Top 10 Compact Sedans 2022 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

For the 2022 model year, the redesigned 11th-generation Honda Civic is our Best Overall compact sedan, starting at $22,695. It pairs a refined ride, a roomy 14.8-cubic-foot trunk, available 180-hp turbo power, and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating into one polished package.

Our Best Value pick is the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE, starting at $23,650, returning an EPA-estimated 53 mpg city with Toyota's reliability reputation and standard Safety Sense 2.0. Thrill-seekers should jump to the Civic Si or Elantra N, while budget hunters will find the Kia Forte and Nissan Sentra hard to beat on price.

Below are the ten best 2022 compact and small sedans, ranked with real MSRP, horsepower, EPA fuel economy, and safety scores — no invented trims or prices.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each car the way a real buyer spends money over five years of ownership. Our scoring blended six factors:

• Reliability & ownership cost — 25%: long-term dependability, warranty length, and projected maintenance, drawing on Consumer Reports and J.D. Power history.
• Efficiency & powertrain — 20%: EPA combined mpg, hybrid availability, and how the engine actually drives.
• Safety — 20%: IIHS crash ratings and NHTSA star scores, plus standard driver-assist tech.
• Value & tech — 15%: price-to-content, infotainment, and warranty coverage.
• Comfort — 10%: ride quality, seat support, and cabin noise.
• Price-to-performance — 10%: how much fun and capability each dollar buys.

Source data came from Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book (KBB), U.S. News, The Car Connection, IIHS, and the EPA's fueleconomy.gov. Every figure below is a real 2022 model-year specification.

1. Honda Civic 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $22,695 | Best for: buyers who want one car that does everything well

The fully redesigned 2022 Honda Civic is the class benchmark. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 158 hp, while the EX and Touring step up to a turbocharged 1.5-liter rated at 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The EX is rated at 33 city / 42 highway / 36 combined mpg.

The cabin gained a cleaner dashboard and larger touchscreen, and the 14.8-cubic-foot trunk is among the biggest in the segment. The Civic earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for 2022.

Pros:

• Class-leading 14.8 cu ft trunk and roomy rear seat
• Top Safety Pick+ with standard Honda Sensing
• Refined ride with genuinely fun turbo power
• Strong resale value and proven reliability

Cons:

• All-wheel drive is not offered
• Higher trims climb past $28,000

Verdict: The most well-rounded compact sedan of 2022 and the easy default recommendation.

2. Toyota Corolla Hybrid 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $23,650 | Best for: commuters chasing maximum mpg with minimum fuss

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE delivers the lowest fuel bills in the class. Its 1.8-liter four-cylinder plus two electric motors produce a combined 121 hp, sipping fuel at an EPA-estimated 53 city / 52 highway / 52 combined mpg in a front-wheel-drive layout. You give up some passing punch, but gain a near-Prius mpg figure inside a normal-looking sedan.

Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 brings adaptive cruise and lane-keeping, and Toyota's 200,000-mile reputation is well earned. For total cost of ownership, nothing here is smarter.

Pros:

• 53 mpg city — best efficiency in the group
• Legendary Toyota reliability and resale
• Safety Sense 2.0 standard across the board
• Hybrid premium pays back fast for high-mile drivers

Cons:

• Only 121 hp feels modest on highway merges
• Cabin materials trail the Mazda3 and Civic

Verdict: The smartest dollar-for-dollar buy of 2022 if efficiency tops your list.

3. Hyundai Elantra

Starting MSRP: $20,650 | Best for: value shoppers who want the longest warranty

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra swings far above its price. The base 2.0-liter four makes 147 hp, and an Elantra Hybrid rated near 139 hp returns up to 54 mpg combined, all in front-wheel drive. Bold styling, twin 10.25-inch screens on upper trims, and a 14.2-cubic-foot trunk punch above the sticker.

Backing it all is Hyundai's 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the best in the class, plus strong IIHS scores and standard forward-collision avoidance.

Pros:

• Industry-best 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty
• Available hybrid hits up to 54 mpg combined
• Big standard tech and bold styling
• Aggressive starting price near $20,650

Cons:

• Base 2.0-liter engine feels merely adequate
• Ride is firmer than the Corolla

Verdict: The value-and-warranty champion that nearly stole Best Value.

4. Mazda3

Starting MSRP: $20,800 | Best for: drivers who want a near-luxury feel and available AWD

The 2022 Mazda3 sedan is the enthusiast's comfort pick. Engines run from a 155-hp 2.0-liter to a 186-hp 2.5-liter and a punchy 250-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter on premium gas. It is the only mainstream pick here with available all-wheel drive, and the non-turbo front-driver returns 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.

The cabin feels a class above, with rich materials and a quiet ride, though the 13.2-cubic-foot trunk is on the smaller side. The Mazda3 has long earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition.

