The top compact cars for 2025 are feature-packed, top-rated for safety, and surprisingly affordable. These cars prove that amazing value still exists for under $30K, despite ever-rising car prices. Here’s why these five compact cars are the best value for car shoppers in 2025.
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1 2025 Mazda 3 ($25,135 – $36,985)
2 2025 Toyota Prius ($29,085 – $36,100)
3 2025 Hyundai Elantra (MSRP $22,775 – $30,600)
4 2025 Toyota Corolla ($23,185 – $28,385)
5 2025 Subaru Impreza ($24,115 – $28,975)
6 Tired of Dealerships? We Can Help
2025 Mazda 3 ($25,135 – $36,985)
Average Selling Price Today: $29,623
MSRP increase since 2020: +12%
The Mazda3 is the best-value compact car for 2025. With a starting price well under $30K, Top Safety Pick Plus honors in crash testing, and a score of 78/100 overall from Consumer Reports, there’s a lot to love about this Mazda sedan.
The 2025 Mazda 3 is available as either a sedan or hatchback in all trim levels, something that’s new for 2025. All-wheel drive is available for the Mazda 3, and comes standard with the lavish Carbon Edition ($30,595 MSRP + destination). The two-wheel drive version scores 31 miles per gallon in combined driving. That’s a tad more than the all-wheel drive Mazda 3’s 27 miles per gallon.
Here’s how Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 3 in the top categories reviewed:
See the full Consumer Reports review of the Mazda3.
See Mazda 3 listings with local market insights
2025 Toyota Prius ($29,085 – $36,100)
Average Selling Price Today: $35,560
Base MSRP increase since 2020: +15%
In 2024, the Prius was fully redesigned, transforming the geek squad symbol into a sharp-looking compact car. Fuel economy remains strong, with the standard hybrid powertrain delivering 54 miles per gallon. Consumer Reports is a fan, and gave the 2024 Prius an overall score of 80. Here’s where the major metrics stand:
See the full Consumer Reports review.
The Prius earned the Top Safety Pick Plus safety rating in the most recent crash testing and analysis. See the full safety review here.
See Toyota Prius listings with local market insights
2025 Hyundai Elantra (MSRP $22,775 – $30,600)
Average Selling Price Today: $25,473
MSRP increase since 2020: +12%
Following years of upgrades and facelifts, the Elantra has been gradually elevated to ‘more than a commuter car’ status. You can sum up the appeal of the Elantra with one word: value. For well under $30K, this compact car gets you modern looks, a well-designed suite of tech, and fuel efficiency. Consumer Reports gives the Elantra a score of 74/100, which isn’t bad for a car in this class. Here are the major CR ratings for the Elantra:
See the full Consumer Reports review.
In 2024, the Hyundai Elantra earned the Top Safety Pick badge from the IIHS in the most recent crash testing. See the full review here.
See Hyundai Elantra listings with local market insights
2025 Toyota Corolla ($23,185 – $28,385)
Average Selling Price Today: $25,494
MSRP increase since 2020: +13%
Now available as both a sedan and a hatchback, there’s even a Corolla pickup truck on the way in a few years. The Corolla has been a best-selling compact car for decades, and with good reason. For the price point, Toyota has consistently delivered a car packed with value. Consumer Reports is a fan, too. For 2024, CR scored the Corolla sedan 75/100 overall. Here’s a look at the rest of the Consumer Reports category scores for the Corolla:
See the full Consumer Reports review of the Corolla.
The 2023 Corolla earned the Top Safety Pick badge from the IIHS in the most recent crash testing. This applies to the 2024 Corolla sedan, which was unchanged from the prior year. See the full safety review here.
See Toyota Corolla listings with local market insights
2025 Subaru Impreza ($24,115 – $28,975)
Average Selling Price Today: $27,254
MSRP increase since 2020: +23%
With the discontinuation of the Subaru Legacy in 2024, the Impreza is the last compact car standing for the brand. Subaru has been steadily increasing U.S. market share over the past decade, in large part due to the emphasis on highly-desired yet more costly crossovers. The Impreza is the most affordable Subaru on sale today, and now comes only in the hatchback option. Rest assured that all-wheel drive comes standard, as it does with the entire Subaru lineup.
Consumer Reports also sees the value in this AWD car, giving it an overall score of 76/100. Here’s how the CR ratings breakdown by category:
See the full Consumer Reports review of the Impreza sedan.
The Impreza earned a ‘Good’ score in most IIHS safety tests, but performed poorly in the updated side crash test. See the IIHS safety rating details here.
See Subaru Impreza listings with local market insights
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