Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with wheelbases 99.4 inches or longer.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic, Nissan Versa, and Scion xB. Our Recommended picks are the Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer, Saturn Astra, Scion xB, and Subaru Impreza.

The redesigned Corolla expected for 2008 will now be an '09 model. Toyota says the postponement reflects an overtaxed engineering staff, but the real reason, we hear, is that the original design looked dull once the latest Honda Civic appeared, and is being sexed up. However it looks, the next Corolla should be somewhat larger, roomier and heavier than today's version, which implies a larger 4-cyl engine with more power to cope. A gas-electric version is said to be in the mix, though it probably won't arrive before model-year 2010. The first hybrid Corolla is expected to use a new, more-compact powertrain that Toyota says will cost half as much to make as earlier systems. That should narrow the price gap with regular versions.