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.
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.
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.
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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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