Compact Car Comparison: Rankings for Interior Space - Vol.271
Just because a car is compact doesn't meant it shouldn't have plenty of interior space for passengers and storage. In fact, most manufacturers of compact cars strive to create as much interior space as possible, and many of the bestselling cars excel at this. If you're thinking about buying a compact car, you shouldn't sacrifice comfort and convenience for a low price. Here's a list of good compact cars that also offer plenty of interior space.
- Hyndai Elantra Sedan
Hyndai Elantra does look like a sleek coupe, but it actually has more interior space than the Toyota Corolla or the Honda Civic. Thanks to its wide body, this car provides ample space for passengers, so that even the tallest and most robust of people can feel comfortable in it. The headroom provided by the front seats is great, as is the legroom for the backseats, and the cargo capacity is acceptable, though not as large as that of other models on this list.
- Nissan Note
Affordable and fuel-efficient, the small Nissan Note has 39.8 inches of front-seat headroom, as well as plenty of leg room for all seats, making it a good choice if you plan to drive people around constantly. The tall doors make entry and exit convenient even for tall people, sparing you unpleasant head bumps. In terms of cargo capacity, the Nissan Note sedan doesn't have of course as much as the hatchback version, but even so it offers enough for a family's everyday needs.
- Honda Fit
Another small car, Honda Fit offers plenty of headroom for all seats, and rear-seat cushions that sit up high, offering even long-legged people a comfortable sitting position. When it comes to cargo space, the Honda Fit doesn't disappoint. In fact, if you fold down the rear seats, you end up with no less than 57.3 cubic feet for storage, an impressive figure for a car so small, and more than most sedans offer. All in all, the Honda Fit is a great choice if you want not only interior space, but also storage space at a good price, without sacrificing looks or fuel efficiency.
- Mazda5 (Premacy)
Practical and versatile, the small Mazda5 (Premacy) features three rows of seats and has convenient sliding side doors, which makes it a good choice for larger families. The roof is quite tall as well, offering plenty of headroom for all seats. A really cool feature of the Mazda5 (Premacy) is the under-seat cargo bins, which ingeniously provide some unexpected storage space that's especially good for storing valuables you don't want others to see. In terms of cargo space, the Mazda5 (Premacy) doesn't disappoint either - the rear seats can be easily folded, creating sufficient space for a family on holidays.
- Toyota Corolla LE
The Toyota Corolla doesn't have as much cargo space as other compacts - only 12.3 cubic feet - but it offers plenty of headroom and legroom, making it quite a comfortable car. Add to that its durability, easy maintenance, quality make, and timeless design, and the Toyota Corolla LE becomes indeed hard to resist. After all, this is one of the latest versions of the best-selling car in the world.
The Bottom Line
While you will find compacts that offer more storage and cargo space than those listed above, if you take into account the overall quality of the build, together with the price, performance, and fuel-efficiency, it will be hard hard for you to find other vehicles that can compare with them. So, if you're shopping for a spacious, comfortable compact, choose any of the above and you can't go wrong. Whether you choose the Hyundai Elantra Sedan, the Nissan Note, the Mazda5 (Premacy), the Toyota Corolla, or the Honda Fit, you'll end up with a good car, and a nice, spacious interior, too.