Small cars are great for fuel economy and zipping around town. They are budget-friendly, and they make good commuter cars for city dwellers. Not to mention, little cars are a lot of fun to drive. If you’re looking for a little car, don’t forget to visit the online auctions, where you’ll find a large selection of smaller cars for sale that often include some of the ones on our 2023 “Best Small Cars to Buy” list.
If you don’t need a lot of room for storage, or you simply need something to help you run errands, then we suggest the following cars:
10. 2023 Kia Forte
The Kia Forte has room enough for five, and while it’s not super spacious, it’s still comfortable enough for a small family. It has a high-quality interior with all the high-tech gadgets you’d find in a bigger car. The trunk is a good size, too, so there’s some luggage room for when you go on vacation or on a business trip. The starting price is also affordable at $19,490, and you save money on gas with 22-28 MPG in the city and 31-39 MPG on the highway.
There is no real difference between the 2023 and the 2022 Kia Forte, so you won’t miss out on any amazing features should you choose to buy the 2022 model instead.
9. 2023 Kia Rio
Like the Kia Forte, the Kia Rio also seats five passengers. Plus, it boasts a decent fuel efficiency rating of 32 in the city and 41 on the highway. It is equipped with an infotainment system that is easy to use, and the ride feels smooth and cozy. The 2023 Kia Rio is the same as its 2022 model, meaning you could buy either one and get essentially the same car. The 2023 MSRP starts at an affordable $16,550.
8. 2023 Mini Cooper
What is there to dislike about the 2023 Mini Cooper? It’s zippy, sturdy, and nimble. Also, it’s equipped with an upscale interior as you would expect in a slightly more expensive small car, and the touch screen is user-friendly. They added Standard Apple CarPlay to the 2023 lineup, but the rest of the car stays the same from 2022.
Its fuel efficiency rating is 22-29 MPG in the city and 31-38 MPG on the highway, and it seats four or five people, but five full-sized adults can feel a bit cramped. The MSRP starts at $23,400.
7. 2023 Toyota Corolla
From the long line of Corollas comes the 2023 model with a price tag starting at $22,800. The cabin has been upgraded and there is a new infotainment system. Toyota added two trim levels and lowered the price on the base model for this year. AWD is available too, and the fuel efficiency is impressive, with the 2023 Toyota Corolla getting 47-50 MPG in the city and 41-43 MPG on the highway.
6. 2023 Chevrolet Bolt
Chevrolet’s Bolt starts at $25,600, and it gets an outstanding 131 MPG in the city and 109 MPG on the highway. It’s quite sporty and nimble, and the all-electric range is 259 miles on a single charge, which is slightly higher than its 2022 counterpart. There is a lot of cargo room, and it seats five.
5. 2023 Volkswagen GTI
Volkswagen is the master of small cars, and the 2023 Volkswagen GTI is no exception. It comes with a $30,530 price tag and can get 23-24 MPG in the city and 32-34 MPG on the highway. It’s considered practical but can be fun to drive since it’s responsive, hugging the ground around curves. VW didn’t change the GTI from 2022 to 2023, so you won’t miss out on anything if you buy a 2022 model.
4. 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is proud of its 49-53 MPG in the city and 52-56 MPG on the highway. With a price of around $24,400, you can save enough money on fuel to check out the higher trim levels. The interior is spacious, and there are plenty of high-tech features to keep every tech junkie happy. Since there is no notable difference between the 2022 and the 2023 models, either will be a good purchase.
3. 2023 Mazda Mazda3
The 2023 Mazda Mazda3 is not roomy, but it is equipped with an upscale interior and great acceleration. It is athletic and gets 23-28 MPG in the city and 31-37 MPG on the highway. It seats five, but the seats are relatively cramped, so this car is better for only a few people. Its sticker starts at $22,550.
2. 2023 Honda Civic
The long-lived Civic is once again a top choice for a small car. The 2023 Civic has an MSRP of $25,050 and a fuel efficiency rating of 22-33 MPG in the city and 28-42 MPG on the highway. The interior is roomy and comfortable. 2023 saw the return of the Type R to the lineup and the discontinuation of the LX trim.
1. 2023 Acura Integra
At the top of our list is the 2023 Acura Integra, with a slightly higher MSRP starting at $30,800. It gets 26-30 MPG in the city and 36-37 MPG on the highway. Additionally, the Acura Integra delivers thrilling handling and has a powerful 200HP engine. The infotainment system is user-friendly and seats five. It’s good to see this car back in the Acura lineup after a long hiatus.
There are several other small cars on the market, but we think these ten make the most sense economically while also making commuting more enjoyable. Pick your next great ride today!
