10 Small Cars With Personality

Small cars were once looked down upon as the consolation prize of the automotive world, but that image has long since been dispelled by wave after wave of compelling vehicles that don't let their diminutive stature dictate their appeal.  Compact and subcompact cars now offer the kind of styling, feature availability, performance and fuel economy that make them intriguing options for shoppers at varying stages in their lives - not just those looking to purchase their very first automobile.

Let's take a quick look at 10 small cars with personality.

01. 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, which can be had as either a hatchback or a sedan, is the first impressive subcompact effort to have left General Motors in decades.  The Chevrolet Sonic's motorcycle-inspired interior and exterior styling match up with its light chassis and confident suspension system to create an affordable car that is honestly fun to drive.  The Sonic offers two different engine options: a 1.8-liter, 138 horsepower four-cylinder unit and a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that generates the same number of ponies but pulls ahead in the torque department and also offers up better fuel economy (29-mpg city and 40-mpg highway).  Transmission choices for the Sonic include a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic.

02. 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

It can be difficult to update a retro-styled automobile, and when VW decided to bring out the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle the brand kept the basic style cues that brought to mind the original Bug but stretched and massaged them to the point where the latest model is unmistakably modern.  Based on the same platform as the popular Volkswagen Golf, the Volkswagen Beetle maintains its lineup-mate's nimble handling and comfortable road manners. 

Underneath the hood, the VW Beetle starts out with a 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine that delivers 170 horsepower, while the Beetle Turbo benefits from the installation of a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder that grinds out 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque.  The base engine makes do with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, while the Turbo can be matched with a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission.  Fuel mileage for the entry-level Beetle shows as 22-mpg city and 31-mpg highway.

03. 2012 Honda Civic Sedan

Another all-new effort for the current model year, the 2012 Honda Civic manages to maintain the quiet competence and broad appeal that has made it the darling of the compact segment.  The Honda Civic Sedan doesn't stand out in any particular area but it does turn in a strong all-around performance and offers a strong balance between value, efficiency and available equipment.  The Honda Civic Sedan is motivated by a 140 horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that can be managed by either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.  When found in HF trim, the Civic Sedan delivers fuel mileage of 29-mpg around town and 41-mpg highway.

04. 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze joins the Sonic as evidence of GM's small car resurgence.  The compact Chevrolet Cruze sedan does a credible job of shrinking down the brand's aggressive, aerodynamic design language, and from behind the wheel the vehicle drives far better than the previous generation of compact Chevrolets that it replaces.  Fuel mileage is also outstanding thanks to the fact that the Cruze shares its drivetrains with the Sonic.  This means that once again, a 138 horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is standard and a turbocharged 138 horsepower 1.4-liter four-cylinder can be had with the Eco trim, where it posts fuel mileage of 28-mpg city and 42-mpg highway when found with a six-speed manual transmission.  A six-speed automatic is also available with the Cruze.

05. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta makes an aggressive play for American compact sedan shoppers looking to park a German car in their driveway.  The Volkswagen Jetta is calm and composed out on the road yet retains a certain tossability that is often lacking at this end of the market.  The Jetta also comes with a sophisticated interior design and generous passenger compartment dimensions that make it a family choice despite its small car status.

In the engine department the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta is initially offered with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder unit that can be counted on to produce 115 horsepower, with the upgrade of a 2.5-liter, 170 horsepower five-cylinder motor also in the cards.  The former features a fuel mileage rating of 24-mpg in city driving and 34-mpg during highway cruising while both engines can be paired with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox.

06. 2012 Honda Fit

The 2012 Honda Fit is a subcompact hatchback that provides buyers with an impressively configurable interior that, thanks to the Magic Seat feature, opens up to provide an SUV-challenging 57.3 cubic feet of total cargo space.  The Honda Fit can also be ordered in Sport trim, which dresses up the vehicle's appearance to better match its pleasing on-road dynamics.  All versions of the Fit are sold with a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine mounted between the front fenders, and this unit generates 117 horsepower and returns fuel mileage figures of 28-mpg in stop and go driving and 35-mpg on the highway.  A five-speed manual transmission is provided free of charge while a paddle-shifted five-speed automatic can be selected as an option.

07. 2012 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2012 Mazda Mazda3 is another compact car contender that highlights handling and fun as two of its primary trademarks.  Found in either sedan or hatchback editions, the Mazda MAZDA3 provides an extensive number of trim levels that help buyers spec out exactly the features that they are looking for in a small car.

The 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 offers three four-cylinder engines on the order sheet.  The base 2.0-liter provides 148 horsepower, while higher trim levels gain a Skyactiv unit that also displaces 2.0-liters but ups output to 155 ponies.  Even more power is on tap when the MAZDA3's 2.5-liter motor is selected, as it delivers 167 horses.  Fuel mileage for the Skyactiv 2.0-liter is the most impressive of the bunch, showing as 28-mpg in city driving and 40-mpg on the highway.  Five and six-speed automatic and manual transmissions handle the gear shifting duties for the Mazda depending upon which model is ordered.

08. 2012 Ford Fiesta

The 2012 Ford Fiesta is the result of an established American car company importing a healthy dose of know-how from its European division.  The Ford Fiesta makes good use of the brand's solid reputation overseas for producing appealing subcompact cars, and whether found in hatchback or sedan body styles the vehicle offers responsive steering as well as a surprising level of high tech features on the equipment list.  Standard across the board for the Fiesta is a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 120 horsepower and provides fuel mileage of 29-mpg around town and 39-mpg during highway cruising.  A five-speed manual and a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual represent the available transmission choices for the subcompact.

09. 2013 Dodge Dart

The 2013 Dodge Dart is a fresh compact sedan that borrows its underpinnings from an Alfa Romeo design, giving it a level of handling prowess not commonly associated with small Dodge cars from recent years.  Like the Fiesta, the Dodge Dart also leverages technology to create a driver experience that is entertaining and info-packed, especially when found in Limited trim.  The Dart starts out with a 2.0-liter, 160 horsepower four-cylinder engine but can also be upgraded to a turbocharged, 1.4-liter mill (160 horsepower, more torque) or a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder unit (184 horsepower).  A six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission can each pull duty in the Dart, and the vehicle is targeting a 40-mpg combined fuel economy rating.

10. 2012 Buick Verano

The 2012 Buick Verano approaches the concept of a premium compact sedan with remarkable restraint and tact.  All of the required elements are there - a quiet, leather-appointed cabin, up-to-date infotainment options, a comfortable suspension tune - but the Buick Verano's pricing remains quite accessible in comparison to its German and Japanese competitors.  The Verano shares its basic platform with the Chevrolet Cruze but gains a unique drivetrain consisting of a 2.4-liter, 180 horsepower four-cylinder motor as well as a six-speed automatic transmission.  Fuel mileage for the Verano checks in at 21-mpg city and 31-mpg highway.