Best Small And Compact Cars Of 2024 Based On Reliability – TopSpeed

Although small and compact cars don’t seem to be as popular as some of the larger vehicles on our roads, they still serve a great purpose, especially if you live in a city or town, or you need a conveniently sized car to zip around in. But, with American automakers like Ford and Chevrolet heavily trimming their car lineups, and concentrating on SUVs and pickups, we are only left with models like the Mustang and Malibu in their ICE car segments, and they are hardly small cars. There are new EVs from both Ford and Chevrolet being introduced, but again, they are all larger vehicles.

We have to look to Japanese, South Korean, and German brands for our small car fix in the U.S.A. now, with new small and compact cars all being designed by foreign companies. But, this isn’t necessarily such a bad thing. Some of the automakers we now rely on for small and compact cars produce some of the safest, most reliable, and most trustworthy engines on the road.

This is why we are taking a closer look at the best 2024 small and compact cars based on reliability. We have used multiple sources to bring you information about these small cars that include, their reliability ratings, running costs, what they are good for, what could be better about each model, their performance specifications, and the key features you get with each model.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Car Buzz, JD Power, IIHS, RepairPal, CarEdge, NHTSA, and Fuel Economy.gov. The following most reliable small and compact cars of 2024 have been ordered from the model with the lowest reliability rating according to JD Power or Repair Pal, to the model with the highest.

10 2024 Audi A3

Reliability Rating: 77/100

Boasting a starting price of $35,800, the 2024 Audi A3 is a small luxury sedan that is available in two trim levels, the A3 Premium and A3 Premium Plus. Showcasing a sleek, modern exterior design that blends elegance and sportiness, its sharp lines and bold contours give it a dynamic, athletic appearance.

The front grille is large and angular, flanked by slim LED headlights, giving this small car a commanding presence despite its more compact length of 176.9 inches and width of 78.1 inches, while its sculpted hood and strong shoulder lines emphasize its aerodynamic profile.

Performance Specifications

The 2024 A3 comes equipped with front-wheel drive as standard, but for an extra $2,000 on the Premium trim, you can opt for the legendary Quattro All-wheel Drive System and benefit from faster 0-60 MPH times and a more engaging drive.

And, not only does the A3 boast a good reliability score and some sporty qualities, but thanks to the mild-hybrid engine under the hood, the A3 can achieve a combined MPG rating of up to 32 MPG, which will cost you on average $1,500 a year, or save you $1,000 on gas over 5 years. So, really not bad for a sporty little car with a reasonable amount of luxury features inside and out.

Pros

• Good interior technology
• Lots of standard features
• Owners have complimented the quality of the ride

Cons

• Rear legroom of 36.6-inches could be cramped
• Only 13.41 cubic feet of luggage space
• No standard maintenance is covered

9 2024 Mazda 3

Reliability Rating: 77/100

Marketed as a premium hatchback, the 2024 Mazda 3 boasts the solid combination of being very reliable, sport-looking, cheap to run, and boasting a relatively powerful engine. JD Power, and owners who left a review, have given the Mazda 3 an overall score of 78 out of 100, with a high-reliability score, a score of 77 out of 100 for driving experience, 78 out of 100 for resale value, and 83 out of 100 for dealership experience.

Not many new hatchbacks are seen in the U.S.A. anymore, and though the Mazda 3 can’t really be described as a hot hatch, even if you choose the turbocharged engine option, especially compared to previous models of the Mazda Speed 3, it does offer a reasonable amount of power from the powertrain along with convenient sizing.

Performance Specifications

Inside, the interior features a modern and sleek design on all trims, but the most impressive features are reserved for the higher trims of the Mazda 3.

• 2024 Mazda 3 Sedan – MSRP: $24,170
• 2024 Mazda 3 Select (Sedan or Hatchback) – MSRP: $24,690 – $25,690
• 2024 Mazda 3 Preferred (Sedan or Hatchback) – MSRP: $26,190 – $27,390
• 2024 Mazda 3 Carbon Edition (Sedan or Hatchback) – MSRP: $29,060 – $30,260
• 2024 Mazda 3 Premium (Hatchback) – MSRP: $30,350
• 2024 Mazda 3 Carbon Turbo (Sedan or Hatchback) – MSRP: $31,750 – $32,950
• 2024 Mazda 3 Turbo Premium (Sedan or Hatchback) – MSRP: $35,450 – $36,650

As standard, the lower trims are equipped with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, cloth bucket seats, traction control, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, but you will have to buy the Turbo Premium if you want to benefit from the larger 10.3-inch touchscreen, a HUD, heated seats, and leather upholstery.

