1. 2020 MINI Cooper

...A perfect predicted reliability rating, sporty handling, a range of robust engines, and an upscale cabin all help the 2020 Mini Cooper secure a spot near the top of our subcompact car rankings.

• Spry handling
• Energetic engine options
• Premium cabin
• Perfect predicted reliability rating

25-28 CITY 33-36 HWY $23,400

Cargo space in this Mini varies by body style. The convertible has a 5.7 cubic-foot trunk, which expands to 7.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The two-door hatchback has 8.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 34 cubic feet with them folded down. Rounding out the lineup is the four-door Hardtop, with 13.1 and 40.7 cubic feet, respectively. Lots of rivals offer more room for cargo.

2. 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage

...The 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the lowest-rated vehicles in the subcompact car class, or any class really. Its very few attributes are outweighed by its many cons, which include a poor predicted reliability rating, a bouncy ride, and low-quality interior materials.

• Below-average base price
• Great gas mileage figures

33-36 CITY 40-43 HWY from $13,995

Both ES models feature a five-speed manual transmission and an infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, four speakers, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and a USB port. A rearview camera, remote keyless entry, and automatic climate control are also standard. The G4 sedan also has a rear-seat pass-through and center armrest

3. 2020 Volkswagen Golf

...A deft blend of lively handling, a high-class cabin, a large cargo hold, and plenty of advanced safety features help the 2020 Volkswagen Golf land in the top third of our compact car rankings.

• Agile handling
• Upscale interior
• Quiet, comfortable cabin
• Lots of cargo space for the class

28-29 CITY 35-36 HWY from $23,195

Golf Gas Mileage: OK

With the automatic transmission, the 2020 Golf earns EPA estimates of 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Those are about average for the class.

4. 2020 Honda Fit

...The 2020 Honda Fit ranks near the top of the subcompact car class. It boasts a spacious and handsome cabin with a configurable rear seat that makes cargo hauling a cinch, and it's available with a bounty of advanced driver aids.

• Versatile cargo hold with plenty of room
• Spacious, handsome cabin
• Lots of available safety features
• Great fuel economy

29-33 CITY 36-40 HWY from $16,190

Fit Gas Mileage: Fits Any Budget

When equipped with the CVT, the 2020 Fit gets up to 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. Those are phenomenal figures for a subcompact car. Models with the manual transmission earn fuel economy estimates of 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Fit Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard equipment in this Honda includes a 5-inch infotainment screen, a USB port, Bluetooth, and a four-speaker stereo.

Available features include a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, a six-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, and HondaLink, which gives you remote access to your Fit and lets you use some features from your smartphone on the touch screen.

5. 2020 Chevrolet Spark

...The 2020 Chevrolet Spark has great maneuverability and a generous number of tech features, but it’s slow to get up to speed, and it’s short on rear-seat space. The Spark doesn't have an overall score in our subcompact car rankings because it has not been fully crash tested.

• Fantastic maneuverability
• Plenty of standard technology features
• Below-average starting price
• Good predicted reliability rating

29-30 CITY 37-38 HWY from $13,220

Spark Gas Mileage: Pretty Good

Base models with the manual transmission deliver 29 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. With the automatic transmission, base models get 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. These estimates are on par with those of several

6. 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT

...Handsome all over, capacious cargo storage, frugal highway fuel economy

From $21,380

Despite underwhelming EPA estimates, the regular Elantra GT demonstrated impressive real-world fuel economy in our testing. The government numbers estimate it earns 25 mpg city and 32 highway. The turbocharged Elantra GT N Line has the same ratings with the optional automatic transmission, but the standard manual gearbox drops both ratings by 2 mpg each. The regular GT exceeded its government estimate by 5 mpg on our 200-mile highway test route, a margin few cars are able to achieve.

7. 2020 Mazda3

from $8,800

...Sporty handling and a smooth ride help the used 2013 Mazda3 do well in our rankings. However, a snug interior, limited cargo space, and modest reliability scores for the class keep it from ranking even higher.

