You have a lot of vehicles available to you these days, especially when looking at different used models and everything that's offered out there. As your used car dealer near Kingston, we pride ourselves on having an incredible selection of different used vehicles for you to choose from, including gorgeous sedans that feel great on the road. Although we don't see many American-made sedans these days, there are still plenty of excellent models out there offered by other brands. Today, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of our favorite compact cars that you'll find when looking at used models. In particular, we chose ones that are fun to drive and that you can find at a very accessible price.

Compact Car #1—Honda Civic

Starting off, we've got a small sedan that's been around for a long time, so you can find many of them as you're looking at different used models. The Civic was introduced in the 1970s and marked Honda's first major success worldwide beyond its reputation for making great motorcycles up to that point. First released as a subcompact model, the Civic has grown a bit over the years into a compact sedan, but it remains a small car that's perfect for getting around Kingston and handling everything you need to do each day. As you look at different used models, we suggest one from the current 11th generation that started with the 2022 model year. You can find impressive, turbocharged engines on these beauties, ensuring they're fun to drive, along with excellent fuel efficiency and a well-appointed cabin.

Compact Car #2—Mazda3

Although this car hasn't been around as long as the Civic (few cars have), it builds on a legacy for impressive performance and beautiful designs that Mazda is well known for. First released for the 2004 model year, the Mazda3 has been through numerous changes and redesigns since then, all the way up to the fourth-generation sedan that kicked off with the 2019 model year. We suggest going with a model from 2021 or later, when Mazda introduced a 2.5L turbo engine that boosts performance beautifully, along with all-wheel drive (AWD) engineering. Fourth-generation Mazda3 models are highly regarded for their impressive luxury and comfort features, providing you with far more than you'd expect for their modest price.

Compact Car #3—Toyota Corolla

The only car on this list that's been around longer than the Honda Civic is the Toyota Corolla, which is a legend in the auto industry. First released in the 1960s, the Corolla was originally a smaller, subcompact sedan, but it has grown throughout the years, with its numerous redesigns. The modern Corolla is a compact car that's beautifully designed, fun to drive, and remarkably fuel efficient, creating a perfect storm of everything we look for in this type of sedan. When looking for a daily driver to get you around Kingston, we suggest one from the current 12th generation, which launched with the 2020 model year and provides you with plenty of options to choose from. You can find Corolla Hybrid models if you're looking for great fuel efficiency, although we tend to prefer how the available 2.0L engine feels when getting around town each day.

Compact Car #4—Volkswagen Jetta

Our first (and only) offering comes from Europe, the Volkswagen Jetta, which is a beautifully made compact sedan that's a lot of fun to drive. First released for the 1980 model year, the Jetta has been through a lot of changes in the last four decades, with its modern incarnation demonstrating the sleek design VW is well known for. When looking at different used Jetta models, we suggest one from its current seventh generation, which launched with the 2019 model year. In particular, look for one from 2022 or later, when Volkswagen gave the Jetta an update and mid-generation refresh that includes gorgeous exterior styling, new standard features inside (including a larger digital gauge cluster), and a more powerful standard engine. You'll also find more standard safety features on these 2022 models, making them ideal for driving around Kingston and getting home safely each day.

Compact Car #5—Hyundai Elantra

First released for the 1990 model year, the Elantra helped Hyundai make a name for itself here in the US. One complaint you might sometimes hear about the Elantra, however, is that it often felt like it was trying to keep up with cars from other brands. This changed with the seventh-generation Elantra that launched with the 2021 model year and showcases how well Hyundai can design a compact car that's fun to drive. Beautifully designed inside and out, the Elantra has a bold, sleek feel that handles wonderfully on the road. You'll find numerous engines on these used Elantra models, including a remarkably efficient hybrid, although we find the turbocharged I-4 to be the best way to go for something incredibly fun. This model often has one of the lowest starting prices in the industry, so you can find them on the used market with great features and a price tag that is quite accessible.

Compact Car #6—Subaru Impreza

Speaking of affordability, the Subaru Impreza is frequently the least expensive compact car on the market, making it an amazing choice when you're shopping on a tight budget. The Impreza was first introduced in the early 1990s, with a variety of different body types, styles, and engines available. Numerous generations are out there, but we suggest either a late fifth-gen model (which went from 2017 to 2023) or a sixth-generation Impreza. The only issue here is that something from the current sixth-gen might not be as budget-friendly as some other models since it will be from the most recent couple of years. You can go with something like a 2022 Impreza and find a 2.0L Boxer engine that's quite fun to drive, plus standard AWD engineering, something no other compact car on this list delivers. Such models also had incredibly low prices when sold as new, so pre-owned options are ideal for tight budgets.

Compact Car #7—Toyota Prius

Finally, we wanted to mention a great model that's worth looking for if you want the best fuel efficiency possible. First released for the 2001 model year, the Prius has led the way for hybrid cars, delivering incredible fuel efficiency with performance that never feels lackluster. It has often been the most fuel-efficient compact car on the road, even compared to other hybrid models. Looking at 2022 models, for example, while the hybrid Elantra gets an estimated 53 MPG in the city, the Prius delivers 58 MPG in the city to let you get more done around Kingston each day. One thing worth noting, however, is that the Prius might cost more upfront due to its hybrid engineering, although it can help you save over time as you make fewer stops for gas. For the best driving experience available, a fifth-gen Prius from 2023 or later is a fantastic choice.

Find the Perfect Sedan for Driving Around Kingston

As you can see, you have plenty of terrific options available to you when looking for a used compact sedan that's fun to drive, efficient, and easy on your budget. The right model for you typically depends on the kinds of features you're looking for, how much you can spend, and what you need your car to be able to do. Trying to keep track of different makes and models, various years and generations, available engines and trims, and all the other features offered on these cars can be quite challenging. That's why it's so important that you shop at a dealership with friendly people ready to help you keep track of it all. No matter what you're looking for, you can count on our team here at Ruge's Ford to help you explore different used cars and make sure you drive away in something you love.