Minicompact cars compared: all 13 current models side by side

Minicompact is the EPA's smallest passenger-car class, defined in federal regulation 40 CFR 600.315 (opens in a new tab) as an interior volume index under 85 cubic feet, which in practice means two-door coupes and small hatchbacks. On Kelley Blue Book's base prices the Subaru BRZ starts at $37,385 and the Fiat 500e at $37,695, the Lexus LC at $102,400 and the Porsche 911 at $129,950, so the class splits into an affordable end of two cars and a luxury end of coupes.

The Fiat 500e is the only electric here and rates 116 MPGe, costing about $650 a year to charge on the EPA's assumptions, against about $2,550 a year for the MINI Cooper, which is the most efficient gas car at 31 mpg, and 30 mpg for the MINI John Cooper Works. The Aston Martin DB12 V8 rates 17 mpg and the Vanquish 16.

Small cars and coupes have less rear space than their size suggests, so sit in the back seat and load the trunk before buying. Read the model page for the recall and complaint record and check a used car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.