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Best Performance Compact Cars for 2025

These are the best performance compact cars based on iSeeCars' analysis of each vehicle's power to weight ratio

See how we rank these cars

The best performance compact car is the Honda Civic (hatchback) with a curb weight of 3,118 and a horsepower rating of 315, resulting in a weight-to-horsepower ratio of 9.9 lbs. per HP. The weight-to-horsepower ratio is calculated based on a vehicle’s curb weight and horsepower at the trim level - the less weight one horsepower has to pull, the better performance a vehicle can provide.

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What is the best performance compact car?
  1. Honda Civic (hatchback)
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The best performance compact car is the Honda Civic (hatchback) with a curb weight of 3,118 and a horsepower rating of 315, resulting in a weight-to-horsepower ratio of 9.9 lbs. per HP. The weight-to-horsepower ratio is calculated based on a vehicle’s curb weight and horsepower at the trim level - the less weight one horsepower has to pull, the better performance a vehicle can provide.

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1. Honda Civic (hatchback)

#1 of 37 Best Gas Mileage Small Cars #1 of 37 Best Performance Small Cars #1 of 37 Best Small Cars
  • Weight to hp 9.8984
  • Starting MSRP: 27450
  • Honda Civic for Sale
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.8 / 10
  • Reliability 8.1 / 10
  • Value Retention 9.3 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 27450 - 45895
USED PRICE 19806 - 43686
MPG 24 - 48 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 24.5 cu ft

The following trim level(s) offer the lowest weight to horsepower ratio for the model's max HP:

  • 2025 Honda Civic Type R 2.0L Turbo I4 315hp 310ft. lbs.

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Honda Civic

#1 of 22 Best Small Cars for the Money #1 of 13 Best Small Cars Under $25k #1 of 12 Best Compact Cars Under $25k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.8 / 10
  • Reliability 8.1 / 10
  • Value Retention 9.3 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 24595 - 30995
USED PRICE 17499 - 28980
MPG 31 - 36 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.4 - 14.8 cu ft

Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback

#1 of 37 Best Family Small Cars #1 of 37 Safest Small Cars #1 of 24 Best Family Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.8 / 10
  • Reliability 8.0 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.5 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 25150 - 37150
USED PRICE 17992 - 29999
MPG 26 - 30 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 20.1 cu ft

Mazda Mazda3 Sedan

#2 of 37 Best Family Small Cars #2 of 37 Safest Small Cars #2 of 24 Best Family Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.8 / 10
  • Reliability 7.9 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.6 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 24150 - 36000
USED PRICE 15708 - 27592
MPG 27 - 31 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 13.2 cu ft
Last new model year: 2020

Honda Civic (coupe)

#1 of 37 Most Reliable Small Cars #1 of 24 Compact Cars with Best Resale Value #1 of 13 Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.6 / 10
  • Reliability 8.3 / 10
  • Value Retention 9.4 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 21050 - 27250
USED PRICE 16994 - 26998
MPG 29 - 35 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 11.9 - 12.1 cu ft

Subaru WRX

#1 of 24 Most Comfortable Compact Cars #2 of 37 Most Comfortable Small Cars #4 of 37 Best Small Cars for Tall People
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.5 / 10
  • Reliability 7.6 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.8 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 37750 - 47705
USED PRICE 21337 - 36739
MPG 21 - 22 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.5 cu ft

Toyota Corolla

#4 of 13 Best Small Cars Under $25k #4 of 12 Best Compact Cars Under $25k #5 of 37 Best Gas Mileage Small Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.3 / 10
  • Reliability 7.8 / 10
  • Value Retention 9.0 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 22325 - 28040
USED PRICE 15097 - 25057
MPG 34 - 35 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 13.1 cu ft
Last new model year: 2023

Subaru Impreza

#1 of 4 Best Compact Cars Under $20k #1 of 4 Most Reliable Compact Cars Under $20k #2 of 24 Most Comfortable Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.2 / 10
  • Reliability 7.7 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.8 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 19795 - 24595
USED PRICE 14975 - 23904
MPG 26 - 32 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.3 cu ft

Hyundai ELANTRA

#1 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #1 of 24 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom #1 of 6 Best Korean Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.2 / 10
  • Reliability 7.5 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety 8.8 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 22025 - 28875
USED PRICE 12888 - 23998
MPG 31 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.2 cu ft
Last new model year: 2021

Volkswagen Golf

#1 of 5 Best German Compact Cars #1 of 5 Best German Small Cars #1 of 5 Best Hatchbacks Under $25k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.1 / 10
  • Reliability 7.9 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 23195 - 23995
USED PRICE 13946 - 21998
MPG 32 - 33 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 17.4 cu ft