Pros

• Good interior quality
• All-wheel drive is available
• New larger 10.25-inch touchscreen is available

Cons

• Rear legroom of 35.1-inches is small
• No high-performance variant available
• Low cargo capacity of 13.2 cubic feet

8 2024 Toyota Corolla

Reliability Rating: 79/100

Toyota has a solid reputation for reliability for many reasons, and this year’s Toyota Corolla is no exception. Though not rated as highly as other Toyota models on our list, it still tops the 70s for reliability and provides a conveniently sized small car that is capable of achieving up to 50 combined MPG, if you opt for the hybrid engine option.

Aside from the high-reliability rating, the 2024 Corolla is available from $22,050 for the ICE variant and $23,500 for the hybrid model, making it an affordable small car to buy this year.

Performance Specifications

For the low starting price, the standard features on the base trim are impressive and include:

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 16-inch steel wheels with covers
• Automatic climate control
• Remote keyless access
• An 8-inch touchscreen
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0

Repair Pal has also given the Toyota Corolla a reliability score of 4.5 out of 5, making it one of the most reliable cars they monitor. Out of all model years within the compact car segment, the Corolla is placed first with an annual average maintenance bill of $362, or $164 less than the average cost for other compact cars. So, not only is the Corolla praised for being cheap to purchase, but also cheap to run in terms of maintenance and fuel costs.

Pros

• Owners have complimented its comfortable ride
• Lots of good standard features
• Good fuel economy

Cons

• Owners have complained about slow acceleration
• Lots of road noise complaints received
• Front headroom is only 38.3-inches

7 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage

Reliability Rating: 79/100

With a ridiculously low starting price of $16,695, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage is a compact, reliable, affordable, versatile, and economical small hatchback to own this year. If you are looking for a small car that you can fit a reasonable amount in, the Mirage boasts a trunk cargo capacity of 17.1 cubic feet, a car that can achieve impressively low fuel consumption (up to 39 combined MPG), and has a renowned reliability record, then the Mirage looks to be a good choice.

Boasting minute exterior dimensions of 151.4 inches x 65.6 inches x 59.4 inches (length x width x height), and a turning circle of only 30.2 feet, the 2024 Mirage is also well suited for city driving and tight roads, while being able to seat up to 5 people.

Performance Specifications

Not only have independent sources rated the reliability of the Mirage highly, but Mitsubishi is also confident that it will keep going. As standard, Mitsubishi offers a two-year/30,000-mile Limited Warranty, which includes three tire rotations, three oil and filter changes, and one cabin filter change, a 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, and a five-year/unlimited-mile Roadside Assitance.

The top-spec trim, the Mirage Rilliart, which boasts the namesake of the awesome Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart though doesn’t have the same zing as it, is also available at a low starting price of $18,895, while all trims are decked out with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, fabric and synthetic leather upholstery, and the FAST-Key Entry System.

Pros

• Cheap asking price
• Good standard warranty
• Good fuel economy

Cons

• Very slow acceleration
• The interior quality matches the low price tag
• Highway speeds can produce lots of noise

6 2024 Volkswagen Jetta

Reliability Rating: 79/100

Volkswagen is currently sitting at a less-than-respectable 28th out of 31 car brands in the U.S. Initial Quality Survey, with a reported Problems Per 100 vehicles Sold (PP100) of 241 PP100. Though this year’s market average has gone up to 195 PP100, VW is still scoring higher. But this ominous rating is not the case for all of their models, and the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is bucking VW’s current unreliable trend with a high-reliability score of its own.

Showcasing an average yearly maintenance bill of $609, puts it in line with the average maintenance costs for a car of its size, while if you opt for a 2024 Jetta featuring the six-speed manual transmission, you will be able to achieve up to 34 MPG, spending a reasonably low $1,400 a year on gas.

Performance Specifications

The Jetta is available at a low starting cost of just $21,435, but the interior is very basic and is reflected by the price. VW doesn’t seem to be offering anything more than you need on the base model. Not a problem if you like the simple life with a majority of features being analog, but competitors such as the Mazda 3 are sure to give it a run for its money price-wise. But, what the Jetta lacks in high-tech features, it makes up for in safety features. As standard, safety features include:

• Four-wheel ABS
• Blind-spot notifications
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Brake drying
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Tire pressure monitoring
• Ventilated front and rear brake disks
• LED headlamps

The 2024 Jetta is not only the cheapest compact sedan to feature a manual transmission, but it is also the last remaining Volkswagen sold in the U.S.A. to boast a manual transmission, making it a good choice for those of you who want to squeeze out the most MPG possible from the 1.5-liter inline-four and enjoy a more connected driving experience.

