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Honda Civic seen at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

It’s Still Hard To Beat Honda if You Want a Great Compact Car

Compact cars are a staple of the auto industry, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Honda offers hatchbacks, coupes, and sedans in this segment that meet the needs of any driver. These smaller practical vehicles are easy to get around in and come with an affordable price tag. There are many advantages to …

Compact cars are a staple of the auto industry, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Honda offers hatchbacks, coupes, and sedans in this segment that meet the needs of any driver.
 
These smaller practical vehicles are easy to get around in and come with an affordable price tag. There are many advantages to driving a compact car, and each model offers something different so consumers can decide which fits their lifestyle best.
 
When it comes to compact cars, Honda is still hard to beat. The quality, reputation, and dependability are second to none. Whether it’s a hatchback, hybrid, or fuel-efficient vehicle you’re looking for, Honda likely has what you need.

The best compact cars of 2020

CarFax compiled a list of the best compact cars of 2020. The company focused on estimated fuel cost, passenger and cargo space, safety features, price, and performance. Two of Honda’s compact vehicles made the top 10.

The Honda Insight hybrid, with outstanding fuel economy ratings, is a favorite among environmentally conscious consumers. Owners of this popular compact can save approximately $650 per year in fuel costs, a definite advantage for those looking for a budget-friendly option.

The classic Honda Civic also earned a spot on the CarFax list of best compact cars. Impressed with the spacious trunk and extra legroom in both rows, CarFax also enjoyed the eager acceleration and agile handling.

The number one compact car selected by CarFax was the Hyundai Elantra. Other vehicles on the list are the Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Volkswagen Jetta, and Subaru Impreza. In the subcompact car category, the top vehicles include the Nissan Versa, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Chevy Sonic.

The 2020 Honda Insight

The Honda Insight has a base price of $22,930. This traditional hybrid offers quick acceleration with unbeatable fuel economy ratings and 52 mpg combined city/highway. The 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine puts out 151 hp and offers solid handling.

Though not athletic in design, the Insight offers a comfortable ride with supportive seats and adequate headroom. The interior includes a spacious cabin with more than enough legroom to accommodate five passengers.

According to U.S. News, the cavernous trunk has “enough space for about 10 shopping bags or the family’s weekend vacation luggage.” The battery pack installed under the rear seats allows for class-leading cargo space.

Receiving excellent crash test ratings, the peppy Insight has a long list of standard safety features and driver assistance technology. The EX trim includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The range-topping Touring trim has an MSRP of $28,840, which is lower than other top-level trims in its class. Car and Driver said the Insight is “effectively a hybrid version of the Honda Civic … a delightful compact sedan that happens to get great mpg.”

The 2020 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has an MSRP of $21,050 for the entry-level model, which is slightly higher than other vehicles in its class. Standard features such as automatic emergency braking are standard, but a higher trim level is required for features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also, a blind spot monitoring camera is available only in the EX mid-level trim.

The Civic is available as a hatchback or sedan and has two powertrain options. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine puts out 158 hp, while the turbocharged 1.5-liter generates 174 or 180 hp depending upon the model. Estimated fuel economy is 33 mpg combine city/highway

Car and Driver ranks the Civic number one in compact cars, saying, “Its fun-to-drive nature and focus on practicality makes the Honda Civic a compact car we’re happy to recommend.”

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