16) 2020 Hyundai Veloster
$18,800 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10
The Hyundai Veloster packs small car efficiency into an eye-catching coupe body with a unique three-door layout. Powertrains range from basic to brash, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and moving up to a couple genuinely sporty turbo-fours.
The Veloster does sacrifice some practicality, since a coupe generally isn’t going to be as spacious as a sedan or hatchback, but cargo capacity is still above average for the class, with 19.9 cubic feet beneath the rear liftgate. This Hyundai is a fun alternative to other compact cars, with few compromises.
15) 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage
$13,995 | U.S. News Overall Score: 4.9/10
There are few reasons to really consider a Mitsubishi Mirage unless you absolutely need a brand new car for the lowest possible price. If you do buy this thrifty subcompact, you’ll get a reasonable amount of interior space and a fuel-sipping, though anemic, three-cylinder engine.
Rear seat space is tight, as is to be expected in this segment. Adults will fit, just not comfortably. The sedan’s trunk holds 12.6 cubic feet, and the hatchback does considerably better, with 17.1 cubic feet of capacity.
14) 2020 Mini Cooper Clubman
$30,900 | U.S. News Overall Score: TBD
The Mini Cooper has long been recognized as a fun-to-drive compact car with a great personality, and the Clubman model has the same fun personality with plenty of extra space. This Mini has go-kart handling and several engaging engine choices.
The driver’s seat is the Cooper Clubman’s most coveted spot, but rear passengers fare pretty well for a subcompact car. There’s 17.5 cubic feet of space in the hatch, which is a pretty good amount of space for this class.
13) 2020 Toyota Yaris
$15,650 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10
The Toyota Yaris offers basic transportation at a fair price for a subcompact car, and though there’s nothing exciting about that, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it, either. A hatchback model joins the sedan for 2020, and both get a modest four-cylinder engine that just barely cracks the three-figure mark for horsepower.
The Yaris can accommodate adults in the back row, and though legroom is adequate, headroom may be an issue. The sedan’s trunk checks in at 13.5 cubic feet, which is decent, and the hatchback offers up 15.8 cubic feet.
12) 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
$16,720 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Chevrolet Sonic is a spacious and efficient compact car that comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s more fun to drive than shoppers might expect, and has user-friendly technology features, as well.
As for cargo space, you’ll get an above-average 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space in the Sonic sedan’s trunk. With the hatchback, you’ll get 19 cubic feet in the hatch, and a total of 47.7 with the rear seats folded down. These aren’t the highest numbers among compact sedans or hatches, but they’re up there among the best.
11) 2020 Nissan Sentra
$19,090 | U.S. News Overall Score: 6.9/10
Fully redesigned for 2020, the Nissan Sentra is average in most ways, including its four-cylinder engine. However, this compact sedan comes with a ton of standard safety features, and has enough interior space to earn a spot on this list.
In terms of passenger space, the Sentra is sufficient, though taller passengers may find rear headroom a bit lacking. The trunk measures in at 14.3 cubic feet, which is a little below average, though a wide opening helps make the space more versatile.
10) 2020 Mazda3
$21,500 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
For one of the most fun-to-drive compact cars on the market, look at the Mazda3. It’s also available in the choice of a sedan or hatchback, comes standard with an enthusiastic four-cylinder engine, handles well, and offers interior room that’s about average.
Rear leg- and headroom are tight in both body styles.The sedan’s trunk measures at 13.2 cubic feet, which is a little low, and the hatchback’s cargo area measures at 20.1 cubic feet, which is fairly typical. In short, the best place in the Mazda3 is definitely in the driver’s seat, but it’s a workable car for daily life.
9) 2020 Subaru WRX
$27,495 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.3/10
This compact car is the most expensive on our list, and if you’re interested in the Subaru WRX, it sure isn’t for its passenger or trunk space. This Subaru is peppy, thanks to its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and handles great, thanks to its standard all-wheel drive.
The seats are supportive, spacious, and comfortable, with plenty of rear leg- and headroom. The trunk space, at 12 cubic feet, is below average for the class, but is enough to accommodate a grocery haul. The WRX is a driver’s car, and the fact that passengers won’t hate the backseat is just a bonus.
8) 2020 Volkswagen GTI
$28,595 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10
The Volkswagen GTI is a sharp and clever package that blends a practical hatchback with solid performance. It doesn’t have the best horsepower rating from its peppy turbo-four, or biggest cargo area, but it’s a seriously fun-to-drive compact car with few compromises beyond the high price tag.
The GTI looks great inside, with a sporty design executed in upscale materials, and there’s enough space for adults in both rows. The hatch provides 22.8 cubic feet of space, which is great for the class, and the seats fold down to reveal a total of 52.7 cubic feet.
7) 2020 Volkswagen Golf
$23,195 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
Next up is the Volkswagen Golf, the affordable compact hatchback that serves as the basis for the aforementioned GTI. The Golf features an engaging and efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Interior space for the Golf measures the same as the GTI, with 22.8 cubic feet in the hatch and 52.7 cubic feet total. The passenger accommodations aren’t quite as upscale as they are in the GTI, but those in the back should have no reason to complain.
