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Hyundai

1. 2013 Hyundai Accent L

Automatic, four-door sedan

Factory price: $14,649

Factory incentive: $1,500

Dealer discount (estimated): $450

Monthly payment to finance for 96 months at 3.29 per cent: $192.87

The skinny: This is a great looking car and over the years it’s proved to be reliable, too. The direct injection four-banger is peppy and fuel-efficient, the cabin is surprisingly roomy and, if you’re willing to spend more, Hyundai will load you up with fancy options.

Honda

2. 2013 Honda Civic DX

Sedan, manual

Factory price: $15,440

Factory incentive: $500

Dealer discount (estimated): $500

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at 1.99 per cent: $208.31

The skinny: There are good reasons why the Civic has been Canada’s best-selling car for years and years. It’s reliable, fuel-efficient, comfortable, safe and affordable. The 2014 version gets plenty of upgrades, but the 2013 is no dog.

Honda

3. 2013 Honda Fit DX

Hatchback, manual

Factory price: $14,580

Factory incentive: $500

Dealer discount (estimated): $325

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at 0.99 per cent: $214.25

The skinny: The Fit is a Swiss Army Knife on wheels. Boxy, sure, but no one builds a more versatile small car in this price range. Honda showed an all-new version of the Fit at the Detroit auto show, so this version is on the way out.

Mazda

4. 2013 Mazda2 GX

Four-door hatchback, auto

Factory price: $15,600

Factory incentive: $3,500

Dealer discount (estimated): $325

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at zero per cent: $228.09 (Note: manufacturer incentive for cash purchases only.)

The skinny: The Mazda2 is a nifty little city car, though the design is dated and the power is so-so. This platform is shared with older versions of the Ford Fiesta. That is, it dates back to the days when Ford controlled Mazda.
Mazda

5. 2013 Mazda3

Four-door sedan, automatic

Factory price: $17,195

Factory incentive: $4,000

Dealer discount (estimated): $450

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at zero per cent: $249.81 (Note: manufacturer incentive for cash purchases only.)

The skinny: The Mazda3 has been one of Canada’s top-selling cars for more than a decade. Stylish and entertaining, the 3 has long been one of the measures of excellent in the compact segment. The 2014 version is a remake, thus the deals on leftover 2013s.

Nissan

6. 2013 Nissan Sentra S

Four-door sedan, manual

Factory price: $14,848

Factory incentive: $2,500

Dealer discount (estimated): $200

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at 5.2 per cent:$216.22 (Note: a $3,000 factory incentive is available with purchase financing.)

The skinny: Quiet, comfortable and reinvented just over a year ago, the Sentra is a conservative design that hasn’t quite hit the sweet spot in the compact segment. Worse, Nissan sells only a sedan version and lots of Canadian buyers like hatchbacks. Good, but uninspired.

General Motors

7. 2014 Chevrolet Spark LS

Five-door hatchback, manual

Factory price: $11,945

Factory incentive: $0

Dealer discount (estimated): $260

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at 1.99 per cent: $192.77

The skinny: The Spark is a city car imported from General Motors’ Korean subsidiary. The selling story is the versatility of a hatchback and some advanced electronic features aimed at young buyers.

Kia

8. 2014 Kia Rio LS

Four-door sedan, manual

Factory price: $13,995

Factory incentive: $1,000

Dealer discount (estimated): $380

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at 0.99 per cent: $203.24 (Note: only a $640 factory incentive is available with purchase financing.)

The skinny: This one is a cousin of the Hyundai Accent. Kia has a solid subcompact here, one that’s pleasant to drive and handsome from all angles. The cabin is comfy for a runabout and the performance might surprise you.

Mitsubishi

9. 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer DE

Manual

Factory price: $14,998

Factory incentive: $0

Dealer discount (estimated): $400

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at zero per cent: $216.49

The skinny: It’s easy to overlook Mitsu’s Civic-fighter, but a test drive may open your eyes. This compact is well put together and more nimble than most would expect.

Toyota

10. 2014 Toyota Yaris CE

Three-door hatch, manual

Factory price: $14,255

Factory incentive: $1,000

Dealer discount (estimated): $175

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at 3.9 per cent:$226.38

The skinny: The calling card handed out by the Yaris is reliability. The car itself does not feel or drive in a particularly sophisticated manner and the road noise is pronounced. But your Yaris is unlikely to break.

Chrysler

11. 2014 FIAT 500 Pop

Factory price: $15,995

Factory incentive: $2,500

Dealer discount (estimated): $350

Monthly payment to finance for 96 months at 4.29 per cent: $208.55

The skinny: Here we have a little Italian flair for your everyday errands. The 500 is small, but it looks novel and discussion-worthy. You’ll likely enjoy the drive, too. This car is a design statement on four wheels.

Nissan

12. 2014 Nissan Versa 1.6 S

Four-door sedan, manual

Factory price: $11,898

Factory incentive: $0

Dealer discount (estimated): $130

Monthly payment to finance for 84 months at 3.9 per cent: $207.29

The skinny: Nissan created a basic small car here, one built in Mexico. It’s roomy and not unattractive, but the car feels light and tinny and, when you get up to highway speeds, road noise is significant.


Payment and pricing source: unhaggle.com