Reliability comes in all sizes.
It's a big world, but sometimes the best way to get around it is in a small car. Whether it's a sporty coupe, stylish sedan, or practical hatchback, there's a lot to like about these practical little runabouts. To help you on your search, we've compiled a list of the 10 most reliable compact cars for 2022 shoppers, based on RepairPal reliability data.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2006-2020 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.1
Here are the top 10 compact cars that RepairPal rated most reliable:
10.
Ford C-Max
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
We kick off our most reliable compact car list in style with the versatile Ford C-Max. Not only does the 2017-2018 C-Max have a practical hatchback design for hauling your gear, but it also comes with a hybrid engine. This small car is no slouch—the gas engine has 141 horsepower, augmented by an electric motor with 35 kW peak power for a combined 188 hp. The 2017-2018 C-Max comes in two trims: SE and Titanium.
Standard features on the 2017-2018 Ford C-Max SE include:
Cloth upholstery
Automatic headlights
Rear spoiler
Dual-zone automatic climate control
10-way power driver's seat
Leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
9.
Buick Verano
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The compact luxury Buick Verano was sold from 2012-2017. For the 2017 model year, you can choose between a used Buick Verano in the base, Sport Touring, or Leather trims. The base 2.4L four-cylinder engine pumps out 180 horsepower, or you can shop for the more powerful 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower. You can cruise in style with plenty of horsepower in this compact sedan.
Standard features on the 2017 Buick Verano include:
Cloth upholstery
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Split-folding rear seats
Eight-way manually adjustable front seats
OnStar® functionality (with 4G Wi-Fi connectivity)2
8.
Kia Forte
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Looking for a stylish sedan that's also full of features and options? Check out a used Kia Forte. This compact sedan was updated for the 2017 model year, with fresh exterior styling as well as a 147-hp 2.0L four-cylinder base engine. Beyond the base trim, the 2017-2018 Forte EX features a 164-hp 2.0L engine, while the SX (2018+) packs an impressive 201-hp 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Forte received a complete overhaul for the 2019 model year, with only the base 147-hp engine carrying over. But the larger 201-hp engine returned in 2020 on the Forte GT trim.
Look for these standard features on the base 2017-2020 Kia Forte:
Cloth interior
Dual-zone automatic temperature control
Six-way manually adjustable driver's seat
Eight-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ capability (2019+)
Remote keyless entry
7.
Honda Civic
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
For a great compact car with a little something for everyone, check out a used Honda Civic. With a big list of features and options, the tenth-generation Honda Civic (2016+) is available in sedan, hatchback, and coupe styles. 2017-2020 Honda Civic models come with a standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower, or you can shop for one of two 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine options—one with 174 hp and the other with 205 hp (Si). Want even more horsepower? Look for the Civic Type R, which features an impressive 306-hp engine.
For 2017-2020, standard features on the base LX trim of the Honda Civic include:
Cloth upholstery
Automatic headlights
Five-inch touchscreen
Bluetooth® connectivity
Honda Sensing® technology (2019+)
Rearview camera
6.
Hyundai Elantra GT
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you have an active lifestyle, the Elantra GT hatchback delivers a practical 51 cu-ft of space (with seats folded), making it a sporty yet practical entry on our most reliable compact cars list. The 2017 Elantra GT also has a great base engine—a 2.0L four-cylinder with 173 horsepower. For 2018-2020, the redesigned Elantra features a slightly smaller standard engine with 161 horsepower, but you can also opt for a raucous 201-hp turbo four-cylinder.
Standard features on the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra GT include:
Cloth upholstery
Eight-inch touchscreen (2018+)
Heated mirrors
LED running lights (2018+)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
Cooled glovebox (2017)
5.
Kia Forte5
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Kia Forte5 features five-door hatchback practicality. Want to spend a few days hiking or mountain biking? A used Forte5 makes weekend getaways simple. The 2017-2018 Forte5 has a standard 2.0L engine with a solid 164 horsepower, or you can shop for the 1.6L turbo-four engine making 201 hp.
You'll find a ton of great standard features on the 2017-2018 Kia Forte5, including:
Cloth upholstery
Heated mirrors
60/40 split-folding rear seat
Seven-inch touchscreen display (2018)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (2018)
4.
Acura ILX
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Looking for a premium compact that delivers a great mix of luxury and convenience? Check out the Acura ILX, a well-engineered compact car with luxury touches. Whether you're taking a road trip with friends or pulling up at the valet station, a used ILX can handle whatever your day dictates. All 2017-2020 ILX models have a standard 2.4L four-cylinder engine making a robust 201 horsepower.
Standard features on the base model of the 2017-2020 Acura ILX include:
Leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Eight-inch touchscreen (2019+)
Automatic LED headlights
Heated mirrors
Eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats
3.
Hyundai Elantra Coupe
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you're looking for a small car, be sure to add the 2013-2014 Hyundai Elantra two-door coupe to your shopping list. It's powered by a 1.8L four-cylinder engine with 148 hp. Even though the vehicle is compact, you still get 14.8 cu-ft of cargo space behind the back seats. This little Hyundai is packed with lots of features and options.
Standard features on the 2013-2014 Hyundai Elantra Coupe include:
Heated mirrors
60/40 split-folding rear seat
Full power accessories
Height-adjustable driver's seat
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
2.
Toyota Corolla
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Toyota Corolla delivers a great ride, with plenty of space for you and your passengers. All 2017-2019 Corollas feature a 132-hp 1.8L four-cylinder engine, except for the LE Eco trim, which has 140 hp. After an update for 2020, the 1.8L base engine gets a bump to 139 hp, and a 2.0L four-cylinder engine with 169 hp is now optional.
Standard features on the 2017-2020 Toyota Corolla base trim include:
Cloth interior
LED daytime running lights
Apple CarPlay integration (2020)
6.1-inch touchscreen display (7 inches for 2020)
Backup camera
1.
Lexus CT 200h
RepairPal Reliability Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Topping our list of the most reliable compacts is the Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback. On 2017 models (the last year of production), you'll get an Atkinson-cycle 1.8L four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor for a total of 134 horsepower. If you need a compact that won't let you down on space, you'll be glad to know that cargo capacity is a respectable 14.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats—which bumps up to 34.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Standard features on the 2017 Lexus CT 200h base model include:
Leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery
Automatic headlights
Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
Heated mirrors
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Eight-way power driver's seat (with power lumbar)
You don't have to sacrifice practicality with a small car. From hatchbacks to coupes to sedans, compact cars can be an ideal traveling companion.
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