Comparison review: seven economical sedans (Introduction)

How does the best-selling Toyota Corolla stack
up against six competitors? Find out over the
next week.

In another era, we would have had no qualms about referring to compact sedans as “economy cars.” For years, it’s been the term of choice for small, inexpensive, and fuel-efficient cars that require relatively little expense to purchase and operate.

 

But now we read and hear the word “economy” in only the most negative contexts, generally boiling down to “the economy is bad.” Why associate a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla with “bad”? 

 

Let’s just call them “economical cars.” 

 

All economical cars are not equal – some are more economical than others. Some cost thousands more than others to buy. Some are worth thousands less than others when you resell them. Some sip gasoline while others are chugging it down in comparison.

 

And really, the automobiles at the heart of today’s small-car market aren’t all that cheap. The popular mid-level version of the Honda Civic, one of the country’s best-selling automobiles and its second-best-selling economical car, has a sticker price of over $19,000. 

 

At those prices, a car needs to be more than economical. Good economical cars offer extra comfort, space, refinement, safety, and driving dynamics without overcharging for them. Improvements in these areas not only make economical cars nicer for those who would have bought them anyway, but offer a budget-priced alternative for someone who might otherwise have bought a larger vehicle.

 

But even as it acts as an alternative to a bigger car, a good economical car also can’t lose sight of its original raison d’être: frugality. Which of today’s economical cars has the best diversity of useful talents, offering a good value while offering more than the most basic transportation? 

 

To help answer that question, your friendly D.C. Car Examiner drove the most popular versions of the country’s best-selling economical cars – the ubiquitous Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla sedans – plus five of their closest competitors.

 

Over the next week, you’ll find reviews of each of them in this space describing what each has offered for the money. You’ll see those seven cars ranked from worst to best, based on comfort, practicality, and driving dynamics; based on safety ratings; and based on the cost to buy and the cost to operate. You'll also see local real-world pricing, not just sticker prices.

 

Check back each day to see the ranking emerge, and next Sunday you’ll see which of the seven economical sedans deserves the highest spot on your shopping list, and check out the introductory information below in today's slideshow.

 

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