• Athletic handling
• Composed ride
• Great fuel economy with Skyactiv engine

The 2013 Mazda3 has a variety of four-cylinder engines. They range from 148 horsepower in the base trim up to 263 horsepower in the direct-injected, intercooled, turbocharged MazdaSpeed3. There are three transmissions: a five-speed manual, a five-speed automatic, and a six-speed automatic. Fuel economy varies widely. The SkyActiv engine gets 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway when paired with the six-speed automatic transmission – excellent for the class. On the low end, the MazdaSpeed3 earns 18/25 mpg city/highway. All Mazda3s have sharp handling and precise steering, and most provide a comfortable ride. The performance-oriented MazdaSpeed3, however, feels notably stiffer.

8. 2018BMW i3s

from £35,625

...Having really liked the BMW i3, I was looking forward to testing the i3s as soon as it had been booked in. Featuring everything good about BMW's compact EV, but with a little more focus on a sharper driving experience, the i3s looked - on paper at least - as though it was going to be both an interesting and fun car to drive. So what is the first (mildly) hot-EV like to drive? NGC finds out with the BMW i3s REX.

The i3s REX is the least efficient of the four BMW i3 models, but it still scores excellent marks for fuel economy. BMW is currently the only manufacturer offering a mass-market range-extended EV in the UK, which remains puzzling. As an EV-biased middle ground between conventional EVs and PHEVs, there are a large number of drivers who would appreciate the back-up of an on-board generator to boost an EV's range for occasional longer trips. The BMW i3 REX has CO2 emissions of 13 or 14 g/km - depending on specification - while the i3s REX has an official CO2 figure of 15 g/km. Technically not as efficient then, but only by tiny margins. The main reason for this is because of the wider tyres. Obviously the pure-electric i3 and i3s produce zero tailpipe emissions. The quoted i3s REX range is 137 miles on the NEDC tests from a single charge. This is also calculated under the more accurate WLTP protocol at 115 to 121 miles. Using a 38hp two cylinder petrol engine, the i3s REX can add an additional 93 miles of range when used.

9. 2019 FIAT 500 MPG

...The fun of the FIAT® 500 is powered by a mechanical marvel. On the Pop and Lounge, the standard 1.4L MultiAir® Turbo 16-valve four-cylinder engine coupled with an efficient final-drive gear ratio delivers up to 135 horsepower, 150 pound-feet of torque and excellent fuel economy. With fuel economy ratings of up to 28 city/33 highway mpg( Disclosure1), the FIAT 500 goes the extra mile and more. That means more fuel bang for your buck and all the pure driving pleasure you love

Fiat 500 -- 31/40 mpg. As stylish as a Gucci handbag, the subcompact Fiat 500 coupe wears as well with frugal 40 mph highway fuel economy with it's base 1.4-liter 101-horsepower four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. Other available powertrains are quicker, but not as efficient.

10.Lancia Ypsilon

...In terms of passenger space, the Lancia Y is more spacious per passenger, but it does offer fewer seats than other cars in its class. Tall passengers won't want to go long distances sitting in the back seat, but they will find plenty of room in one of the front bucket seats. Families with small children are especially well suited to take the Y on their vacation to Europe.

A Lancia Y rental, also known as the Lancia Ypsilon, is a great choice for those who need a fuel efficient rental for their trip to Europe. Averaging between 57 and 65 miles to the gallon, the Lancia Y is one of the most fuel efficient Economy cars available on the market. For an Economy class car, the amount of luggage space you get with the Y isn't too bad, either. At 246 liters, the Y's trunk can fit up to 2 large or 3 medium suitcases and still have room remaining for a few small bags. The Y seats 4 passengers, and though many Economy car rental options offer 5 seats, the amount of space each passenger gets in the Y is better than the competitors. Small families can trek around Europe on the cheap in the Lancia Y, carrying the luggage that they need on their trip.