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Small cars

Small car

Small car guide

Small cars can be affordable, fun, and thrifty, though they can vary widely in practicality, price, and performance. Due to the breadth of offerings, there are many considerations in choosing the best small car for your needs, budget, and driving style. This buying guide will advise you on important considerations.
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Types of small cars

Small sedans and hatchbacks

Small sedans and hatchbacks
Small sedans and hatchbacks

The small car category is home to rudimentary economy cars and compact premium cars. Thrifty models tend to have good fuel economy, elevated levels of noise in many cases, and limited space for rear passengers and cargo. Many small cars also come in hatchback versions, adding versatility to the basic design. The powerplants are usually four-cylinder engines with 1.6- to 2.0-liter displacement. Fuel economy averages from the mid-20s to low-30s mpg overall. Turbochargers can be found on some higher-end versions.

Sporty cars

Sporty cars
Sporty cars

This category includes sporty hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen GTI, Mazdaspeed3, and Mini Cooper S, sporty coupes such as the Scion tC, and true sports cars such as the Mazda Miata. Engines are usually four cylinders, and often turbocharged. The emphasis is on crisp handling and the ride typically suffers as a result of stiff suspension and low-profile tires. The cabins are often noisy, too. Fuel economy varies from about mid-20s to low-30s overall, with the higher-horsepower models delivering worse fuel economy than non-sporty small cars. Hatchbacks usually have better rear seat room than coupes.

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