Pros

• Available equipped with a manual transmission
• Spacious and comfortable
• Low asking price

Cons

• Lackluster engine performance
• Boring design
• Owners have complained about ‘grabby’ brakes at low speeds

5 2024 Toyota Prius

Reliability Rating: 4/5

The Toyota Prius is synonymous with high fuel efficiency and the 2024 model is no different. Boasting an incredibly high average combined MPG rating of up to 57 MPG, annual fuel costs of approximately $850, and the potential to save up to $4,250 on gas over 5 years compared to the average modern car, the Prius is still a top contender for the most fuel-efficient hybrid cars on the market.

Though the Prius has been around for a long time and is still a special model on the hybrid market, it is facing stiff competition from another Toyota model, that is outselling it, but this year’s lineup still offers a fuel-frugal and techy car that is still near the top of its game.

Performance Specifications

This year’s Prius lineup consists of 6 different trims; the Prius LE, the Prius LE AWD, the Prius XLE, the Prius XLE AWD, the Prius Limited, and the Prius Limited AWD. With a starting price of $27,950 and reaching $36,365 at the top end, the most luxurious model available is the Limited AWD, but the most fuel-efficient is the front-wheel drive base trim (Prius LE). If you are looking for a hybrid stalwart with a proven track record, then the choice between luxury and higher fuel economy is apparent.

This year’s Prius has also been designed to shake off its precious model years’ image of sensible and a wallflower of a car. Featuring a newly designed roof that slopes at the rear, a sleeker and sportier-looking front end, sharp LED headlamps, and 17-inch alloys as standard, the 2024 Prius is a more athletic and luxurious version of itself.

The Toyota Prius is a well-known hybrid car with great fuel efficiency and a practical design. It has a spacious interior and modern tech, and it’s a top pick for those who want to go green without giving up reliability.

– Car Edge Toyota Prius Overview

Pros

• Immense fuel economy
• Stylish design
• Good acceleration available

Cons

• Limited rear headroom of 36.4-inches
• Gauge cluster is blocked by the steering wheel
• Restricted rear view from low and sloping roof

4 2024 Subaru Impreza

Reliability Rating: 82/100

The 2024 Subaru Impreza combines practicality with a modern aesthetic, though it diverges from its rally-car roots. Unlike the rally-worthy Imprezas of the past, such as the Impreza WRX STI models known for their aggressive styling and high-performance turbocharged engines, the 2024 Impreza focuses more on daily driving.

The exterior features a sculpted hood, streamlined LED headlights, and an angular front grille, though it lacks the wide-body flares and signature rear wing seen equipped on Imprezas of the past, emphasizing a more mature, mainstream, and urban-friendly look. The 2024 Impreza is still equipped with Subaru’s legendary AWD system as standard, but the whole design is aimed more at comfort and efficiency over off-road thrills.

Performance Specifications

Available in 3 trims; the Base, the Sport, and the RS, the ’24 Impreza is a relatively cheap small car to purchase with a starting price of $22,995 for the Base trim, and a starting price of $27,885 for the top RS trim. Each trim offers something a little different from standard features, with even the base trim including some impressive features for its relatively low price.

Pros

• Two engine options available
• Good choice of variants
• All-wheel drive is standard

Cons

• Base engine is slow to accelerate, according to owners
• Bland design
• Now only available as a hatchback

3 2024 Honda Civic

Reliability Rating: 82/100

This year’s Honda Civic is available as both a sedan or hatchback, with the main difference coming in how much you carry around with you. The Civic sedan trims feature 14.8 cubic feet of storage, while the Civic hatchback trims feature 24.5 cubic feet of storage. So, maybe surprisingly, one of the hatchback trims is the trim to get if you want to haul more around with all the seats in place.

Alongside the already mentioned Japanese automaker that always seems to rule the reliability ratings, Honda is a bullet-proof brand. So, if you are looking to buy from track record alone, the Civic is a sturdy choice. This year’s Civic has not only been highly rated by JD Power with an impressive score of over 80 out of 100 for reliability, but is also highly regarded by Repair Pal, who has given the Honda Civic a 4.5 out of 5 rating for reliability and a low maintenance cost of $368, while Car Edge has rated the Civic an ‘A’ for value for money and say that the average 5-year maintenance cost only amount to $1,800.

