec1a-4f4f-4fe6-9574-ab851a4196f2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87e6b98c-f20e-488c-af74-523c6fd417d9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 981.94512%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dafa5878-697a-4b89-837d-c35a17e4e8d4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84693552-24a4-406e-9125-e54e52df9840","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 392.97371%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A budget-friendly sedan with a comfortable ride and great efficiency. Starts at $21,000 .

2024 Subaru Impreza

[{"selector":"#anim-9a37e98d-f754-4d43-8f37-696657e8f23b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-02bf24dc-4276-4459-8521-538e1948e4b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-754dd841-d620-4055-940e-a1d5ed4ca815","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a4152314-6177-4454-828a-0dc22649a30e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 981.94512%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-976dfaf1-0da8-4a86-9d70-4519df418b80","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1016d159-995a-4261-8030-f2de309ef654","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 387.09135%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Comes standard with AWD, making it perfect for all-weather driving. Starts at $23,000 .

2025 Hyundai Elantra N

[{"selector":"#anim-1d87bbbb-28b6-4e0e-8133-9c51b2e5e345","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-05cf8493-eb14-481c-badd-30779d9dbef9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04181148-d5a8-47e2-8f91-224bbf896aa4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c8478f4d-9fa9-4c67-bb65-bab059b18e9c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 981.94512%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a2c5694-3097-46eb-a32a-d0f2d977a2c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13cfd85c-1624-4847-8836-e8f406f2568f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 387.09135%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] For those who love speed—276 HP and a sporty driving experience. Starts at $33,000 .

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI

[{"selector":"#anim-eed30843-aa6c-401d-8ad4-b144aeeb33cf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8dd61e14-6283-4239-86ed-699665c77c8d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1fde7b9-d1ae-4071-8485-b2ef96ac15dd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d6d6a2c-36aa-4693-9b76-d312ac377ad2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 950.69515%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d7ebc9e-51d9-4651-8ff2-e02f5be1ad76","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a016e8a-de1a-4ca5-abf2-2fbb01a699da","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 387.09135%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The iconic hot hatch that balances fun and practicality. Starts at $32,000 .

2024 Toyota GR Corolla

[{"selector":"#anim-129d7090-3d05-49fa-8e2a-9120f592412b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e051e7c0-0f2d-4785-ba3f-1c83d7743e34","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e02e2a05-994b-4fed-a86c-4cef071a926a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95cc749f-469e-44f7-a1f9-74baf97e428b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 950.69515%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2be606f-07a6-4c08-b4b9-5c9bd744a862","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f6635267-710b-48cb-9019-54aeb2078a32","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 598.23238%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A rally-inspired AWD machine built for enthusiasts. Starts at $36,000 .

2025 Honda CR-V

[{"selector":"#anim-86c732db-ca61-4f0c-9b9c-b3f4a68c8d71","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95528ce1-6107-4529-a2d6-6a76a2f0b434","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0bd165d8-e53c-4086-967c-2ca90e2b035b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b1c1db90-c140-4915-b19f-b1be48aca841","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 950.69515%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6967e120-30ce-4ba9-8fcd-1862f7dc2994","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-76e10575-1c38-485f-bb72-b75606858e2c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 387.09135%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A compact SUV with great space, efficiency, and optional AWD. Starts at $29,500 .

2025 Toyota Prius

[{"selector":"#anim-b8d35fb4-d51c-4221-a491-010d1747e435","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-922661cd-f8c7-4afe-b1dd-0691a16e21ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6b5f4a12-a987-4be0-8087-d71d54ef3433","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e944827-0bee-466d-8696-a95d5c191b86","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 950.69515%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e8387eea-add8-45df-aa26-d587da65f724","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0f22e723-a78c-4d11-9a2f-0d7fad5d8c71","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 387.09135%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The MPG champion—perfect for fuel-conscious drivers. Starts at $28,000 . Learn more