10 Small Cars You Can Live With

Small luxury cars are a rare thing in America, but they are common in the Europe, homeland of the BMW 128i and 135i. The 1-series feels pretty much like a shrunken 3-series, with similar ameneties and trim in a smaller package that's easy to maneuver and fun to drive. The 1 is not particularly cheap, and since it's only available as a two-door (coupe or convertible) it's not the best choice for people with kids -- but it's a great option for singles and couples who want BMW cachet with a smaller footprint.

Review coming soon!

I'll be the first to admit that the Dodge Caliber isn't my favorite car to drive, but if I had a lot of stuff to haul, this is one of the small cars I'd consider buying. The Caliber delivers lots of space for the money, and it's well-designed space, too; take, for example, the cargo bay, which is lined with a thick plastic floor designed to stand up to the abuses of heavy-duty hauling. The Caliber's chunky SUV-like styling belies its relatively small size, and the optional continuously variable automatic (CVT) provides a better mix of power and economy than traditional manual or automatic transmissions.

Read more: Dodge Caliber test drive

If you're shopping for a mid-size family sedan, I strongly urge you to bring your spouse and kids down to your Honda dealership and try a Civic on for size. Thanks to an innovative flat floor, the Civic offers more rear seat space than most compacts, and in terms of fuel economy it's one of the best. I've always preferred mid-size sedans for family duty, but a week of living with the Civic changed my mind. Options such as a navigation system and a new-for-2008 leather interior make the Civic easier to live with than ever. And if you have a penchant for speed, the Civic Si sedan is one of my favorite small sports cars.

Read more: Honda Civic test drive

The Clubman is the new extended-length MINI. About nine-and-a-half inches longer than the regular Cooper, the Clubman is short enough to fit easily into tiny parking spaces, yet long enough to seat four adults -- even well-fed ones -- in comfort. MINI even added a third rear-hinged door on the passenger side, which means you don't have to be a contortionist to make it into the back seat. The Cooper Clubman is enjoyable to drive, and even the hot-rod "S" model, with its 172 horsepower turbocharged engine, is surprisingly fuel-efficient.

Read more: MINI Cooper Clubman test drive

The Nissan Versa has made it onto more of our Top Picks lists than I can count. What can I say? The Versa is one of the best sub-compacts on the market, with more interior space than many compacts (and even a few mid-sizers) and amenities that belie its super-cheap price. As long as Nissan keeps making the Versa, I will continue to sing its praises.

Read more: Nissan Versa test drive

A 2008 redesigned up-sized the Scion xB from mini-box to proper SUV-beater -- the xB has as much back seat and cargo room as many crossover SUVs. From behind the wheel, the Scion xB has all the advantages of a small car -- it's nimble, easy to see out of and easy to drive. Fuel economy is similar to a mid-size sedan and significantly better than most small SUVs, while unique styling makes it stand out in a world of look-alike cars.

Read more: http://cars.about.com/od/scion/fr/08_scion_xb.htm">Scion xB test drive

How often do you use your back seat? If the answer is "Not a lot," then you should seriously consider a Smart Fortwo. The Fortwo packs in nearly as much front-seat and trunk room as a typical small car. But with only one row of seats, it's a good 4 to 5 feet shorter than your typical subcompact. That means it'll squeeze into those little half-spaces that even small hatchbacks have to pass up. And with just 1800 lbs to haul around, the Fortwo's fuel economy is 10 to 20% higher than a typical small car. It makes a great commuter vehicle -- when you get to work, there's no need to park it; just toss it into your briefcase with your laptop.

Read more: Smart Fortwo test drive

I'm cheating a bit here, because the Impreza is really two different cars. In base (2.5i) form, the Impreza is a sensible, safe and practical family hauler. In WRX or STI guise, it's a serious speed demon that delivers grins by the bucket-full. The secret is the Impreza's all-wheel-drive, which not only makes the Impreza an excellent foul-weather friend, but improves dry-road handling as well. Strong crash-test scores and the availability of a handy 5-door mini-wagon body style round out this excellent little car.

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Subaru Impreza 2.5i test drive
Subaru Impreza WRX test drive

Another perennial favorite of mine, the Suzuki SX4 is the cheapest car in North America with standard all-wheel-drive (at least in hatchback form; the SX4 Sport sedan is front-drive only), and its quite lavishly equipped for a small, inexpensive car. But price isn't the only reason I love the SX4 -- it's got lots of headroom and a surprisingly spacious back seat, plus it's cute to look at and fun to drive.

Read more: Suzuki SX4 test drive

Though its not as popular in America as its betrunked sibling, the Jetta, the Rabbit (known elsewhere as the Golf) is Volkswagen's best-selling model world-wide, and it's also one of my favorite small cars. The Rabbit's hatchback body style has lots of room for passengers and their belongings; in fact, the Rabbit actually has slightly more interior volume than the Jetta. Yet it's 13.5 inches shorter -- and that lack of extra length can make all the difference in places where street parking is tight. I'm not a big fan of the Rabbit's rather austere interior, but I love its road manners -- the Rabbit is an absolute delight to drive.

Read more: Volkswagen Rabbit test drive