Best deals on small cars

Low gas prices favor shoppers looking for small, fuel-efficient cars, but the market trend shows many buyers are looking to bigger models. If history has taught us one thing, it is that gas prices will inevitably increase, and buying a small car now can be a smart long-term investment. A subcompact or small car will save at the pump compared to larger, thirstier vehicle, and the benefits can only increase when gas prices rise.

As is often the case, those vehicles with the deepest discounts tend to be older models, due for imminent replacement. The biggest deals are on the Hyundai Elantra, with total savings available being nearly $4,000. We expected to see the next-generation Elantra unveiled at the New York International Auto Show next week.

This list is strictly based on dollars saved. (Our Best New Car Deals list routinely covers just models that meet the stringent performance, reliability, and safety criteria to be Consumer Reports recommended.) Although we highlight one specific configuration, all of these models offer similar savings on other variations.

Each vehicle highlighted below is available with a 5- to 20-percent discount off the retail price in national incentives. Some may also carry additional regional or other special incentives. Specific pricing details on these and other trim variations are available on the model pages, along with complete road tests, reliability, owner cost, and other key information. The vehicles are listed in alphabetical order.

Chevrolet Cruze

The Cruze is a solid and substantial-feeling compact car. Its taut, steady, and controlled ride makes it one of the best-riding small sedans, even more comfortable than some larger models. Inside it's also one of the quietest small sedans we've tested. While gasoline-powered models have lackluster fuel economy, an efficient turbodiesel engine is also available. Inside is a nicely-finished cabin, with roomy front seats; even taller drivers have plenty of space, which is surprising for a small sedan. But the Cruze is very tight in the rear. Upright styling provides good driver visibility and controls are mostly easy to use. Reliability has been below average.

Chevrolet Sonic

With the Sonic, Chevrolet offers one of the best cars in the class. The Sonic offers a relatively quiet cabin, responsive handling, and excellent braking performance. The ride is smooth for a small car, but the steering can be darty. Acceleration is relatively quick for the category, but the 28-mpg overall fuel economy is on the low side. Rear-seat room is tight and the front seats are uncomfortable, but there is a large trunk. Buyers can choose from either four-door sedan or hatchback models. We tested a sedan with the base 1.8-liter engine and a hatchback model with the turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder; both produce 138 hp. The Sonic's price is a bit on the high side relative to the competition, before factoring incentives. A sporty RS hatchback is also available. A forward-collision and lane-departure warning system are available.

Dodge Dart

The Dodge Dart has a solid feel and a relatively quiet interior, and it offers certain upscale features that aren't usually found in a compact sedan. But the Dart's Achilles' heel is its powertrains; none of the three available delivers the refinement, performance, or fuel economy of higher-rated competitors. The Dart corners responsively and securely, whether cruising on a two-lane backcountry road or being pushed to its limits at our track. The ride is steady, if firm. And you can get a wide variety of optional features that aren't available on many competitors, including a blind-spot warning system, automatic high beams, and a heated steering wheel. Controls are mostly simple, and the easy-to-use Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system is among the best.

Hyundai Accent

The Accent scores near the top of our subcompact Ratings in both sedan and hatchback versions. There's nothing fancy about this car but it hits the mark well for basic, sensible transportation. It's economical to buy and run—we got 31 mpg with the GLS sedan with an automatic and 32 mpg for the stick-shift Sport hatchback. The 138-hp four-cylinder engine provides adequate power and handling is responsive, somewhat more so in the Sport model. The well-constructed cabin offers plenty of room up front. As is normal for this class, the ride is jittery and the rear seats are somewhat cramped. The cabin is fairly noisy, but not offensively so.

Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra sedan combines nimble and secure handling with a fairly comfortable ride. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic deliver solid performance and a very good 29 mpg overall. Some versions get a more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The car is well-equipped for the price, the controls and features are logically laid out, and rear-seat room is fine for two adults. Our major gripe is the pronounced road and engine noise. The GT hatchback has more adventurous styling and is competent enough. Fuel economy of 27 mpg overall is nothing special, and the hatchback suffers from a loud cabin and stiff ride. Both the sedan and hatchback have potential savings of 20 percent off MSRP.

Kia Forte

Kia's Forte provides generous interior room and a wide assortment of amenities. Our tested base LX sedan got 28-mpg overall with the smooth 1.8-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic. Though the ride is absorbent, it tends to feel somewhat buoyant over highway undulations. Handling is very secure but not particularly agile. All EX versions get a stronger 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and the SX coupe and hatch use a 1.6-liter turbo. The spacious interior is quiet for a compact car, and the controls are logically arranged. This car is available with features not usually found in the class, such as front/rear heated and ventilated seats. Kia claims that the 2015 models get better fuel economy with enhanced engines. Reliability has been average.

Kia Rio

This corporate cousin of the Hyundai Accent is available as a sedan or hatchback. Power comes from a 138-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic. Fuel economy of 29-mpg overall with our automatic-equipped hatchback and 30 for the sedan is pretty unimpressive for a subcompact. The Rio feels solid compared with some other subcompacts. Its stiff ride and noisy cabin are typical of the genre and can get annoying during long trips, but they aren't unbearable. Handling is a strong suit, with the car feeling responsive in corners. Higher-trim models offer amenities such as heated seats and a rear-view camera, but they can push up the price steeply. Reliability has been above average, but owner satisfaction ranks among lowest in the category.

Kia Soul

The Soul brings more to the table than quirky styling. There's abundant interior space, with the chairlike seats and big windows providing an excellent view out. Though fundamentally a budget hatchback, the Soul can be an SUV alternative, functionality-wise. The driving experience isn't special: The ride is stiff and handling is sound but unexceptional. Power delivery from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder feels just adequate, and its 26-mpg overall is not outstanding. An extensive options list includes heated seats, touch-screen navigation, and a backup camera. An electric version is available in California. First-year reliability of the redesign has been above average.

Mitsubishi Lancer

While it's an improvement over the old model, the redesigned Lancer still scores only midpack in its class. The Mitsubishi's handling is quite agile and the steering is responsive, lending the car a sporty feel. But the ride borders on being too stiff, the engine is noisy, and the brakes were disappointing. The Lancer also had subpar fit and finish, tight rear-seat head room, and mediocre fuel economy. Drab, cheap-looking plastics and uneven panel gaps dominate the Lancer's interior. The doors and trunk lid sound tinny when shut, seats are covered in fabric that is basic at best, and seat adjustment levers are flimsy.

Nissan Versa Note

The Versa Note offers amazing space and versatility for a little subcompact. It's also quieter and more relaxed to drive than most competitors. Its tall stance and wide doors make it easy to maneuver, park, and hop into and out of. The rear seat is really roomy, and the ride feels comfortable and relaxed. Handling is more responsive than the Versa sedan. Our main gripes are its awkward driving position, squishy front seats, and lack of interior storage. The CVT can magnify coarse engine noise when accelerating, but its 31-mpg overall is respectable. Changes for 2015 include standard Bluetooth, available heated seats, and new interior refinements. First-year reliability has been average.