When it comes to today’s automotive climate, there is an apparent evolution in what Americans seek for their next automobile choice, and it has advanced to be more on the side of SUVs and crossovers over coupes and sedans. With such a notion, Hyundai has positioned themselves to ride the evolution wave with the introduction of an all-new subcompact crossover, the Kona. Get The Best Price On The Hyundai Kona from a network of local dealers now. Get The Best Price On The Hyundai Kona from a network of local dealers now. Get The Best Price On The Hyundai Kona from a network of local dealers now.

There’s a Jetta for everyone, from a frugal hybrid for the eco-conscious and the fun-to-drive GLI for the car enthusiast who wants a trunk. Like its Golf sibling, the Jetta also gains a new infotainment system for 2016 that has Android Auto and CarPlay compatibility on all but the entry level variants.

No, the Nissan Versa Note isn’t the most interesting car to drive, but for people looking for affordable transportation with plenty of space for passengers and gear, this one’s hard to beat. The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen offers interior space that can shame many compact crossovers/SUVs. While the current-generation Chevrolet Cruze is on its way out, it remains a good compact sedan that puts comfort first. This means on the road, you’ll be able to sit back and relax in the car’s roomy interior while the large trunk means you won’t have to leave anything behind.

Available with a 1.4-liter turbo-four or an efficient 2.0-liter turbodiesel, there’s something for everyone from the daily commuter to the hypermiler. If you’re averse to the idea of owning a diesel-powered compact sedan, there’s also the Cruze Eco, which is rated at 28/42 mpg city/highway when equipped with the six-speed manual. Look for the second-generation 2016 Cruze to go on sale next year and expect it to come packed with all the latest tech features including Android Auto and CarPlay compatibility.

Think of the Honda Fit as the hatchback worthy of a PhD in interior packaging. A compact sedan designed with sensibility in mind, the Nissan Sentra proves you don’t need to jump up to a midsize sedan or a crossover if you need a car for family duty. While its looks may not stir the soul, the Sentra performs its mission well, meaning your passengers won’t be cramped and you don’t have to leave any stuff behind.

A face-lifted model with new headlights and a full suite of active safety systems including automatic forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and Active Understeer Control will go on sale next year. While it’s up next for a redesign after its sedan sibling, the Hyundai Elantra GT remains practical for families thanks to its spacious and flexible interior.

Rear seats that split and fold completely flat give you plenty of room to work with when hauling your family and their gear. There’s also no shortage of convenience and tech features thanks to a generous array of equipment including a large panoramic sunroof, heated seats all around, ventilated front seats, and an infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and available navigation. Revered for its engaging handling and fun-to-drive nature, the Mazda3 remains one of the top compact cars and the driver’s choice for the segment.

In short, this is the car that’ll let you have your cake and eat it too, offering great driving dynamics in a package that’s attractive and able to hit more than 40 mpg on the highway. The available hatchback body style offers the most interior volume and gives you plenty of space for your belongings and your friends.

Even though it’s one of the slower-selling vehicles in the compact class, the Dodge Dart comes with a spacious interior that makes it one of the roomiest in its class. However, due to the swoopy styling, keep it to two rear passengers because whoever gets that center seat will be hunching over 99 percent of the time to avoid bonking their head into the ceiling when you hit a bump.

For eco-minded folks, there’s the Aero model, which comes with a 160-hp 1.4-liter turbo-four that can be paired to a 6-speed manual or a twin-clutch gearbox with the latter good for 28/41 mpg. Known more for its bulletproof reliability than for jump starting enthusiasts’ pulses, the Toyota Corolla offers exceptional fuel economy wrapped in a package that has a small footprint and an interior that rivals midsize cars.