The Chevy Sonic and Honda Fit sit atop our small-car class for two reasons: drivability and flexibility, respectively.
Both excel at making the compact class entertaining and the Kia Rio encroaches on both makes.
The Nissan Versa likely will be the most affordable new car in America this year, although we’d hardly recommend anyone taking them up on that offer.
The Ford Fiesta is aged inside and out, but offers a chunky turbo-3 that’d be entertaining for urban-dwellers.
The Toyota Yaris is dismal as a hatch but much better as the Yaris iA sedan, even though it’s plenty pricey.
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 2018 Kia RioBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Chevrolet SonicBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Ford FiestaBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Honda FitBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Nissan VersaBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Toyota YarisBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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New-car buyers seeking the comforts of a factory warranty can be limited in budget picks. The 2018 Kia Rio does many little things right for not a lot of cash. |
The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic remains a good choice among subcompacts, though it’s now aging and losing some luster. |
The teensy 2018 Ford Fiesta lives its best life as a scintillating turbo-4 ST. |
The 2018 Honda Fit spaces out when it comes to economy-car goodness. |
The Nissan Versa is affordable transportation that has an appealing price—especially for students. It’s not quick but it is spacious, especially in hatchback form. |
The 2018 Toyota Yaris is two cars: a fun-to-drive sedan called the "iA," and a hatchback relic that's hard to recommend. Four doors=four thumbs up. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $13,900 | $15,295 | $14,205 | $16,190 | $12,110 | $15,635 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 28 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Small Station Wagons | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| LX Manual | 4-Door Sedan Manual LS | S Sedan | LX Manual | S Manual | 3-Door L Manual (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan | Liftback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2018 Kia Rio vs. 2018 Chevrolet Sonic | 2018 Kia Rio vs. 2018 Ford Fiesta | 2018 Kia Rio vs. 2018 Honda Fit | 2018 Kia Rio vs. 2018 Nissan Versa | 2018 Kia Rio vs. 2018 Toyota Yaris | |
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