This is an old class that went away, but now it is back. Families with requirements for luggage or kid space but not wanting SUV or minivan gas mileage will love these. A young couple with a baby or a single person with several pets will find this category of vehicle quite satisfying. These are very useful vehicles, and handle much better than the older station wagons. Better styling, too. Regular gas except for very high performance versions.
Mazda Mazda3 5 door - Very competent, economical, and spacious. Actually fun to drive. S version gets larger engine and tires and sporty suspension. S engine is also larger than competitors. All versions get 4 disc brakes.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 5 - Over 30 mpg on regular or over 33 mpg on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 4 - Very good vehicle 4 - Swallows large household items 1 - Don't do it 3 - Easy to load and handles TVs and lawnmowers easily 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Subaru Impreza Outback Wagon - Lower gas mileage and more expensive than Mazda because it is only available with 4 wheel drive. Excellent reliability. Available high performance versions. Best selected for snow areas.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 4 - 25 to 29 mpg on regular or 28 to 32 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 4 - Swallows large household items 1 - Don't do it 3 - Easy to load and handles TVs and lawnmowers easily 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Ford Focus Hatchback - Completely different car from the 2011. Cheaper to get than above cars, and resells for less. Reliability is decent. Surprisingly nice, roomy, and good driving car for the money. Better choice for situations where less money is available for purchase, and lower driving miles are anticipated.
2 - Can keep up with traffic pretty well 2 - Takes 125 to 130 ft to stop. Average for today's cars. 5 - Over 30 mpg on regular or over 33 mpg on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 2 - Good for low initial price/short term ownership/low miles 2 - Can do a trip for two 1 - Don't do it 3 - Easy to load and handles TVs and lawnmowers easily 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Lexus CT200h - 4 cylinder gas/electric hybrid. Advertized as a midsize car, but it's just not that large. Most owners report 45 - 50 mpg. Gas prices have a huge effect on the price of this car. High gas prices allow dealers to ask several thousand over list price. You must do the math to see if the gas mileage is worth the price for you. Don't forget that the battery is very expensivs and has limited life. Toyota is saying that a new battery is on the horizon that allows even better gas mileage.
3 - Adequate for most situations 2 - Takes 125 to 130 ft to stop. Average for today's cars. 5 - Over 30 mpg on regular or over 33 mpg on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable used than many new cars 4 - Swallows large household items 1 - Don't do it 3 - Easy to load and handles TVs and lawnmowers easily 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Ford Fiesta Hatchback - Brought from Europe where it has been successful for several years. Smaller than the Focus Hatchback. Cheaper to get than above cars. Reliability is decent. Surprisingly nice, roomy, and good driving car for the money. Better choice for situations where less money is available for purchase, and lower driving miles are anticipated.
2 - Can keep up with traffic pretty well 2 - Takes 125 to 130 ft to stop. Average for today's cars. 5 - Over 30 mpg on regular or over 33 mpg on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 2 - Good for low initial price/short term ownership/low miles 2 - Can do a trip for two 1 - Don't do it 3 - Easy to load and handles TVs and lawnmowers easily 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Nissan Versa - Smaller than above wagons, but not a microcar. Ideal for young families just getting started. Decent reliability and driveability. Enough room for all of baby's stuff as well as normal luggage. Real people can sit in back seat. 4 cyl front wheel drive.
2 - Can keep up with traffic pretty well 2 - Takes 125 to 130 ft to stop. Average for today's cars. 4 - 25 to 29 mpg on regular or 28 to 32 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 2 - Good for low initial price/short term ownership/low miles 4 - Swallows large household items 1 - Don't do it 2 - Hauls large boxes, but you have to fit them into the trunk 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
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