01. 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is the latest compact sedan effort from General Motors, and its modern platform and exceptional fuel economy help to shake off years of dust from the car company's previously lackluster entries into this area of the market. The sleekly styled Chevrolet Cruze starts at an MSRP of under $17,000 and it delivers 42-mpg on the highway (when ordered in Eco trim) thanks to the inclusion of a 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is also rated to produce 148 lb-ft of torque. The entry-level Cruze comes with a 138 horsepower 1.8-liter motor that provides an respectable 38-mpg highway of its own, and six-speed manual and automatic transmission choices are available with the sedan.