2012 Mazda MAZDA2 vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

If you want a compact hatchback with good gas mileage, a pretty well-designed interior, and plenty of features for the money, you have plenty of options this year.

The Nissan Versa has all of those things--including a roomier interior and the ride of a larger car--but it's simply not fun to drive.

The all-new Chevrolet Sonic is an excellent entry in the market, with a more comfortable, refined feel.

Also worth considering is the Toyota Yaris; it's also been redesigned for 2012 but remains on the more practical, comfort-oriented end of the scale.

One of our editors' favorites remains the Honda Fit; its more spacious, versatile interior has plenty of headroom for taller drivers as well as an especially handy Magic Seat arrangement that lets the rear seats be folded low for cargo.

The base MINI Cooper is another fun-to-drive alternative, but it costs thousands more.

Also, next to the Ford Fiesta, we tend to like the Mazda2's powertrain and tuning a bit more, although the Ford definitely has the upper hand for features.