Volkswagen Golf GTI

#1 of 3 Best Small Cars Under $35k #1 of 3 Most Reliable Small Cars Under $35k #2 of 5 Best German Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.0 / 10
  • Reliability 7.6 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 32445 - 40880
USED PRICE 19998 - 34993
MPG 27 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 cu ft

Volkswagen Jetta

#3 of 5 Best German Compact Cars #3 of 5 Best German Small Cars #6 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Legroom
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.0 / 10
  • Reliability 7.5 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.5 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 22495 - 29000
USED PRICE 14325 - 24980
MPG 33 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.1 cu ft
Last new model year: 2021

Hyundai VELOSTER

#1 of 11 Coupes with the Most Cargo Space #1 of 11 Coupes with the Most Legroom #1 of 2 Best Korean Coupes
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.0 / 10
  • Reliability 7.4 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.7 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 18900 - 28450
USED PRICE 12614 - 21998
MPG 28 - 30 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 cu ft

Nissan Sentra

#3 of 18 Most Affordable Compact Cars #5 of 24 Most Comfortable Compact Cars #5 of 22 Most Affordable Small Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.9 / 10
  • Reliability 7.3 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 21590 - 24590
USED PRICE 14518 - 23499
MPG 33 - 34 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.3 cu ft
Last new model year: 2020

FIAT 500L

#1 of 37 Best Small Cars for Tall People #1 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space #1 of 24 Best Compact Cars for Tall People
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.8 / 10
  • Reliability 7.4 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.2 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 22500 - 24645
USED PRICE 11048 - 18898
MPG 25 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 22.4 cu ft

Kia Forte

#2 of 18 Most Affordable Compact Cars #2 of 4 Most Reliable Compact Cars Under $20k #3 of 6 Best Korean Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.7 / 10
  • Reliability 7.6 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.5 / 10
  • Safety 7.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 19990 - 25390
USED PRICE 13490 - 22969
MPG 26 - 32 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 15.3 cu ft
Last new model year: 2020

Hyundai ELANTRA GT

#2 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space #2 of 24 Compact Cars with the Most Cargo Space #3 of 23 Hatchbacks with the Most Cargo Space
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.7 / 10
  • Reliability 7.5 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.2 / 10
  • Safety 7.3 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 20650 - 24600
USED PRICE 11929 - 20274
MPG 26 - 28 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 24.9 cu ft

Toyota Corolla Hatchback

#2 of 10 Most Affordable Hatchbacks #4 of 24 Compact Cars with Best Resale Value #4 of 23 Hatchbacks with Best Resale Value
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 9.1 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 23780 - 27080
USED PRICE 17395 - 27297
MPG 33 - 35 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 17.8 cu ft

Toyota GR Corolla

#3 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Horsepower #3 of 24 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower #5 of 23 Hatchbacks with Best Resale Value
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.9 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 38860 - 47515
USED PRICE 33675 - 45996
MPG 22 - 24 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 17.8 cu ft

Volkswagen Golf R

#1 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Horsepower #1 of 24 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower #4 of 23 Hatchbacks with the Most Horsepower
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 47100 - 48415
USED PRICE 36714 - 46990
MPG 25 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 cu ft

Hyundai ELANTRA N

#3 of 37 Best Small Cars for Tall People #3 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #3 of 24 Best Compact Cars for Tall People
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 34250 - 35750
USED PRICE 24900 - 33990
MPG 23 - 24 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.2 cu ft

Kia K4

#2 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #2 of 24 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom #4 of 18 Most Affordable Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.4 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 21990 - 28090
USED PRICE 21490 - 27635
MPG 29 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.6 cu ft

Volkswagen Jetta GLI

#7 of 37 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #7 of 24 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom #9 of 24 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.3 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 32715
USED PRICE 18775 - 31996
MPG 29 - 30 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.1 cu ft

Mitsubishi Mirage G4

#1 of 18 Most Affordable Compact Cars #3 of 37 Best Gas Mileage Small Cars #3 of 22 Most Affordable Small Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.2 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 17795 - 19595
USED PRICE 8969 - 17994
MPG 37 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.4 cu ft

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How We Rank These Cars

The best performance cars rank vehicles by their weight-to-horsepower ratio.

The weight-to-horsepower ratio is calculated based on a vehicle's curb weight and horsepower at the trim level - the less weight one horsepower has to pull, the better performance a vehicle can provide. For cars with a ratio within 0.1 of each other, lighter vehicles always have the advantage in performance and are ranked to reflect that. For each vehicle, we also show the iSeeCars Score which rates the overall quality of a vehicle.

The iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.

Vehicles are scored in three categories:

Reliability

The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.

Value Retention

The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.

Safety

The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).