Check out the new lineup of 2017 compact cars! The latest compact cars are affordable, fuel-efficient and fun to drive. Many also come loaded with comfort and convenience features. Our favorite head-turning compacts are the 2017 Chevy Cruze, the 2017 Toyota Corolla and the 2017 Honda Civic. The Corolla and Civic have dominated the compact car market for years, while the Cruze has recently risen into the ranks of top-rated vehicles. Whether you commute in the city, drive to campus or cruise the open road, compact cars can get you to your destination. Read on for more information about the best options in the 2017 compact car lineup.
The 2017 Toyota Corolla offers the most luxurious trim of our top three compacts. Highlights of the Toyota Corolla XSE include heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, a sunroof, upgraded upholstery and more.
While none of our top-rated compacts were redesigned for this model year, all received significant upgrades. The 2017 Toyota Corolla got a restyled front end with LED headlights, enhanced upholstery, new safety features and rearview cameras on all trims. The new Civic got a hatchback version with an available turbocharged engine, and this model also got sporty new Si and Type R trims. The Chevy Cruze now comes standard with a Teen Driver mode, and buyers can choose either a hatchback version or a diesel-powered sedan.
The Chevy Cruze can be purchased as either a sedan or a hatchback. The sedan is available in the L, LS, LT, LT Diesel and Premier trims, while the hatchback is available in the LT or Premier trims.
The 2017 Honda Civic is the most power compact car among our top three. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, and the EX-T trim gets a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that pumps out 174 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. The 2017 Chevy Cruze is the second-most powerful compact car on our list.
The 2017 Toyota Corolla is available in several trims: The L, LE, LE Eco, XLE, SE, SE 50th Anniversary edition and XSE trims. The LE Eco's engine is modified for greater fuel efficiency, and the special 50th Anniversary trim gets gray 17-inch wheels, anniversary badging and upgraded interior stitching and upholstery.
For a true economy purchase, you can't go wrong with the 2017 Honda Civic LX. This base-level trim includes a lengthy list of standard equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, a 5-inch central display, automatic headlights, cruise control, full-power accessories, LED running lights and taillights, a rearview camera and more.
The new Honda Civic sedan is offered in five trim levels: the LX, EX, EX-T, EX-L and Touring trims. A hatchback version is offered in Sport and Sport Touring trims. The Touring and Sport Touring trims are more sporty than the other options.
Each of our top-rated compact cars are almost equal in fuel efficiency. The Honda Civic edges out the others with most trims earning EPA fuel ratings of 35 mpg combined. The Chevy Cruze gets 34 mpg combined, as does the Toyota Corolla LE Eco.