6) 2020 Kia Forte
$17,890 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The Kia Forte is a well-rounded compact sedan with tons of features, user-friendly tech, and comfortable seating. A four-cylinder engine comes standard and buyers can upgrade to a turbo-four.
The Forte’s front and back rows are both comfortable, even for adults. Cargo space is good, too, with a trunk that can accommodate 15.3 cubic feet of gear. That’s more than many of the Forte’s competitors.
5) 2020 Hyundai Elantra
$19,150 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
The Hyundai Elantra has a lot of practical attributes, such as comfort and efficiency, even if several other compact cars are more fun and interesting. The sedan comes standard with a four-cylinder engine, and the Elantra GT hatchback gets a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. There’s a more powerful turbo-four on the upgrade menu, too.
The Elantra offers plenty of legroom in both body styles, and taller passengers may actually feel more cramped in the front than in the back. The Elantra sedan measures in with 14.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which is one of the better numbers in the class. The hatchback, too, fares well, with 24.9 cubic feet behind the rear row and a total of 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
4) 2020 Honda Civic
$19,850 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Honda Civic is one of the most-well rounded compact cars on the market, as well as one of the most spacious. Coupe, sedan, and hatchback body styles are available, and a four-cylinder or turbocharged four-cylinder engine comes standard, depending on which model you prefer. Agile handling makes this Honda fun to drive.
Regardless of body style, there’s plenty of rear legroom, although the coupe offers only two rear seats instead of three. Cargo space varies by trim. The coupe has a trunk with 11.9 or 12.1 cubic feet; the sedan’s is 14.7 or 15.1; the hatchback’s hatch features 22.6 or 25.7 cubic feet. The hatchback’s max cargo capacity is 46.2 cubic feet. These numbers are all good for the class, though there’s not much basis for comparison with the coupe since there aren’t many others on the market.
3) 2020 Subaru Impreza
$18,695 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.5/10
The Subaru Impreza is a comfortable and practical compact car, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. Acceleration from the four-cylinder engine isn’t great, but standard all-wheel drive makes for competent handling.
Both Impreza models offer a good amount of rear legroom, and even tall adults should be comfortable in the second row. The sedan’s trunk is on the small side though, with just 12.3 cubic feet of space. However, the hatch truly impresses, with 20.8 cubic feet beneath the liftgate and 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
2) 2020 Volkswagen Jetta
$18,895 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
Volkswagen’s Jetta is one of the most spacious small sedans on the market, and it has other benefits as well, such as a comfortable ride and user-friendly tech features. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine comes standard, and a more powerful turbo-four is available.
Adults will be comfortable in the Jetta, even in the back row, and there are plenty of options to upgrade the surroundings. The Jetta’s trunk measures 14.1 cubic feet, which is a decent size for a compact car.
1) 2020 Honda Fit
$16,190 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
The Honda Fit is spacious and comfortable, and that’s not the only reason it tops our subcompact car rankings. It’s efficient, an excellent value, and offered up with a lot of features that aren’t generally available in this segment. A four-cylinder engine comes standard.
In addition to generous rear legroom, the Fit’s hatch is rated for 16.6 cubic feet of cargo. A few other small hatchbacks beat this rating, but the Fit also features Honda’s Magic Seat feature, which helps open up a near-miraculous 52.7 cubic feet of total cargo room.
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Now that you know how these small cars maximize interior space, there’s still plenty to learn. For that, be sure to check out our full rankings for subcompact and compact cars, which will show you how these models, and more, stack up against each other overall.
When you’re ready for your next new car, be sure to use our Best Price Program to find the best deal in your area. Shoppers who use this program save an average of more than $3,000 off their new vehicle purchase.
Roomiest Small Cars in 2020
- 2020 Honda Fit
- 2020 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2020 Subaru Impreza
- 2020 Honda Civic
- 2020 Hyundai Elantra
- 2020 Kia Forte
- 2020 Volkswagen Golf
- 2020 Volkswagen GTI
- 2020 Subaru WRX
- 2020 Mazda3
- 2020 Nissan Sentra
- 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2020 Toyota Yaris
- 2020 MINI Cooper Clubman
- 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage
- 2020 Hyundai Veloster
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Stretch Out in These Small Cars
A small car isn’t necessarily a penalty box, at least if you shop prudently. If you’re looking for a subcompact or compact car, it’s most likely because you prioritize efficiency or affordability, and so, you’ve probably gotten accustomed to making some compromises. Here’s a word of advice, though – those sacrifices don’t include space. There are plenty of smart designs that comfortably accommodate passengers or cargo, and the following slides will point you in the right direction.
This list includes 16 small cars, selected from our subcompact and compact car rankings, that offer the most cabin space in those two classes. The difference can be a matter of inches, or even less, so when you’re shopping, make sure to consider other factors, such as performance, quality, standard features, and overall value. At the end of the slideshow, you should have a good idea which small cars will meet your needs for space, and we’ll have resources for you to read more about the models that catch your eye.
Keep in mind as you're reading that our scores are constantly updated as new information becomes available. As a result, the rankings and scores you see in this slideshow may not match those elsewhere on our site.