The compact car ranks have shrunk in recent years, though the remaining offerings are solid.
The Honda Civic was recently updated, and there’s not a bad one in the bunch if you can get past its racy styling.
The Hyundai Elantra has a stylish body and an excellent infotainment system, and it’s a great value.
Toyota has updated its Corolla with bold styling, which mostly works, and its hybrid fuel economy is unmatched.
VW’s Jetta has an Audi-lite feel for the most part and can be had in sporty GLI trim.
If all-wheel drive is a major selling point, no automaker has a longer track record acing wintry weather than Subaru, so check out the refined Impreza and its Crosstrek off-roady sibling.
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 2020 Mazda MAZDA3Browse Used Listings |  2020 Honda CivicBrowse Used Listings |  2020 Hyundai ElantraBrowse Used Listings |  2020 Subaru ImprezaBrowse Used Listings |  2020 Toyota CorollaBrowse Used Listings |  2020 Volkswagen JettaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The Mazda 3 punches above its weight class with an upmarket interior, good handling, and optional all-wheel drive. |
The 2020 Honda Civic sets the pace among affordable compact cars. |
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is a well-equipped value. |
The 2020 Subaru Impreza is a rational choice among compact cars, especially for those who need foul-weather traction. |
It’s still among the more mildly flavored mass-market sedans, but the 2020 Toyota Corolla has dropped the bland from its diet. |
The docile 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a solid compact sedan choice; for zesty performance, opt into the Jetta GLI. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $21,500 | $20,000 | $19,300 | $18,695 | $19,600 | $18,895 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 24 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | Coming Soon MPG City / Coming Soon MPG Hwy | 28 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | N/A | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars | N/A | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| FWD | LX Manual | SE IVT | N/A | L CVT (GS) | S Manual w/SULEV |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | N/A | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | N/A | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | N/A | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | CVT w/OD | N/A | CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Honda Civic | 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Hyundai Elantra | 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Subaru Impreza | 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Toyota Corolla | 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Volkswagen Jetta | |
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