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Two women sit in a compact car, laughing together. The passenger is also using her phone, capturing a candid moment of joy.
2021 Toyota Prius Prime XLE

1. Toyota Prius

CarMax owner rating

Price range
$13,998—$38,998
Estimated combined MPG
49 MPG
RepairPal reliability rating
4.5 out of 5
2024 Toyota Corolla SE

2. Toyota Corolla

CarMax owner rating

Price range
$13,998—$28,998
Estimated combined MPG
34 MPG
RepairPal reliability rating
4.5 out of 5
2018 Toyota Corolla iM

3. Toyota Corolla iM

CarMax owner rating

Price range
$15,998—$19,998
Estimated combined MPG
30 MPG
RepairPal reliability rating
4.5 out of 5

Pros

  • Unexpected standard features

  • Comfortable for long drives

  • Flexible five-door body style

Cons

  • Lackluster acceleration

  • Lack of premium options

  • Blind spots out the rear

2021 Honda Civic LX

4. Honda Civic

CarMax owner rating

Price range
$12,998—$52,998
Estimated combined MPG
24 MPG
RepairPal reliability rating
4.5 out of 5

Pros

  • Engaging driving experience

  • Spacious, comfortable interior

  • Plenty of standard driver-assistance features

Cons

  • LX base trim is on only available in the sedan body style

  • Audible road noise at highway speeds

  • Slopping roof affects rear-seat headroom for taller passengers

2021 Acura ILX Technology Package

5. Acura ILX

CarMax owner rating

Price range
$14,998—$28,998
Estimated combined MPG
28 MPG
RepairPal reliability rating
4.5 out of 5

Pros

  • Ample features for the price

  • Lively handling

  • Solid estimated fuel economy

Cons

  • Disappointing, plastic-laden interior

  • Stiff, unrefined ride

  • Clumsy infotainment interface

2017 Lexus CT Hybrid CT 200h F Sport

6. Lexus CT 200h

CarMax owner rating

Price range
$14,998—$22,998
Estimated combined MPG
42 MPG
RepairPal reliability rating
4.5 out of 5

Pros

  • Athletic handling for its class

  • Handsome, premium-feeling interior

  • Versatile thanks to its hatchback design

Cons

  • Sluggish, noisy acceleration

  • Unimpressive luggage space for its class

  • Remote infotainment controls are complicated to use

2023 Audi A3 Premium Plus

7. Audi A3

CarMax owner rating

Price range
$14,599—$37,998
Estimated combined MPG
28 MPG
RepairPal reliability rating
3 out of 5

Pros

  • Responsive turbo engine

  • Intuitive navigation system

  • Premium passenger comforts

Cons

  • Modest cargo volume

  • Rear row not particularly suited to taller passengers

  • Premium Plus trim required to unlock advanced driver aids

2018 kia forte5 side

8. Kia Forte5

CarMax owner rating

Price range
$10,998—$16,998
Estimated combined MPG
25 MPG
RepairPal reliability rating
4.5 out of 5

Pros

  • Standard Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™ integration

  • Manual and automatic transmission options

  • SX trim packs powerful engine for a compact car

Cons

  • Ride can be stiff 

  • Seating comfort features are additional add-ons

  • Fuel economy could be better

Ready to find your next compact car?

How we ranked this list

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2006-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. These ratings are based on RepairPal Reliability data as of 3/18/2025. Learn more at repairpal.com/reliability.

Price includes all costs to be paid by consumer, except for licensing costs, registration fees, and taxes. Price assumes that final purchase will be made in the State of NJ, unless vehicle is non-transferable. Vehicle subject to prior sale. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions. Limited warranty is 90 days/4,000 mi, whichever's first. See store for details. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.

We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.​

Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.​ By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.

We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.