Subcompact cars have recently enjoyed a popularity surge, thanks in no small part to rising fuel prices. By virtue of their diminutive size and modest engine power, subcompacts are some of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market. Subcompacts are also economical in terms of initial purchase price: the $9430 base model Chevrolet Aveo is the most inexpensive new car on the market, and the most expensive subcompact, the AWD Suzuki Aerio sedan, has a still-modest base price of $16,199.

The subcompact class is comprised of entry-level vehicles that usually attract budget-conscious shoppers and young, first-time new car buyers. These customers are looking for an affordable vehicle for daily commuting and don't need a lot of cargo or passenger space. Also, a subcompact car's tidy exterior dimensions makes it a sensible choice for buyers who drive and park in congested urban areas.

Cool Subcompact-Car Features

- The budget-friendly Chevrolet Aveo is the most inexpensive new car on the market today, with a base price of under $10K. - The Kia Rio 4-door hatchback boasts 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space, or an impressive 49.6 cu ft with the rear seats folded. - The Suzuki Aerio and SX4 are the only vehicles in the subcompact class that offer all-wheel drive. - Honda Fit Sports with automatic transmission have steering-column paddles for manual shifting.

What to Look For in a Subcompact Car
Today's subcompacts have come a long way from the tinny econoboxes of the 1970s and '80s. Auto manufacturers have made great strides in making their smallest offerings reasonably comfortable, livable vehicles with decent interior materials and solid assembly.  Don't expect luxurious accommodations, however. Subcompact option lists are quite limited compared to other vehicles, and many upscale features, such as leather upholstery or heated seats, simply aren't available.

Don't expect blistering acceleration either. All subcompacts are powered by frugal engines that favor economy over power. These cars are not at all speedy, but with their small size and light weight, they can be competent handlers that are relatively fun to drive.  However, no subcompact is a serene highway cruiser. Expect a noisy, semi-fidgety ride that can grow tiresome on long highway trips.

Despite their compact exterior dimensions, most subcompacts offer adequate front seat passenger space, even for tall occupants. Rear seat space is usually more cramped, but is still livable for average-sized adults.  Today's subcompacts also offer a surprising level of cargo versatility, often matching or exceeding the overall maximum cargo volume of larger vehicles. All subcompacts offer split-folding rear seatbacks and a hatchback bodystyle, a body configuration that maximizes cargo volume. Most are available in a four-door sedan bodystyle as well, with a traditional enclosed trunk.

The Safety Question
Since these cars are the smallest automobiles on the market, safety equipment and performance in crash tests are often high priorities. Safety features are mentioned in the Highlights and Prices & Equipment pages of our reviews, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Five-Star crash-test ratings (if the car has been tested) can be found in the Specs & Safety section of each vehicle's report.

All subcompact cars come with dual front airbags (mandated by law), and offer antilock brakes (ABS) as either standard or optional equipment. Most cars are available with front side and/or curtain side airbags. The Suzuki Aerio and SX4 offer all-wheel drive, and the SX4 offers an antiskid system.

Consumer Guide's(r) stance on safety equipment is that it's almost always worth the relatively modest extra cost. While all-wheel drive may mostly benefit those in snowy climates, front side and curtain side airbags are offered on so many models that we'd be disinclined to recommend one without them. These are potentially life-saving features and are well worth the money, even if the only benefit you get from them is peace of mind.

Best Buys

Hyundai Accent Kia Rio

Recommended Picks

Honda Fit Toyota Yaris

Shopping Tips
The subcompact class is a fairly homogenous group of vehicles, with all the manufacturers offering similar levels of performance, space, and accommodations.  At present, there are no hybrid or alternative fuel subcompacts available. Most of these cars are already very fuel-efficient, and the extra cost of the hybrid or alternative fuel hardware can put sticker prices out of reach for entry-level shoppers.

Our Subcompact Best Buy picks are the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. Their outstanding features-per-dollar ratio and generous warranty coverage combine to make either car an impressive value for the money. Our Recommended picks are the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. Neither offers the bargain pricing of the Accent or Rio, but both have exemplary engineering refinement and the sterling reputations of their makers. Here's an overview of the 2007 subcompact car lineup.

Chevrolet Aveo Base Price Range: $9,430-$13,510 EPA MPG Range: 27-37 Body Styles: 4-door hatchback, 4-door sedan Aveo is imported from General Motors' South Korea manufacturing branch; cars built in that country have been mechanically trouble-free during our tests. The likable Aveo is surprisingly refined for its price and compares well with budget rivals Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio, though those cars come with curtain side airbags, an important safety feature this Chevrolet does not offer.

