The automobile world is full of names, terms, and abbreviations. One of the simplest terms - compact car - is one that is also open to interpretation, and some vehicles can straddle different classes.

The compact car segment is incredibly popular. You can get a brand-new compact car for under $30,000 in 2025. One compact car provides the most value in terms of performance, efficiency and standard ...

When it comes to cars, bigger isn't always better — especially when you're talking about affordability and fuel economy. That's why Car and Driver set out to find the 10 best compact cars for 2025.