The Best Economy Sedans for 2016

The traditional four-door sedan is alive and well, thank you very much. While all sorts of other configurations have come to the fore, including four-door sedans we’re supposed to consider “coupes,” the three-box, four doors and a trunk configuration remains the most popular, and in many cases practical, solution. When it comes to the best economy sedans for 2016, in addition to pricing starting below $20,000, they all share some excellent fundamentals. You’ll find a strong roster of content, exceptional gas mileage, and a high degree of driving pleasure numbered among the attributes of the models in this category.

For the 2016 model year, Chevrolet is actually offering two different versions of its popular Cruze compact four-door sedan. The Cruze Limited is essentially a carryover of the first generation Cruze model intended to serve as a placeholder until the all-new 2016 Cruze is ready. This makes it an excellent value, as Chevrolet is holding the line on its pricing, rather than marking it up, as the all-new 2016 model will, in all likelihood, be more expensive. Handsome, spacious and critically acclaimed, the Cruze is an outstanding small sedan. Pricing starts at $16,170.

The Chevrolet Sonic is easily the best sub-compact sedan General Motors has ever offered. The sporty little sedan offers excellent power from its turbocharged engine, the passenger compartment is remarkably spacious for the size of the Sonic, and its feature set can be described as exceptionally charitable. Sonic is also outstanding in terms of its comfort, its fun to drive nature, and its crash-test scoring. In short, among the best economy sedans for 2016, the Chevrolet Sonic is one terrific little four-door. Pricing starts at $15,170.

We’ve sung the praises of the sharp little Dodge Dart ever since its launch back in 2013. Going into its fourth year of production, we remain as enthused as ever about the compact Dodge sedan’s attractive blend of crisp styling, attractive interior, and engaging handling. Are we perhaps swayed a bit by our knowledge of the fact the Dart is in actuality an Alfa Romeo in disguise? Potentially. But hey, how often can you get a genuine Italian icon at such a terrific price? The 2016 Dodge Dart’s MSRP starts at $16,495.

We’re running out of fresh accolades to bestow upon the dynamic little Ford Fiesta. Easily ranked among the best economy sedans for 2016, in many ways the Fiesta is outfitted more like an entry-luxury model than an economy car. Consider the fact Ford’s product team has endowed the Fiesta with features like voice activation and automated parking in an interior so well crafted it could easily sell for two or three times the asking price. And this is before we even get to how responsive the feisty little Ford can be when you give it the beans. Pricing starts at $14,090.

Take everything we just said about the Fiesta and size it up one notch. This will give you the outstanding Ford Focus. One of the products of Ford’s world car program (like the Fiesta) Focus is spacious like an American car, goes over the road like a German car, is solidly built and exceptionally reliable like a Japanese car, and priced like a Korean car—all while offering the national pride of the blue oval badge. This is a car pretty much everyone can get behind—or at least into. Pricing starts at $17,225.

People are often surprised to find out how good the Hyundai Accent really is. After all, the Accent is the lowest priced car of a brand known for low prices, so the 2016 Hyundai Accent has every excuse to be less impressive than it is. And yet, the Accent is refined, powerful (for its segment), packed with standard features (again, for its segment), and is a good-looking car, besides. Factor in the amazing Hyundai 10-year/100,000-mile warranty coverage and suddenly the Accent is a competitive player in a cutthroat game. Hyundai’s Accent truly is one of the best economy sedans for 2016. Pricing starts at $14,745.

The seductively styled Hyundai Elantra sedan broke completely new ground when it debuted Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture styling language back in 2011. Now boasting Version 2.0 of the lusciously voluptuous design strategy, Elantra remains one of the best looking cars in the segment. It also registers as one of the best equipped and most reliable. Remarkably, even though this version of the Elantra has been around for going on six years—in a segment where models typically get redone every five—the Hyundai still comes across as fresh and competitive. Pricing starts at $17,250.

Still coming across as a fresh entry after its 2014 redesign, the aptly named Kia Forte really does represent a significant strength in the brand’s product portfolio. The compact sedan boasts crisp, upscale styling—endowing the model with a look far above its price point. The spacious interior is comprehensively equipped and upholstered in quality materials. It also features logically placed controls and delivers outstanding comfort. Further, the 2016 Kia Forte offers strong engine choices and a superior warranty. Pricing starts at $15,990.

Kia’s design team, led by former Audi lead designer Peter Schreyer, has a knack for making economy cars look like premium models. After our first look at the current Kia Rio, we suggested Kia’s management team offer a fully loaded trim package and call it the “Rio Grande.” Nods of appreciation ensued, though so far we have yet to see the model appear. No big deal, though, because Rio is an exceptional little car just as it sits. Tight build quality, a generous list of standard features, and handsome styling keep us firmly in the littlest Kia’s corner. Pricing starts at $14,165.

The all-new for 2016 Scion iA marks the first time Toyota has marketed a four-door sedan with a Scion badge. We’ve driven it, and we can tell you it is an outstanding value for the money. We also like the fact Scion’s no-dicker dealers sell the cars at sticker price—eliminating the hassle of negotiating for hours just to save a few bucks. Further, there are very few options available for the iA because in typical Scion fashion, practically all of the car’s features are offered as standard equipment. Pricing starts at $17,595.

Here’s the one you’re going to most enjoy driving. Mazda has a way of infusing all of its cars with the soul of a sports car, and among the best economy sedans for 2016, you’ll look long and hard to find anything capable of delivering as much driving pleasure as the Mazda3 at this price point in a new car. Further, Mazda’s Kodo design language really looks sharp on the Mazda3. We’re talking good looking, fun to drive, nicely equipped, and good fuel economy, too. Pricing starts at $17,845.

Here it is, folks, the lowest priced new car you can buy in the United States. For many shoppers, this fact alone would be enough to rate the Nissan Versa among the best economy sedans for 2016. However, in addition to its price, the Versa has lots of room in the back seat—along with an exceptionally spacious trunk. Further, given its cost, you’ll be amazed at the Nissan Versa’s roster of standard features. Pricing starts at $11,990.

The 2016 Subaru Impreza is the only model on this list of the best economy sedans for 2016 to offer all-wheel drive. If your region routinely has you dealing with overwhelming amounts of snow, or other types of precipitation in quantities qualifying it for deluge status, this is going to be the best ride for you on this list. In addition to its exemplary tractability, the Subaru Impreza’s roomy interior, comfortable ride, and athletic handling are also admirable. Pricing starts at $18,295.

Venerable and renowned are but two of the adjectives you’ll find enhancing the phrase “Toyota Corolla.” The best selling car in the world, Toyota’s Corolla decimates its competition with a precise blending of reliability, comfort, spaciousness, features, safety, and value. The sharp-eyed among you will note we said nothing about driving excitement, or styling. Corolla is rolling proof these factors matter very little to much of the driving public when it comes to the best economy sedans for 2016. Pricing starts at $16,950.

And now, we give you the lowest priced German sedan currently on offer in the US, the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. Its turbocharged engine offerings deliver solid fuel economy. Further, Jetta offers a hybrid for even better mileage ratings. The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta’s German DNA makes it an outstanding car to drive, with resolute road manners, a quiet ride, and comfortable seating. Designed, engineered, and built to thrive on the unlimited speed autobahns of its home nation, Volkswagen’s Jetta is a 500-mile a day car you can actually afford. Pricing starts at $18,780.