Many compact cars do affordability or fun, but not together.
The Volkswagen Golf can be fun to drive, but its price can soar.
Some versions of the Ford Focus can be equally sporty, but not all that practical and its interior is very dated.
The Honda Civic straddles both worlds very well, although it’s hard to find high performance in anything but it’s pricey Type R model.
The Elantra and Impreza are both very practical, with good interior room, but only middling performance.
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 2018 Mazda MAZDA3Browse Used Listings |  2018 Ford FocusBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Honda CivicBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Hyundai ElantraBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Subaru ImprezaBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Volkswagen GolfBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2018 Mazda 3 adds standard active safety features to an already compelling value. Among compact cars, this is one to consider. |
The 2018 Ford Focus is irony on wheels: it comes in a dizzying range of models, of which the SEL and ST are our picks. |
The 2018 Honda Civic is a good car made better by plenty of options and value at nearly every stop. |
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra adds a versatile hatchback to the fold and makes a more compelling case as a compact contender in a value-packed segment. |
The 2018 Subaru Impreza offers all-wheel drive for all of us in a comfortable, refined, tech-savvy package. |
There's a VW Golf for everyone, and they're even better for 2018 thanks to a big tech upgrade inside. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $18,095 | $17,950 | $18,940 | $16,950 | N/A | $20,910 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 25 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | N/A | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Mid-Size Cars | N/A | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| Sport Manual | S Sedan | LX Manual | SE 2.0L Manual (Ulsan) | N/A | 1.8T S Manual |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | N/A | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | N/A | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | N/A | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | N/A | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Ford Focus | 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Honda Civic | 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Hyundai Elantra | 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Subaru Impreza | 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Volkswagen Golf | |
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