Compact car: Toyota Corolla
When it comes to sheer powertrain variety in the compact car segment – or any other segment, for that matter – it doesn’t get much more varied than what’s offered with Toyota’s ultra-popular sedan. There’s both a sedan and a five-door hatch, AWD and FWD powertrains as well as gas-only or hybrid options.
What’s more, no matter which model you choose, you will never eclipse the $40,000 range.
But the sweet spot has to be the LE AWD model that gets you AWD with a hybrid engine as well as heated front seats and steering wheel, Toyota’s latest suite of safety features, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and push button start. All for just over $30,000 and when you factor in the fuel savings associated with a hybrid powertrain, the deal gets sweeter still.
See also: 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review: Win Win
Compact SUV: Mazda CX-5
Call us boring if you want, but we see no reason why the CX-5 shouldn’t be our pick here for 2024/25. It remains the best-looking vehicle in the segment and has the handling to back up its sporty looks. Inside, we find top-drawer materials and now that Mazda has upgraded its infotainment tech, it no longer lags so far behind in that department.
Best of all, the price: $32,550 gets you a GX model, and with that you get 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sport and off-off road drive modes, two front USB-C ports and three-level heated front seats. That is a heck of a lot of bang for your entry-level buck.
See also: 2025 Mazda CX-5: Few Changes for an Aging Superstar
