Segment defying cars are showing up all over these days. From every manufacture there is a car that you feel the need to ask “why would you buy one?” The collection of cars that I am comparing today is a small portion of this group. I have chosen to exclude such cars as the Nissan cube (it ranked outside my top 6 list) the Honda Element (because it doesn’t exist) and a few others. This comparison will feature six cars: The Mini Cooper hardtop, the Honda CRZ, the Fiat 500, the Honda Veloster, the Scion xD and the Kia Soul. I will rank them in order based on practicality, most bang for the buck, fuck economy, and drivability. Generally these cars all start under the $20,000 price range and I tested cars under that range. This means that for comparisons you will be looking at base engines and not many upgrades or packages. The purpose of this test is to help those recent or upcoming high school/college grads who are looking for a stand out car, a sporty ride, and are not interested in your basic Corolla/Civic/Elantra class sedan.
6th Place: Fiat 500
This is an odd car to figure out. The 500 a car you want to hate but at the same time you cannot. It’s a fun little car but I just cannot justify a position higher than fifth for the little Fiat. Although the style is retro and modern at the same time and an attractive design, it really has no redeeming qualities in terms of power, reliability or value. Lets start with practicality. The trunk is smaller than a backpack and the rear seats would have issues accommodating anyone above 3’ tall. The practicality is none because you cannot carry anything and your limited to only one passenger in the car. Now you would think that because of the size of this little Italian car that it would handle as good or better than the Mini. Its short wheel base and narrow footprint provides a very bumpy ride leading towards an uncomfortable time on the highway and bumpy roads. The car also heavily under steers when your trying to accelerate through a turn. The sticker price of the car I tested was over $18,500 and it only achieved 29mpg in the automatic I drove. These numbers are less than a similarly priced Corolla and the 500 has a higher price. Overall this is a great little car… when it isn’t compared to anything else with a motor and four wheels.
5th Place: Scion xD
The Scion was a bit revolutionary… back in 2008 when it debuted replacing the older xA that Scion originally offered upon its founding. The car is very well equipped but the xD’s aging design among a constantly growing competitive class. The car is relatively cheap with the model I drove clocking in at just above $16,000 with the automatic transmission. The xD, like all other Scions, is extremely customizable and comes with stock items such as a Pioneer audio system, cruise control, and a roomy rear seat and truck (for this class). The interior does feel cheap and the driving lacks all steering feel combined with an underpowered engine. Also, like most Toyota’s, people above 5’5” will find comfort does not come easily for the driver. For these reasons, the xD was only able to notch 5th place.
4th Place: Hyundai Veloster
Now the number of heads that were turned by my Veloster test vehicle in bright yellow could not be tracked in downtown Atlanta. However this is not an important factor for this competition. The reason this car finished so low is because it does not live up to the expectations of those who enter the drivers seat. The looks make it seem like an exciting place to be and displays a sporty look to the car. Then you turn the key. This is one of the most uncomfortable rides I have ever experience. It is harder than you typically sports suspension and you feel every bump like your driving off the Empire State Building and smacking into the pavement below. There is understeer and oversteer and the complete inability to his the apex going through a turn. In addition, the base engine is one of the worse I have ever seen producing only 138hp. This is a good amount of power for this class but the way it is delivered is painstakingly disappointing. There is really no acceleration (0-60 was 8.9 seconds) and this delivered worse than expected economy at 27mpg. The main reason for its fourth place finish is the exciting styling, roomy interior, low cost and its 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. I would wait for the 2.0 turbo which would help bring this car to second or third.
3rd Place: Honda CRZ
The CRZ is a great little car if your looking for a small sporty hybrid. The problem with this car, first and foremost, is that in order to have any power, to say, climb a hill, you do not have that unless your in sport mode defeating the purpose of a hybrid. People are stepping into the CRZ expecting the sharp handling from a Civic Si only to be extremely disappointed. This car is gears towards a smooth ride not hitting the apex going around a road course. The transmission choices are good with an easy to shift manual and a sporty CVT transmission. The reason for third is the rather ugly styling and the uselessness of the hybrid engine going against the status quo of a sports car.
2nd place: Mini Cooper
Those who know me know that I am not the biggest fan of the smallest (now second smallest with the new coupe) Mini. This car just does not justify for me and but my opinions have no effect on the way this car delivers. This car is extremely fun to drive even with the base 1.6L 121hp engine. While you may not be flying past people like you would in the turbo Cooper S, the base engine does provide a bit of fun and comfort as you go from A to B. The handling is thrilling and responsive but rather stiff and loud. The interior can take some getting use to with the pizza-sized speedo in the center of the car and the placement of some dials and switches. The main reason for its second place finish is not only the interior layout (either you like it or you hate it) but the base price of the car. As is typical with Mini (a subsidiary of BMW) relatively nothing is standard on this car. Everything is an option and before you know it the $20,200 base sticker can jump to over $30,000 with just a few boxes. This puts the Mini out of the reach of many buyers in this segment and almost drops in it into the 40+ age category.
1st Place: Kia Soul
Some of my readers may be surprised on the finishing location of “the hamster car” but this car is really an excellent package for an extremely reasonable price. Starting at $13,900 the car is well equipped for the basic price and provides a decent amount of power and driving fun for an economy Kia. The car had a partial redesign for 2012 adding even more stock features and new offerings like revised transmissions and steering all the way up to available navigation systems. The base 1.6 engine producing 138hp and 123 lb-ft of torque is more than enough to power this car along and the transmission options bring the car up to 34 mpg highway. The trunk size is moderate for this class but with the seats down, you can easily fit a lot of stuff in the boot. The car is enjoyable to drive (even more so with the available 2.0L engine) with good responsiveness and firm breaking. With the minor 2012 tweaks the suspension provides a quality ride. The first place podium is well deserved for this car with its standard equipment, low cost sticker price/ownership and a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.
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