Best Cars

The Honda Civic has been one of America's best-selling vehicles for years. It checks all the important boxes — economy, reliability, comfort, safety — that buyers want in a compact car. And the special sauce is the Civic's fun-to-drive nature. From the bottom of the lineup on up, the Civic can put a smile on your face simply by the way it drives. And that's a claim few others in the segment can make.

For years compact sedans and hatchbacks have been getting bigger, but the new-for-2022 Civic doesn't stretch the envelope much. It's less than 2 inches longer than the previous generation and it is exactly the same height. Those seem to be the right dimensions because most compact cars mimic them almost exactly. Key competitors in the segment include the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, and Hyundai Elantra. The Asian brands have been so successful, they now have no domestic competitors and only one from Europe: the Volkswagen Jetta. Like its challengers, the Civic will seat five adults but is more comfortable with just four on board. It is currently available as a sedan only, but hatchback and performance models are expected.

As you'd expect from a vehicle bearing the Prius badge, the Toyota Prius Prime is a whiz at delivering outstanding gas mileage; it's more fuel-efficient than rivals like the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid. In addition, its roomy seats make the cabin a comfortable place, and all models come with standard features (like heated front seats) that support a pleasant driving experience.

On a less impressive note, the Prius Prime's isolated, overly soft ride quality isn't likely to get you revved up about your commute. And from an aesthetic perspective, the pedestrian-looking cabin is a downgrade relative to the car's rivals. Still, it's easy to see the appeal of a car that's this fuel-efficient and feature-packed. Overall, the Prius Prime is a practical choice if you're looking for versatile transportation that won't dent your wallet at the gas pump.

Volkswagen announced that it will discontinue production of the midsize Volkswagen Passat sedan in the U.S. to make room to produce the Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover SUV. Thus, the compact Jetta has become the sole remaining sedan in the German automaker's lineup. Even with the rapid rise in SUV sales, the Jetta has been the best-selling Volkswagen sedan for years.

The current version of the Jetta was introduced for the 2019 model year. It doesn't possess the evocative styling of the Hyundai Elantra, the uplevel interior materials and all-wheel-drive content of the Mazda3, or the Toyota Prius-like fuel economy of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. However, it offers a uniquely European-flavored driving experience in a roomy-on-the-inside, tidy-on-the-outside front-wheel-drive sedan. Its small size also makes it easy to park and maneuver in congested urban settings.

It's also easy to purchase. In base trim, it's the least expensive Volkswagen you can buy as well as the least expensive offering in the compact-sedan segment. Higher trims offer up-to-date infotainment and driver-assistive technology. And the GLI versions are some of the most fun-to-drive entries among compact sport sedans that include the Honda Civic Si, Elantra N Line, and Subaru WRX.

The 2022 Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with plenty of room for five passengers. It has something for everyone with 13 trims that include two gas engines, a hybrid engine, and a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. No matter which you choose, the Camry is focused on passenger comfort with a welcoming interior swathed in attractive materials throughout. While some sedans have minimal rear-seat room, the Camry can comfortably seat three adults back there. It boasts a wide range of standard safety features along with a comprehensive infotainment system. Downsides are an underpowered base engine and a small trunk that makes it difficult to accommodate luggage for those five adults.

Other popular choices in the midsize-sedan segment include the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata. The Altima has fewer trims with similar pricing and a less powerful engine. The Accord provides better fuel economy and more room for cargo. The Sonata has similar pricing and a lineup that includes both gas and hybrid engines.

Polestar, once Volvo's in-house performance arm, is now a stand-alone electric car company within the Volvo Car Group, which in turn is owned by China's Geely Auto. There's a temptation to slot the Polestar 2 into the luxury small-EV class with the likes of the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace, but it falls short of true luxury car status.

Instead, the all-electric Polestar 2 is a well-appointed, sporty hatchback sedan — Polestar calls it a fastback. It provides scorching acceleration; great handling; loads of high-tech safety; driver-assistance and infotainment features; a comfortable, pleasantly designed interior; and decent cargo capacity. Its safety and driver-assist systems and Google-powered onboard infotainment are top of class. And as a performance car, the Polestar 2 does well even against the most powerful versions of the Tesla Model 3 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its biggest drawbacks are its price and range. Even with a $7,500 federal tax credit, the Polestar 2 costs about $1,000 more than a Tesla Model Y Long Range. For that kind of money, it has an unimpressive range.

Large sedans offer ride comfort to those who spend a lot of time in the car, and the Volkswagen Arteon stands out from rivals with its distinct European styling. It still has the smooth ride and interior space customers expect, plus a helpful hatchback hidden under an elegant roofline. The cabin has been updated to match its modern appeal.

Driving the Arteon is not as sporty as one would expect. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo is less potent than V6 rivals, holding it back from having quick acceleration and allowing it to transcend into sports sedan territory. The Arteon is also one of the pricier choices in its class, with the top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line encroaching on $50,000.

Overall, Volkswagen succeeds by taking the full-size sedan concept and adding unparalleled style and cargo capacity.

The Mazda Mazda3 is one of the most engaging compacts on the market. It's available as a sedan or sleekly styled hatchback with three responsive engines from which to choose. There's also front-wheel or all-wheel drive for those who need extra traction in colder climates. Thanks to the Mazda3's wide range of configurations, it's easy to find one that suits your preferences. But this car is designed for people who like to drive. Its sporty handling makes it fun to take winding country roads. While incredibly fun to drive with a smooth ride and a luxurious interior, its infotainment system is challenging. Instead of a touchscreen, there's a rotary controller on the center console that takes time to master.

The Honda Civic offers a smaller range of trims but with an equally engaging drive at a lower price. The Toyota Corolla has nine trims, including a hybrid and lower overall pricing. The Subaru Impreza has four trims with lower pricing but with a rougher ride and less attractive interior.