Small Cars 2012
With the price of gas hitting $3.82 a gallon, a small, fuel efficient car might just be the best investment right now. These cars are not pricey, are fun to drive and don't require a large parking spot. It is the perfect automobile for a small family of four to five people, and it can be used for running errands and covering short and long distances without spending much on gas. There was a time when small cars were considered cheap and bland because of the poor design and low-cost interiors. However, the recent developments in automobile designing made them sporty and desirable. Now everyone wants or needs a Volkswagen Golf, Mini Cooper or a Fiat 500.
Many people think that small cars are not a safe buy; this belief is completely false. Today every new car has to undergo a series of stringent federal and industrial safety standards and crash test ratings to come out in the market. These stringent measures have increased the safety performances of all automobiles which run on the US soil.
Best Small Cars 2012
FIAT POP 500
Maker: Fiat, Italy
Models Available: Pop, Sport and Lounge
Engine: 1.4 Liter, Single Overhead Cam (SOHC), 4 cylinder and 16 valve
Fuel Economy: 25/30 mpg (city/highway)
Torque: 4000 rpm
Horsepower: 6500 rpm
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.5 gallons
Safety Features: 4 Wheel ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring, Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering
Additional Features: USB Connection, Mast Antenna, BOSE Speakers, External Temperature Display, Satellite Radio Service and Auxiliary Audio Input and iPod Integration
HONDA CIVIC EX COUPE
Maker: Honda, Japan
Models Available: Sedan, Coupe, Si Sedan, Si Coupe, HF, Hybrid and Natural Gas
Engine: 1.8 Liter, 4 cylinder, 16 valve DOHC i-VTEC
Fuel Economy: 22/31 mpg (city/highway)
Torque: 4400 rpm
Horsepower: 7000 rpm
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.5 gallons
Safety Features: 4 wheel ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering and Tire Pressure Monitoring
Additional Features: USB Connection, XM Radio, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Power Monitor Screen
FORD FIESTA SE HATCHBACK
Maker: Ford, USA
Models Available: S Sedan/Hatchback, SE Sedan/Hatchback and SEL Sedan/SES Hatchback
Engine: 1.6 Liter, 16 valve, Duratec 14
Fuel Economy: 29/38 mpg (city/highway)
Torque: 5000 rpm
Horsepower: 6350 rpm
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: Powershift 6 speed Automatic
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.4 gallons
Safety Features: 4 wheel ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering, Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors and Tire Pressure Monitoring
Additional Features: USB Connection, SIRIUS XM Radio, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Available Power Moonroof
KIA RIO SX
Maker: KIA Motors, South Korea
Models Available: LX, EX and SX
Engine: 1.6 Liter, 4 cylinder and 4 valve
Fuel Economy:30/40 mpg (city/highway)
Torque: 4850 rpm
Horsepower: 6300 rpm
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: Electronically controlled 6 Speed Automatic
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.4 gallons
Safety Features: 4 Wheel ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children and Tire Pressure Monitoring
Additional Features: USB Connection, 4 Speakers, UVO Infotainment System, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Start button with Smart Key
CHEVROLET SONIC 2LS
Maker:Chevrolet, USA
Models Available:1LS, 2LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1LZ and 2LZ
Engine: 1.8 Liter, Ecotec
Fuel Economy:3800 rpm
Torque: 6300 rpm
Horsepower: 6300 rpm
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: Powershift 6 speed Automatic
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.2 gallons
Safety Features: ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Electronic Power Steering, On Star Crash System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Key-less entry
Additional Features: USB Connection, 6 Speakers, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Key-less Entry System and Trip Computer
CHEVROLET SONIC 2LS
Maker: Mazda, Japan
Models Available:Sport and Touring
Engine: 1.5 Liter, 4 cylinder and 16 valve DOHC
Fuel Economy: 30/40 mpg (city/highway)
Torque: 4000 rpm
Horsepower: 6300 rpm
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: Electronically controlled 6 Speed Automatic
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.3 gallons
Safety Features: ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering, Anti Theft System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Key-less Remote Panic Button
Additional Features: USB Connection, 6 Speakers, Auxiliary Audio Imput Jack, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Key-less Entry System
HYUNDAI VELOSTER
Maker: Hyundai, South Korea
Models Available:NA
Engine: 1.6 Liter, GDI, DOHC, 4 cylinder with Dual CWT
Fuel Economy: 28/40 mpg (city/highway)
Torque: 4850 rpm
Horsepower: 6300 rpm
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: Powershift 6 speed Automatic
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 gallons
Safety Features: ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Electronic Power Steering, Vehicle Stability Management, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Key-less entry
Additional Features: USB Connection, 8 Speakers, Pandora Internet Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Key-less Entry System and XM Satellite Radio with Navigation
HYUNDAI VELOSTER
Maker: Hyundai, South Korea
Models Available: GLS, GS and SE
Engine: 1.6 Liter, 16 valve, GDI, DOHC, 4 cylinder with Dual CWT
Fuel Economy: 30/40 mpg (city/highway)
Torque: 4800 rpm
Horsepower: 6300 rpm
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual Transmission
Fuel Type: Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.4 gallons
Safety Features: ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Electronic Power Steering, Vehicle Stability Management, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Key-less Entry
Additional Features: USB Connection, 8 Speakers, Pandora Internet Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Key-less Entry System and XM Satellite Radio with Navigation
It is my personal opinion that car fanatics won't be satisfied with just eight names. Don't fret because here are some more names which are arriving to set the roads on fire in the coming months.
- Ford Focus ST (Expected release mid 2012 or early 2013)
- Toyota Prius C (Launched and a good green car)
- MINI Paceman (Expected release in mid 2012 or early 2013; it is cute, reliable and fast)
- Dodge Dart (Expected release in mid 2012; an impressive car with a ferocious look)
- Cadillac ATS 2013 (Expected release next year. An amazing sedan for people who live uniquely)
