Future Compact Cars

The 2012 Tata Nano America will compete with other minicars, but the Indian "people's car" has a huge price advantage. See more pictures of small cars.

2011 Alfa Romeo Milano: A stylish new Italian premium compact car is near the top of the to-do list for the Fiat-Chrysler alliance. The Alfa Romeo Milano might even be built in the U.S.

2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo: If all goes well, the Fiat-Chrysler alliance will deliver a stylish premium small car to lead the U.S. return of a storied Italian brand. Alfa Romeo's MiTo will need to be as popular as the competing Mini Cooper to give the new partnership a chance.

2011 Chevrolet Aveo: Small cars are hot, but Aveo is not. Chevy hopes to change that with a fully redesigned subcompact featuring funky looks, more room, higher mpg, and maybe more go. Is it true that Chevy is planning to change the name to Viva? Or might they call it the Chevy Agile?

2011 Chevrolet Cobalt: Turbochargers are back, and Chevrolet's compact car is getting one in a wheels-up redesign that aims to add fuel economy without subtracting performance. It's another sign that General Motors is once again serious about cars.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze: It will end up being called the Chevrolet Cruze, and the once-planned replacement for the Chevy Cobalt may be bowing earlier in Europe than it is in the United States, but the new car is expected to help consumers--and General Motors--deal with the wildest market swing in automotive history.

2011 Chevrolet Spark: Get ready for the smallest Chevrolet ever. The Spark is General Motors' surprise entry in the minicar stakes, and it could be a needed sales spark with the likely return of $4 gas.

2011 Fiat 500: It's the Italian Mini Cooper: retro-cute, fun-to-drive, small, and super-stingy with gas. And if all goes well, it will be coming to you from a U.S. or Mexican plant. But will you care that it's a Fiat?

2011 Ford Fiesta: The stylish Verve concept previews Ford's promised subcompact challenger to Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and other "B-Class" cars. The styling will change (and the name from Verve to Fiesta), but a Mazda foundation ups the chances for success.

2011 Ford Ka: The Chevy Spark is on the way, and we think a Ford minicar is too. Though not official yet, the just-redesigned Ka may be headed to America with its own high-fashion blend of low price, high fuel economy, and city-friendly driving fun.

2011 Hyundai Elantra: A popular compact car goes from geeky to glamorous with a full redesign that also promises more power, better fuel economy, and sportier road manners. And watch out, Honda and Toyota. The next Elantra is due to offer a first-time hybrid option.

2011 Mazda 2: First it was no. Now it's go. The 2008 World Car of the Year is headed for America, promising high mpg and a "zoom-zoom" personality. But the Mazda 2 faces a tough fight in the subcompact-car arena, not least from corporate cousin Ford Fiesta.

2011 Scion iQ: Toyota is out to get Smart with a clever new microcar. Though designed for Europe and Japan, the iQ will come stateside with Scion badges to help us cope with soaring fuel prices and growing urban congestion.

2011 Volkswagen New Beetle: The Bug gets a retro-to-metro makeover that promises modern styling, more room, better fuel thrift, and new body-style choices. Is VW chasing Mini? Sure looks like it.

2012
2012 Buick Bolero: Tough new fuel economy mandates have General Motors rethinking future plans. That's why the rumor mill expects a new compact Buick based on a hot seller in China.

2012 Dodge Caliber: Chrysler reloads the small Dodge hatchback with sedan styling and advanced fuel-sipping engines from new partner Fiat. The redesigned Caliber could be tough competition for sales-leading compact cars--if enough buyers give New Chrysler a chance.

2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class: Small cars are big business now, so this Euro-market premium compact is again headed for America, only redesigned this time. With typical Benz virtues in a more fuel-efficient package, the B-Class promises solid competition for the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series.

2012 Mercury Merit: The name is just a guess, but Mercury is definitely getting a version of the next Ford Focus. Merit looks like a winner. The problem will be getting buyers to notice it.

2012 Mini Cooper: A popular sporty/performance car is in for fresh styling, more models, and perhaps new powertrains. It’s all part of BMW’s ongoing drive to maximize Mini sales.

2012 Tata Nano America: A deluxe version of India's "new people's car" should come to America with a chump-change $7,000 price. Add in urban-jungle agility, high mpg, and surprising space, and this cute puppy could spell trouble for other U.S.-market minicars.

2012 Volkswagen Chico: City-friendly microcars are big in Europe and catching on in America. That's why Volkswagen is readying a thrifty, low-cost two-seater a la Smart ForTwo and Toyota iQ. Chico is the likely name, and it could be U.S.-bound.

2012 Volkswagen Up: VW thinks really small with a new minicar to rival the Smart ForTwo and Toyota iQ. Promising low price, low emissions, and high mpg, the Up could make Americans think of the original Bug.

2013
2013 Smart ForFour: Rumor has it that Mercedes’ minicar division will add a four-passenger model--again. The new ForFour hatchback seems a smart idea (sorry) and a sure thing for the U.S.