Pros:

• Premium cabin that shames pricier rivals
• Available AWD — rare in this class
• 250-hp turbo option for real speed
• Sharp handling and quiet highway manners

Cons:

• Smallest trunk among our top picks at 13.2 cu ft
• Tight rear-seat headroom

Verdict: The most premium-feeling compact sedan of 2022, especially in turbo AWD form.

5. Toyota Corolla

Starting MSRP: $20,075 | Best for: buyers who want dependable, no-drama transportation

The standard 2022 Toyota Corolla is the dependability default. A 139-hp 1.8-liter four handles base duty, while a 169-hp 2.0-liter is offered with a CVT or a six-speed manual, all in front-wheel drive. Fuel economy is strong and standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 anchors a deep driver-assist roster.

The Corolla won't excite, but it rarely disappoints, and its resale value is among the strongest in the segment.

Pros:

• Rock-solid reliability and resale
• Standard Safety Sense 2.0 driver aids
• Available 169-hp engine and manual gearbox
• Low ownership and insurance costs

Cons:

• Base 1.8-liter is slow
• Infotainment lags rivals on graphics

Verdict: The safe, sensible pick that almost never lets owners down.

6. Honda Civic Si

Starting MSRP: $27,500 | Best for: purists who want an affordable, manual-only sport sedan

The 2022 Honda Civic Si is the enthusiast bargain. Its turbocharged 1.5-liter makes 200 hp and 192 lb-ft, sent through a standard six-speed manual with rev-match downshifting to the front wheels. Honda tuned the chassis tighter than the standard Civic and added a limited-slip differential.

It is more about balance and feel than raw numbers, and it shares the Civic's strong safety hardware. For a row-your-own driver's car under $28,000, few rivals are this rewarding.

Pros:

• 200-hp turbo with a brilliant manual shifter
• Limited-slip differential and sport-tuned chassis
• Daily-livable comfort and big trunk
• Honda reliability in a sport package

Cons:

• No automatic transmission offered
• Modest power bump over a loaded Civic Touring

Verdict: The most fun-per-dollar sport sedan of 2022 for stick-shift fans.

7. Kia Forte

Starting MSRP: $19,090 | Best for: budget buyers who refuse to skimp on features

The 2022 Kia Forte is the content-per-dollar leader at the bottom of the price ladder. Most trims use a 147-hp 2.0-liter four, while the sporty Forte GT brings a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter with a dual-clutch automatic or six-speed manual. Base FE models hit 31 city / 41 highway mpg, and the 15.3-cubic-foot trunk is one of the largest here.

Standard tech, a roomy cabin, and Kia's 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty make it a budget standout in front-wheel drive.

Pros:

• Lowest entry price with generous standard tech
• Huge 15.3 cu ft trunk
• 201-hp Forte GT for added fun
• Long Kia warranty coverage

Cons:

• Interior plastics feel budget-grade
• GT's dual-clutch can be jerky at low speed

Verdict: The best cheap-and-cheerful compact sedan of 2022 with surprising space.

8. Hyundai Elantra N

Starting MSRP: $31,660 | Best for: track-day enthusiasts wanting a warranty-backed hot rod

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra N is the wild card of the group. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four makes 276 hp with the six-speed manual or 286 hp with the eight-speed dual-clutch and N Grin Shift overboost, driving the front wheels through an electronic limited-slip differential.

EPA economy lands around 20 to 22 city / 30 to 31 highway mpg, the trade-off for serious speed. It brings adaptive dampers, launch control, and aggressive styling, yet still carries Hyundai's long warranty.

Pros:

• Up to 286 hp with launch control and overboost
• Adaptive dampers and e-LSD for track use
• Hyundai's long warranty on a performance car
• Manual or quick-shifting dual-clutch

Cons:

• Firm ride and loud cabin for daily use
• Thirstiest pick in the group

Verdict: The most thrilling compact sedan of 2022 — a genuine performance bargain.

9. Subaru Impreza

Starting MSRP: $19,295 | Best for: snow-belt and all-weather drivers on a budget

The 2022 Subaru Impreza is the only sedan here with standard all-wheel drive, a major draw in rain and snow. All trims use a 152-hp 2.0-liter boxer four, and CVT versions return up to 28 city / 36 highway / 32 combined mpg, while a base five-speed manual is offered.

The trade-offs are a modest 12.3-cubic-foot trunk and leisurely acceleration. The Impreza earned the highest Good ratings in the original IIHS crash tests and offers Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist suite.

Pros:

• Standard all-wheel drive at a low price
• Strong IIHS crash performance
• Available manual transmission
• Practical hatchback body also offered

Cons:

• Smallest trunk here at 12.3 cu ft
• Slow with only 152 hp

Verdict: The go-to compact sedan of 2022 for buyers who need all-weather traction.

