10 Most Comfortable Compact Cars

Today’s compact cars are available with a level of comfort and a range of features that were once reserved to luxury models. There isn’t a new compact today that lives up to the dreaded econobox label. Going small doesn’t require a compromise in 2016.

Compact interiors have gone upscale. Leather upholstery is now commonplace on top-end trims and heated front seats are widely available. A number of models offer optional heated rear seats, as well. High-tech safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assistance are popping up in model after model. And a growing list of infotainment systems support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

While often overlooked, the 2016 Dodge Dart is the value pick in our list of top ten most comfortable compacts. With future production in question, Dodge dealers want to turn over their inventory of Darts. The 2016 Dart is offered in five trim levels: SE ($16,995), SXT ($19,395), Aero ($21,095), GT (22,095), and Limited ($24,395). We lean towards the Aero, GT, and Limited versions.

Still, the Dart’s swoopy interior lines can be polarizing. The GT and Limited have the boldest interiors of the bunch, with comfy heated front bucket seats and heated leather wrapped steering wheels. The 8.4-inch voice command UConnect infotainment system features Garmin navigation and is among the best in the business.

The 2016 Ford Focus delivers European style and handling in a comfortable compact domestic sedan. Offered in five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions, the Focus is available in the widest range of trim levels. The base S Sedan starts at $17,225 and the Titanium clocks in at $24,100. The range-topping eye-popping high-performance AWD RS Hatch, lists for $35,900.

The Titanium Sedan and Hatchback hit the sweet spot with regard to comfort and amenities, featuring leather trimmed bucket seats with eight-way power adjustment and power lumbar. Ford’s dramatically improved Sync 3 system handles infotainment chores, pumping the tunes through a ten-speaker Sony Audio system. Ford’s splendid seat heaters are included in the RS2, ST3, and SE Cold Weather option packages.

The compact Chevrolet Cruze sedan has been completely redesigned for the 2016 model year, and is available in L ($16,620), LS ($19,820), LT ($21,120), and Premier ($23,120) trim levels. The new Cruze represents a significant step up over last year’s model. A five-door hatchback will be offered in 2017.

Choose the range-topping Cruze Premier for its comfortable leather appointed interior. You’ll gain a leather wrapped steering wheel with a full array of controls, along with heated front bucket seats and eight-way power adjustment in the driver’s seat. Be kind to your passengers and select the optional heated rear seats. The Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay.

Climbing into the 2016 MINI Cooper S Clubman’s cabin is like being transported to another dimension. While the Cooper S Clubman’s MSRP starts at $27,650, hold onto your wallet. A nearly infinite array of options quickly run the price skyward. The bottom line on our test car clocked in at a rather pricey $39,550. If you’re a sci-fi fan and appreciate fine materials, you’ll pay the ticket.

The diamond-quilted Chesterfield Indigo leather upholstery is absolutely scrumptious; the interior remarkably spacious and comfortable. The Cooper S Clubman’s Premium option package features a panoramic sunroof that makes the interior feel open and airy, but rearward vision is hindered by the split rear doors. You’ll need to add the Technology/Navigation package to gain a rear view camera and rear park distance control.

The Honda Civic enjoys a well-regarded redesign for the 2016 model year, and it’s a big jump over last year’s model. The 2016 Civic is available as four-door sedan or two-door coupe, starting at $18,640. A five-door hatchback will arrive in 2017. The top-of-the line 2016 Civic Touring’s ($26,125) advanced interior features leather upholstery, along with the comfort of front and rear heated seats, and a 450-watt audio system with Apple CarPlay.

Industry praise is wide. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety awarded the 2016 Civic with its coveted Top Safety Pick+ designation (when equipped with optional front crash prevention), due largely to the Honda Sensing Feature suite, which includes: Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keeping Assist; Adaptive Cruise Control; Forward Collision Warning; and a Road Departure Mitigation System.

The 2016 Mazda3 is nimble and stylish, with a comfortable cabin that shows the influence of European design. The Mazda3 is offered as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback, starting at $17,845 for the base iSport sedan and topping out at $25,445 for the s Grand Touring.

The Mazda3 Grand Touring’s interior’s cockpit-like design includes a unique heads-up instrumentation display and jog-wheel controlled infotainment screen, with a 9-speaker Bose audio system. The i Grand Touring’s seats are finished in leatherette with heated front buckets, while the s Grand Touring steps up to perforated leather upholstery. The 2016 Mazda3 was awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ designation (when equipped with optional front crash prevention).

The Hyundai Elantra has been redesigned for the 2017 model year and is currently available in two levels of trim: SE ($17,150) and Limited ($22,350). The interior is spacious and, of course, comfortable. And it's packed with tech, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Hyundai BlueLink system allows you to start, lock and unlock the Elantra via Smartphone or Smart watch.

Part of what makes The Elantra so comfortable is that it's got a slew of luxury features and the technology for the segment. The Limited Tech option package includes navigation, an Infinity sound system and heated rear seats. Step up to the Ultimate option package to gain an integrated memory driver seat, along with a slew of safety features including smart cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.

The Toyota Corolla is enjoying its fifty year anniversary in 2016, after it was last redesigned in 2013. While the Corolla isn’t one of the most exciting or luxurious entries on our list of most comfortable compacts, it’s surely one of the most reliable and comfortable. The 2016 Corolla is available in four models: L, LE, LE Eco, S, and Special Edition. Starting prices range from $17,300 for the base Corolla L through $20,635 for the Corolla Special Edition.

Choose the Corolla S for its heated front bucket seats, with SofTex-upholstery and eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat. The leather-trimmed steering wheel offers a full array of controls, along with paddle shifters. A navigation system is packaged with the Entune Premium Audio system, which provides smartphone app integration (including Pandora, Yelp, iHeartRadio, and Facebook Places).

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf dispenses with the notion of hatchback as econobox. It’s the premium hatchback, with a teutonic design unlike anything else on our list. The 2016 Golf is offered in many models from the base Golf (starting at $18,495 for the two door) though the Golf SportWagen ($21,625) Golf GTI ($25,595) and high-end all-wheel-drive Golf R ($35,650).

The Golf SEL’s comfortable interior features a marvelous panoramic sunroof and tough V-Tex leatherette upholstery, with comfortable, heated front bucket seats and a 12-way power driver’s seat. Adding to the comfort-factor is an infotainment system that integrates Apple CarPlay and a Fender speaker system, and the spacious hatchback design is well-suited for trips to the big-box store. The 2016 Volkswagen Golf four-door and SportWagen models were awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ designation (when equipped with optional front crash prevention).

The 2016 Subaru Impreza is the only vehicle on our list of most comfortable compacts to include all-wheel drive as standard equipment. The Impreza is offered as a four-door sedan and a five door hatchback, in five models. Prices start at $18,295 for the four-door Impreza 2.0i and top out at $23,595 for the 2.0i Sport Limited hatch.

The Impreza’s interior is spacious, welcoming and comfortable. Stepping up to the 2.0i Premium gains a leather-trimmed steering wheel and upholstery, along with heated front bucket seats, and the seven-inch STARLINK infotainment system includes navigation and a rear view camera. The 2016 Subaru Impreza was awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ designation (when equipped with optional front crash prevention). If you’re looking for cold weather comfort and safety, the Impreza should be at the top of your list.