The Consumer Guide to 2009 Premium Compact Cars
by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
2009 Premium Compact Car Lineup
 Base Price Range: $29,160-$32,260 EPA MPG Range: 20-30 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Acura TSX is redesigned with freshened styling and new features. TSX is let down by a somewhat noisy engine, a cramped rear seat and, when equipped with the available navigation system, a daunting control scheme. Its 2009 redesign, however, brings meaningful improvements in this premium compact car's ride quality without sacrificing its excellent handling characteristics. The manual transmission is particularly delightful. These virtues, combined with reasonable pricing, make TSX a Recommended choice in this class. |
 Base Price Range: $26,920-$36,975 EPA MPG Range: 18-29 Body Style: 4-door hatchback The 2009 Audi A3 receives freshened exterior and interior styling. While it hasn't been lighting up the sales charts, A3 is a premium compact that deserves serious consideration. It delivers a good array of features, versatility, and driving enjoyment. The 2.0Ts suffer from non-linear turbo-engine power delivery, but they earn our Recommended nod for offering the best dollar value. With its gutsy V6, the 3.2 S line is more rewarding but rather pricey. |
 Base Price Range: $31,000-$58,325 EPA MPG Range: 13-30 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon, 2-door convertible The 2009 Audi A4 is redesigned, growing larger and gaining more power. Audi's top-selling car line features 4-door sedans and Avant wagons. The Cabriolet convertible will continue with the 2008 body style, as will the 340-hp V8 high-performance S4 version of the Cabriolet. All A4s are fun to drive and relatively good values when compared with other cars in the class. The 2.0T engines offer plenty of power, but lack the refinement some upscale shoppers may demand. V6 engines are smooth by any standard, but come at a much higher price. |
 Base Price Range: $33,600-$66,500 EPA MPG Range: 14-33 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon, 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible The 2009 BMW 3-Series sedans and wagons get slightly freshened interior and exterior styling. Also, for the first time in North America, these premium compact cars will be available with a diesel engine. With dynamic capabilities second to none, the 3-Series remains our benchmark for premium compacts. A full complement of body styles and available all-wheel drive add to the appeal. Base prices are reasonable for this class, though BMW charges extra for popular amenities many competitors include as standard equipment. Feature for feature, it may end up costing more than some rivals, but the 3-Series is a Best Buy for its resolute focus on balanced performance. |
 Base Price Range: $31,305-$56,760 EPA MPG Range: 16-29 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Lexus IS gets slightly freshened styling and revised suspension tuning. These premium compacts impress for their design, features, and materials. They also benefit from Lexus' strong resale-value record. However, they're not quite alluring enough alternatives to the Audi A4 or BMW 3-Series--especially in rear-passenger room and comfort. The IS F blends luxury and high performance into an incredibly refined package. If you're shopping the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, add IS F to your list. |
 Base Price Range: $32,900-$56,300 EPA MPG Range: 12-26 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is largely unchanged following its 2008 redesign. Within the confines of its compact dimensions, the new C-Class acquits itself quite well. C63 excepted, others in this segment trump all C-Class models for all-out performance, but buyers seeking brand cachet and a refined driving experience would do well to check out this Recommended sedan. |
 Base Price Range: $30,360-$51,330 EPA MPG Range: NA Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon, 2-door convertible The 2009 Saab 9-3 gets more V6 power, and all-wheel-drive availability expands to include more models. Saab 9-3s are dynamically capable premium compacts that include lots of standard safety and convenience features. The convertible is especially well-engineered. The wagon offers SUV versatility with the promise of car-like fuel economy. They aren't quite as refined or sporty as their German rivals, and recent price hikes have blunted the 9-3's value by comparison. Still, any of these premium compacts is worth a look. |
 Base Price Range: $23,800-$25,950 EPA MPG Range: 19-28 Body Styles: 2-door hatchback The 2009 Volvo C30 lineup is shuffled following the C30's introduction for the 2008 model year. Volvo's entry-level hatchback is easy to live with and feels "Euro premium." The T5 R-Design models' taut ride will likely turn off some shoppers, and bargain pricing isn't part of the equation. Sticker prices can quickly spiral past the $30K mark as options are added. |
 Base Price Range: $28,550-$33,800 EPA MPG Range: 18-28 Body Styles: 4-door sedan The 2009 Volvo S40 adds some new features and is no longer available with a manual transmission. S40 is pricey and not quite sporty enough for the younger buyers Volvo covets. On the other hand, this is a solid, capable premium compact that appeals for its big-Volvo style, solid workmanship, numerous safety features, and available all-wheel drive. |
 Base Price Range: $29,800-$35,500 EPA MPG Range: 18-28 Body Styles: 4-door wagon The 2009 Volvo V50 gains standard all-wheel drive on its T5 model, which is renamed T5 R-Design. The V50 is a solid, capable small wagon. A full range of safety features are standard. All-wheel drive is a nice safety net, but it can only be had on T5 R-Design models. Prices are competitive against most premium-compact wagons, though most rivals also offer 6-cylinder engines that are smoother and more powerful than the V50's 5-cylinder. |
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