The Best Compact Sedans of 2025

9. Nissan Sentra

The 2025 Nissan Sentra leans heavily on its affordability, spacious interior, and some snazzy looks to stand out from other compact cars. Its sole engine offering is a 2.0L four-cylinder making 149 horsepower. That output may be only just adequate, but a 35 combined mpg rating is decent compensation. The Sentra’s interior is functional if a bit generic, and spaciousness is decent for the segment. Nissan equips every Sentra with their Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced driver assist features including blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. A big part of the case for the Sentra? Starting at $21,900, it’s one of the most affordable new cars you can buy.

8. Toyota Corolla

The 2025 Toyota Corolla has been resting on its laurels of late. Once one of the segment leaders, it’s clear Toyota’s focus has been on making much needed, and impressive, updates to the Camry and Prius (see below). The current Corolla is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder, making an adequate 169 horsepower. The hybrid option makes just 138 horsepower. That’s low even among compact cars, but also manages an impressive 49 combined mpg, not far off the Prius’ numbers. The Corolla sports a simple, function-forward interior, and though materials can feel a bit bargain bin, comfort isn’t compromised. Every Corolla comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0, their suite of advanced driver assist tech. The Corolla starts at $23,310 (the hybrid version at $24,760). Though in need of an update, the Toyota Corolla remains a respectable daily driver.

7. Subaru Impreza

While the Subaru Impreza is no longer offered as a sedan, the exclusively hatchback compact remains a deserving option in 2025 with its standard all-wheel drive and spacious interior. The Impreza offers two powertrains: a 2.0L flat-four with 152 horsepower and 31 combined mpg or a turbocharged 2.5L with 182 horsepower and 29 combined mpg. The Impreza’s hatchback body yields 20.4 cu.-ft. behind the rear seats and a full 56 cu.-ft. with them folded down. Upper trims are treated to an 11.6-inch infotainment interface while Subaru’s EyeSight, their safety tech systems, comes standard on all three trims. The Impreza starts at $23,610. With its standard AWD and hatchback design, the Impreza offers a uniquely utilitarian take on the compact car.

6. Kia K4

The all-new 2025 Kia K4 replaces the out-going Kia Forte and as a result comes with all-new styling, new powertrain options, and a reimagined interior. All that freshness begins under the hood with a base 2.0L four-cylinder making 147 horsepower and offering up to 35 combined mpg. The optional turbocharged 1.6L produces a spirited 190 horsepower. The K4 expands cabin space over the Forte, netting 38 inches of rear seat legroom; that’s mid-size sedan territory. Material quality has also improved, and the design is refreshingly modern. Kia has wisely retained physical buttons for the HVAC system even with the available 12.3-inch touchscreen taking up the center dash. The K4 starts at $21,990 but looks and feels more expensive than that.

5. Hyundai Elantra

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra offers the segment’s most diverse array of powertrain options. As its shares its platform with the Kia K4, the Elantra features the same 147-horsepower 2.0L and 1.6L turbo (tuned to 201 hp) but also adds a hybrid option capable of 50 combined mpg and the Elantra N with its 2.0L turbo making 276 horsepower and paired with your choice of a six-speed manual or dual-clutch automatic. The Elantra is no slouch when it comes to interior quality either, with a spacious back seat and available leather upholstery. All the typical driver assistance features are here as well. The Elantra starts at $22,025 and comes with one of the industry’s best warranties, making it a strong contender among compact cars.

4. Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI comes with a significant pedigree as one of the most engaging driving experiences in the segment. Its sole engine option is a 2.0L turbo making 241 horsepower and capable of rocketing the Golf GTI from zero to sixty in roughly 5.5 seconds. The Golf GTI’s interior offers a generous 20 cu.-ft. behind the rear seats (34 cubes in total). The plaid patterned upholstery is a stylistic throwback to Golfs of yore and the obvious choice even over the optional leather seats. The only major weakness of the Golf GTI is its infotainment system, which can be finicky and cumbersome to navigate. A starting price of $33,670 is high for the segment, but the Golf GTI S does come impressively equipped while offering some of the best driving in the segment.

3. Toyota Prius

The 2025 Toyota Prius shows how far this nameplate has come in its two decades on the road. The current generation matches its staggering fuel economy numbers with head-turning styling and hatchback practicality. The basic hybrid setup produces 196 horsepower, gets 57/56 mpg, and offers optional all-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid version manages 52 combined mpg, up to 44 miles of electric-only driving range, and 220 horsepower. The Prius has a fairly traditional interior that retains some of its signature quirks, like the oddly small digital gauge cluster and shifter toggle. As a hatchback, the Prius possesses a surprising amount of interior space and 24 cu.-ft. of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. With its exceptional fuel economy and much improved styling, the current Toyota Prius makes frugality cool again.

2. Mazda3

The 2025 Mazda3 can easily fool you into thinking it belongs in another segment altogether. Sure, it’s the same size as the other cars on this list, but between its zippy powertrains and finely wrought interior, it feels on another level to most of its supposed rivals. The Mazda3’s default engine is a 2.5L with a respectable 191 horsepower. For those needing more pep, there’s a turbocharged AWD version that offers 250 horsepower and superb handling. The Mazda3 impresses further with its refined interior, featuring soft-touch leather, superior comfort, and an elegant, uncluttered design. A starting price of $23,950 is higher than average for the segment, but Mazda makes sure you get what you pay by loading the Mazda3 with all the expected accruements. Indeed, the Mazda3 provides a perfect combination of joyful driving, sharp looks, and a premium-level interior for one of the best compact cars you can buy.