Many compact and subcompact cars come with a surprising number of features so the saying ‘Bigger does not always mean better’ goes well with this fact.
The features of these cars like sizable cargo space, fuel efficiency, affordability etc are well appreciable.
Automotive Science Group says that a compact car has slightly less interior space than a standard mid-sized Sedan and a mini compact or sub compact car is smaller than a compact one.
Consumer reports on the other hands state that smaller cars come with taller roofs and spacious back seat making them feel roomy.
Whether you are going for a compact or subcompact car, here are a few things to consider before taking any decision –
1. The money you spend – According to consumer reports, you can spend between $18,000 and $22,000 for a small car with popular features. This is a standard price limit set by them because all small cars do not come with small price tags. A basic subcompact car may cost around $13,000 but the one with more advanced features can cost you up to $35,000.
2. Safety that comes with the value – According to Edmunds, the new subcompact and compact cars come with a plenty of safety features like airbags, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, backup cameras, blind spot and cross traffic alert, electronic stability control etc , which make them safer like never before but obviously the crash test rating may not rank as high as a large car like Sedan or SUV .
3. Fuel Efficiency – Although it is believed mostly that smaller vehicles are more fuel efficient than larger vehicles but the case is not true for all small vehicles and with model, the fuel efficiency also varies greatly.
According to consumer reports, fuel efficiency of a vehicle is affected by its transmission . The vehicles with wider range of transmission will result in better fuel economy.
You can also go for a hybrid or electric car but only after taking in note if spending more money on the ‘green car’ will pay off in fuel saving says consumer reports.
4. Consider cabin comfort and cargo space – Most compact and sub compact cars have 4-5 seating capacity but in many models, the passengers on the back seat find it difficult to sit because of the very less leg room.
Get in and out of every seat of the car you are considering and check if there is enough head and leg room for you and the passenger to get in ,ride and get off the car easily.
It is also important to check the cargo space to be sure that there is enough space for you to put in the stuffs you carry around or any items you shop like groceries, clothing and other accessories. For cars with trunks, consumer reports suggest to look for a tall wide opening and fold – down seats so that you can at least pass longer items.
It is a must to understand your options before considering any car or buying one. Doing some research and determining which vehicle would suit you the most before hand can surely be of help and will get you through the process.
