"Compact" cars of 2012

[2o6]

It's priced @ 19-26.7, while the Jetta is 17.7-25

New Jetta starts at 16K.

[The Pirate]

I'm voting Focus for now.  I'm looking forward to test driving one when they hit dealers.  Mazda3 hatch would be second.

[Tave]

New Jetta starts at 16K.

Around 16K, and as far as I know, final pricing hasn't been confirmed.

The current Jetta starts "around" 16K too, at $16,999.

[Raza]

I love how you post the STI and the base models of everything else. 

It's tough to say here, since I've never driven the base models of any of these cars.  The base Jetta I recently drove doesn't give me the most confidence that the newer car will drive any better, so I think at this juncture, I'll have to give the edge to the Civic.  I know the Si drives very well, and I can't imagine the Civic being a bad platform.  Though it would pain me to buy any of these; I'd rather step up to a used model the year previously or stretch my budget to get a better one higher in the line (as I did with my current car).

[2o6]

Around 16K, and as far as I know, final pricing hasn't been confirmed.

The current Jetta starts "around" 16K too, at $16,999.

That's around 17K.

[Tave]

That's around 17K.

Obviously. Enter the power of marketing.

[the Teuton]

I love how you post the STI and the base models of everything else. 

As I explained on the last page, it's just a picture.

[thewizard16]

Focus or Mazda 3 would likely be my top picks, but I'm tempted to give the Cruze a chance. I've been impressed with Chevy's recent offerings too and I like the styling a bit more than the Focus (although I've been very impressed with Ford's recent offerings). No Corolla, it has earned my contempt for the time being.

[Madman]

Focus wins hands down.

Besides, can you really call that new Jetta a "compact"?  It looks as big as a freakin' Camry!

[the Teuton]

Focus wins hands down.

Besides, can you really call that new Jetta a "compact"?  It looks as big as a freakin' Camry!

None of them are really compact anymore. The 3 is sorta, and so are a few other cars I didn't directly mention like the Impreza. But most of these cars have been supplanted by smaller ventures like the Elantra and Versa, etc.

[thewizard16]

None of them are really compact anymore. The 3 is sorta, and so are a few other cars I didn't directly mention like the Impreza. But most of these cars have been supplanted by smaller ventures like the Elantra and Versa, etc.

Compacts grew to be what used to be midsize, midsize grew to large, and large grew to Texan. Subcompacts are the new real "compact" cars. I thought about that when driving the new Corolla. It's as big as the 2000 Camry was.

[sportyaccordy]

Focus Turbo

Or the first one of these heaps with a decent size V6

Not really crazy about the rest of them. @ the Corolla still having a 4 spd auto in 2010. What a fucking joke ha.

Truthfully, weight aside, an Acura badged Civic with the TL SH-AWD 6 spd drivetrain would be great (esp if they got rid of that ugly dash). I could put the looks aside.

I am hoping they make AWD + stick + a turbo available in the Focus. I'm not really crazy about the Impreza.

Is VW gonna bring the Polo over? They have a huge gap in their lineup now and the Polo would be a perfect Mini/Mazda2/Fiesta competitor.

[Cookie Monster]

Focus Turbo

Or the first one of these heaps with a decent size V6

Not really crazy about the rest of them. @ the Corolla still having a 4 spd auto in 2010. What a fucking joke ha.

Truthfully, weight aside, an Acura badged Civic with the TL SH-AWD 6 spd drivetrain would be great (esp if they got rid of that ugly dash). I could put the looks aside.

I am hoping they make AWD + stick + a turbo available in the Focus. I'm not really crazy about the Impreza.

Would the TL SH-AWD 6 speed drivetrain even fit in the Civic? It would end up being over $30k, too (although at that price point it would be a great STI/Evo competitor).

[sportyaccordy]

Would the TL SH-AWD 6 speed drivetrain even fit in the Civic? It would end up being over $30k, too (although at that price point it would be a great STI/Evo competitor).

They could figure something out. Physically I am sure everything would fit; I'd just be scared Honda would augment the nose for its ridiculous crash standards

[2o6]

Focus wins hands down.

Besides, can you really call that new Jetta a "compact"?  It looks as big as a freakin' Camry!

Looks mean nothing. The Jetta is the same size as the old one.

[2o6]

They could figure something out. Physically I am sure everything would fit; I'd just be scared Honda would augment the nose for its ridiculous crash standards

I'm thinking the entire drivetrain from the 2.3L Turbo Acura RDX wouldn't be that far fetched.

[Cookie Monster]

I'm thinking the entire drivetrain from the 2.3L Turbo Acura RDX wouldn't be that far fetched.

OMFG 2o6 actually has a good point.

[sportyaccordy]

I'm thinking the entire drivetrain from the 2.3L Turbo Acura RDX wouldn't be that far fetched.

Good point

They could even size it down to 2.0L and let it rev higher

[Raza]

Focus wins hands down.

Besides, can you really call that new Jetta a "compact"?  It looks as big as a freakin' Camry!

It's barely midpack in the compact size range.  It's roughly the same length of the 3 series, which is, again, a compact. 

[Raza]

Focus Turbo

Or the first one of these heaps with a decent size V6

Not really crazy about the rest of them. @ the Corolla still having a 4 spd auto in 2010. What a fucking joke ha.

Truthfully, weight aside, an Acura badged Civic with the TL SH-AWD 6 spd drivetrain would be great (esp if they got rid of that ugly dash). I could put the looks aside.

I am hoping they make AWD + stick + a turbo available in the Focus. I'm not really crazy about the Impreza.

Is VW gonna bring the Polo over? They have a huge gap in their lineup now and the Polo would be a perfect Mini/Mazda2/Fiesta competitor.

The Focus RS isn't even AWD.  I don't get this obsession with AWD at all.

But yes, Volkswagen should bring over the Polo. 

[2o6]

The Focus RS isn't even AWD.  I don't get this obsession with AWD at all.

But yes, Volkswagen should bring over the Polo. 

300HP is a lot to ask the front wheels to both drive and steer.

[Vinsanity]

300HP is a lot to ask the front wheels to both drive and steer.

normally, I'd agree, but the Focus RS does a pretty decent job of it

[TBR]

I guess it would depend on how these new cars drive...

But, based on preliminary evidence, the Focus. Though I'd probably give the Fiesta and Mazda2 a hard look too.

[2o6]

But, based on preliminary evidence, the Focus. Though I'd probably give the Fiesta and Mazda2 a hard look too.

I'm going to make one for the subcompacts.

[TBR]

I'm going to make one for the subcompacts.

Yeah, I understand they're in different classes, but for my needs (only occasional, short distance transport of other people) that isn't particularly relevant.

[omicron]

300HP is a lot to ask the front wheels to both drive and steer.

Nonsense!



A 400hp FWD Eldorado briskly scythes through corners with elegance!

[SVT_Power]

The Cruze is expected to weigh as much as 3,200 lbs. Most of these cars in FWD form will weigh over 2,900 lbs.

Srsly wtf at both numbers.

[omicron]

Srsly wtf at both numbers.

The 2.0 diesel automatic is listed at 1522kg/3355lb.

[MrH]

Not as safe, sure. But unsafe? If they were, I should be scared to drive on the roads these days.

Between Saturn's space frame and Subaru's use of high strength reinforcements in the pillars, among other things, a lot of compacts with similar safety features should be just as good. Sure, not having side and head airbags won't get you any praise from the NHTSA, but who really gives a shit about them?