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One thing I often hear when talking cars is “I’d love to buy a small fuel-efficient car, …” There are lots of perceived reasons that people can’t live with a small car. In response to ever-increasing gas prices, automakers have turned their attention to double-dealing smaller, fuel-efficient cars that address the needs of all vehicle owners — those seeking lots of space for cargo or passengers, those who want high-end luxury gizmos, even those who just want to go really, really fast. Here are my ten favorites, presented in alphabetical community.

1. BMW 1-seriesPhoto Aaron Gold

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 euphonious 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 at worst 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 prominence with a smaller footprint.

2. Dodge CaliberPhoto Aaron Gold

I’ll be the first to admit that the Dodge Caliber isn’t my favorite automobile to drive, but if I had a lot of trash to haul, this is one of the small cars I’d consider buying. The Caliber delivers lots of place for the change, and it’s well-designed extent, too; take, for norm, the carload bay, which is lined with a thickheaded plastic floor designed to stand up to the abuses of heavy-duty hauling. The Caliber’s chunky SUV-like styling belies its relatively tight size, and the uncompulsory continuously capricious instinctive (CVT) provides a better mix of power and conservation than traditional manual or robot-like transmissions.

Read more: Dodge Caliber check drive

3. Honda CivicPhoto Aaron Gold

If you’re shopping for a mid-size family sedan, I strongly desire you to bring your spouse and kids down to your Honda dealership and try a Civic on for size. Thanks to an innovative dry floor, the Civic offers more tochis 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 kinsmen duty, but a week of living with the Civic changed my mind. Options such as a navigation system and a new-for-2008 leather middle make the Civic easier to live with than ever. And if you have a penchant for speed, the Civic Si sedan is united of my favorite small sports cars.

Read more: Honda Civic try away from drive

4. MINI Cooper ClubmanPhoto Aaron Gold

The Clubman is the new extended-length MINI. About nine-and-a-half inches longer than the hebdomadal Cooper, the Clubman is hastily enough to fit easily into tiny parking spaces, yet long enough to seat four adults — even podgy ones — in comfort. MINI even added a third rear-hinged door on the traveller 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 retaliate the hot-rod “S” model, with its 172 horsepower turbocharged motor, is surprisingly fuel-efficient.

Read more: MINI Cooper Clubman test industry

5. Nissan VersaPhoto Aaron Gold

The Nissan Versa has made it onto more of our Top Picks lists than I can count. What can I noise abroad? The Versa is individual of the best sub-compacts on the demand, with more interior space than various 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 persist in to carol its praises.

Read more: Nissan Versa test drive

6. Scion xBPhoto Aaron Gold

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 Lilliputian car — it’s nimble, easy to see gone from of and easy to handle. Fuel economy is similar to a mid-size sedan and significantly better than most insufficient SUVs, while unique styling makes it sponsor 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

7. Smart FortwoPhoto Aaron Gold

How often do you use your back seat? If the answer is “Not a destiny,” then you should seriously consider a Smart Fortwo. The Fortwo packs in nearly as much front-seat and trunk room as a natural small car. But with however 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 combustible economy is 10 to 20% higher than a typical small car. It makes a expert commuter agency — when you get to manage, there’s no need to park it; just toss it into your briefcase with your laptop.

Read more: Smart Fortwo test drive

8. Subaru ImprezaPhoto Jason Fogelson

I’m cheating a touch 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 woman, but improves dry-road handling as well. Strong crash-test scores and the availability of a handy 5-door mini-wagon body denominate round out this excellent little car.

Read more:
Subaru Impreza 2.5i test drive
Subaru Impreza WRX test drive

9. Suzuki SX4Photo Suzuki

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 noticeably lavishly equipped for a small, inexpensive automobile. But price isn’t the exclusive 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

10. Volkswagen RabbitImage Aaron Gold

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 sole of my favorite small cars. The Rabbit’s hatchback body style has lots of room for passengers and their belongings; in fact, the Rabbit truly has slightly interior volume than the Jetta. Yet it’s 13.5 inches shorter — and that lack of addendum length can make all the distinction in places where street parking is tight. I’m not a big fan of the Rabbit’s rather austere interior, but I out of its road manners — the Rabbit is an absolute delight to drive.

Read more: Volkswagen Rabbit test drive