Performance Specifications

The 2024 Civic has been given a 5-star safety rating by the NHTSA for its implementation of safety features that include Honda Sensing. This safety suite includes steering and braking assistance, while safety features such as a blind-spot information system, lane departure warning, a multi-angle rearview camera, and ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) Body Structure, which has been designed to you, offer further protection in the event of a frontal crash, all contributing to its high safety ranking.

The IIHS has also given the 2024 Civic crash testing ratings of 4 out of 5 stars for overall frontal crash safety, 5 out of 5 stars for side crash rating, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover resistance, so along with a very high reliability rating, the Civic is a safe car to be in.

Pros

• Lots of easy-to-use tech features
• Available as a sedan or hatchback
• Good trunk cargo capacity of 14.8 cubic feet

Cons

• No front seat lumbar support
• Noisy at speed
• No manual transmission for the sedan

2 2024 Hyundai Elantra

Reliability Rating: 86/100

Featuring a sleek and sophisticated exterior design, which has been updated from last year’s lineup, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra boasts a short yet flashy grille and sharp-looking LED headlights that complement the new available 17-inch alloy wheels and color schemes. The updated front end emphasizes a low, sporty profile, while the rear end sees subtle updates that tighten up the relatively prestigious look.

Within the mainstream car market, Hyundai is living up to its growing reputable reputation and is positioned in third place for the least problems per 100 vehicles sold, with a reported score of 162 PP100, while the Elantra also receives a 4.5 out of 5 reliability rating from Repair Pal and a low yearly maintenance bill of $452.

Available at a starting price of $21,625 for the base trim and capable of achieving up to 41 combined MPG as an ICE car, the 2.0-liter inline-four is the most fuel-efficient ICE variant, while the impressive 1.6-liter hybrid engine that features in the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue can achieve up to 54 MPG, the Hyundai Elantra looks to make for a respectable compact daily-drive.

Performance Specifications

The 2024 Elantra is available with two ICE options, and one hybrid option within the four available trims; the Elantra SE, the Elantra SEL, the Elantra N Line, and the Elantra Limited. The 2.0-liter inline-four ICE is available equipped in the SE, SEL, and Limited, while the N Line benefits from the extra horses kicked out by the smaller turbocharged inline-four. The 1.6-liter hybrid engine is available for the Elantra Blue Hybrid and the Elantra Limited Hybrid trims, at a starting price of $26,250.

All trims feature high-end safety additions such as forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist, and Safe Exit Warning, while the Limited trim offers enhanced standard features such as Highway Driving Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warning, and Surround View Monitor.

Pros

• Sleek and modern styling
• Spacious cabin
• The Elantra N Line provides sporty performance

Cons

• Budget-looking interior
• Noisy at highway speeds
• Base engine provides slow acceleration

1 2024 Kia Forte

Reliability Rating: 89/100

Available from $19,990 with a $1,155 destination charge, the 2024 Kia Forte is the most reliable small car, while also being one of the cheapest to purchase, own, run, and fuel. Car Edge has given the Kia Forte an ‘A’ rating for value for money and has said that the average 5-year cost is $34,382, which includes a low depreciation rate of 37% over 5 years, a yearly insurance cost of approximately $2,291, and a 10-year average maintenance cost of approximately $6,011.

Fuel Economy.gov has also praised the Forte for its low fuel costs of between $1,400 and $1,850 a year, depending on what trim and configuration you buy. The low combined MPG rating of between 26 MPG and 34 MPG, alongside the 14-gallon gas tank, which will cost you $45 to fill, means that you can drive between 364 and 476 miles in one go.

Performance Specifications

Available features for the 2024 Forte include heated and ventilated seats, a Harmon Kardon sound system, 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, remote control start and climate control from your phone, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice-activated navigation, a Smart Trunk, which you can wave at to open, keyless entry, and a smartphone wireless charging pad. The trims that are available for the 2024 Kia Forte include the Forte LX, the Forte LXS, the Forte GT Line, the Forte GT, and the Forte GT Manual.

Though the Kia Forte is not a luxury sedan in any way, the features that come equipped as standard or are available could make you think you are driving a more expensive small car with the added bonus of extremely trustworthy reliability ratings.

Pros

• Lots of good standard features at a low price
• Good fuel economy
• Generous standard warranty

Cons

• Rear legroom is only 35.7-inches
• Base engine lacks a luster performance
• Looks sportier than it actually is