10. Volkswagen Jetta

Starting MSRP: $20,195 | Best for: drivers who want German road feel and a big trunk

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta rounds out the list with European driving manners. A new-for-2022 turbocharged 1.5-liter makes 158 hp and 184 lb-ft, returning 31 city / 41 highway / 35 combined mpg with the eight-speed automatic in front-wheel drive. The hot Jetta GLI ups output to 228 hp and 258 lb-ft with a 2.0-liter turbo.

The cabin is upscale and quiet, the trunk is generous, and a six-speed manual is standard on lower trims. VW backs it with a four-year / 50,000-mile powertrain warranty plus two years of included maintenance.

Pros:

• Composed, planted German ride and steering
• Efficient 158-hp turbo and roomy trunk
• 228-hp GLI for performance buyers
• Included two-year scheduled maintenance

Cons:

• Shorter powertrain warranty than Korean rivals
• Some cabin plastics feel hard

Verdict: The most grown-up-feeling compact sedan of 2022 for highway-mile drivers.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Compact Sedan

When you cross-shop these cars, focus on the things that actually shape ownership:

• Real fuel economy: compare EPA combined mpg, and if you drive over 15,000 miles a year, run the math on a hybrid premium — it can pay back in two to three years.
• Warranty length: Hyundai and Kia's 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain coverage is worth real money versus the typical five-year plan.
• Trunk and rear-seat space: figures swing from the Civic's 14.8 cu ft to the Impreza's 12.3 cu ft, which matters for families and road trips.
• Standard safety tech: confirm forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping are standard, then verify the exact trim's IIHS and NHTSA scores.
• Drivetrain: only the Mazda3 and Impreza offer all-wheel drive; everyone else is front-wheel drive.
• Transmission: a six-speed manual is still available on the Si, GLI, Forte GT, Corolla, Impreza, and Jetta if you want it.

One honest note: horsepower bragging rights matter less than marketing implies. For most commuters, a 150-hp base engine is perfectly adequate, and money is better spent on the safety package, a longer warranty, or a hybrid drivetrain than on chasing a bigger number on the spec sheet.

FAQ

What is the best compact sedan for 2022 overall? The redesigned 2022 Honda Civic takes the top spot for its blend of refinement, a class-leading 14.8-cubic-foot trunk, available 180-hp turbo power, and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, all starting around $22,695.

Which 2022 compact sedan gets the best gas mileage? The Toyota Corolla Hybrid leads at an EPA-estimated 53 city / 52 highway mpg, with the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid close behind at up to 54 mpg combined.

Which 2022 compact sedan offers all-wheel drive? Only two on this list: the Mazda3 offers available AWD, and the Subaru Impreza comes with standard all-wheel drive at one of the lowest prices in the class.

What is the cheapest compact sedan in 2022? Among our picks, the Kia Forte (around $19,090), the Subaru Impreza (around $19,295), and the Nissan Sentra (around $19,610) anchor the value end, all loaded with standard features.

Which 2022 compact sedan is the most fun to drive? The Honda Civic Si (200 hp, manual only) is the affordable enthusiast pick, while the Hyundai Elantra N (up to 286 hp) is the full-bore performance choice with launch control and adaptive dampers.

Which 2022 compact sedan has the best warranty? The Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte both carry a 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the longest standard coverage in the segment.

Bottom Line

For 2022, the Honda Civic is the compact sedan to beat — it does nearly everything well, which is why it earns Best Overall. If your priority is the lowest running cost, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and its 53-mpg rating make it our Best Value, with the warranty-rich Hyundai Elantra a close runner-up.

From there, match the car to your life: the Mazda3 for a premium feel, the Impreza for all-weather grip, the Civic Si or Elantra N for thrills, and the Forte, Sentra, or Jetta when budget leads. Every car here is a real, well-rated 2022 model.

Sources

• Edmunds — 2022 Honda Civic, Mazda3, Sentra, Impreza, and Jetta reviews and specs (edmunds.com)
• Kelley Blue Book (KBB) — 2022 Forte, Elantra, Corolla Hybrid, and Mazda3 pricing and specs (kbb.com)
• Car and Driver — 2022 compact sedan road tests and specifications (caranddriver.com)
• MotorTrend — 2022 Civic, Corolla, and Elantra N reviews (motortrend.com)
• U.S. News & World Report — 2022 Mazda3 and Impreza rankings (cars.usnews.com)
• The Car Connection — 2022 Civic, Elantra, Forte, and Jetta overviews (thecarconnection.com)
• IIHS — 2022 Civic Top Safety Pick+ and 2022 Impreza crash ratings (iihs.org)
• EPA fueleconomy.gov — 2022 Corolla Hybrid and compact sedan MPG data (fueleconomy.gov)
• Cars.com — 2022 Corolla Hybrid, Elantra N, and Sentra specifications (cars.com)
• Subaru U.S. Media Center — 2022 Impreza pricing press kit (media.subaru.com)

*Compact sedan review — compact sedan reviews, rating, best compact sedan 2022, and a review of the top small car picks for buyers.*