Honda Fit Base Price Range: $13,850-$15,970 EPA MPG Range: 33-38 Body Style: 4-door wagon Given the tiny footprint it places upon the road, Fit is likely the most space-efficient vehicle on sale in the United States. There are less expensive entry-level rivals, but you'll be hard pressed to match Fit's blend of thrift, clever packaging, standard safety features, spry road manners, and Honda pedigree. That makes it a Recommended pick.

Hyundai Accent Base Price Range: $10,415-$14,915 EPA MPG Range: 32-37 Body Styles: 2-door hatchback, 4-door sedan Accent one-ups most subcompact rivals by supplying front side airbags and curtain side airbags as standard equipment. These hatchbacks and sedans are hardly quick, but do deliver good fuel economy, solid build quality, reasonable interior space, and more equipment than their low prices imply. ABS for sedans is unfortunately part of a $950 option package. But Hyundai's strong warranty adds to Accent's Best Buy appeal as an entry-level subcompact.

Kia Rio Base Price Range: $10,770-$14,595 EPA MPG Range: 32-38 Body Styles: 4-door hatchback, 4-door sedan These smallest Kias are best suited to undemanding, low-speed work. That's not unexpected in the subcompact class. What makes Rio a Best Buy is that it's a surprisingly well-built low-price car with a strong warranty. It also delivers a lot for the money, notably standard front side airbags and curtain side airbags. The base sedan offers no options, so you must move up to a costlier LX or SX to get such features as air conditioning, automatic transmission, and ABS.

Suzuki Aerio Base Price Range: $14,299-$16,199 EPA MPG Range: 25-31 Body Style: 4-door sedan Aerio is not as sporty or refined as top-rated rivals, and Suzuki sells far fewer cars than most competitive brands, which hurts resale values. But these small sedans excel as efficient, low-price commuter cars. And, along with their SX4 siblings, they are the only vehicles in this class to offer the all-weather traction of all-wheel drive.

Suzuki SX4 Base Price Range: $14,999-$17,399 EPA MPG Range: 24-30 Body Style: 4-door wagon SX4 is a likable, affordable subcompact wagon with standard all-wheel-drive traction, laudable standard safety features, a solid feel, and good cargo space. It doesn't impress for acceleration or fuel economy, and Suzuki has fewer dealers and lower customer-satisfaction scores than most mainstream brands. SX4 still deserves a look, but scout the competition, too.

Toyota Yaris Base Price Range: $10,950-$14,050 EPA MPG Range: 34-40 Body Styles: 2-door hatchback, 4-door sedan Shop elsewhere if you want lively high-speed acceleration, but this Recommended pick is a relatively refined subcompact with a driving position high enough and a structure substantial enough that you won't feel dwarfed by surrounding traffic. Base prices are tempting, but add optional amenities and stickers climb to the level of larger, more powerful cars that come with safety and convenience features that cost extra on the Yaris.

2007 Subcompact-Car Specification Comparison

Vehicle	Wheel base, in.	Length, in.	Curb Weight, lb.	Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	Fuel Capacity, gal.	Front Head Room, in.	Front Leg Room, in.	Rear Head Room, in.	Rear Leg Room, in.
Chevrolet Aveo5 4-dr. hatchback	97.6	152.7	2348	42.0	11.0	39.3	41.3	37.4	35.3
Chevrolet Aveo 4-dr. sedan	97.6	169.7	2531	12.4	11.9	39.3	41.3	37.4	35.4
Honda Fit 4-dr. wagon	96.5	157.4	2432	41.9	10.8	40.6	41.9	38.6	33.7
Hyundai Accent 2-dr. hatchback	98.4	159.3	2366	15.9	11.9	39.6	42.8	37.8	34.3
Hyundai Accent 4-dr. sedan	98.4	168.5	2366	12.4	11.9	39.6	42.8	37.8	34.3
Kia Rio 4-dr. hatchback	98.4	158.1	2438	49.6	11.9	39.6	42.8	37.8	34.3
Kia Rio 4-dr. sedan	98.4	166.9	2365	11.9	11.9	39.6	42.8	37.8	34.3
Suzuki Aerio 4-dr. sedan	97.6	171.3	2661	14.6	13.2	40.6	41.4	37.6	36.0
Suzuki SX4 4-dr. wagon	98.4	162.8	2800	38.1	11.0	39.6	41.4	37.5	35.9
Toyota Yaris 2-dr. hatchback	96.9	150.0	2290	25.7	11.1	39.4	40.3	37.5	33.8
Toyota Yaris 4-dr. sedan	100.4	169.3	2293	12.9	11.1	38.8	42.2	36.7	35.6