Topic: Selecting a 2012 compact car

[DomD]

As you may have seen in the Skyactiv thread, I'm in the market for a new compact car.  I currently drive a 2002 Protege 5 so I'm partial to a "sporty" hatchback, but I will still look at sedans.  It also needs to have a good back seat since I have two kids that are only getting bigger.  It has to be a manual transmission.

The list:  Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, VW Golf

I may cross shop with larger sedans since the price on the base Honda Accord seems good, and both the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata are well equiped.

Here is how Car and Driver ranked compact cars in a comparison from April 2011 (all with AT):
1. Ford Focus SEL
2. 2011 Mazda 3 s Sport
3. 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited
4. 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LT
5. 2011 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SEL
In a later comparison between a Honda Civic and a Ford Focus they picked the Focus.

Motor Trend's comparison from July 2011 (all with AT):
1. Hyundai Elantra
2. Honda Civic EX
3. Mazda 3 Touring
4. VW Jetta TDI
5. Ford Focus Titanium
6. Chevrolet Cruze LTZ RS
7. Kia Forte EX
8. Toyota Corolloa LE

Unforunetly I have not found any comparisons that inclue the Mazda 3 with the Skyactiv engine and that use cars with manual transmissions.

I'll update this thread with my impressions as I drive the cars on my list.

[vdk]

The list:  Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, VW Golf

Time to go test drive them!

[Fobroader]

Seems to me the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3 look like your best bet man.

[Schmengie]

The Optima and Sonata certainly aren't compacts, if I'm not mistaken they're both classified as  full-sized vehicles.

Have you considered the Kia Soul? It has a lot going for it in the compact segment and it's combination of looks, interior room, comfort, versatility and especially price are pretty hard to beat. The Soul's updated powertrains are finally as competitive as anything out there and that's frosting on the cake.

[safristi]

add a Veloster to yer retinue..............it may surprise you...and the Turbo is due soon..............nothing lost in trying one...........

[Vmango]

Drive everything you've listed. Buy the one you like the best!

[DomD]

Mazda 3 GS
I was looking to drive the GX but they only had the GS with a manual transmission.  The first thing I noticed is that the A-pillars seem much thicker then in my Protege.  The transmission had short throws but seemed a bit stiff, but the cluch was nice and light.  The ride was very nice, but at this point I only had my old car to compare it to.  My wife hated how the dirty the back window was and that in a sedan there is no wiper so for the next car we asked for the hatch...

Mazda 3 Sport GS-SKY
The big difference I noticed right away here was the even shorter throws in the transmission and how buttery smooth it was.  The engine extra 7hp wasn't really noticable, but idle was very quiet and the pickup on downshifts was very smooth.  But if they could get me a GX with a manual I'm not sure if that wouldn't still be a better deal.

Ford Focus Hatchback SE
This had the sport pack which adds alloy wheels and a nice leather wrapped steering wheel.  Compared to the Mazda this seemed to have a huge amount of buttons in the centre console.  Not to mention a centre info screen and another one between the tach and speedo.  My wife thought the interior was nicer than the Mazda but I found it somewhat cluttered.  The ride was just as good as the Mazda, but my wife noticed that the C-pillar was very thick which made the blind spot very big.  The mirrors do have a convex portion on the upper outside corners.  I did not look at the blind spot in the Mazda, will have to check it out on the second test drive.  But the biggest drawback about the Focus right now is the very cramped back seat, it is seriously small.  The mazda also beats it on price.

[DomD]

The Optima and Sonata certainly aren't compacts, if I'm not mistaken they're both classified as  full-sized vehicles.

Have you considered the Kia Soul? It has a lot going for it in the compact segment and it's combination of looks, interior room, comfort, versatility and especially price are pretty hard to beat. The Soul's updated powertrains are finally as competitive as anything out there and that's frosting on the cake.

Agreed they are big cars but I may try them just because a Ford Focus SE with a sport pack is pretty close to the price of an Optima LX.  I also like the way the Optima looks, from the outside anyway, and once we look at it my wife might decide she wants the extra room of a full size.  But right now we both think we would like a compact better.

The Soul did cross my mind... will probably check it out when I go look at the Optima.  I don't think it will handle anything like what I'm after though.

[DomD]

add a Veloster to yer retinue..............it may surprise you...and the Turbo is due soon..............nothing lost in trying one...........

With only the one door on the one side I think it would be too much of a pain.  But I might have a glace at it when I visit Hyundai.

[wing]

Sky only comes in GS and it's such a better engine.

[DomD]

Sky only comes in GS and it's such a better engine.

Yes I meant if they could find me a GX with the base engine and a MT.  What makes the SKY engine so much better?

I am leaning twoards the Skyactiv right now, but I'm worried that it is so new that there maybe some problems that have not come to light with it yet.  For instance if you google "2012 mazda 3 manual transmission problems" there is a very disturbing report.  I hope it is false, because right now that is the Mazda 3 Sky is at the top of my list.

[tortoise]

The Sky is much more fuel efficient than the old 2.0 while making more power.  Win-Win.

I agree that the Focus has a TINY back seat. Otherwise I love it.

The Mazda5 is also surprisingly sporty for what it is.  Thirsty though

What about the Golf Wagon?  If you want interior room and a hatch that's the way to go.

[Hammy]

I don't think the golf wagon could be considered sporty by any stretch.  The diesel has a bit of giddy up but the price is way over any of the compact sedans.

[Brigitte]

I don't think the golf wagon could be considered sporty by any stretch.  The diesel has a bit of giddy up but the price is way over any of the compact sedans.

Shouldn't you be out somewhere coordinating sketchy trade-in transactions?   

[Hammy]

It's friday night I need a break!

[Jaeger]

The list:  Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, VW Golf

Time to go test drive them!

Amen to that.  Drive them and you will know.  I drove Jetta, Cruze and Elantra back to back on the same day - very illuminating.

From the current crop of compacts (there has never been a finer selection, IMO) it would be down to the Focus and Elantra for me, with the Civic SI being a wildcard possibility.

But what I like may have little to do with what you like.  You're in the market - go drive them - and tell us all about it. 

Jaeger

[Gamefreak]

The Elantra Limited (with or without Nav) is only available with an automatic transmission, though the GLS (which I own) can be ordered with a stick (which I have) and doesn't give up much in terms of features to the Limited.  Looking forward to your driving impressions.

[mmorriso]

fusion?

if you are thinking skyactive go all the way...cx-5?

[DomD]

Hyundai Elantra GL
Drove it this morning.  Fairly nice car with plenty of interior room.  But for me the handling and transmission were not as good as the Mazda 3 or the Ford Focus.


I'm going to try to drive the Golf this week, but it will probably come down to the 3 or Focus.

[Hammy]

My wifes car is a Mazda 3, nice little car fun to drive. I find it tight in the back seat but it is a compact so I guess they all are like that.  They also usually have 0% interest rates.